BMS Website - Revamp & Comments

[bms]

We are putting forward some changes to our website that should become live late this year/ early 2011 and I'd welcome comments from end users (you guys) as to what you would like to see, what features would be useful and what improvements could be made.

The proposed changes we're looking at would enable customers to buy online just as they do at present (without login) but the changes that could be made would include:
(a) a login section where you can review previous orders, click to repeat buy a previous order (or amend) and this would also autofill the invoice address and delivery address (which again could be amended)
(b) receive an email from us once we have processed your order (presently you receive an email to confirm order placed and order despatched via ParcelForce) so this adds one further communication to confirm we have dealt with it prior to despatch.
(c) possibility of links to youtube video that we will create showing "how to"
(d) larger images of the products as you hover over them
(e) different design and layout (following something like http://www.aria.co.uk where the main categories are along the top which auto expand as you click on them.
(f) would a "summary of shopping basket" as per the aria link be a useful feature?

So what would you like to see from a supplier's website? What works well from other sites, what don't you like. Feel free to comment here or pm if you prefer but I'd like to take on your views as it will be people like you that would be using such a site.

Thanks

[fredster]

what about a sizes page for tshirts ?
and a page set aside for pressing information for all items ? i know all the pressing info is on each items page but to have them all together for quick reference would be great.

[thespringonion]

I would be fairly direct here, hope it doesn't offence!

I like the current site's colour scheme, snapiness (when the server is up), user interface is good, and it's easy to use. I agree with pretty much what you've suggested really, but one area I would like to see improvement is how the products are catagorised. Sometimes it is rather difficult to get locate some items, though the search engine is good enough to make up for it, sometimes I do struggle to get a page of similar products. I do understand it is not an easy task with the amount of entry you have there, no easy job there.

I do go by KISS, any supplier sites loaded with flashy flash thing will just drive me nuts!

[bms]

No offence caused by any comments - I need to know what works well and what doesn't so we can try to improve it. The abilty to find things, I hope, will be easier once the new format shows everything from a single drop down, but totally agree with the KISS acronym.

[confidential]

I would add an rss feed/blog so we can be all be updated on new arrivals etc without visiting the site daily, it's good for backlinks aswell.

[Andrew]

If I were a supplier I would look at software for creating visual samples of items such as mugs etc. Somewhere on the site where and image can be uploaded and resized, text added and so on. This then gets placed on a mug template whether it be rotating or not and can be downloaded to be sent by email or put on the customers own site. This could be either a free option for regular customers or sell credits that can be used, all depends on outlay and what needs to be recouped. This could be done on several products and build up the range. A great sales tool for your customers and a reason to keep them coming back to your site.

User friendly stuff like you mentioned though is key as there is nothing worse than a site that makes work hard just to place a basic order.

[Paul]

all ideas r fantastic Martin! best one is with youtube links and order history.

But what i would like to see ( and this is pissing me right off) NEW and decent size picture of products! and not only one! i wish to see few. from other angles too... I wish to see them with REAL sample print on it as well so I know what to expect after using recomended times and preasure. sorry Martin but you must agree with me most suppliers in this business use this same pics and they all low quality. I know it cost money but I think is worth every penny

another thing I wish to see improved is key words of products for search engine. its pants on this moment as I keep finding things not relaTED WITH THIS WHAT IAM LOOKING FOR :p
as thespringonion mention before... categorys must be sorted as well

hope you not mad now

[bms]

No, not mad

We will have a "light box" which will enlarge the images and we'll have a few more images over time so you can see these from different angles.

Re the keywords - we can easily add keywords to products, so if you can let me know what keyword isn't returning what you'd hope to see then this can be changed quickly.

I like the idea of the 'upload your image/ text' to the blanks, but if we go down this route then it looks like we are supplying the final printed image and we don't really do that much - we're here to provide the blanks to your business and then you produce the printed image. I also think this functionality is very expensive and complex to build in. I do think though that there is a market here for a single place where you can do this without lots of people trying to re-invent the wheel.

Thanks for the comments so far - keep them coming. The updated site won't go live for a few months so all comments gratefully received and will be incorporated as far as possible.

[AdamB]

Hey Martin ............ what about a 'loyalty point' scheme where for every purchase you get points (= to or dependant on the amount spent).

These points can be 'credited' to your account and converted to get money off items bought through the BMS Site.

A scheme that will not only reward loyal customers but also keep people coming back to BMS for blanks.

An idea?

[bms]

rss feed/blog

We are going down the route of facebook for this, so a facebook account has been created for PrinterOwners Bms if anyone's interested in joining a merry band! We'll use this to comment on new products so you can get a heads up of whats happening or any other quick news items rather than waiting for a newsletter.