Site improvement help - survey - need your help!

[menagerie]

I would like all of ya’lls help in trying to improve my site. I ask that you visit the site and look around before answering so that you can answer honestly. I really want true perspectives here! If you have anything at all to add that I haven’t asked or addressed by all means please share! Thank you for taking the time to help, I really REALLY appreciate it.

Site link is www.ultimategemstonejewelry.com

Survey questions:
1. What is your first impression of the site?
2. Was the site easy to navigate?
2. If you were going to make a purchase of jewelry how likely would you be (or not be) to buy from this site?
3. And why?
4. What are your thoughts on the jewelry itself?
5. Is there something you might like to see on the site that is not offered already?
5. Do you have any suggestions or comments you might like to ad?

[WashingtonBay]

I think the background is a little busy and makes it harder to read, and the centering of everything seems inconsistent from page to page or in variable browser window sizes.

I'm not the web designer in the family, but there are improvements that could be made.

There probably are even some better layouts and templates that could be purchased and customized that would present your stuff better.

[starkitten]

I agree sometimes less is better - but overall very nice :)

[alittleoffkey]

<--is doing this instead of homework. :D

1. What is your first impression of the site?
The background is a bit loud, if you softened the color a bit then it would be great. :)

2. Was the site easy to navigate?
Yep, pretty straight-forward. :)

2. If you were going to make a purchase of jewelry how likely would you be (or not be) to buy from this site?
I don't have the cash right now, but some of the pieces are very unique. If I found something I couldn't live without, then I'd buy it from the site.

3. And why?
If I see something I like and can afford, then I'm not going to pass it by.

4. What are your thoughts on the jewelry itself?
Some of the pieces aren't my style, but in general, most of the pieces seem to be very cute.

5. Is there something you might like to see on the site that is not offered already?
Not really. As a custom/unique jewelery maker, you pretty much have what you have, and don't have what you don't. :)

5. Do you have any suggestions or comments you might like to ad?
I love that, when you hover the arrow over a picture of jewelery, it pops up and tells you what it is. I like to know what I'm looking at without having to click on the picture. :)

[WashingtonBoy]

As WBay mentioned, the alignment of the pages is inconsistent. For example, the home page is right-aligned, on the necklaces pages the header is centered, and the content is left-aligned. I'm viewing it on a widescreen monitor, so that makes it more noticeable.

Also, the text is a little hard to read on the busy background. You can keep the background pattern, but see if you can apply a solid background color behind the content area... white or a lighter color is best.

I'm the wrong person to ask about jewelry, so I'll leave that part for others to answer. :)

[menagerie]

Thanks for the input, to the WB's I'll have to see if I can work on that. I built the site myself so I learn as I go along, hopefully I'll be able to sort it out.

alittleoffkey, thanks for all your answers. I'm really trying to make the site (and products) more accessable (sp?) to a broader audience. Thanks again for taking the time!