Review request - WorkTheSystem

You know what, I think this design is really nice and it would be perfect for a portoflio site, or display of some sort, but with the content you have here I really don't think this style of a layout is appropriate. I would expect to see something a little more traditional, with content on a white background in the middle of the page. I'm also finding the white text on orange rather difficult to read for large amounts of text. The navbar could stand to be bigger too.

Actually, what you could do is go with what you have, but try putting the content sections in dark text on a white background, and enlarge the navbar a little bit. That would be the best compromise I think. Also try something different with the page headers - I don't think those work very well with the rest of the design.

As for the content itself, it seems quite good from what I've read. However, I'm thinking that it might be a better idea to just combine the "links" and "guides" section, so a set of links to good services appears on the same page as the guide for that topic. It would certainly save a lot of people a click or two.

The design is pretty nice but no point getting into that since it's a template designed by someone else.

I agree with Megan on the text. Although it *looks* nice, my eyes got too tired to continue after a couple of paragraphs. You'll need better contrast if you want people to read very far.

A couple of your guide links are not working.

I know I'm getting old (39 today) but the font is too small.

Brian

Thanks for the response.

Taff: The only link I can find that didn't work was GPTboycott (it should work, their site must be down) are there any others I've missed?

There's every point getting into the design. Despite the fact it's a template, it is totally up to me how it looks. So long as I mention the site it came from I can completely change it.

Megan: I'm sort of trying to get away from all the sites that cover this subject. Most are badly designed and are just one long ad from start to finish. I'm trying to present the subject matter in a different format so as not to scare people away.

Regards the text, I've picked up a few comments already about the size of the text so if you take another look I've altered the size as well as swapping the link colour for the text colour. Is that better?

Quote: Originally posted by Melter
Thanks for the response.

Taff: The only link I can find that didn't work was GPTboycott (it should work, their site must be down) are there any others I've missed?

Must have been a server issue, all seem to be working now. It was internal links from the javascript dropdown that weren't loading earlier.

I like the design as well but can't relate it to the subject matter.
It's very bright and does hurt your eyes after awhile.

the links and guide pages are confusing, same first page. Like Megan mentioned, I think they should be merged as well.

Just curious, anyone colour blind here? If so what does it look like to you.

This site (no offense) is like many other thousands out there that offer to share get rich schemes but really just offer click thru links to make the web master rich. Your site is well designed (just a bit bright) but are in it for yourself, not to help others.

good luck

I agree with most of the viewpoints that were already posted. The nav bar could definately be bigger and the color scheme is hard on the eyes, although it's probably easier than the original white on orange. The drop down menu at the bottom of the guide pages doesn't fit with the rest of the layout, but I guess your choices are somewhat limited working with templates.

What I like about it is that it's clean and uncluttered. I can't relate to the content though, guess I've never been attracted to that kind of thing.

Busy: I have to disagree with you. My site isn't like thousands of others because I'm not promising anybody anything. I'm trying to present this information in a format that doesn't have people running away shouting scam. Your's is the attitude I'm trying to change and I hope my content is honest enough to do that.

Unlike the aforementioned 'thousands' I'm not in the habit of adding links to my site just so I can make some money. I list only the sites that I think offer value and yes a few are my referrals but not all are. Some of these programs will work depending on the effort that's put in.

I'm also going to add a section for more creative people who want to make their talents work for them.

I hope you don't think I've taken offence by your comments I just wanted to make the distinction clear.

I quite like the site but other than what's already been said here are a few personal opinions:

First page, looking at it in 800*600 mode, I just feel like the whole page should be displayed without having to scoll down to read a tiny bit of text.

The light & dark grey blocks/headers look to heavy for the rest of the site colours and seem to overpower everything else.

I didn't read all the content, I did start reading some then came across your referral links then looked at a few more and thought hmmm, true you do have some without referrals.
It's nothing personal towards you

A site like this without referral links would be in high demand, but I guess I can't blame you for trying to earn a dollar or two

good luck

just a thought, can you get that template in another colour, say blueish or maybe a green or grey?

The text is better now but I still think that this sort of idea is a good one for a content heavy site. Bold text on a coloured background would be fine for a small amount of text, but I still feel that longer articles are better left on a light background in dark text.

I appreciate what you're trying to do here but I still think that you could get a little more traditional (content dark on white etc.) without losing a whole lot of design integrity.

I will also say that I didn't perceive your site as just a money-making deal for yourself - it definitely seems more helpful than the others I've come across and you definitely are selective about which services you do and do not promote.

I found it a bit bright, but it's nice to see people using background colors other then white.

It's nice, clean and ad free. lol very rare these days.

I like it. It didn't hurt my eyes at all. It'd be nice if 800x600 users didn't have to scroll down so much on the home page to read the text. I don't really have a problem with the navi.. I guess it could stand to be a tad bit larger though. Nice site.

For anyone that's interested or been waiting, my Creative section is now up and running. Check it out and let me know what you think. Use this direct link.
WorkTheSystem - Creative section

Cheers

I must admit, it is a great name for a site. The point made about this being a design for a site with less text is a good one, but on most pages, I think he keeps the text short enough that it works.

I do like the color, I can't imagine what the white on orange looked like. I feel that the text is a little bold, and makes it a bit harder to read.

Finally, my biggest complaint is that the site is a bit difficult to navigate. I agree that the links needs to be integrated into the guides. However, you may make up for it with the well-explained about section which helps me out a bit. Just wish it was that clear from the get-go.

I like the different approach you have created for what is an old frustrating segment of the internet.

I don't like the orange background, or the layout for that matter.

And the text does not have enough conrast.

As for the copy, it's OK, but think top-down: i.e. try to get to the point more quickly or you'll lose readers.

I like the look, and don't think it's so out of keeping with the content.

And I didn't find the colour scheme problematic at all - I'm a big orange fan. Maybe it doesn't look as bright on a Macintosh?

The text would be easier to read if it wasn't in such big blocks. Break it up into smaller paragraphs.

The biggest problem I have is with the navigation in the Guides section. It should be possible to move between the various guides on offer without going back to the Guides index.

I thought the content was interesting though - I'd always been interested in how those "get paid for reading e-mail" things actually worked.

Quote: The biggest problem I have is with the navigation in the Guides section. It should be possible to move between the various guides on offer without going back to the Guides index.

There's a dropdown list at the end of each guide, so did you mean the links section as I haven't added this to those pages yet?