Greetings - The name is http://yumalicious.com and I have been working on the site since April. Attempting to fine tune and add plugins (e.g., vouchers) that will enhance the site; however. I have a few questions and I'm hoping a rock star here has the answers. lol If you're getting something free, it may send the wrong message to some. For instance, "if it's free it must not be very good"! Should I offer a free listing package for businesses? Do I offer ONLY paid listing; however with a free trail? The site offers many attributes similar to yelp (e.g., Google mapping, claim listing, link to web site, personal contact form, ratings, comments). BUT, it goes further than yelp (e.g., comments can be flagged, business owner can control comments, edit listing from your personalized dashboard) and more. Thanks in advance. Ron
Interesting site. Menu [What You Get] drop down [What it Cost] is a little bit non English. Might say something like [Introductory Low Cost] Inconsistent [What it Cost] is not consistent with [What You Get] No icons for social bookmarks. http://yumalicio.us/ is similar but only recipes. Tried to sign up, but did not get the confirmation email for the login details. No About Us or Contact page. Actually there is an About paragraph at the bottom of the page, but it apologies for the web site and is not really about you. Tried to sign up for your newsletter. Got error from feedburner "The feed does not have subscriptions by email enabled" My conclusion: It's a good start but there are a lot of little things that need to be done.
Yeah, for some reason the email is not being sent and I need to get to that ASAP! I turned on the Registration only today to test before I go live. I know there is work to be done and it will take another 30 days minimum. Thanks for your help.
The directory business is having a tough time at the moment. I ran one for almost ten years, and because I was getting so many link removal requests every day, I decided to pull the site completely. Google has terrified people with unnatural link building warnings. I would tidy the bits DaveTrebas mentioned, and try and give it a more "Premium" look. Shouldn't take much. Then offer 3 listing packages. A Free (or very cheap), Budget, and Premium. You could make the free package with a lot less features, and make it a require a reciprocal link back. That was there's something for everyone. Try and incorporate a regularly updated blog on the website, and feature it's latest article on the homepage some how. This'll give it less of a 90s directory feel, and more of a contemporary "Magazine" style, with the added bonus of letting your readers advertise in your magazine's business listings.
I understand the free; however, I'm concerned that some may think it is "cheap". I agree about the blog and I will insert a widget now. Thanks.
It's a catchy-sounding name. Try perhaps some free and paid memberships and put reasonable prices on paid ones and just see how it goes.
Thank you ...the name has branding possibilities (e.g., instead if pass the tissue, people will ask please pass the Kleenex). My food is yumalicious or my drink is yumalicious.
I agree with the posters above, you still need to work on the site to make it look and feel like a premium site. You know, I suggested some stuff to your before, I hope it was somewhat helpful. A few more things that I'd point out. Make all search fields and buttons look square with slightly rounded corners. Your search fields and button look round period. It doesn't go well with your site. And both search fields have to be wider (by 15-20px). Then you need a separator (a line) between the main body and the right-hand column. Don't be shy to stretch your site's width a little bit. I think right now it's at 960px. You can easily make it 980px and enlarge the main body width by 20px. What it will do, it will add some weight to your site. Also, I don't know why you want to keep the footer red. If I were you I'd add a border with shadow around your site. It begs to be there. But, then I'd make the footer the same color as the rest of the background. I know you wouldn't want anyone to compare your site to other directories, but if you stop by http://www.yelp.com it will give you an idea of what I am talking about. However you look at it, you will be competing with those big dogs. Make it look better / more professional than theirs and people will notice it. PS I wouldn't recommend doing it a paid only directory. At least not now.
Red is a color for hunger ...look at Burger King and Pizza Hut. I like the border idea and will see about creating a child theme and adding a border. This site is unlike Yelp or Urbanspoon ...a business owner will have the opportunity to make changes to his listing from a private dashboard (not WP dashboard). The changes include deleting his/her listing if needed. I believe I have a brand-able domain (convey hunger and delicious) and I am at a cross point attempting to make it useful. Thanks
Good name but I think that I would be charging for the service but that are going to want something in return. I have seen a similar system to this and each restaurant had a different code that when people booked they quoted the code. Sometimes it was for a free drink or desert. This way the restaurant or business knows how many people are using that service.
I did add a voucher plugin today and it is awesome! A business listing can add a coupon (voucher) to the listing. Example, $5 off your next meal! The person listing can add a logo, images, make it a PDF or image, only register users and the business gets all emails from persons registering for the savings.
By the way, I don't if you're aware of it, but your RECIPES link is under your navigation bar. I think the larger font and/or space between the navigation links pushed it out.
Yes, I am aware and I have not decided where to insert. Just chopping away at the possibilities and TRUST me, I appreciate everyone's input.
Thank you! I think the voucher (coupons) will help generate interest and UNLIKE other sites, the owners do not pay for the coupon; however, the listing that allows this option (to create the coupon) will be part of a premium package. The person creating the listing can edit or add more. The possibilities are unlimited for those who chose the package.