New Enlightened Equipment site needs scrutiny

I think most of my comments have already been framed by other posters, but that being said I do really like the new site. The fabric scans are a nice touch. I assume that it will shift over to "enlightenedequipment.com" without the "bigcommerce" when it launches?

Also your quilts are certainly values as they are, but given that this is posted in gear deals a website launch coupon should be in the works ;)

Once were done working on the site I'll start working on the specs for a product I will only sell here. I can't say it will be cheap, opposite actually but it will be exclusive only to this post and a very limited amount will be offered.

-Tim

I love the new look! Very refined and clean and visually simple. Many little things could use cleaning up but as it is now, it's very user-friendly already.

– I agree that the vertical space is way too long. Things I'd like to see change to reduce this are (1) tighter top two banners, (2) smaller photo rotation.

– I don't find a 'Featured' spotlight appealing. If you're not already familiar with the product range, then this area isn't at all informative. In that case I'd rather go and see the entire product range at once for comparison. If you're stuck on having a 'Featured' tab, you could introduce a rotating selection like your photo banner above, but with a brief blurb about its features.

– A little more visual consistency with titling the mini banners for your three 'Shop' categories.

– Clicking on the 'Enlightenment' tab by itself brings up nothing. I'd at least one to see the sub-tab options linked here. I also don't think the 'Contact Us' sub-tab can be intuitively found here, though I don't have a better suggestion off the top of my head.

– I'd like more consistent photo widths on all pages, for example in 'Quilts 101'.

– Better blog layout to visually delineate individual posts and cut down on the info presented in the initial page. Too much scrolling to get to older posts, and the titles don't immediately jump out. The format I typically like is one a lot of outdoor bloggers use, where only the first portion is visible and you click to read the rest. The format in 'Shaking Things Up' is too wide.

The latest product photos are beautiful, by the way!

When on my iPhone, I change options, but the pricing seems to lag.

Other than that, it looks great. A couple of minor ideas:

-It would be nice to have weight along with price

-Can the index of width and length have values (ex. Narrow (45"))? So that you can easily tell the difference in the choices?

-Compare would be a nice feature. I want a 30 degree bag in wide and with normal length. Line up the different bags and show the weights and features of each.

"Our proprietary shiftless baffle system are a novel way of thinking about down control." => "Our proprietary shiftless baffle system is a novel way of thinking about down control."

"Our quilts have been designed not only for lightweight, but for comfort as well." => "Our quilts have been designed not only for light weight, but for comfort as well."

"The Enigma-style footbox is sewn shut, which saves weight at the cost of some of the Revelations versatility." => "The Enigma-style footbox is sewn shut, which saves weight at the cost of some of the Revelation's versatility."

"Hammock sleeprs and those not moving around much can leave off the straps…" => "Hammock sleepers and those not moving around much can leave off the straps…"

"Our underquilts use a hybrid corner adujsting side channel suspension." => "Our underquilts use a hybrid corner adjusting side channel suspension."

"…while layiong in the hammock to find the perfect fit." => "…while laying in the hammock to find the perfect fit."

There are likely more errors – I didn't do a full proof of the entire site.

I agree with the consensus expressed so far — great site, a bit too vertical in orientation (some wasted space could be tightened up, though does lend a very clean look), color swatches a very good add. New sizing info is clear, if not a tiny bit disappointing that I will need to get a slightly "bigger" (and heavier, and costlier) quilt than I first thought I would (in the Enigma), but that is better than getting a quilt that is labeled to be a size I would think is right for me to only find out it is a little too short.

Tim, I spoke with you on the phone a couple of weeks ago about sizing and footboxes and such and had mentioned to you that I have put my pad inside my footbox, now I notice on the new website you have language specifically recommending against putting the pad in the footbox (and offer good reasons) — just curious if this was added specifically in reaction to our conversation.

One other thing I'll mention that I don't think has been raised: you have some new photos of the Enigma on this prototype website that do a much better job IMO of showing the new baffle design. On the current website there is description of new baffle design and shiftless baffles but hard to see in the photo what that design is, other than the baffles run vertically. The new website has those photos but also has added others that show how the baffles over the torso area are vertical but actually "U" or "V" shaped, which would seem to prevent the down in that area from migrating too far away (physically cannot get shifted all the way down to the foot, for example). Thanks for that, I found it helpful. Any further, more detailed explanation of the baffle design — how/why it is "shiftless" and additional photos or diagrams of internal construction — would be even more helpful.

Intrigued by your teaser of a "new product" to be announced here…

Not sure if this is pertinent, since I probably shouldn't be looking while I'm at work ;) But on the original site I had no problems, now when I try to pull up the specs tab, I get:

Access Denied

Your request was denied because of its content categorization:
"File Storage/Sharing"

Of course this is due to protection protocols on a business network, but thought it something to mention, since there is no problems with the old site.

I agree that some videos would be helpful, particularly for people who are not familiar with quilts.

The site looks up thee price based on the options you select. It would be nice if it also looked up the weight (versus forcing the user to the spec table). The spec table is nice for comparison, but it would be nice to only have to look at it if you wanted to.

