What Does a Fishing Website Need?

[Bob La Londe]

Seriously, what makes you want to revisit a website?<br /><br />I have friends who manufacturer and sell fishing fishing lures who are always interested in ideas.<br /> Secret Weapon Lures - Quick Change Spinner Baits <br /> Mesa Tackle Custom Soft Baits <br /><br />I also have my own fishing related site.<br /> Bob's Yuma Area Fishing Page <br /><br />And a good friend of mine, Lannes Brock, has a promotion site for his tackle store, but isn't really interested in selling on-line.<br /> Sportsmen's Hide-A-Way <br /><br />My friend Dave Willhide guides and has a one page site to promote his guide service.<br /> Goin' Fishin' Productions <br /><br />And last but not least the page for my local bass club.<br /> Yuma Bassmasters <br /><br />I work or consult on all of these sites, and I am curious what kind of content or information would most interest you? Please remember that each of these sites is for a different purpose and the goal is to meet the sites purpose. Mine personal site is to give useful local inforamtion and meet new fishermen. Sportsmen's wants people to visit his brick and mortar store. Yuma Bassmasters wants to promote their public image and get more people into fishing. The others want to sell products or services.<br /><br />Please feel free to flame, criticize, or offer any kind of feedback you like.

 

[rwise]

Re: What Does a Fishing Website Need?

Well, the number one turn off for me is a slow loading site, some of us still use modems!<br />Richard

 

[Bob La Londe]

Re: What Does a Fishing Website Need?

I agree on that, and admit sometimes I forget. Ive had cable at my house and office for ages now, but hats no excuse for forgettign about everybody else.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: What Does a Fishing Website Need?

members perhaps????

 

[NOSLEEP]

Re: What Does a Fishing Website Need?

Yes, a members forum would be a good start.

 

[Bob La Londe]

Re: What Does a Fishing Website Need?

A members forum? On a small startup website? I guess, but it seems I have seen hundreds of small website buidlers try to setup a forum. When I look back over them there is no real traffic. <br /><br />I personally think that a forum may help a site that is already getting lots of traffic, but I don't see it as a repeat draw in and of itself. <br /><br />Sure iBoats forums get lots of traffic, but look at their shear volume of overall traffic. They totally blanketed search engines and indexs to develope that traffic too. I recall gettign pissed off when looking for alternate sources for something and getting 30 links in a row to iBoats. <br /><br />A forum requires steady traffic to begin with I think. JMHO

 

[NOSLEEP]

Re: What Does a Fishing Website Need?

What does your website offer that would generate<br />a repeat visit?

 

[Bob La Londe]

Re: What Does a Fishing Website Need?

Thats what I was asking in general. What are people looking for in a website. My personal page gets new personal anecdotes and local fishing pictures from week to week, and that all I offer with it. It was linked to a personal forum, but it really didn't have any traffic. I think in several months I had one or two other posters. <br /><br />I'm not talking about my site in particular though. I was thinking more like guys who are actually selling something like Dave with his Guide Service or Lannes wanting to generate more traffic into his brick and mortar store, or even Bob and Joe wanting people to cvome back and buy more stuff at Secret Weapon Lures. <br /><br />Forums are nice, but if they don't get used are they really any good for a small startup website?

 

[NOSLEEP]

Re: What Does a Fishing Website Need?

Bob, its all about marketing and advertising.<br />I am in the auto sales business and it costs on<br />average $75.00 for every warm body that walks<br />through the door whether they are looking for a<br />new or used vehicle or just stopped to use the<br />bathroom. If you are a start up, people need to<br />know who you are and were they can find you.<br />Word of mouth is the best.But that takes a good<br />reputation first.<br />It dont matter whether you are selling pencils<br />or fishing lures.<br />Make sure you reach the right people.

 

[Bob La Londe]

Re: What Does a Fishing Website Need?

That make perfect sense. I have been a contractor myself for about ten years. Right now I do zero advertising other than handing out an occasional business card and the signs on my trucks and boats. <br /><br />I haven't even had a yellow pages ad in 4 or 5 years, but I do remember those first few years when I spent a fortune on advertising. It was a lot more than $75 per warm body too. <br /><br />I do the web thing as a hobby.

 

[jtexas]

Re: What Does a Fishing Website Need?

Bob, here's what gets me to return to a shopping site:<br />1. organized: there's a link for each category of lure, for example.<br />2. photo arrays: I like it when I can see the range of colors and/or sizes on screen together.<br />3. a "search this site" feature.<br />4. links with how-to info; e.g., how to rig a particular soft plastic, or what retrieves get the best results under different conditions.<br />5. I don't like it when I have to page down time after time - I prefer a web page that fits on one or two logical screen pages. Example - the tacklesupply.com page in your post, after 4 pgdn's the screen says "Shown with rattles" over a picture of a boat drain plug. Of course I know the drain plug doesn't rattle, but that's just an example. Some sites can get confusing when that happens (don't take it personally, just a pet peeve).<br />6. and of course the check-out process must be quick & painless.<br /><br />My opinion, most important features on a guide's site is pictures, pictures, pictures. Oh, and pictures of the boat. And a current fishing report (don't exagerate ). The "what to bring" list is a nice touch.<br /><br />That tunnelhull looks like one sweet ride - how you like it?<br /><br />jtw

 

[PAkev]

Re: What Does a Fishing Website Need?

From personal experience, some of my most frustrating moments are when I log onto a new website only to find pages that seem to take forever to load, are not linked correctly and come up with error messages, pictures that are not displayed, and under construction notices. Not only does it waste the visitors time, it also conveys an ameteur image. When I find a good informative site it usually gets bookmarked for repeat visits to absorb the info over a period of time rather than at one sitting. However, you may want to consider it also important to update the site regularly. I do not visit some sites anymore because they have not changed in two years and prove to be a waste of my time everytime I log onto them only to find the same thing again. This therefore requires a commitment of time and resources which may mean more website maintenance and less fishing. A busy looking homepage is often too much for most visitors to absorb at once. Most good websites are designed to only throw bits and pieces of information to the visitor as they request it. A good menu along with a compelling picture peaks the visitors interest and can be reviewed as per the the visitors order of importance.<br /><br />Now that I got the constructive .02 out of the way, that is one nice looking boat. It also looks well taken care of for a boat that is 10yrs old. I would guess the 200 ponies move it in excess of 60mph. Tournaments are a great way to add a competitive dimension to your passion of fishing. However it can also provide the avenue for you to become a slave to your hobby. I have talked to a few guys that won boats and money over the years and have indicated they are nowhere near breaking even for the time and money which they have invested to make them competitive in tournaments. <br />Your business name on the boat in a tournament makes the operational costs a legitimate advertising expense for your business that ultimately puts the bread on your table. This expense may or may not perk your business but will cut Uncle Sams allowance and can put a few more sheckles in your pocket so you can keep up with some nice new tackle each year. Finally, I noticed you have a partner in crime. Don't forget to spend some quality family time so that your family realizes they are just as important to you as the fishing is.<br /><br />Kevin

 

[Fly Rod]

Re: What Does a Fishing Website Need?

I have a basic simple one page web site that tells all about my charter business with a 2nd page used for fish reports. I generate over a thousand hits in the summer.<br />The key to a good web site is position on the search engines. You have to be on the first page and you try for top position. The key to getting on the first page is key words and meta tags for that perticular business.

 

[Jwill]

Re: What Does a Fishing Website Need?

If you can get access to tournament results for each organization you would be able to generate alot of hits that way. <br />If I lived in your area and I knew you had the results for the local tournaments I would visit your web site first.<br />Guys on another bass web site I visit are always asking for tournament results. It is basically a forum so I don't know how you would fit it in your current format.<br />A site needs to be continually updated with fresh info so there would be a reason to revisit.<br />Sounds like you would have your plate full between your family, work, fishing and trying to keep a website current.<br />I like your website and I appreciate your integrity.

 

[Link]

Re: What Does a Fishing Website Need?

