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Host me in California

hostmeinca.com

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Re: Host me in California

#41
post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm inclined to agree with you. In fact I personally prefer the boring sites where most of the important content is presented on screen with minimal scrolling. However I also started building websites in the early 90s when bandwidth dictated design. That all said, I want to take anything away from this guy, he's done a fantastic job and deserves recognition.

Just to be clear, I wasn't trying to bash the kid. I like his site, and he makes a great sales pitch. My comment was more aimed at the OP's assertion that this sales page is "better" than other sales pages.

[deleted]

Re: Host me in California

#42
post #26
post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Huh? Who mentioned Borat?

Well, it was implied. Why else mention 'Eastern Europe'? Do we ever mention geographical location in other articles, as in "this startup from the Eastern US has..."? Nope, we don't. Here, "Eastern Europe" seems to have been included (in combination with "16 year old") to evoke an image of an inexperienced youngster in an underdeveloped, backwards area that is nevertheless outperforming you. So no, no-one mentioned Bo…

See kriro's comment, but to address your question:

Do we ever mention geographical location in other articles, as in "this startup from the Eastern US has..."? Nope, we don't.

Yes we do. We say "Northern America". For the US we also talk about the West Coast versus the East Coast, and the Midwest.

Re: Host me in California

#43

That page causes Chrome to lag. I would also say that if that page was any longer or any more information dense then it wouldn't work as a thing. It only works because there is so little content. In general it depends what you're trying to sell. I've never actually purchased from one of these "flow" pages, but I have purchased a lot from more boring product pages like this: http://www.linode.com/tour/ The OP's sales…

The new style of sales page is not about flowing downwards - its about having one message (getting to school in the US), emphasise what the purchaser will gain, filter out those its not going to benefit, and be consistently repeating the message.

The kids page does this - it sells his sponsorship needs really well.

Everything else is noise.

I cannot point to any research but I am pretty sure that a sales page that

has focus, one message, filters out its non-target audience and clearly and simply repeats its message

is better

than unfocused, off message, vague sales pages.

Whether they flow downwards or not is of secondary order.

Re: Host me in California

#44

That page causes Chrome to lag. I would also say that if that page was any longer or any more information dense then it wouldn't work as a thing. It only works because there is so little content. In general it depends what you're trying to sell. I've never actually purchased from one of these "flow" pages, but I have purchased a lot from more boring product pages like this: http://www.linode.com/tour/ The OP's sales…

I must be getting old. Is the example "boring" page really out of style? I've always found that icon bullet point presentation to be great at conveying all of the up-front information I want in a compact and easily parsable way.

The Prey Project website (http://preyproject.com/), to me, is one of the best designed product pages I've seen. It uses the "boring" style, too..

Re: Host me in California

#46
post #6

This seems very vague: I need you. A loving family that will take care of me during my school year in CA. Does he only need an address and a room, or full service including meals, financial aid, school tuition, etc.

A host family does not pay for its student's tuition. A host family will, in exchange for monetary compensation, provide a student with a bed to sleep in, meals, and a means for transportation to and from school and school activities.

However, Marek's use of the word volunteer - "I'm looking for volunteer host family in California for the next school year." - leads me to believe he doesn't want to pay the host family for room and board. We could clear up the confusion by emailing Marek.

Re: Host me in California

#48

That page causes Chrome to lag. I would also say that if that page was any longer or any more information dense then it wouldn't work as a thing. It only works because there is so little content. In general it depends what you're trying to sell. I've never actually purchased from one of these "flow" pages, but I have purchased a lot from more boring product pages like this: http://www.linode.com/tour/ The OP's sales…

I must be getting old. Is the example "boring" page really out of style? I've always found that icon bullet point presentation to be great at conveying all of the up-front information I want in a compact and easily parsable way. The Prey Project website ( http://preyproject.com/ ), to me, is one of the best designed product pages I've seen. It uses the "boring" style, too..

I think the difference here is knowing what you want. Generally you'll go to Linode because you know what a dedicated server is, you know you want to buy one. You get a comprehensive list of the features because it assumes you know the domain.

I think the newer, 'trendy' flow pages tend to be marketing a solution to a problem you didn't know you had - stuff that's less defined than 'I need a dedicated server'. Perhaps you need to be won over to the idea that you need the product in the first place.

Re: Host me in California

#49
post #42
post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, it was implied. Why else mention 'Eastern Europe'? Do we ever mention geographical location in other articles, as in "this startup from the Eastern US has..."? Nope, we don't. Here, "Eastern Europe" seems to have been included (in combination with "16 year old") to evoke an image of an inexperienced youngster in an underdeveloped, backwards area that is nevertheless outperforming you. So no, no-one mentioned Bo…

See kriro's comment, but to address your question: Do we ever mention geographical location in other articles, as in "this startup from the Eastern US has..."? Nope, we don't. Yes we do. We say "Northern America". For the US we also talk about the West Coast versus the East Coast, and the Midwest.

How would you feel if it was "this 16 yo african american" ?

Re: Host me in California

#50
post #2

It is very nicely done, but I think that "Eastern Europe" as a synonym for "Borat" is a trope that, while never accurate, has run its course.

I think you read too much into it. Everyone calls that area of the world "Eastern Europe".

And yes, you do hear "Northeastern US", "Southern US", "West Coast", "The Midwest"... people refer to large areas of land using compass points.

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