Setting up a well-crafted shop page is a critical step of converting browsers into buyers on any e-commerce site. Shop pages for games sold through The Game Crafter are no exception!
Another key decision-making factor for board game buyers is access to a rules set or how to play video that helps them feel sure they will be able to figure out how to play the game — and judge whether or not they’ll enjoy playing based on their own taste.
It can be hard to tell whether or not you are doing a good job of communicating all of this as the game’s creator. That’s where an outside perspective can be invaluable.
I offer screen capture video critiques of shop pages on The Game Crafter to help game creators level up their marketing and increase game purchases.
Over the years, I’ve attended 10+ Protospiels, multiple UnPub events, and more small group play testing meetups than I can keep track of. Although I also bring my own creations to the table, I usually spend the majority of my time play testing and work-shopping other prototypes with fellow game designers.
My background as a user experience-focused front-end web developer, online marketing & communication specialist in the board game industry, and a gamer/game designer myself gives me a uniquely powerful perspective on best practices for a Game Crafter shop page.
My critique videos offer a power punch of advice and to-dos that will help you present your shop page like a pro.
Here is a playlist with examples of the quality of feedback you’ll receive in the videos.
TGC Social Deduction Semi-Finalists Critique Playlist
What You’ll Get
I’ll create a critique video and share it with you through an Unlisted YouTube link. I’ll switch the YouTube listing to Public status only with your permission after you have previewed the video.
Each video will include a “mock blind play test” i.e. rules teach based on my understanding after reading the rules but before watching any how to play video. This will help you ensure that your written rules are clearly teaching the game as you intend people to play it.
The video will also include my feedback and advice for improvement on:
- Presentation of your shop page’s header section (backdrop + logo)
- Value offered as compared to the sale price
- Listed “cool factors”
- Your shop page’s product description section including any videos and images you’ve embeded
- The cost-effectiveness of your chosen TGC components
- What I can see of your game box cover in the components list
- The images in your shop page’s action shots carousel
- Rule book presentation, layout, readability, and general ease of use
I’ll also include a PDF transcript of everything I say in the video so you can read along with my comments and write your own notes in the margins.
Get Your Own Customized Feedback Video
Ordering your feedback video is simple.
Step 1
Use my Contact page to send me a request including the link to your Game Crafter shop page.
Step 2
Choose your package features:
-Video with critique of shop page and rules: $150.00
-Follow-up video for a previously critiqued game: $90.00*
-Rush Fee for 2 business day turn around: $50.00**
-Public listing of your video on Gamified Content YouTube: FREE***
Step 3
Receive your feedback video and start improving your game sales!
The Small Print
*Follow-up critique videos are unlimited for a single game title. For each video I deliver, you can send me one email with written follow-up questions and/or listed improvements since your last video critique. I will respond with a video addressing your points. With permission, I’ll post the follow-up video immediately after the last critique of the same game on a YouTube playlist.
**I am only one person and reserve the right to take vacations. I will only charge the Rush Fee if you request the rush AND I am available to deliver within 2 business days. Normal non-rush turn-around time tends around 5-10 business days.
***Yes, you read that right. I will help publicize your shop page for FREE if, after reviewing the video, you grant me permission to publish the video to my YouTube channel. I will always give you a chance to review the feedback before making it public, but I will not accept requests for tweaks to the delivered video. My feedback is my feedback. It’s up to you whether or not you want it public.
Requirements
Before submitting your game for review, please make sure your TGC shop page includes the following:
- Free downloadable rules document with a word count under 2500
- Sale Price*
- Printed packaging included in the components list
- Logo
- Backdrop (Header Image)
- Action Shots
- 3 Cool Factors
- Product Description
*If you aren’t ready to allow people to purchase the game for some reason, you can send me the planned sale price as part of your submission.
All artwork included in your game, shop page, or rule book must be either commissioned by you, licensed to you, or in the public domain.
Policies and Procedures
I won’t start reviewing a game’s shop page and rules or recording my feedback until I’ve received payment on an order.
The countdown for the 2 business day timer on a Rush Fee begins the moment I receive payment. If I’m unable to deliver the video within 2 business days of receiving payment, I’ll refund the Rush Fee portion of the package.
After I’ve returned a video within the allotted time frame for the order, I won’t offer any refunds. Once I’ve delivered my feedback, I can’t take it back. Plus, it’s important to the integrity of my feedback that I don’t have to worry about risking financial loss if a game creator doesn’t like my opinions.
Remember, even the fact that I didn’t see or acknowledge something that you already tried to address or include is information you can use to improve. If I didn’t see it, someone else might miss it, too.
Critical Feedback is Hard but Necessary
I often hear from the people whose prototypes I play test that my honest but encouraging feedback helps them gain clarity and feel motivated and excited to test possible improvements.
My feedback focuses on improving the already good thing you’ve created, so I can ease you in to the process of accepting critiques in a healthy way — something any committed creator must learn how to do.
Professional Game Marketing Advice
In addition to rules and mechanics critiques, I can give you marketing and sales communication advice based on my experience marketing board games and other experiential products. Plus, since I also know how to code my own websites, I can even outline the technical details of how to implement any suggested shop page changes.
So, What Are You Waiting For?
Click on over to my Contact page to get your TGC shop page critique started today.