What content would you like to see in a breeder's site?

[Kokopelli]

Hey all,
As some of you are aware, I am working on a personal site- I am not trying to get people to get there or anything, but I do want your opinion.
As I hope to take breeding into the next level, I wondered what the community outside of Israel would have wanted to see in a breeder's site to help them decide, get info et cetera...

In Israel, we naturally lack quite a bit of info, so I have a couple of fairly large articles about Boa Constrictors and Genetics... a lot of the info these contain I learned from the online community. The thing is, many people here don't know English well enough to be able to read a lot of it, or to fully understand it... so I had to really put in a lot of info.
The international community however... there are SO MANY wonderful articles out there, I feel kind of dumb to write something which kind of repeats so many existing sources. On the other hand, I don't want to leave the wrong impression by pointing the finger at other people's work.

So what do you think should a breeder's site contain? What would you have liked to be able to get from a visit in such a site?

Would love your ideas and input,

Oren.

 

[ghosthousecorns]

I have a modest freewebs site and I really do need to update it. But aside from info on pairings, available snakes and photos of my breeders I have a care sheet, some links to websites I like, and a photo album for native herps.

 

[Kokopelli]

Thank you!
What about medical info? Such as Mouthrot, scale rot...
Anything else?
Any input would be greatly appreciated..

 

[whippet]

I just look for pics of each specific animal for sale. Pics of parents are nice. A caresheet and a feedback page so I can see if I trust them.

 

[snakewispera snr]

We have added a lineage to our site..... We are trying to create a Carpet pedigree, (a bit like dogs and cats have) so you can see where your snake came from....
This is only in it's earlies stages, but in time we hope to make it more comprehensive.
We feel that given time, people will want this information as they decide where the blood is coming from, and what pairings would be best for their breeding projects.....

 

[Kokopelli]

We have added a lineage to our site..... We are trying to create a Carpet pedigree, (a bit like dogs and cats have) so you can see where your snake came from....
This is only in it's earlies stages, but in time we hope to make it more comprehensive.
We feel that given time, people will want this information as they decide where the blood is coming from, and what pairings would be best for their breeding projects.....

I just look for pics of each specific animal for sale. Pics of parents are nice. A caresheet and a feedback page so I can see if I trust them.

I really agree with the concept, and will be applying it, of course.
I think it is essential, especially as more and more people create hybrides/abuse ignorance.

 

[medusacoils]

I like easily understandable content.

I like a site that's easy to navigate.

I like lot's of correct information. AND, the information shouldn't be stuck to one idea. You should try to offer different methods of doing things, so people can formulate their own opinions.

I like themes. One of the things that turn me off of some sites, is when they are set up bland, no pictures or expression and read like a governmental instructional manual.

I like to see site that are updated!

Wayne

 

[Kokopelli]

I like easily understandable content.

I like a site that's easy to navigate.

I like lot's of correct information. AND, the information shouldn't be stuck to one idea. You should try to offer different methods of doing things, so people can formulate their own opinions.

I like themes. One of the things that turn me off of some sites, is when they are set up bland, no pictures or expression and read like a governmental instructional manual.

I like to see site that are updated!

Wayne

I dig most of what you say... but in regards to the different methods for doing things...
I think that here, a breeder should actually describe his own opinions and methods... because, a breeder represents himself and his own experience, rather than try to summarize the whole spectrum of approaches and opinions concerning keeping snakes...
General articles are a dime a dozen, personally, I feel that the personal touch and opinion of every breeder is what eventually allows every keeper to decide "who is right" or, "what works for me".

Does it make any sense?

 

[medusacoils]

I dig most of what you say... but in regards to the different methods for doing things...
I think that here, a breeder should actually describe his own opinions and methods... because, a breeder represents himself and his own experience, rather than try to summarize the whole spectrum of approaches and opinions concerning keeping snakes...
General articles are a dime a dozen, personally, I feel that the personal touch and opinion of every breeder is what eventually allows every keeper to decide "who is right" or, "what works for me".

Does it make any sense?

It makes perfect sense! On my sight, and I am not trying to get anyone to go there, when I wrote up the information. I made sure I referenced my methods and experience, but also touched a bit on alternate methods.

Heating is a good example of this. I use and recommend thermostat controlled under the tank heaters (both mats and flex watt). I realize that newbies or other people may use heat lamps. So I would also cover that topic and the correct way to use them.

I hope to provide my readers with enough information that they can make informed decisions. That's all!

Wayne

 

[Kokopelli]

Thanks for the input

 

[tricksterpup]

What I would like to see on a site??
No strong colors, a site that has very soothing natural tones on its site. Something that is easy to look at.
The look of the site is just as important as content. To many people toss a site together and think its good. But its not. If the site has clean lines and has relaxing colors, people will go to that site more often.

Also, if the site had the ability to be translated via google or some other means. This would make it available for everyone world wide.

 

[Kokopelli]

Colors&theme is a very personal thing... it's about taste.
I went for rather dark colors, and I don't think I would call them natural or soothing.
It's a matter of taste and appeal- in that regard, we are all different. It's also about what you want to express.

