Giveaway: Simplicity for Busy Mothers from Allizon.com
This giveaway is now closed. Thank you for your participation.
The winner is Just Call Me Seven!
Congratulations!
Want to look better naked?
Well, a while ago I held a giveaway for some awesome beauty products from Allizon.com. This time, she’s looking for your help and in return, you could win this:
A spa-at-home kit with the same excellent Get Fresh products used at top spas around the U.S., this essential trio exfoliates, detoxifies and moisturizes in three easy steps. Just 15 minutes with these three beautifiers and you’ll be glowing all over.
Tucked in a terry drawstring tote are a 6.25 oz. Mineral Body Scrub, 5 oz. Mineral Body Mask and 4. oz. Rich Body Creme. Completely free of parabens and synthetic dyes, the products are great for all skin types. Choose from these fragrant styles. Made in the USA.
Here’s what you need to do:
Allizon.com is in the process of revitalizing their online boutique and would like to know what busy moms like you look for in a website. What do you think works and what doesn’t? What kind of aromatherapy products do you enjoy? What helps you relax after a busy day working or chasing after the kids?
Just stop by the site, check it out, and leave your suggestions below before February 10th. Allison herself will select a winner to receive Look Better Naked ($29) and a soy candle in your choice of scent ($8). What a great Valentine’s Day gift this would make!
Good luck!
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About the author: Owner and founder of An Island Life. Sharing my life as a mother to 3 wonderful daughters, working as a flight attendant, and living a blessed life in Hawaii. |
I think I noticed a typo… aromatherapeutic was spelled wrong in the title “Eden Works Armotherapeutic Bath Salts”.
But I think a nice bath with wonderful bath salts does wonders for reducing my stress!
The only other thing I would find helpful in the site is those little pop up windows that show up when you mouse over something that gives further explanation to the product without having to actually click on it.
Did that make sense?
Tara’s last blog post..Mmmm… Cat food.
I really like that “stop the slump” thing for car seats. My kids always fall asleep in the car and sometimes slump over.
I’m not real picky about websites. This one is nice and its pretty easy to find stuff.
Arizona’s last blog post..Parle vous Francaise?
Hi there! What a great concept for a website! I like the products and info offered! One little suggestion – I feel like less is more. Maybe declutter the pages a bit so make it easier to find the info that you want. Maybe putting less info on each page but some links to click through? But otherwise, what a great job compiling everything!
mama4jc’s last blog post..German board games after the kids go to bed?
Q: What do you think works and what doesn’t?
A: For a website, I like if I can find what I’m looking for easily. If there’s too many options on the homepage, I’m leaving. A simple graphic with a few buttons to get me into the site helps a lot.
Q: What kind of aromatherapy products do you enjoy?
A: I really like things that are on sale and are all-natural. (I know, it doesn’t happen that often.)
Q: What helps you relax after a busy day working or chasing after the kids?
A: spending time with my hubby, giving myself a pedicure, taking a bubble bath, reading a book, and/or drinking a glass of wine.
Hope that helps! I always love to give my opinion.
I think the main page is to crowded with word and graphic. Then when you click on the main choices, those pages have too much on them also. I like aromatherapy products that don’t smell to sugary. After a long day I would like a bath and a little bad tv/
NerdMom’s last blog post..Update
I liked the website. Everything was easy to find and it gave pictures of the products.
Of the products I liked Tropical crush candle and the Hawiian Blue magazine rack set. I also really like the set you are giving away.
jennifer’s last blog post..Yarn Aliens
I liked the site. I thought it was a great combination of products and useful information.
For aromatherapy, I particularly love lavender.
And, my evening shower time is sacred!
Mama Zen’s last blog post..High Times At The Post Office
I have a few suggestions:
1. I noticed right away is that the pages are very busy. When I first linked to the site, I was thinking that it would just be the home page that was busy but the others pages I visited were as well. I would find the site more appealing if the pages were less cluttered. I think the site having a more minimalist approach would be fitting with the simplicity message. Great products though.
2. On the topical pages, for example “Aromatherapy”, it would be nice to have more items show per page or better yet, a button that will let you “view all”.
3. I am super crazy, anal and nit picky so here is something I just happened to see: a missing space between the “n” of Lemon and the “&” on the individual product page for: The Mediterranean Spa Lemon & Orange (it shows as Lemon& Orange.) I love citrus smells. I bet is would smell amazing.
I wish I could find a work from home job to put my nit pickyness to work!
I think the site is a great concept…like 5 minutes for Mom blog…I kike to get in, see good ideas or good deals and get out. So you pulling it together fo me is a value. Since I scan blogs so quickly, I really need to see what I am looking at fast…get interested to read more. I would start with the product pictures – really grab the readers eye. I tend to skim…so there has to be something attention getting about the post. I think as several posts above mentioned…it is a little busy. I hope that helps…good luck!
