Constructive Feedback wanted

I've gone ahead and started a website using Format.

https://henry-jones.format.com

I have built up a small (by business standards) Instagram and Facebook audience and now took the plunge and set up the site and the shop.

I would appreciate any feedback you may have that would help make it more user-friendly.

Note on prices: they include framing so they are higher than just prints.

Thanks in advance.

Went to your website, and found the first question that comes to mind is "Why?"
Why do you have this website?

• to promote your photographic services
  
• to 'sell' your photos to buyers

  for commercial use
  

  prints for office or home
  

  as stock photos

• to simply show off
  

• You mention that prices include framing...does the buyer get to choose what they like, or are the 'stuck with' you you give them?
  
• What size choices are there for selected photos?
  
• Is shipping included or extra? What about shipments to International buyers?
  

Thanks Wilt, this is exactly what I was hoping to get for feedback, I have answered your questions within the body of the quote.

Wilt wrote in post #19246847
Went to your website, and found the first question that comes to mind is "Why?"
Why do you have this website?

TO PROVIDE A PASSIVE INCOME

• to promote your photographic services YES
  
• to 'sell' your photos to buyers YES

  for commercial use POSSIBLY
  

  prints for office or home YES
  

  as stock photos

  NO
  

• to simply show off NO
  

State a PURPOSE of your website on the home page, so I know if I want to spend my time there.

You mentioned prices...I saw none, which makes me wonder if your site is merely intended to 'show off' some photos.

LISTED UNDER THE 'CURRENT PHOTOGRAPHY STORE' PERHAPS MAKING IT JUST 'STORE' WOULD HELP?

• You mention that prices include framing...does the buyer get to choose what they like, or are the 'stuck with' you you give them? I OFFER 3 CHOICES WHICH I FEEL BEST DISPLAY THE ART
  
• What size choices are there for selected photos? ONCE ON THE STORE PAGE, THERE IS A DROP DOWN MENU FOR THE SIZES AND PRICES ASSOCIATED
  
• Is shipping included or extra? What about shipments to International buyers? ONCE AGAIN, ON THE STORE SHIPPING COSTS ARE OUTLINED, AS WELL AS INTERNATIONAL
  

Where are you located (town, state, country) CALIFORNIA, BUT I WASN'T SURE THIS WAS RELEVANT
Is there a means by which a potential buyer can call you to discuss a number of questions, rather than trading email? I WOULD BE WILLING TO PROVIDE THAT ON THE WEB SITE

I went back for a second look, to see what you had done.

It is obvious that 'Current Photography Store' brings you to photos for sale, alternative surfaces mounted, and sizes for different price. And your shipping policy is outlined.

But what about photos in other categories?! are they for sale, too, but simply your web site has not gotten that far along?

About your location...

• People are curious, "where is this guy?"
  
• Does it have an impact on shipping cost? If so, folks probably like to understand when you are close vs. across the country from them. And for people within driving distance, "Can I pick up the finished print?"
  

Wilt wrote in post #19246897
I went back for a second look, to see what you had done.

It is obvious that 'Current Photography Store' brings you to photos for sale, alternative surfaces mounted, and sizes for different price. And your shipping policy is outlined.

But what about photos in other categories?! are they for sale, too, but simply your web site has not gotten that far along? YES, JUST STARTED IT 2 DAYS AGO, SO PHOTOS ARE BRING ADDED DAILY

About your location...

• People are curious, "where is this guy?" I SEE YOUR POINT
  
• Does it have an impact on shipping cost? If so, folks probably like to understand when you are close vs. across the country from them. And for people within driving distance, "Can I pick up the finished print?"
  

You don't need to explain your motivation for the site it 'for passive income'! But you do need to explain to potential customers what services or products you are offering to them. If selling some wall art photos, are you available for hire, too? Are your photos available for commercial purposes (business promotion, brochures, advertising)? If so, say so. FOR HIRE-YES, COMMERCIAL YES, ALTHOUGH THE LEASING VS OUTRIGHT PURCHASING QUESTION IS UNDECIDED FOR ME

Thanks again. It's an amazing thing that I made it this far, so I'm encouraged.

I am still figuring out the web page and just how to lay it out better.

I am also wondering if there's too many images?

or if they should be further separated into topics and types? i.e surf/sunset images by city

If I should just limit the content then release more at a slower pace?

Lots of questions in these early days

It still remains unclear as to your intent to sell ALL of the displayed photos in all categories (but have not implemented that fully yet) or if the 'Store' contains the ONLY photos for sale.

Your Family photos seem to be only 'for show', without intention for sale. If so, I would have Categories like:

Photos for Sale

After Dark
Wildlife
Coast

Professional Services Offered

Wedding
Events
Concerts

Examples of my Photography

Family

Put yourself into the shoes of the site visitor! They have no idea what is going thru your head, and they need to have that easily apparent, not needing to read any prolonged explanations (which pushes them off)

Thanks, I will try to organize them into these categories. I really do appreciate the feedback. I myself am figuring this out as I go along.

I've already removed several images which weren't really my best, and I'm trying to pare it down to relevant categories and communication.

