Ask HN: Review my site
Just looking for some comments/criticism on my new site for cancer research. Why would/wouldn't you shop here. Thanks!
Site: www.CureCart.com
Site: www.CureCart.com
I like the concept and I think your little cartoon is a good way to describe the premise. I would include a "recently searched items, or screenshot of a search on the home page. Something that would re-enforce that you are legit to outside people.
When I went to terms, press, etc.. I noticed that you are using the search layout to display the results. I initially thought this was a little strange. I then realized my expectation was to have a typical document experience not the same experience as a search.
Finally you mention that the profits go toward cancer research, but you don't mention which type of cancer or the fund you are donating the money to. I think having a link to how/where/when you are donating the profits would be a very good thing to have. Maybe even include a counter with the dollars donated.
The money I have donated so far goes to the American Cancer Society but I'm not allowed to use their name on the site. They say that it would be considered "cause marketing" and that I would need to sign an agreement with them. To get this agreement my company has to be running for at least a year (I have since set one up because of this). The counter is a good idea that I'll get going tonight. Thanks!
2) It's a simple message, but that means it's not quite accurate. The people making the product make a profit (noe of which goes to cancer research); the people selling the product make a profit (none of which goes to cancer research); so really it's only 50% of the affiliate fees that go to cancer research, right?
3) the mix of different colours is weird and jarring. (And yes, I appreciate that compared to Amazon's own website being jabbed in the eye with a stick is more pleasant.) There's red, grey, blue, black; then the links blue and purple.
4) I dislike the dropshadow on the curecart sign. I thought my eyes had gone funny.
Good Luck though, it's a neat idea.
The other 50% has been used for advertising and stuff... for tax reasons you can only donate up to 50% of your income and have it be tax deductible. This means that the max I could donate is 85% without going negative... but I have spent waaaaay more than the other 50% on marketing so far.
The cancer research charity so far has been the american cancer society... you are right that it's really only 50% of the affiliate fees but I think that's clearly shown in the cartoon? It's still about 5% of your total purchase which I think is pretty good for getting the same stuff you normally would at the same price.
I'll try to get the colors to match more...
Thanks for the dropshadow info... I'll check that out too.
I've contacted 150 non profit orgs to feature on my site with the promise that the profits would go to them, however everyone that has gotten back to me in the past month have all said that I need to be an established company for at least a year, for fear of losing their "brand image" if something went wrong. This makes sense to me but it kinda sucks... who wouldn't want free money?