I’m always on the prowl for a product that leaves my skin feeling silky and soft after a soak in the tub. So, I’m looking for milk based products because they seem to do the trick.
Bebemiqui’s last blog post..I’m Totally Geeking Right Now
“Time is of the essence!” Your site starts from stage one and works its’ way up. All I can say is fantastic. You cover many areas for buy Moms. Time organization (MomAgenda), kid’s products and packages for mothers that only take 15 minutes to feel refreshed!!!!! You have a wonderful variety of scents and products. I really love a lot of your new products. The “bath and comfort spa sock, eye pillow and headache pillow are just what the doctor ordered!
As far as I am concerned, for now, please keep your site just as it is…..Thanks,Cindi
In a website I like affordable prices and ease of use. As for products, I just love girly, good smelling bath stuff. That is how I unwind (when I get a chance to unwind). I love this Look Better Naked set. That looks awesome!!
Jill’s last blog post..We Have A Winner!!
I think the photos could be better, especially in the jewelry section. The pop up enlargements are a great idea but it doesn’t help if the original pictures aren’t very good.
This sounds wonderful! Thanks
suggestion:
One of the first things I do when I am looking at an online store, I check the About us page for information to contact them as well as shipping charges. I want to know that there is a way to contact the company is I have a problem. I only see a webform and an email on the About Us page. I prefer to shop from sites I have an address and phone listed as well as return policies in place.
blogged ya: http://laurawilliamsmusings.blogspot.com/2008/02/sunday-edition-of-contests-galore.html
Laura @ Laura Williams’ Musings’s last blog post..Sunday Edition of Contests Galore
Hi there. Ok first I like the navigation links on the left, and other choices flowing on the right. I noticed some of the pictures on the home page are not clickable. I would make those clickable and apply the alt tags. They need to be named so when you roll over them it tells you what it is. This will be helpful with search engines and has customer appeal. yes is more. Get the main items and points above so that when people first hit your page they do not need to scroll down. Hook them right them to start navigating. The simple design and colors are appealing to the eye though.
I like products that are soft and sweet. I love vanilla and lavendar. I like to relax with soft music, a bubble bath and a book. I enjoy the salt and sugar scrubs as well as body cream. I just dont have time for all that but I need to make time! I love this giveaway and the name of the product is so fun- Look Better Naked! Who wouldn’t want that! Thanks!!
I think that this website is neat, but I agree with some of the others that it is a bit cluttered and a lot to digest all at once. I LOVE lavendar stuff and like to use them when I take my long baths!! Thanks for a great giveaway!!
Amy’s last blog post..Busy, Busy, Busy!!
You have great products and good content but maybe too much content. It looks like a lot to read. As a busy mom trying to live a more simple life, I’m not going to take the time to read through everything (even if it is good content). Less is more.
please enter me
I agree there is tons of content. I think maybe the homepage should be more simple
At the risk of being repetitious, I have to agree with the rest of these ladies that there is too much information on the first page. That said, here are some more specific tips:
I think it would be helpful to split up the products and the main navigation links. I would put the main navigation links across the top under the header (Links & Resources, Blog, About, Buzz Corner, Products, etc.), and make things like the Spa Gift Basket a subcategory of Products or something like that. It’s helpful when there are only a few navigational links… then it doesn’t feel like such a glut of information all at once. Plus I didn’t even realize until I had looked at the site for awhile that there was more on the front page that I had to scroll down to see. That’s all content that maybe a lot of people aren’t even seeing. If you can try to keep your home page de-cluttered enough that no one has to scroll down to find everything, or at least doesn’t have to scroll down very far, that’ll serve you well.
I would also suggest putting one featured item at the top of each product page, instead of having 10 or so cluttering up the home page. That way the product is still singled out, but it doesn’t get lost among all the other featured items.
One other thing… I would ditch the colored text, except in links, and here’s why: I get frustrated when I think some text is a link to that product or the category, but it’s only colored text. That way, your links look like links, and your text looks like text. I would make text bigger or bold to draw the eye, but not fool you into thinking it’s a link by making it a different color.
I love vanilla, patchouli, brown sugar and shea smells… basically anything with a “warm” scent.
To relax… nothing better than a bath with a good book, and enough candles to read by.
Wow… I wrote a book. Hope this helps.
seven’s last blog post..My Funny (non-existent) Valentine.
For any testimonials, I’d change the font to italics and a different color to set them apart. Also, have a seperate sale and new section as a submenu off the shopping section. Getting organized, busy moms at home, and the buzz corner- maybe you want to have a seperate blog for those- I found those as too much on the site. I would also put the about section on the bottom of the page similar to other sites.
I like lavender aromatherapy- but shower gel only- im not a bath girl!