One thing I don't care for is the fact that you don't get to see what the mounting options actually look like on the photo you select to purchase. You choose a photo and size, and then you have to enter payment information right away. I would, prefer as is the case with other sites regardless of the item being purchased, to be able to see the end product of my choice prior to committing to the purchase. I suppose you have an option to cancel the order but I've already submitted my information and PayPal/credit card info. This would not lend confidence to first time visitor.

I will look into this on the site store info pages. My wife also feels a wall display would be helpful to gauge impact on the desired area.

Dave3222 wrote in post #19247675
One thing I don't care for is the fact that you don't get to see what the mounting options actually look like on the photo you select to purchase. You choose a photo and size, and then you have to enter payment information right away. I would, prefer as is the case with other sites regardless of the item being purchased, to be able to see the end product of my choice prior to committing to the purchase. I suppose you have an option to cancel the order but I've already submitted my information and PayPal/credit card info. This would not lend confidence to first time visitor.

From what I saw when I first saw the sales options, it was a choice of surface material (all priced identically) on metal vs. canvas vs. acrylic, for example. That would be a difficult to convey difference! I'll have to revisit his site to reassess.

edit: yes, different surface, same price. My post remains unchanged by the revisit observation.

Wilt wrote in post #19247706
From what I saw when I first saw the sales options, it was a choice of surface material (all priced identically) on metal vs. canvas vs. acrylic, for example. That would be a difficult to convey difference! I'll have to revisit his site to reassess.

edit: yes, different surface, same price. My post remains unchanged by the revisit observation.

I'm not sure I understand your response. You don't feel there is a need to see the different options applied to the photo you want to purchase? Is the metal black, gray, brown? Does acrylic mean clear and how wide is the border on the photo? Is it an inch, 1/4 inch etc.. Even buying inexpensive items on Amazon and other sites let you see the options applied to your purchase. An example on any photo from the site would clarify what the mounting options are. Spending $100 and upwards for a photo without viewing the final mock up is not something I would do. If I misunderstood your response then please clarify.

goalerjones wrote in post #19246666
.
Note on prices: they include framing so they are higher than just prints.
.

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It's hard to imagine anyone ever buying a framed photo without being able to see exactly what the frame and the matting look like. . Methinks you have a lot of work to do before your site is ready to show to the public. . But the fact that you are asking for feedback causes me to think that you are willing to do all of that work, so hopefully things have a chance of working out for you.


.

Dave3222 wrote in post #19248029
I'm not sure I understand your response. You don't feel there is a need to see the different options applied to the photo you want to purchase? Is the metal black, gray, brown? Does acrylic mean clear and how wide is the border on the photo? Is it an inch, 1/4 inch etc.. Even buying inexpensive items on Amazon and other sites let you see the options applied to your purchase. An example on any photo from the site would clarify what the mounting options are. Spending $100 and upwards for a photo without viewing the final mock up is not something I would do. If I misunderstood your response then please clarify.

I did NOT state that it would not be desireable to see examples! I said it would be DIFFICULT TO DO that!
Even pro labs that print your photo on one of the three choices have a difficult time in allowing the photographer to visualize the difference! At best, textual descriptions of visible differences might be identified to the buyer.

Nevertheless your point is valid: How would a buyer choose between the three, if they do not know the difference from seeing the three side by side, in person?!
It is somewhat analogous in asking 'What print paper and surface do you want for your photo?'... if they never saw real samples of all before, in person.

Tom Reichner wrote in post #19248031
.
It's hard to imagine anyone ever buying a framed photo without being able to see exactly what the frame and the matting look like. . Methinks you have a lot of work to do before your site is ready to show to the public. . But the fact that you are asking for feedback causes me to think that you are willing to do all of that work, so hopefully things have a chance of working out for you.

.

If fact, it is unclear if 'framed' is even still an offering. There are three choices of SURFACE (for all the same price): metal or acrylic or canvas ; but absolutely no mention of framing, unlike the OP described.
In fact, framing acrylic print seems a bit strange! And metal print is modernistic, like acrylic, so a frame seems strange for that, too. And canvas often is presented as a 'wrap' and a frame is unwanted for that.

"Framed" I guess is just a term in this case, and probably best changed to "mounted". The canvas, metal and acrylic IMO are the best all around options. I've been product testing different mount types and vendors for about a year now, selling some pieces here and there.

As for prices I agree, canvas is much cheaper than the other choices, but metal and acrylic are similar in pricing. My least favorite of the 3 is canvas, and I've had good and bad experiences even within the same company, so I may wind up dropping that option.

I've already begun paring down the selections and intend on, as has been recommended, showing the "highlights of my highlights", an utilizing Instagram as a daily or weekly showcase as I've been doing for the last couple of years.

As for site modifications and features, showing the art mounted may have to be designed into this, and so the Format platform may not be the best for that. I've been waiting to launch this for some time, and I figured it's better to alter a running version than conceptualize ad nauseum.

As for the advice, I am grateful for the input, and am listening to what's being suggested, so none of it, even the cross talking is being overlooked.

The business portion I agree, needs to be better outlined for clarity, and as I've now started booking weddings and family shoots I intend to use this as a marketing tool. So, on the plus side I can at least begin managing losses and gain for tax purposes.

And lastly, having been waiting to do this for awhile now, I have to say it's kinda cool to see a website with my work on it. However, I must keep moving or I risk losing the momentum.