I think this thread might also go on Design. But this has much more impact on the store, than on the image. Moderator let me know I need to move it. I am always testing new ways to engage customers eyes to the site. When you get the visitors attention you have only one chance get his attention and create an emotional need for your product. This IS easier if you have a sales man in your store. But on websites you dont. So what do you do? you add videos, banners, bright red colors, bold letters etc to engage the customer to your site. So this is what I did. My graph designer and I sat down I tried to fusion all this elements to create a higher impact on the customer perception of the site. check the main banner of my site www.FitnessCyclingBikes.com Let me know and if you have other other tricks and tips go on!
You say you are the "No. 1 Source for Indoor Cycling Bikes". You have nothing on the site to back this up. This is called an UNSUBSTANTIATED CLAIM. People know about these and it only makes them skeptical and nervous. Also, you have wasted a lot of valuable real estate with your big distracting image on the homepage. This space should be used to tell people why they should buy from you instead of your competitors. The reasons you list are called your Unique Value Proposition. The world is not waiting for your indoor bicycle. There are tons of them out there at great prices from well established companies. Why should anyone buy from you? It is your job to tell them. Meanwhile, if you make big claims and don't back them up, you will just scare people away.
I think the banner thing shouts a little too much - its too aggressive - expecially combined with the blak background and logo etc. Its pressure - I couldn't stay for long. On the other hand I like the layout of the words etc it could be made to work?
I first thought I had landed on a P90X website! You might also consider a survey to capture emails and to find out what your customers are thinking. Knowing your customers wants will give you the road map to designing your site. Give them what they want. Plus, people like giving their opinions. The color gold/bronze was also difficult for me to look at. It didn't pull me into the site. You might consider a second site using different colors and seeing which one pulls the best. Collecting those emails will significantly lower your advertising costs in the future.
I think it's way to flashy. My advise would be don't try to "push" customers on your website with bright colors, flashy banners ext. Instead give customers what they look for which is indoor cycles for your website. If I would be you I would make light, simple, yet attractive design and instead of big banner that serves no purpose to customer I would place banner saying something like "this is our best selling cycle (picture of it),regular price is $x, but it is on sale now for $x, click for more details". I think that sale s the best selling and attracting tool if used properly. Also try to give more variety. Having one category with 3 cycles in it is hardly considers e-shop, unless those are cycles that you manufacture. I would be a little worried d be a customer. P.S: Managing designers and taking advices from them is a whole another subject. Don't trust them too much and not because they don't try to do the best they can for you, but because they see your website as artwork, and a lot of times missing functionality part and don't see it as customers would. Beautiful graphics not necessarily means successful e-shop. Just imagine walking into sport shop to buy bicycle and all you see is a beautiful interior with colorful banners on walls and no bicycles. E-shop is the same way, the only reason why anybody would come to your site is to see some cycles, why don't give customer what they are looking for right away? Best wishes and good luck
There is a book called "Don't Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach To Web Usability" that I think you should read. It will help you understand how to design your website.
you should think of imagining your customer need & what he wants to see ,don't try to change his perception the bottom line is "the customer" take it or leave it