Website update- please review

[ryancoutts1984]

Hello,

I have recently been updating the website could you please take a look and give me some feedback.

Text4Cocktails -


Many Thanks,

Ryan
Text4Cocktails

[barryhynd]

Ryan,

The initial page is all squint for me and some of the writing is very hard to read. I assume you have done this site yourself and i'm by no means criticising but I think you have elements on the site that are very effective but I dont think the site design gives off the right impression. This is a site that could do well virally if it had a very funky and memorable design.

How are you going to promote the site? Is there anybody else offering the same service? What makes yours different? There is quite a bit of scope for this I think but you need to up it a level for me. Please remember as well that design is totally subjective and i'm sure other people will be along to give their opinions

[Power Lunch Club]

Hello Ryan,

I had a look at your website too, and would reiterate Barry's words about the design of it. I am getting my own website looked at for the very same reasons. Did you do it yourself?

How are you getting on with your testing of the service? I would be interested to know. I read your article in Business 7 and I saw that you think it may appeal to people at home. I would say that as most people have internet access at home. they are more likely to use that, especially if they want to research a variety of different cocktails

I can see it being of use to barmen, who have been requested it by someone coming into the bar or even someone who has walked into a bar and fancies one themselves and want to tell the barman how it's made.

Not sure how you are going to market it this, but (and I am not sure how you would do this), but I would thought to have a bit more appeal, that you added some extras like the history of a particular cocktail, or what famous people enjoy this cocktail.

How are you building you cocktails database and how many have you got so far?

Also, are you expecting people to use your service regulary...I think you would have to rethink the £1 a go if you wanted them to keep comng back.

That then leads to the question how are you going to keep this service in their minds...what sort of marketing have you got planned? I would also consider other services added on.

Hope it all goes well

"Cheers"

[ryancoutts1984]

Hello barry,


Thanks for your valid comments


Yes you’re right, I did create the site alone using a very limited package called Mr Site, which was my contemporary option. I know you have mentioned you are not criticising the web site as such, but I am still on the lookout for new ideas as that’s not the perfect website representing the business.

I launched the service recently around 6 months ago and have identified 2 main markets, being consumers shopping for alcohol in the supermarkets/off licence trade and the other being the bar/restaurant trade. For this reason I have being targeting consumers and companies mainly on-line via websites. I have been applying to work alongside big chains such as Sainsbury's & Asda's and also network providers. Also I have been promoting the site through social networking sites such as Bebo and being distributing business card flyers to students/shops etc,. I have also been targeting the press recently in attempt to gain coverage. Please let me know if you have any suggestions for my marketing strategy.

In my ideal perfect world I would get a contract with a supermarket/s to stock promotional cards next to the spirits section to suggest they may use if they want to know what drinks to shop for. Also another one would be a drinks supplier such as diago which could hopefully promote Text4Cocktails on their products. This in return would increase sales for both parties as cocktails multiply the number of ingredients required.

The service is currently patent pending, however during extensive searches I have found this service completely unique to the UK market. I did come across 2 companies that answer any question via text message that also charge £1 each request, which are AQA and 1181118(newly started). But previously the only companies that offered the service worldwide only offered a subscription service, for example £5 a week and would send random recipes to them.


Hopefully this may answer some questions and please advise me of any ideas you may have


Many Thanks

Ryan
Text4Cocktails

[ryancoutts1984]

Hello Power Lunch Club,

Thanks for your valuable advice

As per my previous comment to Barry this of may answered some of your questions.

I am building my database, while refering to books and internet sites, but I must admit squeezing it into 160 can somtimes be tricky.

I totally accept your point regarding the cost of the service, however there is currently a 80% charge for the service provider (02, orange etc,) and once I add overhaeds I costed it out as a loss. So unfortunetly I would'nt manage to drop any price unless I receive sponsorship or big contract of some sort.

As other services go, please advise me of any ideas you may have please


Many Thanks,

Ryan
Text4Cocktails

[barryhynd]

Hi Ryan,

You're certainly aiming high with a big 4 supermarket and Diageo! I think you need to build up to approaching companies like this. You need to prove your business model works otherwise they will laugh you out the door (that's if you even get through it in the first place).

I dont actually think the price point is that bad but I do think this wont be something people will use that regularly (unless they're a raving alcoholic ). I think I would be looking at local nightclubs etc for a start and trying to build something from there. The social networking side I think could be great but you need to harness this in the right way and i'm in no way an expert in that department.

[Power Lunch Club]

Originally Posted by barryhynd

I think I would be looking at local nightclubs etc for a start and trying to build something from there. The social networking side I think could be great but you need to harness this in the right way and i'm in no way an expert in that department.

Yes, I think your right Barry...aiming at nightclubs, social networking side of things....possibly getting promotional flyers or beer (cocktail) mats made up with some clever marketing like....Do you want a "Buttery Nipple"....or the barman can give you a "Wet Dream",...if you text here, we'll tell you how!!

Or give a recipe away on the flyers like; Here's how you can get "Undressed" tonight,...but if you want "Heavenly Sex" text here!!

