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Can you give me some constructive criticism?

by seekyt
5 replies
  • WEB DESIGN
    • |
My website, Seekyt.com, is starting to get pretty popular and users love the simplicity of the site - mainly the simplicity of the functions. However, I know I'm lacking on design, and would like some constructive criticism. For instance, I'd like to know some simple things I can do that you think will make a decent impact, such as a new color scheme, new sizing, etc.

Seekyt is a web 2.0 site, but every decent example of "web 2.0" that I find is usually a Designer's personal website, and well out of my set of abilities. I know I have a lot of white space, and I've been told that my pages don't flow well (i.e. look like a bunch of things "thrown together")

I just don't really know how I should address these things. I'm colorblind, so I've avoided dramatic colors as much as possible, but I think the right color scheme, combined with some sound advice from a user's point of view might help the site flow a lot better. I'm not looking to "clone" any other website. Also, I would appreciate some concrete suggestions if possible, instead of just agreeing that my site is "boring" and "needs something."

Thanks in advance!
#constructive #criticism #give
  • Profile picture of the author Big Squid
    I think the site is great. And if it's working, it's working. People will figure out the site as long as it's (as you said) simple.

    A couple things I'd do that shouldn't take too long.

    1. I'd make the header 100% - covering the entire width of the browser window. That will make your navigation bar much more apparent.

    2. I'd make a greater distinction in color between navigation and the post(?) headlines.

    3. In the right column, I'd increase the visibility of HOW TO USE THIS SITE section by applying an image, and making the background red or some eye catching color.

    I'd also add a link in the top navigation title "HOW TO USE" or something like that so there are multiple places to use your site.

    4. The final thing I'd do is highlight the navigation button to correspond to the page I'm currently on. Maybe making that page a different background color (or underline the text) in the navigation.

    Great site!

    Good luck...
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  • Profile picture of the author seekyt
    Thank you very much, Big Squid. That is exactly the type of advice I was looking for, and I like all of your suggestions.

    Would anyone else like to offer some input?
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    • Profile picture of the author WebsiteManagers
      When I click a title, it takes me to a page where the excerpt is buried in ads, mostly Google AdSense. The only link to the full article is the title, even though some of them say to click to read...

      On those pages I would let the excerpt stand alone, include a link within the excerpt and move the big Google box down. Or move the top Google box so the eyes catch the excerpt instead of the ads. Those ads will still be visible.

      The idea is to make the content easily accessible without searching for it. People will still click the ads and come back if the content is easy to find.

      Keep an eye on the content that is being added. If you let it get filled up with junk, people will go away. Things like, "Freelance-find freelancer,freelance services,freelance jobs,freelancers" or "Rolex Daytona 18kt SS Watches" in the videos section should be moderated.

      I had a site like this and only allowed real content to be added, not blatant ads. You can set a page other than News to be your home page, such as Articles. That appears to have more genuine content, while the News category looks like a a free for all.

      Jim
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  • Profile picture of the author bsievers
    1) I would definitely highlight each headline to make it stand out more from the rest of the page. More bold, different font, bright color, etc.

    2) I would set off the "How to use" section by making a prominent box out of it. Either a colored background, or a bright border and different font to make it stand out.

    3) I have to agree, when you click on a link, the article that comes up is so buried by the Google ads, that it's not even clear how to read the entire article. The article title should be easier to tell that it's a clickable link, or perhaps add verbage like "click title to read full article". The ads all over are really distracting.

    I hope this helps! I'm new to the forum, and have really picked up a lot of helpful hints by reading through the posts, so I'm glad to find a topic where I can try to be useful.

    Brenda
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  • Profile picture of the author seekyt
    Thanks Jim and Brenda, those are some great ideas.

    The ads, however, will remain where they are for a few reasons: first of all, on a revenue sharing site like mine, I feel that placing the ads in spots with high click through rates is important, and YieldBuild has optimized these placements for me which has resulted in members making more in two weeks with Seekyt than a year on other sites.

    Secondly, the layout isn't that bad compared to my main competitors - so the type of user who signs up on my site is actually thrilled by the comparatively clean layout.

    Aside from the ads, though, I really agree with highlighting the how to use box, and I have moderated the posts that Jim mentioned to be in the proper "Products" category where they belong. The particular user who posted those is close to being banned for repeat offenses.

    I'm in the process of hiring a designer to give the site a face-lift. I'll make sure to give them these suggestions when they get started. Thanks Again everybody.
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