Essential Information

[Cyclezee]

What essential and useful information do you expect to see on a trade electric bike website?

 

[flecc]

Technical specification including:

Voltage and battery capacities.

Weights.

Dimensions as appropriate to the product(s).

Wheel and tyre sizes.

Variable options detailed fully.

Frame sizes if complete bikes.

Performance

Assist speed, any derestriction possibility and speed.

Range at both extremes of conditions.

Other:

All prices shown, clearly specified whether VAT inclusive.

Stock or lead times.

Carriage prices.
.

 

[Bob_about]

plus

All of the above plus:

• lights and brightness (pref in lumens) & if powered from main battery
• Mudguards - full, mtb style or none
• Rear rack / carrier / fixings & capacity (weight)
• Cycle computer / display size & info
• Handlebar grips / bar ends / ergon style / gel pads

Much of above would be answered by decent resolution clear photographs!

All the best

Bob_about

 

[allen-uk]

User reviews. I know they're open to abuse (by phoney praise, as a rule), but if they're anything like the Amazon reviews, then they're well worth the space.

A

 

[Cyclezee]

Thank you for the suggestions. I am trying to create a website with the information that customers want and not just what I think they need to know.

 

[stevebills]

Most people read web pages differently from a printed page. They tend to scan web pages rather than reading every word. This is a bit like how you would read brochure.

The information you want to highlight must be brief, punchy and to the point. You must use lots of highlighted text, headings and short sentences. If more detailed information is required you can link to this from the headings and highlighted text. Having said that, you should not get too concerned about this. Your website guy should be able to advise you on how the content should be laid out.

craven - Page 1 is one of my sites I did in 2007 for a friend

 

[EdBike]

If you can come up with an idiot-proof guide to converting a bicycle to electric, you're onto a winner. Is that the sort of root you're going down?

Whether you find them useful or not is besides the point, but Oatmeal Comics are great for outlining some of the problems you'll encounter RE: website design

How a Web Design Goes Straight to Hell - The Oatmeal
How to make your shopping cart suck less - The Oatmeal

Its also a good idea to look outside the e-bike industry for inspiration. What other websites do you like? Why? What stands out as a good idea? Would it work for yours? Write it down.

A *crucial* point with websites also is where's your traffic (and your customers) coming from? Shockingly, most websites published online see barely any traffic - and unless its simply supposed to be an online business card, you need to consider where your visitors are going to come from before pressing on with a website.

Good luck

 

[NRG]

There's no such thing as an idiots guide, too many variables. Forums like this with real user experience are the best places to gather information. To answer Aldby's question up front costing for the replacement battery in two years time as this is the Achilles heel of all e-bikes.

 

[Oiseaux]

Honest opinions about all your products.

Whenever I come across an honest supplier of anything be it a product or service who will tell me as it is, pros and cons, his / her and previous customers opinions, I'm hooked. Too many retailers (including too many selling electric bikes !!) will tell you what they think you want to hear to make a quick sale, what they seem to be incapable of realising is that if the customer finally makes a decision which he / she thinks has been influenced to a large extent by the retailers honest, professional, and unbiased information they will sing your praises to the world and become your devoted sales team.

 

[Cyclezee]

Most people read web pages differently from a printed page. They tend to scan web pages rather than reading every word. This is a bit like how you would read brochure.

The information you want to highlight must be brief, punchy and to the point. You must use lots of highlighted text, headings and short sentences. If more detailed information is required you can link to this from the headings and highlighted text. Having said that, you should not get too concerned about this. Your website guy should be able to advise you on how the content should be laid out.

craven - Page 1 is one of my sites I did in 2007 for a friend

Thanks Steve,

I am my own website guy and on a learning curve at the moment. I am grateful for your advise.

 

[Cyclezee]

If you can come up with an idiot-proof guide to converting a bicycle to electric, you're onto a winner. Is that the sort of root you're going down?

Whether you find them useful or not is besides the point, but Oatmeal Comics are great for outlining some of the problems you'll encounter RE: website design

How a Web Design Goes Straight to Hell - The Oatmeal
How to make your shopping cart suck less - The Oatmeal

Its also a good idea to look outside the e-bike industry for inspiration. What other websites do you like? Why? What stands out as a good idea? Would it work for yours? Write it down.

