site critique

[dawyatt]

Okay... I finally have gone live! I am tweekin as I go... but I think I am ready for some review from my 68 family...

I would love to design my own template to use, but for now I am happy with the default. Reading thru "refacing your 68classified" by L. Hotch... I know it will be a tremendous help.

Next step is some serious marketing....

Please be honest (but gentle) with what you think works or doesn't work...

www.buckeye-classifieds.com

I do not think I could have done this without the WONDERFUL support from this forum.... it really is like a family...

thanks.. looking forward to hearing what you think...

[Cindy]

Hi, like your site - well done! Nice layout. Good luck with it!

[garysmith +]

Ok here goes...

If you made the flash banner there is most likely a feature that would allow you to set the flash to do what it does only one or two times...if so I suggest that...it makes me dizzy.

Each time I click on the site to take me to another page I have to scroll way down to get to the content...the header seems a little large...nice but large.

Your content area is very narrow. Maybe make your nav bars a tad bit smaller which would allow more content area?

Put a register/login button in your header or up where someone can find it without much searching...make it red or a color easy to find...keep the one in the nav area...

I like your contact us form...nice.

I like your colors.

Very nice feel from the site...was I gentle enough?



gsmith

[Bucketman +]

Like the colours and the overall look but maybe make the logo a little smaller. One of the best things I did with my site was allow the users to see some featured Ads from the home page without having to scroll down - immediate attention grabber.

And I love your use of the Bravenet poll - fantastic idea - reminds me of another site

Another thing I've learned is viewers don't like a lot of 'white space' so look at filling it up.

Otherwise you're on the right track - but as I'm sure everyone agrees it's an education and an evolution - as the site you start with will continue to change. I look back at some of my first attempts and think 'What was I taking at the time'....

Good luck with it all...

[dawyatt]

Originally Posted by garysmith

Ok here goes...

If you made the flash banner there is most likely a feature that would allow you to set the flash to do what it does only one or two times...if so I suggest that...it makes me dizzy.

Each time I click on the site to take me to another page I have to scroll way down to get to the content...the header seems a little large...nice but large.

Your content area is very narrow. Maybe make your nav bars a tad bit smaller which would allow more content area?

Put a register/login button in your header or up where someone can find it without much searching...make it red or a color easy to find...keep the one in the nav area...

I like your contact us form...nice.

I like your colors.

Very nice feel from the site...was I gentle enough?



gsmith

Yes, you were gentle!
I appreciate your valuable input...

• Actually, the flash "grand opening" was on my to do list today... If it makes the site owner sick, can't imagine how it makes my visitors feel!
• Logo will be resized... my spouse (the non-computer person of the family) suggested that too! Hmmmm... may need to listen to them a little more often!
• I am working on my own template and plan on putting the login at the top, but perhaps I should do this now until my template is done...
• Content??? I don't think I changed this default, but will take a look at it.

Thank you soooooooooooo much... I love the input ....

[dawyatt]

Originally Posted by Bucketman

Like the colours and the overall look but maybe make the logo a little smaller. One of the best things I did with my site was allow the users to see some featured Ads from the home page without having to scroll down - immediate attention grabber.

And I love your use of the Bravenet poll - fantastic idea - reminds me of another site

Another thing I've learned is viewers don't like a lot of 'white space' so look at filling it up.

Otherwise you're on the right track - but as I'm sure everyone agrees it's an education and an evolution - as the site you start with will continue to change. I look back at some of my first attempts and think 'What was I taking at the time'....

Good luck with it all...

Yeah, I like poll too! I belong to this wonderful forum where the members as sooo helpful and share & trade ideas! You can check out where I got the idea at this wonderful site at http://www.gobuyitbrisbane.com/ !

"filling up" is on the agenda this week! Condering I went Live on Thursday, I am surprised at the response since my marketing effort have been mostly word of mouth!

Thank you so much for you valuable input!

[dawyatt]

I basically have programmed/worked strictly with 1024x768 resolution... I am just curious as to what others are doing... my site really does not do well with anything less than 800x600, but that really does not look good either...

How do you accomodate various types of resolutions????

Just curious....

thanks

[Chaslie +]

If it works well at a minimum of 800 x 600 (and above), I would be happy with that - no need to change it. That is pretty much the norm now.