What do you guys think of my site thus far?

m8. invest some time in the website design! will convert better for sure.

Please adjust background image or change to any other.

The design is way off and cluttered.. Should be easy on the eyes..

Hope this helps

You should try to explain the concept of the site a bit better. I'm reluctant to register with facebook without knowing what I'm signing up for. How do I meet other people who tan? How do I communicate with them? Is it private, public, etc.

Thanks guys!

@mikedex - Changed!
@DesertSand - I am up for it! Will send you a PM...
@GraphicsGuy - Thanks for the feedback, but could you be more specific? How is it 'way off'?
@laesvirta - OK, I am on it. I'll post a website vision at the top of the page. