Where/why the balk?

[Shazer7]

Ok I test the check now and its working, tried it a few times before but had problems.

I am using IE

You can also try doing a search in google, and find some forums that deal with you are selling and see if you can get some banner adds going.

[Ajeh]

Another way to look at google is to see what is really there for your site ...

Search on:
site:southbayperformance.com

Notice you are getting listings ...

Notice they don't say anything other than the models of cars ...

Text descriptions on the Categories ...

Text descriptions on the Products that also tie into the Product Name ...

Feed those spiders ... they are hungry ...

[Woodymon]

You probably already observed an error on your home page:

Parse error: syntax error, unexpected $end in /home/your_account/public_html/includes/templates/your-template/sideboxes/tpl_categories.php on line 181

Recommend putting up a "parallel" development shop for testing out changes and new ideas on Zen Cart before implementing the same adjustments on your production shop.

Also you might want to add a tag-line to your "meta" title for your home page. Just "South Bay Performance" in your title by itself is not going to help too much.

And just mentioning automotive manufacturer names in your meta keywords/description is not very helpful. And your keywords list and description meta is exactly the same! Why? Build your meta description so it reads in real language phrases.

May want to visit Google and Yahoo help sites for some best practices in these regards.

You have a nice header image. Maybe embellish it with a tag-line/motto of some sort. And as others suggested make your phone number VERY prominent. In the part business a phone number is paramount. Also are you focusing on a local/regional niche or national/global sales. Either way you should highly consider a 800#. And think about purchasing a one liner in the local yellow pages (under auto parts).

At this point in your business life-cycle you provide no motivation for anyone to purchase from you. Add some text on the home page that helps your customer understand/know who you are, what your niche is, and why they should buy stuff from your website. What set's you apart? As others suggested text and more text throughout your website will help you gain and then maintain attention. Both to your people customers and for search engines. And constantly change/update content on your website to keep them wanting to come back (including seasonal and other sales, special discounts, coupons, etc).

Also shipping options and guarantee, warranty and refund policies need to be CLEARLY specified. Do your research in these areas as this can easily become a burden, especially for heavy parts.

So this leads back into the question others have suggested, why would someone order from your business, a brand-new, little known, small-time parts dealer website (with no history, no credibility record and no brick-and-mortar presence) when they can visit a local national chain parts store just around their corner?

What do you offer that a competitor doesn't. What set's you apart? What experience do you bring to the table?

You have to generate credibility and that will take some time. Best to not try be all things to everyone or generic. Find your niche and cater to it. me thinks in your industry it would be best to focus on generating a local/regional customer base, at least until you get that credibility built up. And as you do obtain some testimonials and put them on your website. And "play up" your pre-sales and post-purchase service, warranty, guarantee, shipping, etc.

Image. Why are stock cars always so colorful? People into cars also like graphics and images, and more graphics and color and more color. Think about how all the national parts stores employ graphics and color in both their corporate identity and adorn their brick and mortar shops and websites. Believe me they have researched that aspect to death.

Again you have a good start but more graphics/images are good. But say no to gawdiness 9is that a word), keep it professional and clean but make it "exciting"... yes it is a difficult fine balance... even for a professional website designer.

Some small things you can do, nothing to do with editing your website.

Advertise in the local weekly paper and in local college and high school papers. Stop by local auto repair shops, car shows and amateur car races in your area and hound out business cards and flyer's/brochures. And get some colorful waterproof stickers made and give them out. Auto enthusiasts LOVE stickers.

And if your local high school baseball team sells advertising on the outfield fence cheaply, that might be an inexpensive option, especially if you can paint the sign (professionally) yourself.

Submit to your local paper a brief description of your new business (some papers publish in their business section a weekly "business beat" or "new area businesses listing"). If you think your business is offering something special (you should be) then inquire with local paper business editor to see if they would be interested in a story on your special start-up business.

And if you really intend to be in this for the long haul enroll in local SBA marketing course or MKTG 101 at local community college. Ask about the 4P's ;-)

When starting a new business keep your ears and eyes open. Watch for opportunities. Listen for ideas and recommends. Don't take anything anyone says (here or elsewhere) as negative criticism. Take it constructively and avoid being on the defensive (it's easy to become defensive when everyone is providing "professional advice"). Apply the info you find useful, and then just spit the rest out, or if not sure file it away for later analysis.

And one other item. Probably the most important. Expect to be recycling all your "profits" back into your business for the next two years, unless you have some secrets up your sleeve. Most people launching mom & pop businesses (either brick-and-mortar or mail-order, telephone order or online payment based websites) require some other source of income, at least during the start-up phase (which can be short or long) and/or have an endowment/trust set-aside to help them get through the early and rough times.

Take all the above as positive suggestions in the spirit of wishing you a successful launch to your venture. Good luck!

Woody