The toolbar itself seems fine, and has a good amount of functionality -- however, you may wish to develop more of a 'focus' on one or more specific categories of user.
I generally recommend using tracking links on the toolbar so that you can analyze which features and functions of the toolbar are actually being used -- and then to optimize the toolbar based upon that information.
In terms of the 'user experience' the toolbar is FAT -- what I mean, at almost 800k, it is a very large download. To maximize the number of downloads, you'd want to try to come in at less than 200kb in size -- otherwise, the toolbar would have to be VERY VALUABLE to get people on dial-ups to download and use it.
(Contrary to popular belief, over 90% of the world is still using dial-up -- so unless you want to lose that potential market, you have to be frugal with the bandwidth...)
What did you use to create it? Maybe a different system development tool could pack that down for you. (Our current release of the toolbar development system produces an executable that is just 150kb including the installer.)
The trick with any toolbar is to develop features and functions that will make the users want to keep the toolbar on their desktop. It should provide a 'useful addition' to the browsing experience.
The "Buy Tools" button is really a waste of space. People aren't going to want to have that sitting in their face all the time. If I want to buy tools, I'll buy them where, when and how I want. (You need to be more 'subtle' in the sales pitch.)
There are also some really cool features you can add to your toolbar with the help of some server-side script. Wherever possible, you should try and think of the toolbar as an 'extension' of the web site -- and to have the toolbar work WITH the web site to provide features that the web site alone doesn't offer.
If the toolbar simply accesses the SAME functionality as the site offers -- then maybe it isn't even necessary to have the toolbar at all. It should provide something EXTRA -- to make users WANT to download it.
If you'd like some extra tips on how to develop a successful toolbar, I have a free eBook here:
Free eBook and Sample Kit
(The form DOES ask for a valid email address to get the eBook. If that's a big deal for you, just contact me directly and I'll send you a copy.)
"Mr. Toolbar"
Marty R. Milette, P.Prog.
CTT+, MCT, MCSE+I, MCP+SB, MCSD, MCSA
Custom Toolbars