To relax- read a book!
Simple and not busy is best. I want to go to the site -see what I want and get it, maybe with a few suggestions of things that go together or other items in that line and thats it.
Great things on the site – but almost too many different things on one site. And it was confusing to me as some categories have ‘basic’ names while some have ‘cute’ names. Thanks.
I love the site it is very easy to navigate. I like aromatherapy bath products. After a long day I like to have a big hot cup of tea.
Mary’s last blog post..Feb. 3, ‘08
Some of the photography is a little outdated. Such as the spa baskets that look like they were photographed with a wrinkly sheet as the backdrop.
I look for websites that are simple and easy to use. I don’t like a lot of clutter on the pages. I also don’t like having to pick a category to search in and then have to further narrow the search and then sometimes even further narrow the search. Did that make sense?
I like to see all the products in the next click from the category I chose.
I love lavender or citrus bath products. Nothing floral or fruity. (I know lavender is a floral scent but that is my one exception)
Watching a little tv or reading helps me relax after a long day. A nice foot massage would be great but that won’t happen
lace’s last blog post..Car Seat Triumph Again!
I’m really not a fan of sites that I have to scroll down. (they get busy, too much to look at, you lose the menu) I think the way of the web is going to flash, and there are a lot of great design options with it. I think a site that is trying to focus on simplicity and relaxation needs to focus on that with its site. Get rid of the standard menu layout that you have and start looking at sites built in flash. Just my opinion!!
too busy…I don’t have time to read so much.
I like a site that tries to curate for the viewer with gift suggestions.
I love the section on mommy time savers! It is true, we moms are busy, and we need to make things quicker. I agree the site has a lot on it, but there are so many great things to look at!
Thanks for a chance to win this package!!
I am subscribed, too!
I really like a nice aromatherapy body wash — I feel like it is one of the few products I can work into my limited shower time.
Hi, I think the site looked great! I could find what I like easily. I too think that first page dosen’t need all that info in paragraph form. It could be a really cool picture of some of your products. That would entice me to go further and look around. Thanks for entering me!
Stephanie’s last blog post..Guest editior, Sophia
In a website I look for great photographs. They are what initially grabs my attention. After that I look for ease of navigation and less busy-ness.
For example, on the entry page to your store I might have several great photographs and a slogan or something that I leave there all of the time, and then 1-2 featured products per week. All of the stuff there kind of overwhelms me, and I would really only click on the first thing that caught my eye. Or else if you really wanted to leave them all there, kind of take away the tables and maybe have several nice tidy rows of images with just a few words under each. That way it kind of unifies it all and doesn’t take your eyes darting here and there to take it all in.
Maybe on each product category that you clicked on you could also have several more featured products specific to that area.
I don’t know, those are just some things I thought of when looking at it.
Your products look great!
Carrie’s last blog post..Monday Musings
Oh, I clicked submit too soon…
For relaxing I either take a bath, light a nice candle and read a good book or paint my toenails and moisturize my feet.
Carrie’s last blog post..Monday Musings
Simple pages when looking for products. This also helps the page load faster.
I would love a muscle ointment that has a nice smell, not like Bengay.
nicely organaized site!
I like a lot of the products offered on the site. I think that the front page is a little cluttered and the menu on the left is slightly confusing. I wasn’t sure which area to click on to get where I wanted to go.
I would also like more information on the ingredients of the products and more descriptions of the products in the baskets. I think that maybe have the option to get that information as desired rather than having it all on the product page might work the best.
Great site!
I think the website looks great. The only thing I might change is to simplify the home page even more, making there less to click on and look at. That way, I could focus more on what’s actually there.
For relaxing, I love candles, baths, body scrubs, lotions, and just about any beauty product I can get my hands on!
Websites: pics are a must. Thorough descriptions. Uncluttered.
Scents: I love lemongrass…it makes me happy. And anything citrus relieves my stress.
I would like something that really works to manage my cuticles!
Thanks!
My favorite way to relax is to take a nice hot bubble bath and read a good book while in there!
I like the “design your own” spa baskets. It’s always nice to be able to choose what you want to go into a basket. That would be a great gift for many occasions.
At first glance I thought the site had TONS of stuff going on and seemed a bit overwhelming to me, I wasn’t sure where to start! I always find that easy navigation, and simple attracts me to online shopping sites. Great stuff though!
And to relax? I love lavendar the best. And for me, burning candles is what calms me down, they are soothing.
SJ’s last blog post..Photo Hunter – Narrow
I also feel like the website is cluttered. There is too much text all bunched together. It would be nice to have it blocked off (as this site does with the comments for an example), or to click on a picture to get more information about that product.
>>>I agree with the other posts….the site is hard to concentrate on because it seems too busy/cluttered. The main page should have one or two graphics in the main body and only one message to convey. The other topics should be linkable through pictures in a sidebar or a list of topics to click on. Some of us moms have ADD worse than the kids, so it is a struggle to keep our attention.
