A Review of Landing page concept for research paper library by Ryan Brindley

Hey Jens, I think you have the graphical ability and userbase to make this site really good, you just need some marketing direction and content analysis. So here we go!

So let's first off set some assumptions about the site and its viewers: A1: The only reason people are viewing the site is because they have an essay assignment and are looking for content/inspiration inside other essays. A2: The viewers are mostly high school/college and generally impulsive (especially if they are viewing your site). A3: They already have an assignment and are looking for information on a specific topic. A4: Viewers are most likely on a laptop (as much students use them) A5: Your site is somewhat successful if the use views multiple essays. Not every essay will be the "killer" essay that the user wants, but a user who views multiple essays is willing to pay, they are just finding the content worth paying, so help them! There are many more, but less important.

So now that we've established the assumptions, the rest of this review is just gonna be a bunch of tips/observations that might help point you in the direction you need to increase you click-throughs and reduce your bounce rate :-)

(1) Searching is like the #1 thing your site needs to be worried about. You need to give the viewers as much "guided" searching functions as possible. Don't overload them with a bunch of useless links they'll have to weed through, but definitely find some observations about the page they've landed on and generate your content based on those observations to help them out even more!

(2) I'd suggest completely refocusing your search section to include some suggestions. For example, you know they're looking at a business essay on globalization (keyword), so why not offer them a globalization search link? Don't make them "restart" their search when you know information to help them along the searching process.

(3) The stats section is completely promotional and doesn't really do anything when it comes to finding the content the user is looking for. So definitely get rid of it on the main pages and leave it for the sign up page to encourage them that they are making the right decision by buying your product/service.

(4) Completely revamp the new essays section. This is almost completely useless...unfortunately. Great idea though, but really, what are the chances that the first two words of completely unrelated essays are going to be the exact match the user is looking for? Instead replace this section with a more directed section. Split it up into the top essays for the most popular keywords of the essay you are currently looking at. So pick like the top 3 or 4 keywords of this essay and then display the top 5 essays in each of those keywords to the user.

(5) Change the "Browse Essays" into sections, so like "tags", "level", "subjects" or something like that. Also add the "top10" list up there

(6) Your logo guy looks a little cheesy, too nerdy unfortunately. It's not the nerds you're going after, they already have the grades lol. Make it more jocky, or "cool"

(7) Remove "Where's CheatHouse" and put it at the bottom. It's more "about" the site than content of the site and it's in some of the best real estate space!

(8) I'd consider adding a section that displays links of recent searches or essays.

(9) I'd definitely make the keywords in the essay details clickable, so users can search by them.

(10) I'd definitely add a suggested essays section somewhere underneath the last essay sample. So if users like this essay, but not enough to buy it, they might be able to find one they are willing to buy that is similar.

In general, learn what information you can assume about the user and then make the content completely focused around that :-) It'll definitely be a great improvement to the site, both for the user as well as your bounce rate!