New Boxby! - Business Forum

**fantasycouriers** · #1 (**permalink**) 16th August 2008, 07:02 PM

Finally, the new boxby website;
www.boxby.co.uk

The point of the redesign was to put in the following;
- parcel booking service
- lots of information and help about whats best on a parcel service and what you need a courier for.
- parcels/freight/pallet providers
- blogs (not yet in - will be soon!).

And other stuff.

NateW · #2 (**permalink**) 19th August 2008, 12:27 AM

I think it looks really nice. Did you design it youreslf?

**Eagle** · #3 (**permalink**) 19th August 2008, 12:56 AM

Looking great - I'm still envious of that boxby logo. It's quite superb!

**fantasycouriers** · #4 (**permalink**) 19th August 2008, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle

Looking great - I'm still envious of that boxby logo. It's quite superb!

I did that one myself!!!!

**pete** · #5 (**permalink**) 24th August 2008, 08:05 PM

A few onsite issues

Link building is a bit one dimensional (forums)

Some bad errors being displayed on the internal blogs, also dont really get the blog thing seems out of character with the services offered.

Main menu looks a little out, some headers are squeezed in

The issue with these kind of websites is why would I pay someone to source me a courier, when I can just Google one or use one of the majors. When using a courier I personally am less interested in the price as they are generally similar, however I am very interested in an item not being damaged and if it is what cover is offered. To that end I would rather use a known company than some bloke who happens to own a van.

Overall not a bad site, just struggle to get the concept.

**fantasycouriers** · #6 (**permalink**) 24th August 2008, 08:26 PM

Yeah - the blogs!! The point that i'm trying to get to is this is the first bit in building up a courier discussion/resource. lots of tips/advice etc. They're not working at present but should be fixed later.

Thanks for your comments.

**pete** · #7 (**permalink**) 24th August 2008, 08:37 PM

I have just amended my first post, after some thought.

Blogs is something I discuss at length with my clients as I advocate the use of a mechanism for allows the site owner to add unique content regularly. The trouble is blogs (which are just an online diary) are not suitable to most ecommerce websites. For some people they work well, like a private investigator, photographer etc as their work is interesting. In this instance I dont see the connection between couriering and blogs.

Related articles would be more apt in my opinion.

Also dead links are not a good idea on a live site

**fantasycouriers** · #8 (**permalink**) 24th August 2008, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pete

I have just amended my first post, after some thought.

Blogs is something I discuss at length with my clients as I advocate the use of a mechanism for allows the site owner to add unique content regularly. The trouble is blogs (which are just an online diary) are not suitable to most ecommerce websites. For some people they work well, like a private investigator, photographer etc as their work is interesting. In this instance I dont see the connection between couriering and blogs.

I think you are looking at it too literally.

A blog is a method which allows lots of people to comment on a posting. That posting doesn't need to be a diary entry.

The courier industry is one of the toughest ones out there, with margins lower than most would even imagine. There are customers who basically dictate prices to couriers, expecting them to "absorb" cost increases. There are franchises who expect super-human results, etc etc etc. There is A LOT to talk about in the courier industry.

**pete** · #9 (**permalink**) 24th August 2008, 09:35 PM

What I look at is producing a balanced website that if needed gives a corporate feel.

A blog or weblog is literally that a diary maybe a better term for you would be Journal

I personally know nothing about the courier industry, I just look at a site and give my own opinion, based on would I use your services, have you tempted me to use your services, does your site look professional enough for me to confidently hand over money.

I then offer my own opinion

Time will only tell if the venture works, I hope it does.

When it comes to SEO, this is another matter, I understand enough to be trusted to work on some very large nationwide corporate sites.

**fantasycouriers** · #10 (**permalink**) 24th August 2008, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pete

The issue with these kind of websites is why would I pay someone to source me a courier, when I can just Google one or use one of the majors. When using a courier I personally am less interested in the price as they are generally similar, however I am very interested in an item not being damaged and if it is what cover is offered. To that end I would rather use a known company than some bloke who happens to own a van.

You have just proven to me why i needed to change my website. You are not talking about courier services, you are talking about PARCEL services.

Apples & Pears!! I suggest you look at this page; Courier or Parcel - Our flowchart will help you.

Couriers are not about things in boxes, or £10 prices. Couriers are about a dedicated service, one company picking it up, and delivering it straight away. The cheapest courier price you are ever likely to get is around £50, the NORMAL going rate for couriers is £1 a mile.

And believe me, if you are need a COURIER not a parcel carrier, then they do not all charge the same price.

Couriers are not "some man that owns a van" they are frequently businesses that do vast amounts of work, sometimes for breakeven prices. Many work 60+ hours a week. Don't dis them, partic when you don't even understand their industry.

**pete** · #11 (**permalink**) 24th August 2008, 09:41 PM

I proved my point....lol I did say I knew nothing about the courier business.

Saying that how many people really understand the difference between a parcel service and a courier service?

**fantasycouriers** · #12 (**permalink**) 24th August 2008, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pete

I proved my point....lol I did say I knew nothing about the courier business.

Saying that how many people really understand the difference between a parcel service and a courier service?

The vast majority of general public customers don't. Which is why i changed the website, to try and seperate out the parcel services from the courier work, and to include general information to help the customers get to the right service.

There are three fundamental services, parcels, cheap and cheerful - but only small boxes, freight - which is large stuff that can go on a conveyor belt - pallets, and oversized low value items (freight usually isn't insured), and couriers - for the stuff that can't go on conveyors; like sofas & car engines, and boats!!

The vast majority of people who search for a "courier" actually need a "parcel service". And that is a HUGE issue, that consumers are searching on the wrong search term! That's an SEO issue for you!!