A *crucial* point with websites also is where's your traffic (and your customers) coming from? Shockingly, most websites published online see barely any traffic - and unless its simply supposed to be an online business card, you need to consider where your visitors are going to come from before pressing on with a website.

Good luck

Thanks Ed,

My incomplete website is achieving an average of 218 hits per day. It will be May before I have stock to sell, so I have month to get it right.

 

[Cyclezee]

There's no such thing as an idiots guide, too many variables. Forums like this with real user experience are the best places to gather information. To answer Aldby's question up front costing for the replacement battery in two years time as this is the Achilles heel of all e-bikes.

I am working with the manufacturer to produce an easy to follow installation guide. I can't predict what the cost of a replacement battery will be in 2 years time, but I will giving a 2 year warranty with all components including batteries.

 

[Cyclezee]

Honest opinions about all your products.

Whenever I come across an honest supplier of anything be it a product or service who will tell me as it is, pros and cons, his / her and previous customers opinions, I'm hooked. Too many retailers (including too many selling electric bikes !!) will tell you what they think you want to hear to make a quick sale, what they seem to be incapable of realising is that if the customer finally makes a decision which he / she thinks has been influenced to a large extent by the retailers honest, professional, and unbiased information they will sing your praises to the world and become your devoted sales team.

Hi Oisaeaux,

I want to hear what customers want and expect. I will do my best to provide an honest and reliable service.

My interest in electric bikes has developed over the last 4 years and my decision to enter the business is not to get rich quick. Realistically, I do not expect to get rich in the long term either, but I do feel passionate about this business and believe in the products I will be selling. Customer satisfaction is my number one goal.

 

[stevebills]

I was wondering Aldy are these the ezee kits your going to be selling thats Flecc's always mentioning how nice they are
even if there a bit on the dear side

 

[Cyclezee]

I was wondering are these the ezee kits thats Flecc's always mentioning that they are good kits

Yes Steve, that is correct and there are several kits to choose from, front or rear as well as 700c, 26" and 20" options.

 

[stevebills]

Thanks Steve,

I am my own website guy and on a learning curve at the moment. I am grateful for your advise.

I would get a web guy to do it if you want an all dancing and singing site with loads of flash!

example is Web design | MediaNovak | Graphic design | Corporate identity solutions | Online marketing

 

[Cyclezee]

I would get a web guy to do it if you want an all dancing and singing site with loads of flash!

example is Web design | MediaNovak | Graphic design | Corporate identity solutions | Online marketing

Thanks Steve, but I want to keep it simple to start with and I do have help available. However, I do appreciate comments from the forum, constructive and otherwise.

 

[allen-uk]

John: I take Steve's point about getting in a professional, but you CAN do it yourself if you can devote days on end to getting it right.

I used to own a graphic design company, and most of the web designers I came across did not inspire confidence, I'm afraid, so it just depends how many spare hours you've got.

Whether you do it yourself or not, get some firm ideas FIRST on what you want it to look like and do - copy other sites' ideas, and of course Keep It Simple.


A.

 

[flecc]

even if there a bit on the dear side

Dear? They're mid price.

Have a look at the price of the Heinzmann or BionX kits to see what I mean. The 10 Ah BionX lithium battery alone is dearer than the whole eZee kit.
.

 

[stevebills]

Heinzmann Road-Legal Kit (£745)
Heinzmann High Torque 19mph Kit (£795)
Heinzmann High Torque 23mph Kit (£795)
Heinzmann High Speed Kit (£795)
Heinzmann Very High Torque Kit - rear E-Bike only (£995)

Version: E-Bike (+£0) Pedelec (+£100)

Throttle: Thumb (+£0) Twist (+£0)

Motor: Front (+£0) Rear (+£0)

Battery Options:

One NiCd battery (+£0)
One NiMH battery (+£135)
Two NiCd batteries (+£275)
Two NiMH batteries (+£535)

Wheelbuilding:

No wheelbuild - bare hub only (+£0)
No wheelbuild - supply spokes to build myself (+£7.50)
Wheelbuild with alloy rim and stainless spokes (£55)