On a side note, when I was looking at the cocktail: UK website, they listed thousands of cocktails, with some intriguing titles....on the back of your flyer could be a list of cocktail names people could text you with. So that they have ideas to go on.

Gordon

[TFGtv.com]

Originally Posted by ryancoutts1984

The service is currently patent pending, however during extensive searches I have found this service completely unique to the UK market. I did come across 2 companies that answer any question via text message that also charge £1 each request, which are AQA and 1181118(newly started). But previously the only companies that offered the service worldwide only offered a subscription service, for example £5 a week and would send random recipes to them.

A fellow by the name of Andy Buchan submitted a multimedia version of this idea for his HND Multimedia Creation project back in about 2003 or 4. Part of his development plan was to take the idea online and offer a secure 'pro' service for professional bar tenders. I may well still have his submission material.

Quite what you intend securing a patent on isn't clear. And I'm obviously not allowed to discuss the detail of a student's work. However I am able to suggest that your service is far from completely unique.

Members of my family are in the restaurant trade and I can well remember my uncle having access to a FAX based subscription telephone service back in the late 80's; on the back of the film "Cocktail". It was run initially by a disabled chap called John McCleneghan from his flat in the Red Road; John had 1/2 a dozen phone lines into his flat with FAX machines and ran the service off a simple database helt on an XT class PC. I lost track of him after I moved away but hear that Stakis had bought the service and his database off him. There was talk at the time of a bulletin board based service.... And I'm not even sure his service was unique then...

In terms of offering a critique of the design of your site it would be a case of the pot commenting on the non-reflectance of the kettle, but then my business isn't at all dependent on the websites as a purchasing point. There are however some fundamental errors that others have pointed out to you, additionally...

The online barman feature doesn't work (well not in Firefox). I get a flash frame of something red (possibly a picture of a drink) and some cheesy music (annoying cheesy; it's a really short loop) to accompany the empty page.

The online shop has one item in it. And a looped animation which is just irritating as it keeps looping and is again ridiculously short.

The FAQ page....

"Is your cocktail valid? Is it know to the cocktail world?"

Well apart from the chinglish how the heck do I know if it's known to the cocktail world? And if I was that into it why wouldn't I have a recipe book behind the bar? What made old John's service work was his own knowledge and the fact that he could determine what people were looking for from scant or incomplete details... And most of the time people were calling up for the more obscure recipes or those that were half-forgotten...

Then there are copyright and legal issues. I assume that ALL the images and sounds on your site have been properly cleared with their respective owners. Then, isn't there something in statute about having the details of ownership for any business accessible somewhere on the site?

[ryancoutts1984]

As a new start-up and being first small business I have chosen to gain valuable advice and direction on this forum.

I am looking into the issues you had while using the site, but your right about the online barman which I am now aware it doesn’t load on Firefox.

As the patent goes I applied to have a copyright patent to protect the idea of cocktail recipes being sent on request via text message from API database on a no subscription service.

What Text4Cocktails are offering is a fast convenient service allowing you to source the required ingredient/direction when you don’t have other resources available.

As the website goes I am trying to support it financially with my full time job and have very limited time, which is why I produced the site myself. I do understand first impressions count but I’m attempting to bring the site up to a reasonable standard.

If you look into terms & conditions page you will find the owner being my name there.

[TFGtv.com]

Originally Posted by ryancoutts1984

As a new start-up and being first small business I have chosen to gain valuable advice and direction on this forum.

I am looking into the issues you had while using the site, but your right about the online barman which I am now aware it doesn’t load on Firefox.

As the patent goes I applied to have a copyright patent to protect the idea of cocktail recipes being sent on request via text message from API database on a no subscription service.

What Text4Cocktails are offering is a fast convenient service allowing you to source the required ingredient/direction when you don’t have other resources available.

As the website goes I am trying to support it financially with my full time job and have very limited time, which is why I produced the site myself. I do understand first impressions count but I’m attempting to bring the site up to a reasonable standard.

If you look into terms & conditions page you will find the owner being my name there.

OK Ryan... Please clarify what exactly you mean by a "copyright patent"?

Who have you applied to for this, what have you been told you're applying for and who has taken money off you for this?

Please bear in mind that among other subjects I actually teach media law, which includes copyright law. I also have many many years of experience dealing with IP rights and I may be in a position to stop you wasting money you don't really have!

As for the site itself; Your business depends heavily on it and its image. At the risk of sounding cruel (not my intent) it's obvious you need professional help with the design and implementation of your idea. Frankly, drumming up publicity when the thing's not yet ready for public consumption could SEVERELY damage your credibility and cost more than simply shelling out for someone who knows what they're doing to design it for you!

As for contact details, your site says....

Text 4 Cocktails is operated by Ryan Coutts and can be contacted

That's it! Doesn't give a trading address or any clear indication of who exactly the money for the service is being paid to! And I note you didn't comment as to whether you've got full written copyright clearance for all the sound clips and images on your site....

Can I also suggest Ryan that you ask Barry to move this thread into the private section of the site? You're among friends here and any criticism (however severe) that might be made amounts to 'friendly fire'. From a PR and marketing perspective though it's better that this isn't done 'out in the street'; better behind closed doors!