>>>I think I am like most women…I love bath and body products, plus home decor, that smells clean and refreshing but not overwhelming. My scent choices vary on my mood. I would love to see more all natural products available that are MADE IN THE USA.
>>>To relax at the end of the day I love to play music while I take a long relaxing shower.
I would say I like brighter pictures and bigger more fun fonts. It seems a little mechanical – but overall it has a good layout.
As for scents, I like clean, fresh, scents – favorites include mint, peppermint, pine, berries, etc.
add a slightly colored background
make the first page easy to navigate and ad some great photos. Clicking the photo (or a link next to it) let people navigate to deeper information.
As of now, there is way too much information put onto one site. I don’t think anybody would like to read to things what are not of interest to get to the core of what they came for
The site is very busy so I got overwhelmed looking at everything. I also noticed a minor typo on the page for The Mediterranean Spa Lemon & Orange. It says Lemon& Orange. I think there is a space missing between the “n� of Lemon and the “&�.
Hope that helps!
Simplify! Simplify! Simplify!
Aim for simplicity on every page. Websites are great when pages are short, sweet, relevant (i.e., single topic), and visually appealing.
Plenty of wonderful resources. Site’s content simply needs to be split into smaller, easier-to-digest, chunks. Clearer, properly resized images would improve the site’s appearance. And, remember that white space is your friend!
Got a good start here…
I think little more creative disain would be great, and more calming/optimistic colors. Otherwise, it works well, photos are good size etc.
It looked like a great product but the first thing that distracted me was the amount of information on the first page. Maybe a few more links would help.
There is a serious need for commas! I am a bit of an English nerd, so these things jump right out at me!
Also, a search box would be great for those people who don’t know exactly which category to find something under. It would save a LOT of time.
As for aromatherapy, I like subtle scents. I suffer from migraines, so most scented things are too strong for me. It would be nice to enjoy the fragrances without being overwhelmed. I’ve never used their products, so I don’t know how strong they are, but they might consider making a “headache friendly” line.
Biddy’s last blog post..oh it’s about to be ON….
I like the spa giftbasket section. It might be nice if they were arranged by price, you know, lowest to highest.
Paige’s last blog post..Home Movies
The products seemed nice but the pages seemed a bit cluttered at times. I think a cleaner, more modern look would be more appealing to “hip” moms.
I like lavender and mint for aromatherapy products. I find that quiet time helps me relax and unwind. A hot shower helps, too.
Thanks!
Lisa O’s last blog post..Birthday wishes!
I thought the site looked very nice, it didn’t take to long to load and I could find things easy enough. I don’t like to wait for pages to load that have a lot of graphics, and I don’t like pop-ups.
I like to burn candles to help me relax.
I like lavender for aromatherapy product.
My wife loves this kind of stuff! I’ll have to keep this stuff in mind with her birthday coming up as well.
Bwahahahaha!
Michelle in Mx’s last blog post..Contest!
I think that you should have more subcatagories, example under bath and body have lotion, spray, bath salt, bubble bath, soap and so on so you don’t have to go through pages looking for something. I agree more products on a page
Noreen’s last blog post..Contests
I think that you should have more subcatagories, example under bath and body have lotion, spray, bath salt, bubble bath, soap and so on so you don\’t have to go through pages looking for something. I agree more products on a page
I would recommend having an options to “vew all” products at one time. I get frustrated when I see 10+ pages of products that I have to click through. I’d rather have everything on one page and scroll down. You have a great selectionsof stuff. Good luck! I’ve marked it as a Favorites!
I like having a description of the links I’m about to click before I click. Also, stick to one size photo for all your products, except for the one being featured. Nice site.
I use aromatherapy oils on my temples to relax when I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed. I also like to deep condition my hair and moisturize my feet.
I personally like websites with large pictures that you can click on to get more info. If a site has a lot of small writing I tend to skip over it. Hope this helps.
Brandy’s last blog post..Mia Bella Candle giveaway
The webpage is a wordy and busy looking for me. Maybe add a toolbar on top with ‘About us’ ‘Shop’ ‘View all products’ etc…
I love citrusy and lavender smells. Love to relax after a busy day in a hot bathtub.
I think a simple home page is important, as well as quick and easy ordering.
I agree with the “less is more” concept! It looks like a great site, though!
Teri’s last blog post..Bloggie contests
They can take me away to another world with those amazing products.
What a nice site… the products look great! I like the resources area, and would like to see a sale area perhaps.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Aloha Seven
Congratulations! You are the winner of the Look Better Naked giveaway at An Island Life. I will be forwarding your email address to them so they may contact you.
Thank you for your participation!
Kailani