So... it's a very personal thing.

Thank you for sharing your opinion however

 

[Nanci]

I like to see actual up to date information on available animals, including photos. Photos of the breeding stock is essential.

It was very helpful for me, when researching uromastyxes, to find a website that had outstanding care instructions. This included what light was needed and options on how to provide it, and how the breeder provided it. What diet was essential and how to provide it and what exactly the breeder fed, with the option to order supplements right from that breeder. Various items to outfit the enclosure, with the option to buy them from the breeder. The breeder offered various started packages for food, temp management, etc. http://www.deerfernfarms.com/ http://www.deerfernfarms.com/Supplies.htm Although not a snake-related site, this has been one of the most helpful sites to me as a reptile keeper.

The ability to pay on line!! Contact information, including a telephone number and e-mail address!! The terms of sale and shipping policies. Essential shipping information such as temperature limits.

I visit VMS and PJC Reptiles quite frequently for their information sections. PJC has the links to all the handy calculators, etc. VMS has caresheets and discussions of all kinds of things like inbreeding, settling in procedure, etc. I like the way that VMS is set up in regards to laying out the various species: rosy boas, cornsnakes, kingsnakes, leopard geckos, etc. Caresheets, examples of morphs, and what is currently available. if something isn't available, when will more be hatching out?? VMS also has great monthly specials and sales.

 

[tricksterpup]

Colors&theme is a very personal thing... it's about taste.
I went for rather dark colors, and I don't think I would call them natural or soothing.
It's a matter of taste and appeal- in that regard, we are all different. It's also about what you want to express.

So... it's a very personal thing.

Thank you for sharing your opinion however

Actually its not, its a known scientific fact that colors are used in restaurants to get people hungry to eat. Others are used to sooth people. Plus if I do not like the color and themes of a breeder's site, i pass on it.

Using brash colors will drive people away but using calm colors or nice clean lines makes a site more professional and will make people buy and also will make people feel all information on that site is factual and up to date.

It is a wise and cleaver marketing tool.

 

[Kokopelli]

Actually its not, its a known scientific fact that colors are used in restaurants to get people hungry to eat. Others are used to sooth people. Plus if I do not like the color and themes of a breeder's site, i pass on it.

Using brash colors will drive people away but using calm colors or nice clean lines makes a site more professional and will make people buy and also will make people feel all information on that site is factual and up to date.

It is a wise and cleaver marketing tool.

It is a good tool, yes- but every color template is most suited to express specific idea/message.
There is no fixed template to match the taste of everyone.
So- it has a lot to do with the message you want to express.

And I full heartedly disagree that brash colors "will scare people away"- that's an obscene generalization.
I'm learning marketing as a focus on my degree- every purpose has the best suited tools for the job. Calm soothing colors are best suited for some purposes, but not all of them.

We will have to agree to disagree

 

[ghosthousecorns]

This thread inspired me into updating my website LOL (at least the available page) It's hard to keep them up to date but people don't like when they are not. I am definitely guilty of letting it slide when life gets too busy!

 

[tricksterpup]

We will have to agree to disagree

true but i never said I didnt like your site. I do like the colors of it.

I also likes Jen's site as well, very nice and soothing to sift through.

Now the only design issues I see is your top Bar.. its hard to read those items there as the arrow points to. Plus you have all this black Blank space.

Try stretching the logo across the top there in that space.

Its really hard to find. I do like the little snake logo but try stretching something across.

But remember, if it looks right to you it might be an American cultural difference.
But something down the middle is easier to see and read.

 

[Michael823]

Neutral backgrounds, easy to read print, and nice graphics that aren't too distracting.

Care sheets, and other helpful information about the snakes being sold. Also correct info, and not just what sounds appealing, like saying a snake that gets 10' averages 5-7'.

Individual pics, weights, breeding history of for sale snakes (if possible). And having it be regularly updated. I'll be honest here, my interest stops at the door if I can't see an individual pic, but maybe I'm just particular.

These are just a few ideas, but I'm sure others will add more helpful insight.

 

[Kokopelli]

true but i never said I didnt like your site. I do like the colors of it.

I also likes Jen's site as well, very nice and soothing to sift through.

Now the only design issues I see is your top Bar.. its hard to read those items there as the arrow points to. Plus you have all this black Blank space.

Try stretching the logo across the top there in that space.

Its really hard to find. I do like the little snake logo but try stretching something across.

But remember, if it looks right to you it might be an American cultural difference.
But something down the middle is easier to see and read.

Thanks alot for the input, the main issue is that I am using a ready made template provided by the host. I am painfully aware of the annoying top bar(though you can navigate with the help of a bottom- far clearer navigation bar.
I too feel that there's a lot of blank space at the top, but that too, is something I can do little about.
On the other hand, I saw that people who don't have wide screen, the blank space is minimal...
At this point, design-wise, my hands are a tad tied, sort to speak

 

[Nanci]

Who is your host, Oren?