Hi

please can someone with good experience, review my site. Any comments appreciated. I'm not a web designer, I have commissioned one to do my site for me. However, I do feel have lacked advice on whats hot and whats not.

Thanks

Craig.

Ouch! That red hurts.
This is just me, but I leave sites a.s.a.p. when I get those too-distracting effects (the scrolling "Buy them an exciting gift experience they...")
Search our database for ideas... perhaps put a link to the database.
Having links to corresponding activities on the photos could be nice too.
Sounds interesting though!

I agree the red's too bright and one or two curves might be nice too.

For the first time, I closed it right away. Sorry couldnt help. It really hurts my eyes so are visitors. You might wanna use dark red or something soft color.

Definitely get rid of the red. OOUUUCH

Thanks Guys, will send a mail to my designer ASAP!

Must be wonderful to be in your business!

On the page describing the GiftPack, I'm not sure I would lead with a "gaurantee that the red envelope will thrill." (and red *is* my favorite color ;-)

Seems like you want to do 2 things on this page, describe the contents ( a very important, practical, frequently-asked-questions kind of thing to do), but also...

You want to paint a "word picture" so clearly that it feels like I've just given one of these babies to my loved one and so compelling that I can't resist.


Maybe something like this...

-----
You are never home early on wednesday, but you are today.
Your Giftpack arrived at your office so you rushed home to slip it into
the mailbox, so she'd find it. While you cook her favorite meal, she
comes in the door, mail in hand. She starts to shuffle through the
it and is drawn to the unusually attractive red envelope as she asks,
"What are you doing home?"
"Making the favorite dinner... of my favorite wife," you reply, with a laugh.
"Look at this... " she says curiously, holding up the Giftpack.
"Ohh...that looks like something very special. Look how beautiful that is.
Maybe you should open that after we eat?" you say teasingly.
"Why? Wait? What is it? I want it now" , the suspense is building.
"Well, okay. Let's see what's inside..."

You both forget about dinner,
but she'll never forget her Giftpack

-----

I'd have a collection of these little stories, rotate them in (automatically,
via software would require the least editing over time ).

Many will poo-poo such a thing, "oh, that's too corny. too sappy."
The fact is, word-pictures work. They anchor the product to an emotion.
People don't buy things for features, they buy them for feelings.
In your case, they want to feel "loving" or "generous" or "adventurous"
or "spontaneous" or they want to feel "connected" to their loved one again.

Tap into that, and your close rate will increase.

Once you started reading, you finished, right?
The stories can be sentimental, humorous, etc, etc. Talk with some of your customers... some will have great stories *how* they gave your product and *why*.

Use holiday-based at the approriate times of the year.

Oh.. and certainly do stories to hammer home the "corporate incentives" angle.
All you do now is use that phrase on the home page. That's not enough.
Make some boss feel like he's a genius and the best, most beloved boss on your side of the equator before he has even given them away, and you'll make more sales.

****

On the pages that show each category of packages, the "exp ref" number hanging out there is meaningless and confusing. Without a label, that could be "hit count", "number sold", "number available", dunno... none of that is helpful. In fact it hurts, because the poor White Shark Cage Diving with a "2" , appears to have it's watery ass kicked by Black Water Tubing , "234". ;-)

Since there seems to be plenty of space in each little gift box, consider
2 links.... testimonial audio
Clicking "testimonial" produces a popup window of text from someone who has done that package (whether they purchased from you or not ;-) and "audio" is a link to an audio account from someone who did it. Doesn't have to be the same testimonial. Better if it's not, actually.


Maybe center the list of 5 categories.... they seem to disappear to the left there.
Maybe make those word links be 1 size bigger to draw the eye better. Clicking there is crucial.


On the home page, there's an error,
"Its the perfect gift for someone who has everything!"
should be
"It's the perfect.... "
It's means "it is"


I like your categories, but what if, in the name of helping people decide,
you asked 3 questions...

1) "Land, Sea, Air"
2) "Exercise, Relax"
3) "1/2 day, all day, multiple day" ?

I don't know your products as well as you, of course, but seems like those 3
quick clicks could produce a page ( same format as your catagory page )
with the packages that meet those criteria.

If you did it graphically (i.e. picture per choice), one question per page, the audience would feel like they were progressing... making progress.. a little digital adventure... to find the perfect thing for them. That's very different from the traditional "here's our whole database, cruise it one by one until you are exhausted" approach.

Hmm... you know what else...
consider moving the little pics of the credit cards and the thawte pic. They are distracting. Being multi-colored, they draw the eye. Seems very unneccessary clutter for the navigation section that is supposed to get the viewer from the home page into the excitement of your catalog. I think those credit card pics help to "hide" the mono-color 5 category menu further up the page too.



ummm... Here is my rewrite of your "About us" copy. Some of it is
personal preference and "American English", I imagine.
Take it or leave it ;-)

----

Located in Cape Town since 19xx?, Giftday sells memorable gift experience vouchers throughout South Africa.

Our team of experienced adventure-seekers tested and carefully selected each package to ensure you have the experience of a lifetime, whether it's a few hours or a few days.

Giftday's amazing range of activity vouchers suits every taste, occasion and budget. Whether it is an extreme sporting event or relaxing pamper day, we have done it all. You and your loved one or group can too.

The companies we represent have over XX years experience delivering top-quality service with a focus on putting safety-first.

Whenever possible we sell our experiences at the same price you would pay if you went direct to the supplier.

Giftday is committed to protecting your privacy at all times and will only use the information that we collect lawfully. We collect information from you only to provide you with the best possible service and process your orders correctly from start to finish.

-----

My last "2 cents" isn't about the website, per se...
But after the adventure, send them something in the mail...

1) A post card, postage paid, addressed to come back to you,
with 2 questions:
You'll have to experiement with 2 questions that work best for you,
but maybe...

1) Rate your experience; 1 bad, 5 incredible
2) What package was your second choice?

Besides that postcard, include 2 coupons, for some nominal
amount off a second package. Make it clear on these coupons
that they can be used by them, or they can be given to friends....
to start THEM on an Giftday adventure of a life time.

Referrals, referrals, referrals.

:-))


Good Luck!!
Daniel Farfan

Daniel Farfan - Awesome, I never expected such a long and an in depth reply !

Thank you for your advice, I will definately try a few of your suggestions.

Kind Regards
Craig.

The site gives an overall good impression at first glance. I like to font you have going in the logo, if you could apply that theme to the navigation buttons as well, I think it would make a good improvement.

You are welcome.
If I ever make it to your corner of the planet, I'll certainly be doing
some of your adventures!