Opening page dilemma

[Runner]

I'm just after some general comments about how to 'style' my opening page.

As I am creating an online shop, is it better to have the start page with products or image links to the product sections e.g. Open at the online catalog page rather than the brochure home page?

OR

Is it better to open at the brochure home page and include, for example, a brief bit of marketing info about my company and then having a link to the top-level store page?

OR what about a combination of the two?

I have seen it done both ways and cannot make up my mind which would be more productive.

I have tried setting the store page as the home page, but with the standard nav bar layouts (which are different for brochure pages and store pages) I do not get links to the brochure pages at all.

Some people say it is best to get images of your products under the customers nose as soon as. Others say the customer want to be satisfied they are dealing with a reputable company before placing an order.

Any thoughts welcome.

[JSnow]

Step 1. Look at what your main competition is doing and decide on whether that will work for you.

Without knowing your product line, nature of business and market, it is hard to tell what may work for you.

For example, if you are a specialist (manufacturer, supplier of one particular product line, etc.) with an existing client base, your clients will most probably not need your products in their face as they will already be aware of your products. Also, new customers would have searched for you specifically or your product line specifically. Give your customers general information about your business and product lines.

If you are into retail (cd's, electronics, etc.). Put your products on your homepage. The competition is huge and customers must know on arrival, what you are selling and more importantly that you are an online retailer. IMO, place image links to your brochure pages on your home page with a fragment or two giving info on your business. The mini best seller and new product lists on your homepage are also a huge plus.

Try different layouts and see what works for you.

[pinbrook]

either straight into the acatalog/index.html

or

Some people say it is best to get images of your products under the customers nose as soon as. Others say the customer want to be satisfied they are dealing with a reputable company before placing an order.

brochure with new products/bestsellers in centre pane, left hand nav to all sections and extra blurb re company etc as fits- this fits the above comments

but as Jon says research your competition

[Runner]

Thanks for your helpful replies. For your info my product range will include central heating and bathroom goods such as boilers, bathroom suites, taps, radiators etc.

P.S. JSNOW I tried to visit your url http://www.splab.co.za/ but got this:

Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage


Most likely causes:

• <LI id=causeNotConnected>You are not connected to the Internet. <LI id=causeSiteProblem>The website is encountering problems.
• There might be a typing error in the address.

[JSnow]

Thanks Keith,

Had my 0.01% of uncheduled downtime yesterday.

Before a smartass like Lee, Mal or George comes along...
The 0.01% is annually not daily, weekly, fortnightly, monthly, quarterly or every 6 months! Annually! Yes, this does mean that I gaurantee a 99.99% server uptime. I have even gone as far as to offer a money back gaurantee should you experience any different.

No doubt, they will still find a way to take the piss out of this post.

[leehack]

No doubt, they will still find a way to take the piss out of this post.

Personally i would not have said a single word, servers go down - it happens. However, given that you feel the need to draw attention to it and more importantly pinpoint names, i'm happy to watch you crash and burn.