I also noticed a couple spots where the numbers appear to be off:

The total weight on the Enigma short/regular in wrong (looks like the fill weight was entered instead).

The price for the Enigma Pro in short/regular (listed a $545) appears to be an error – based on it's relation to other prices.

my 3 cents

List the specs either under the options or to the right. The sizes for sure should be regular/50" or whatever. Footnote to below for how you size.

The current weight of selected options would be an awesome feature. Put it next to the price, so I don't have to pick what I think I want, then go looking around the chart.

I like the names you guys use for the quilts, they are fresh and memorable. But thinking as a first-time visitor I don't know which are down and which are synthetic until a few clicks thru. I think most people make that decision early in shopping. Maybe under the name put a tag line "our flagship down quilt" "budget-friendly synthetic favorite" –a few words that describes it, and definitely includes insulation type. Or only insulation type. This was a minor complaint carried over from the old site, but since you're askin… haha

Congrats on the new site, I like it.

As a web designer myself, I'd like to congratulate you on a beautiful redesign. From aesthetics to function, the new layout and colors scheme is spot on. I didn't read all of the other posts in this thread, so please forgive me if I've repeated anything:

-The pricing is off. For example, the specs table for the Enigma says a 30deg long/reg 750fp should cost $230. However, when I manually enter those options at the top of the page, the price displayed is $265.

-It would be awesome if you could automatically display the weight of the quilts as I choose from the different options at the top, similar to how the price auto-adjusts.

-I know this would be difficult logistically to get professional photos of every color quilt, but it would be great to see a photo when I select a color for my quilt.

-The search function is gorgeous and the responsive design is flawless. I've tried it on a variety of browsers and devices for you.

I share many of the same things that have already been commented on. Fix those things and you will be set. Looking forward to getting an Enigma quilt in the near future.

Tim,

Would you mind letting us know when you've made changes, that way we can look again and see how it's played out. I understand and realize that inherently some of the advice or feedback you've received will conflict in some way with another priority or need, but if the site continues to be a work-in-progress, please alert us so we continue to check back.

Cheers and keep up the good work. Btw, I have until tomorrow evening to decide on a job for the next 4 months that would definitely have me ordering a Revelation 30 from you really soon.

Hey Tim…received the Prodigy quilt…awesome. Perfect. Just what I wanted in a quilt. Keep up the great work!

Hi Tim,

I am late to party due to travel and work. The site looks very well.

The main recommendation that I have is to help users avoid needing to go to the "Specs" table, which (although it is comprehensive) is a little bit cumbersome to have to use. It would be nice if the weight (or all the specs) of the quilt appear once the appropriate options are selected, roughly like so:

As was mentioned, I also noticed that the prices in the Specs table and the prices that appear when all the options are selected are not always in agreement.

Also, I'm not positive how I feel about the "Outside fabric options" section–I didn't have any trouble understanding it, but some people may get confused. It could probably be solved easily by splitting it into two levels like so:

Overall, I think the site is very modern and impressive, so well done!

We really appreciate all the feedback on this. We have fixed a number of issues that were quick and are working on many of the longer fixes. I had promised to offer you guys some deals and i'm getting them around today. I'm gone until next tuesday so it would be crazy to post them now and not be able to be here to deal with it. I will post 6 quilts on Tuesday when I return. They are exchanges and minor repairs. I will do 10% off the exchange ones and 20% off the repairs. They are Enigma and Revelation of various down fills, sizes and temp ranges. Details will go up Tuesday

-Tim

Any updates?

I guess I'm not the only one hitting the refresh button all day instead of doing my work!

Me too

Ok guys,

Here is what I have. Post here which you want AND email me direct (please no PM they are impossible to sort) tim@enlightenedequipment.com

Exchanges
1-Revelation 800 fill 30* Reg/Wide Charcoal10D/Orange20D -$260 -SOLD/SHIPPED
2-Enigma 750 fill 20* Reg/Reg Black10D/Navy10D -$210 -SOLD/SHIPPED
3-Enigma 750 fill 10* Reg/Wide Charcoal10D/Black10D with weather protection in grey – $250
4-Revelation 750 fill 30* Reg/Reg forest10D/forest10D -$180-SOLD/SHIPPED
Repairs
5-Enigma Pro 850DT 0* Reg/Wide Charcoal10d/Charcoal10D with weather protection in Blaze. Stitch popped in footbox so there is a topstitched seam there to seal it up. if i didn't tell you you'd never notice -$420
6-Enigma Pro 850DT 10* Long/Wide Charcoal 10D/Olive20D/with weather protection in Steel. Tiny hole on the inside (end of the needle small) covered with mylar repair tape to prevent leaks. -$405-SOLD/SHIPPED

Happy hunting

-Tim

Tim,

Thanks for doing this. I'll take number 4, the 750 fill 30 degree.

Awesome!

ok i'll send an invoice shortly to your email.

-Tim

I'll take #1, email coming your way!

got it

Is it going to be a problem for you guys if i get invoices out tomorrow? I'm running out of work day here pretty fast.

-Tim

Nothing for me this time, but I appreciate you doing this for the BPL community.