When it comes to selling your website IS your salesman! Can't believe I'm being replaced LOL But the same rules apply. People who work for their money really don't like letting it go and will use any excuse not to.<br /><br />I'm just backing up what the others have said. If it isn't EASY FASTLOADING and NO Errors I will never get to the ordering part! But if I do place a order, when it comes time to pay it had better go off without a hitch the first time around. No second chances here.<br /><br />NOSLEEP & (others) will maybe chuckle here but it's true. Car, boat, product doesn't matter. In real life when you have agreed and a item, options, and price the salesman will say lets put this on paper and see how it looks.. they will say ok or nod, at that point the salesman will go directly to his/her desk (will not look back) and start writing the contract. The first party that speaks loses! If its the salesperson Everything that has happened before doesn't matter as you are starting off new again.<br /><br />The software/salesperson requiring input (and making the buyer speak first by typing) just blew it if you have to do it again! <br /><br />I've backed out of 30-40 transactions this way..because the software wanted additional information or glitched! <br /><br />jtexas <br />

3. a "search this site" feature

And make sure it works!<br /><br />Three months ago I wanted to buy a 12ft W by 24ft long by 12 ft High fully enclosed portable garage for my boat! Actually I wanted to buy two of them. Not a big sale but still $900.00 I went to the web site with catalog number, item# and item description.. product wasn't listed and their search engine couldn't find it. After 20 minutes I said to heck with it and we bought locally<br /><br />Hope this helps

 

[imported_Warren]

Re: What Does a Fishing Website Need?

Bob, the first thing I look for on a website is up to date, fishing reports that are easy to find. I love fishing Martinez lake and saw some info on it on your website but was overwhelmed with other info and didn't know what button to push. Another popular thread on the sites that I visit are the buy and sell boards. It gets me to the site and while i'm there I look for reports from lakes I have/never will fish...The most important thing I stay away from is Spam. One of the sites I go to is flooded with spam and I have to run spybot everytime I leave the site. The California bass site that I visit and post often has some real heavyweights in the industry like Jerry Rago, and a couple others that come in and post.For opinions and to show off there new baits..now thats cool. I would definitely register at your site for some good info (possibly a guide) for lake Martinez...Just my 2Cents.......Warren

 

[Bob La Londe]

Re: What Does a Fishing Website Need?

So, I'm gathering the following for my personal site.<br /><br />The front page is too busy.<br /><br />I should restructure it with consistant buttons or tabs for navigation down one side or across the top.<br /><br />You guys think a forum with local and general topics would be a draw. <br /><br />I should add content even more oftne than I do. (I try to add soemthing new at least a couple times a week.) <br /><br />For Sale Sites should be clean fast and the for sale part should be flawless.

 

[rwise]

Re: What Does a Fishing Website Need?

pop ups, I hate pop ups! and I have been to sites that take you around in circles looking for something. unless I want it real bad, no more than 4 clicks or I'm gone.<br /><br />sounds like a good start!

 

[gonfishn]

Re: What Does a Fishing Website Need?

I belong to five Musky sites..most forums are in to bass ect..depends on what type fins one is lookn for..When i first came on board here JB and myself were only ones who could Walk the Talk on the gators....now many members are becoming more interested in the warrior..A few of us here will meet this year to go after a few.<br /><br />If it flows smoothly I will return and also have knowledge of what I am lookn for..there are hundreds of sites out there..With me if you push the right button I will come back as iboats has done here..

 

[Bco128]

Re: What Does a Fishing Website Need?

here is an idea which will help your traffic increase a bit.donate something to local needs.or even non local needs.im not meaning give money to the food shelter or donations to charity organizations.these are good things to do but wont add much to buisness.im meaning such things as a local fishing tournament.one run by the local bait shop.or possibly set one up locally yourself.have a small area where such a request can be made, and possibly offer to help in some way.such as donating a bit of tackle or other related items.word of mouth will get aroung fast.just set yourself a budget on how much to donate. and hold to it otherwise it will run into problems.as for friends with guid service they can donate t-shirts same for brick and mortor.you can all go in together and donate a package gift.it works.i run the annual bass turny where i work and i have a number of small buisnesses which donate things like t-shirts with thir logo on it tackle, boat accesories, thermos cups caps all sorts of things.it has paied off for them as their buisness as well as their website gets promoted for free.and the guys and galls in the turny like they veriety of door prizes.good luck