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Would love feedback on my Website - Mykidsregistry.com

Hi All,

My website has been up and running for a few months. I am in the process of completeing my business plan and have received a proposal from a Web designer/programmer to get mykids to where I want it to be(quite large$$$$. There are a few issues I have with it as it is but for the most part it is a functional site. I just envision something so much more but have financial handcuffs on. I want to play it out for a while first before I invest so much $$$ even if it were to come from investors.

Mykids is a gift giving community dedicated to childrens birthday parties and special events. It is a social network for moms to connect with other moms. Moms create a profile for themselves and then an extended for their children. Moms or Dads can invite family and friends to the party via e-invite, receive onlice r.s.v.p., then create a wishlist for the birthday child for everyone to shop. Then post pictures of the party for anyone who missed the event. We also have groups like book clubs for kids based on moms recommendations etc..

The wishlist is a function of amazon and we are also affiliated with kb toys.com & Etoys.com so parents can also create wishlists with them as well.

I would love everyone's feedback, if you have the time.

I REALLY appreciate it! THANK YOU!!!

Flag as inappropriate Posted by on 28th December 2007
Hi there. Um, I'm no expert, so this is my humble contribution: I'd say that just in terms of web design, the name of your company needs to be much more prominent. I'd also try to convey - perhaps as a subheading - in only a few words what it's all about. Can you get it into more of a little nutshell? Like just a catch phrase that will stick in people's minds better? Good luck!!

Flag as inappropriate Posted by Diane on 29th December 2007
Yes - I agree with your comments regarding design. Thank you for your honesty - that is what I am looking for.

I invested in the design already and changed it after two months. I can not redo the design right now at but have a proposal in hand to get that going. I am not pleased with how it looks now but I was told that I should focus on building the network.

Is this something you would consider doing when you child's brithday rolls around?

Did you find it confusing?

I totally agree with your call out regarding the description of MYkids has been bothering me.

My adwords on Google campaign states:

Kids Wishlist

A freindly place for parents to tell family& friends what to buy.

I have received a few clicks from it but no new members.

Flag as inappropriate Posted by on 29th December 2007
clicked off to early without saying

THANKS!!

Flag as inappropriate Posted by on 29th December 2007
I have a couple of thoughts. First, I would make a couple of the sites features available for browsing without a login, so people know what they are going to get if they do create an account - perhaps the ability to browse the forums and blogs without being able to post or comment.

Next, what is the site running on?? Is it a content management system that is commercially available, with a custom look, or was it all programmed from scratch?? I could look at the source code, but I'm feeling lazy right this minute.... Depending on how the site was built originally, I might be able to help you make a few small tweaks on your own until you can afford the redesign you want.

How do you plan to monetize this - is it all from ads and referral income?

I love the logo. To make it stand out more, I would change the color of the blue page gutter so it doesn't look so similar to the blue gradient behind your logo. Then I might make the logo a tad larger and add a tag line. That should be relatively simple to do.

I have no idea what your computer/web design skills are, so if you have technical questions let me know.

-Kristie

Flag as inappropriate Posted by Kristie McNealy on 29th December 2007
Hi Kristie,

Thank you for your feedback and the time you took to look over my site. It's Very much appreciated.

I initally allowed people to browse without becoming a member but I had a few call outs from moms that they would prefer the site to have a little more security by only allowing to browse through. Once you are a member you can browse the blogs and forums with no obligation to post a comment.

The content is a management system that is commercially available. Unfortunately, I have been teaching myself most of it. I do not have a background in web design or anything close.

It's my goal to set up sponsorship with a few key retailers for this to a be a financially sound investment and a rewarding one. Can't get in to too much of the business plan now. My income will not be generated solely from ads. I am currently affiliated with KBtoys.com and Etoys.com and the wish list is created through Amazon, so I receive a small percentage on all purchases made through the affiliates.

A friend of mine is suppose to fix the logo to make it stand out more. I originally had a white background and I will go back to that based on a few of the WIM call outs.

My biggest frustration is lack of time and my inability to navigate with confidence. I feel like I have come pretty far as far as my knowledge goes. For the past 17 years I surrounded myself with handbags and accessories....this is a big change for me. So far I am enjoying it but it is very easy to get discouraged.

Do you like to concept?

Flag as inappropriate Posted by on 29th December 2007
I love the concept.

We're starting another site which will make its income off of affiliate programs/ads. I've been testing out ads from a couple of different programs (share a sale and link share) on another of our sites trying to see what works the best while we ramp up the new venture.

We do all of our own web work. It's been an interesting learning experience over the past year. I did simple html web pages in college, but learning to work with css and php has been a whole new experience.

Good luck!

Flag as inappropriate Posted by Kristie McNealy on 2nd January 2008
Thanks for the input. I was watching a show called Party Mamas and a mother was throwing her 3 yr old a birthday party and went all out. She did a pirate theme and actually rented a boat to make it look like a pirates boat. She also had everyone in pirate outfits. Here - I thought having my sons birthday party in a tumbles like place was a little too much.

I think it is great(and I am jealous) that you can do all your own web work. I wish I had the knowledge and I have been thinking about taking a class. Would one class be enough?

I changed the coloration to show my logo. Not my ideal but a little better.

Anyway, thanks!

Flag as inappropriate Posted by on 3rd January 2008
It's a great idea and I think a lot of moms I know would use the product.

However, I think the home page is busy, a lot is going on there at once and it's abit confusing. Also, the banner at the top with your logo feels like wasted space with all that blue. Maybe you can put a short company decription up there to utulize that space and get rid of the box underneath that has the logo again with the description.

It really is a good idea and I'd press on. One website design class may be all you need to make the tweaks that people are suggesting. Good Luck!

-Lisa

www.historicalimpulse.com

Flag as inappropriate Posted by LisaK on 3rd January 2008
Thank you Lisa K. I agree with what you are saying. I am going to look into web design classes.

It makes me want to press on when I hear people say they think it is a good idea.

I checked out historicalimpulse.com and it is such a cool idea.

Thanks for the input.

Flag as inappropriate Posted by on 4th January 2008