Copy before "Add to shopping cart"?

or "Add to shopping cart" and then copy

[ScottM]

Many of the users finding my website come in on a specific product page.

I'm trying to figure out which is better:

Copy
Copy
Copy
Blah blah more copy
Add to Shopping Cart

or

Add to Shopping Cart
Copy
Copy
Copy
Blah blah more copy

Now, from what I understand from RCJordan's claims is that the second method is better. Something like, "Make monkey take banana NOW".

I like that advice, it sounds good, but currently I have the first method for most of my products. It is part of the copy that allows the user to figure out how to order the product.

Let's pretend it's Fencing and fence products I sell. The user is coming in on "Gothic Cedar Fencing-8 ft.htm". He wants to buy that. Maybe 20 pieces. If that were all that could be sold, then there wouldn't be any problems, but the guy also needs some posts to hold up the fencing, and he can't order green treated posts OR even 7 ft. cedar posts because this type of fence section is already 6 ft. tall.

He needs at LEAST the 10 ft. post, and probably doesn't need any cement, just some pee-rock.

I could have the 'buy now' button with pull-down selections at the top of the page, but it's in the COPY that they learn this is what they need...and how to order it.

Let's use a different example:

Let's say your site is about 'computer software'. Someone comes in on your 'firewall software' page and sees "Super-duper firewall-$2.00-Add to shopping cart."

Great, they do it. Only to find out later it doesn't work for Macs. Oh, the copy BELOW the 'add to shopping cart' said it, but they didn't scroll down to read that far.

Well, I can see this is getting long, and perhaps even as I write it, I'm learning something. (RC is probably correct)

What are your experiences out there?

[engine]

The "add to cart" button could more easily appear at the top where the item is a standard commodity.

You could also consider using JS pop-ups and close window button which could be selected anytime for further info. That helps to avoid too much page clutter.

[CromeYellow]

I go for both. One at the top for those who have already made their minds up, and one at the bottom for those who need to read. If you don't want clutter at the top, you could always try a jumplink to the order button at the bottom.

Cy

[Jenstar]

I like it when it has the button to the right hand side of the page, kind of opposite the title and picture. Then do a second one after all the copy.

The one on the top right is there, and is quick and easy for people to send it to the shopping cart if they know that is what they want to buy, and they don't need to read the description and/or sales hype.

Then the second one is there to allow your undecided shoppers to review the information you have on your site, and then hit the shopping cart button after they finish reading it all.

[ScottM]

Thanks folks!