Web Site Critique, please

[stanbery]

Pete

Need more pictures for starters. People love to see Bling(AKA Nice Rods that you build.)

Move these:
Move to Bamboo Secton
Bamboo Fly Rods: Renaissance Rods does not keep a bunch of generic blanks in the shop for builds. First you decide on the taper, line weight, components and color scheme. Once all the parameters are chosen, then your rod is started. If you don't have a particular rod in mind we will work with you to find a rod that will suit you. Personally, my favorite is a beautiful little blonde rod that is a dream to fish with. Seven foot, two piece, 3 / 4 weight. She can drop a dry right on the mark or if need be chuck a weighted nymph right into that seam. This model has caught 4" Golden Trout in high mountain meadows and 18" Rainbows in fast moving free stone waters with a delicate touch and plenty of backbone.

Move to Fiberglass Secton
Fiberglass Fly Rods: Our fiberglass builds are a blend of new technology with the look of a bygone era. With all the great blank makers out there finding a blank should be a pleasure. If you are looking for a fiberglass rod with a traditional appearance, you have come to the right place. Classic looking fiberglass rods are a passion with Renaissance Rods. As with the fiberglass rods of yesteryear our rods have "the look" open spiral wraps with classic twist thread or traditional colors. If you can dream it, we can help make that dream a reality.

Move to Graphite Secton
Graphite Fly Rods: We will build graphite rods, but as with all our rods they will have the classic one of a kind look of a fiberglass or bamboo rod. Sorry, but large, complex feather inlays and exotic handles are not what we do at Renaissance Rods. Small feather accents or a handle with some burl cork incorporated into it are open for discussion.

Add a new Tab
Pricing/Delivery Time
Delivery Time: Please allow ample time for your rod to be built. Your rod will be built in the order it was received. If you need it next week, that probably isn't going to happen. We understand that you want your new rod quickly and will make every effort to get it to you ASAP. But.... getting your custom rod to you will be done without compromising quailty. Depending on the work load, a custom Bamboo rod can take several months to properly complete. You will be informed on the rod's build status as often as you request.

Pricing: Pricing on the fiberglass and graphite rods is simple. After the design has been settled upon, you pay for the components prior to the start of construction. The balance, for labor and shipping, is due prior to delivery of the rod. Bamboo rods are a different story. It takes approximately 60-80 hours to turn out a truly custom bamboo fly rod. The pricing depends on the number of pieces and chosen components. They are a labor of love and can not be rushed.

Once you move the above section you have more room for pictures to grab the customers interest.


Jon

[RiverRat]

New changes look great!
Put a picture of a rod between each section on the main page that also works as link to info on that rod. An easy way to add the bling and people will click on it, guaranteed.

shane

[Papasequoia]

... here it is fighting a nice 22" golden...

Don't forget to send PapaS the GPS coordinates for where to find the 22" golden (preferably in CA as I don't have any trips to WY coming up anytime soon)

See! That got PapaS's attention! Then you do something like, "after you purchase your fourth rod, I will tell you the name of the wilderness of where that fish was caught "

Make it two rods and a pair of extra tips and it's a deal! On a serious note though, that's a good idea! A picture of someone fighting a big fish with one of your rods and a caption that says something like, "Here's Joe Blow bringing in a 3lb. brown on the Upper Owens using a [rod info]. Click on the picture for more information about how you could order a similar rod to the one that Joe is using." Something like that anyway. I also agree with Jon Stanbery and someone else who mentioned too much text on the main page. I think moving some of it to different tabs/sections of the website and using the main page as the gateway to those sections, along with some pictures, would draw the casual reader in more.

[Pete]

Thanks for all the input guys. Gives me a lot to work with. Not sure if I can get thumbnails on there and have the resources available on a free web site to link things. If the site has the capabilities, I am not sure I have the know how to do it. I am lucky to get the site to look how it does, given my lack of computer savy.

Shane: Quit rubbing in the fact that Grace can out fish me . I know she can, and my shrink say I am just going to have to live with that fact. Grace probably out fishes the majority of us .

briansII: I would love to get April to fish with one of my rods. Wife may kill me if I were to put April on my site. But, I bet I could get a lot more traffic if I did. She isn't just pretty, she is a heck of a fly fisher and guide.

Pete

[fly_baby]

I agree with the what others have said. As for photography, you might want to look at how Sage, Winston, St. Croix, etc. show their rods. Good product photography isn't that hard and it can be done on a budget. The main thing is lighting the rods so it really shows their beauty and craftsmanship. Additionally, Photoshop can really help in giving your photos are more professional look. Maybe you can barter with someone to help you with the product photography part.

[jazz on the fly]

As for photography, you might want to look at how Sage, Winston, St. Croix, etc. show their rods.

While not FLY ROD specific, Simms also has AMAZING photography and I'm certain their website and catalog would have some good rod and action shots to use as a reference. I would also agree with the others for the most part in that the front page is way too wordy. I could see that going in an "about us" section and maybe each section (i.e. bamboo, glass, graphite, etc.) being broken up with some pictures of the rods and/or build process. One thing that I saw recently that might work for you and seems to go along with what everyone has been saying is the apple store website (http://store.apple.com/us). If you click on one of their computers and select a model, it takes you to a page where you can customize your computer build. Each section has a one to two sentence description of the upgrade and a "learn more" link that allows you to read in more detail. I think the "learn more" link would work well for you if you really do want to describe your products and the process in detail.

By the way, In looking through your website I saw some of your rods and if they cast as good as they look, you do amazing work and I could see myself becoming a customer when I find a better job and have the money.

[Ming Moua]

Honestly Pete, I can't critique your site cause I can't even critique my own. I actually need others to tell me how to fix my site before I can give you any ideas. Sorry Man, I'm clueless. So if anyone can, please critique mine TOO .....MING

[Pete]

Ok gang, I revamped the web site (http://www.renaissanceflyrods.com)using several of your suggestions. Hopefully it is better than it was. I got rid of a ton of the writing on the first page. Also added some Bamboo pricing on the Delivery & Pricing page. As I get better pictures I will add and remove pictures. Think I took the free site about as far as I can.

FYI: Those prices listed don't pertain to forum members

Thanks for all the suggestions,
Pete