www.communitystarters.com

They have: 40 posts

Joined: Jul 2005

I am looking for opinions on layout and useability.

what's working...what's not?

http://www.communitystarters.com

totalnewbie's picture

She has: 24 posts

Joined: Aug 2005

Hi There, I really like the colors that you have used, it is very easy on the eye! Not sure about the big white space on the right though... that's some good real estate you aren't taking advantage of!! Smiling

I would also explain a little more about the packages, I don't really understand what you are offering. I know next to nothing about what it takes to get a forum going, but who knows? Maybe one day I'll add one to my site.. Maybe you can have a page for 'beginners' that have very little knowledge on the subject...

Just throwing some ideas out there.. overall I like it!! Smiling

They have: 40 posts

Joined: Jul 2005

thanks

i'll give a bit more detail

They have: 10 posts

Joined: Aug 2005

Theme is quite ok.
Informative - not much information on your site.
Navigation - easy and simple
Overall feel - quite plain (might be due to the color you use)
Connection speed - Fast

MamakCorner.com - Your Online Freebies Guide ( Free hosting, free advertising, free url submission, free stat counter, etc ...) Smiling

They have: 40 posts

Joined: Jul 2005

ok i've changed the information on the main page now

still working on it Smiling

SearchBliss's picture

He has: 267 posts

Joined: Feb 2005

The layout and colors look good. I think you need more information on the home page without getting into "sales pitch". Like a brief "Here's how it works", that will link to a more detailed explaination. That way only interested persons who are inclined to read more about it will. You have some of this info there, but it's confusing. It needs to be more of a catagorized online. Make sense?
Also all of the "Packages" links on left are linked to the same one page with little info about each. I would split these up into different and more informative pages for each package. Most visitors will only buy they are secure with the purchase and know just what they're getting. Only then can they feel it is worth their hard earned money. I hope this helps.

demonhale's picture

He has: 3,278 posts

Joined: May 2005

I feel its a little gloomy, it would also be better if it was centered, or at least spreads...

The intro could be redone... I like the concept though...

Megan's picture

She has: 11,421 posts

Joined: Jun 1999

This is okay for a start but I feel it could use quite a bit of work. The logo and header area is pretty weak. The logos in the background aren't working at all. I would do more of a standard logo on a white background perhaps with ads in the right side space. The logo itself is too boring. I think the blurred effect is a good idea - it protrays the right message of moving & shaking. The font should be changed to something a little more unique.

The colour scheme here is okay but quite bland. Shades of blue ?? yawn. I'm thinking something brighter and bolder would work better here.

The content area is also a problem. It looks like you've centered that text to make it fill more space. Centering text is a problem because it looks messy and is harder to read. I would tighten up this page a lot by putting the three package boxes horizontally rather than vertically with a small amount of explanation/pitch text above. and a "learn more" button. Either that or make the text a little bigger and use bullet points to set out the key points.

The navbar needs work as well. I almost didn't notice it there. It's way too small and boring looking.

Good luck! I think the concept of the site is really good but the design needs a lot of work.

They have: 40 posts

Joined: Jul 2005

Sooo Megan you pretty much didn't like anything hahah

i'll take your comments and see what i can do.

thanks.

He has: 37 posts

Joined: May 2002

It is hard to make out what the actual hyperlinks are - gets pople stuck on the hoomepage. And your logo in the upper left corner should ALWAYS link back to the homepage... gotta help people from getting lost in your content.

Interesting company idea though...

They have: 4 posts

Joined: Aug 2005

I would center the site. It has a nice layout but the header looks a wee bit gloomy

They have: 40 posts

Joined: Jul 2005

i have made several changes

please comment

demonhale's picture

He has: 3,278 posts

Joined: May 2005

The Left side info is appropriate but the header is still gloomy; Also if the site expands yours sticks to the left and an ugly white space is visible, needs a little more work...

They have: 6 posts

Joined: Aug 2005

Hi,

Your site loads pretty fast. It looks well in both IE and Firefox.

But, the introduction to your site should be 100% clear and correct, because visitors will judge your content to see if they let you write content for them!

Maybe you can go through the whole introduction to be sure it is correct in style and language.

For example: In the introduction there is a line that might be rewritten: "These items are content that will keep your clients and community members coming back for more and backlinks which are other websites that are linked to your website."

I suggest you cut it in multiple sentences. You can use -ul- en -li- to emphasize content and back links.

Good luck with the site!

How fast is your host?
The hosting speeds comparison project
http://www.hostingspeeds.com/

They have: 12 posts

Joined: Aug 2005

I think "Welcome to Communitystarters.com" is too big and bold. Just a personal opinion.

Apart from that I like it.

The packages at the left-hand side are good. They stand out nicely.

Well done!

demonhale's picture

He has: 3,278 posts

Joined: May 2005

Ah, now its changed and the background of a girl is actually being used by other company... That model or exactly that pic I saw in one server company, and the other in a technicians booklet, How Ironic, the scheme reminds me of my site...

They have: 40 posts

Joined: Jul 2005

ok we have completly ditched the old layout and have a brand new one

please let me know what you think Smiling

He has: 37 posts

Joined: May 2002

Looks a lot better - nice job. It could use some basic gif rollover effects to add to the clickable nature of it. And I am sure you are aware but you need some nice supporting pages working off that main page's theme.

Now you just need a better logo - one rule with layout, either overlap or don't touch at all. Your "WEBSITE PROMOTION SERVICE" is resting on the "y" in "CommunityStarters.com"... experienced designers will catch that... and find it annoying. And you are marketing to Web site owners - many will be designers.

One more thing, your contact page. Use a submissable form or you will get SPAMed by posting your @domainname on a page. SPAM bots look for that.

I doubt you are actually finished implementing the new design so I will leave it at this...

They have: 40 posts

Joined: Jul 2005

WarriorFX wrote: Looks a lot better - nice job. It could use some basic gif rollover effects to add to the clickable nature of it. And I am sure you are aware but you need some nice supporting pages working off that main page's theme.

Now you just need a better logo - one rule with layout, either overlap or don't touch at all. Your "WEBSITE PROMOTION SERVICE" is resting on the "y" in "CommunityStarters.com"... experienced designers will catch that... and find it annoying. And you are marketing to Web site owners - many will be designers.

One more thing, your contact page. Use a submissable form or you will get SPAMed by posting your @domainname on a page. SPAM bots look for that.

I doubt you are actually finished implementing the new design so I will leave it at this...

thanks for the great comments

could you explain to me th "y" thing (i'm not a designer lol)

and i agree with the contact page

regards

They have: 40 posts

Joined: Jul 2005

ohhhh i see what you mean about the "Y"

thanks

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