4 ms·

I don't want to sound like an asshole, but what "you think" here doesn't count for diddley-squat. What you've got is a perfect opportunity for A/B testing-- ch

I don't want to sound like an asshole, but what "you think" here doesn't count for diddley-squat. What you've got is a perfect opportunity for A/B testing-- check out Patio11's blog or comments here for examples and details. You can (and should) be tweaking your page, and measuring the results of those tweaks. By keeping the tweaks that bring you better results (and rolling back the ones that don't), your conversion rate (and income) will continue to grow.

kreci 17y ago
I am always tweaking my pages. Anyway I believe that good and interesting information is main key. Better than a beautiful graphics.
- ErrantX 17y ago
  the problem is not that so much; it is more the fact that the page layout matches the sort of layout you get on one of the "make money online" scam type pages :) It might put people off, I don't know.
- steveklabnik 17y ago
  But if your page looks bad, nobody will even start reading your information to find out that it's interesting. Don't discount marketing.
- michael_dorfman 17y ago
  But are you measuring the effects of the tweaks? That's the whole point of A/B testing. The whole "good and interesting information" vs "beautiful graphics" division is a false dilemma. You don't have to choose between them. And, I'm not even saying that you should have "beautiful graphics". What I am saying is: you are running a business here. The goal is to make money. There are tools (notably A/B testing) which will make you far more effective at reaching your goals than you currently are. You're getting lots of valuable (but free) advice from the good folks of HN. It would behoove you to take it seriously.
mixmax 17y ago
I remember the parrotsecrets site (that sold an e-book on how to care for parrots, and apparently made tons of money doing so) and it looked a lot like this site. Maybe that kind of design actually does sell better. But as you say - A/B tests will prove or disprove it.
- ahoyhere 17y ago
  If you are selling to a semi-technical audience, it will just turn them off. "Intelligent" people are horribly afraid of falling for a scam, because not only does it mean they get ripped off, but it attacks their self-image directly. So if you look like a scam, they're going to assume you are.
- kreci 17y ago
  I got only positive feedback from buyers and my total conversion is really not bad. First I want to make a few bucks and then invest to design. Just my rule - first make money then spend it...

kreci 17y ago

I am always tweaking my pages. Anyway I believe that good and interesting information is main key. Better than a beautiful graphics.

ErrantX 17y ago
the problem is not that so much; it is more the fact that the page layout matches the sort of layout you get on one of the "make money online" scam type pages :) It might put people off, I don't know.
steveklabnik 17y ago
But if your page looks bad, nobody will even start reading your information to find out that it's interesting. Don't discount marketing.
michael_dorfman 17y ago
But are you measuring the effects of the tweaks? That's the whole point of A/B testing. The whole "good and interesting information" vs "beautiful graphics" division is a false dilemma. You don't have to choose between them. And, I'm not even saying that you should have "beautiful graphics". What I am saying is: you are running a business here. The goal is to make money. There are tools (notably A/B testing) which will make you far more effective at reaching your goals than you currently are. You're getting lots of valuable (but free) advice from the good folks of HN. It would behoove you to take it seriously.

mixmax 17y ago

I remember the parrotsecrets site (that sold an e-book on how to care for parrots, and apparently made tons of money doing so) and it looked a lot like this site. Maybe that kind of design actually does sell better. But as you say - A/B tests will prove or disprove it.

ahoyhere 17y ago
If you are selling to a semi-technical audience, it will just turn them off. "Intelligent" people are horribly afraid of falling for a scam, because not only does it mean they get ripped off, but it attacks their self-image directly. So if you look like a scam, they're going to assume you are.
kreci 17y ago
I got only positive feedback from buyers and my total conversion is really not bad. First I want to make a few bucks and then invest to design. Just my rule - first make money then spend it...