What Would You Like Changed/Added on the LL Website?

Richard: I remember the days of seeing 2 links for most website. One that supplied graphics and one that only served up text. Now with broadband and fast computers developers are using flash, macromedia director, video, etc. to create dazzling sites. I have several browsers loaded and there are times when I want to checkout, after a purchase or use a function on a site, and have to load another browser to get things to work. I agree that HTML is universal and while there may be slight formatting issues between browsers I still wouldn't program or design a site in this way. There is software that can detect a user's browser and then load the appropriate page. If I was designing the LL site I wouldn't make it too flashy but I would suggest creating a theme and using a pallete that melds well with that theme. After that I would mostly concentrate on selling the product. Nice high res. photos of each stove with multiple views inside and out. I would also create videos showcasing the stove in operation, the hopper being loaded, the ash pan being emptied, etc. I would also have video of testimonials of their stoves and why coal is a great alternative energy to oil and gas. I might even have a model walk on the screen welcoming the user and giving an overview of what is on the site. No offense to the LL people (I'm not or never will be a yes man) but the site right now looks like a friend with minimal computer skills slapped it together. It will serve but it could be so much more. Take a look at Harmon and tell me that it isn't a 100 times better graphically: http://www.harmanstoves.com/products/pr ... oal-stoves

I especially like the photo (idea) gallery that sells the stove to women. Screaming: It doesn't have to look ugly in the house ladies.

traderfjp wrote:Now with broadband and fast computers developers are using flash, macromedia director, video, etc. to create dazzling sites.

You can make some pretty dazzling sites without all that stuff albeit not quite as interactive. One thing you have to consider foremost is your audience, if you're creating a site for a band then adding some razzle dazzle isn't so much of an issue as long as it's done right.

Richard S. wrote:

traderfjp wrote:Now with broadband and fast computers developers are using flash, macromedia director, video, etc. to create dazzling sites.

You can make some pretty dazzling sites without all that stuff albeit not quite as interactive. One thing you have to consider foremost is your audience, if you're creating a site for a band then adding some razzle dazzle isn't so much of an issue as long as it's done right.

Keep in mind, not everyone has or can afford broadband. "Keep it Simple"

Any company in the Web page development business has long ago adopted high end Web page creation tools like Dream weaver. It's the one I have. The version is not current but still very useful. The issue of browser brand and version compatibility has largely been solved by the old versions dying off and the ability of the software to determine what's missing and adjust appropriately. Any hand coding is done by a expert either at the Web tool vendors tech support department or for large firms by their in-house expert. Custom Style Sheets (CSS) are very important to Web developers because it allows them to create web sites that can be easily customized to individual customers. In the ideal case making the customer cost lower.

What LL or any company needs to do is to decide how a web site fits into their business model and what need will it fulfill. Then hire an expert. You wouldn't want a student welder welding stoves, why would you want student web designer? Web page creation is not a core skill requirement for designing, building and servicing coal burning products. It will be enough of a task getting the photos, videos, how to procedures, etc. to the Web page author. All the things no Web page author can be reasonably expected to do.

Those with marginal Web access will just have to select and buy products the old fashion way, go to their dealer or use the telephone. They may not be the target customers any way.

If someone can't afford broadband then I'm not sure they would be looking for a new stove. If a company wants to save money then why not use a student. There are some excellent student designers out there. I wouldn't hesitate to use one. When I was first starting out in 99 we designed a site that was way ahead of its time and I didn't have that much experience. For examle we had instant messaging for our members. This was a new concept at the time. We also had a chatroom with a live attendant and some other niffy features that set us apart from the competition.

Also, there is still a lot of compatibility and formatting issues between browsers. I enounter them quite often. LL isn't going to need a website that will needs constant maitenance so they can find someone who can do the designing and the coding. It's not too difficult. Obviously the owners should have the overal vision but the designer should be able to add the eye candy, etc.

I've finally had a chance to take a good look at the posts, thanks to you all for your well thought out, constructive and helpful advise. We are in the process of determining our requirements, and as already has been said that is where any good design starts and ends, requirements, requirements, requirements.

Once we figure out what we are tryin to accomplish we wil figure out the strategy for getting there, thanks again everyone, you have all been most helpful!

Just looked at the site. Yup.........needs some work. I would say this is a canned template from an online company.

Its hard sometimes being a business owner, keeping the books, making stoves......put down the welder and grab FrontPage or Dreamweaver and then paint Shop Pro or,ugh, Photo Shop. Some of the newer web authoring tools were not made for you and I. I still use Frontage 2002 and turn out decent sites.

Don't take these comments to heart but I agree that you need something that better represents the fine products you are selling. It will take some time to put a decent site together and you may have to fork out some coin to get one. Sounds like some web developers on this forum so it may be a good place to start asking some questions and getting some prices. I'll bet you'd get some free pointers here as well.

Feel free to Pm me if you want some ideas........no charge for talking.


Steve

RMA wrote:I would look at producing a hand-fired unit.

Ditto.

Sting wrote:I would change the recommended power vent

The squirrel cage fan of the SWG power vent tends to easily plug from the soot of solid fuel burning

http://www.fieldcontrols.com/venting.php

I would recommend a better power vent option as

TJERNLUND SS2 (not the SS1) side shot with its self-cleaning impeller for draft

http://www.tjernlund.com/oilsidewall.htm

But you mileage may vary

I have looked at them but the problem is the limited applications . Looks to me if you are installing in a basement and your joists are running the correct way they may be fine. With that being so limited not sure if there would be enough interest to warrant us getting UL testing done with our products . Our PVs are UL tested and approved with all our stoves except the Hyfire II because the SWG4 is only good to 160k btus . All of our stoves are UL including the Hyfire and the new 110k Pocono . Thanks ,Dave

You might also think of using a hosted blog engine to drive your site Something like wordpress or squarespace. Blog based web sites have great google fu.

From a content standpoint you need more photos both of the stoves in the showroom and installed models. If you look at the pictures on the site the Hyfire looks like it's the same size as the Econo.

You should put the segments from your install DVD up on YouTube and embed the clips in your site

i would love to see a manufactures suggested retail price on the web site.

i think every web site should have a msrp. It is very helpful to the consumer who might not want to call a dealer just to find out what a certain stove cost. It also helps you streamline your researching on the internet and makes your life a lot easier.

The factory outlet has the prices: http://www.valleystoveandfireplace.com/

your a good man matthaus, i guess i need to look a lil deeper sometimes before i ask questions

Add detailed instructions with photos for

- Oiling motors (including feeder motor) Need not for each model stove, just each motor assembly used)

- What oil to use (not in the download manual). BTW, syringes with blunt needles are legal in every state, woodworking specialty shops carry them to inject glue.

- Cleaning the feeder shovel

The manual says to do this, but there are no details. Photos and steps would be a great help to those who find such less than obvious. Some oiling locations are hard to find and could be missed.

A web page per motor, feeder type

A download PDF of the same.

Also Ship with new stoves

This may be already being addressed.

A far more reliable Bulletin Board. It seems nepacrossroads.com does not seem to have a robust internet connection.

The reliability of a support forum reflects somewhat on the manufacturer that uses it.