Critique My New Websites

[Bertolinoins]

Went live this week and we are still tweaking... Feedback is appreciated.
Bertolino Insurance | Family Insurance
CIG Capitol City Insurance Center | Bertolino Insurance Agency

 

[Josh]

I really dig the theme. Who'd you have do it?

 

[CHUMPS FROM OXFORD]

You wiffed me twice when you beat Appalachian State. I hate you.

 

[TransferMan]

Went live this week and we are still tweaking... Feedback is appreciated.
Bertolino Insurance | Family Insurance
CIG Capitol City Insurance Center | Bertolino Insurance Agency

I would be trying to get some written content that introduces you above-the-fold. People come to your site to gather information and do business -- not to be impressed by your website designer's abilities.

The big left area that is constantly rotating photos, etc. is taking up an awful lot of space on your homepage that could be used to provide this content. Right now, all it's really doing is flashing pictures.

You are doing something with your website that I have seen done elsewhere, and serious website conversion people might consider it a marketing flaw..

Think of what I am going to describe like this: If you go to a bar, and you see a woman you like -- you try to meet her slowly probably in initially small steps. A little at a time. What you don't do is run across the bar, get in her face and describe who you are in one fell swoop.

Your website design comes across like that. A possible client arrives at your website, knows nothing about you -- and you're already trying to get them to fill out a form. Horse before the carriage.

I'm not saying people won't fill the form out -- I'm just saying that you'd probably come off more effectively if they first knew who you are.

 

[Bertolinoins]

I really dig the theme. Who'd you have do it?

A local company in Sacramento called The Honey Agency.
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You wiffed me twice when you beat Appalachian State. I hate you.

I played summer ball with Ryan Kelly, he is a blast.

 

[Alex1]

I would be trying to get some written content that introduces you above-the-fold. People come to your site to gather information and do business -- not to be impressed by your website designer's abilities.

The big left area that is constantly rotating photos, etc. is taking up an awful lot of space on your homepage that could be used to provide this content. Right now, all it's really doing is flashing pictures.

You are doing something with your website that I have seen done elsewhere, and serious website conversion people might consider it a marketing flaw..

Think of what I am going to describe like this: If you go to a bar, and you see a woman you like -- you try to meet her slowly probably in initially small steps. A little at a time. What you don't do is run across the bar, get in her face and describe who you are in one fell swoop.

Your website design comes across like that. A possible client arrives at your website, knows nothing about you -- and you're already trying to get them to fill out a form. Horse before the carriage.

I'm not saying people won't fill the form out -- I'm just saying that you'd probably come off more effectively if they first knew who you are.

I like the design. And usually the website is the pretty woman across the bar.

 

[TransferMan]

I like the design. And usually the website is the pretty woman across the bar.

I have seen my share of good website designs that threw functionality out the window.

 

[scagnt83]

I understand why you have the "quote"form the way you do considering the line of business your in. But it is a "call me" form, not a quote form.
At least that is how your visitors see it.

Imo; your phone number is at the top of the screen, if they want to talk on the phone they will call.

If it were me, I would have a more detailed quote form that actually looks like a quote form, not just a contact form.
Put choices for lines of insurance, and then relevant info needed for a ball park range on the premium. Just ask for Name and Email, no other personal info unless needed for an actual ball park figure.

Since your working with a designer you should be able to customize the quote info/process a lot more than just a standard contact form.

And I would call the contact form, a contact form. Or some other term that indicates what it really is.. maybe "request a phone consultation".

The days of old fashioned contact style quote forms has passed imo.

Check out Car Insurance - Get Quotes, Tips, and Savings Today
It has a simple zip code box to start, then it takes you to a detailed form to fill out (but no personal contact info)

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

Too many people demand websites that are too busy graphically. Your eye is pulled in too many directions. Each site need to have a focal point and IMHO, be very clean and minimal. But you can't sell minimal to too many people. They run around the net then say "do a site like this" which has 25 "things" on the main page.

There's also a difference between an agency site and quote site and too many agents want both in one. That's tough. Have one site for clients but a separate site for lead generation.

 

[Bertolinoins]

Maybe I should have indicated our purpose. We do a ton of outbound marketing to Apartment and commercial property owners in the western US. Most of the multi family owners we work with are over 50 and quite wealthy. The average premium size is $9-30k. They typically do not shop on the Internet. The website is there so they can check us out and gather information after receiving a very competitive quote on their property. It would be very difficult for us to have a self rater on our site with our best carriers due to so many variables with each property.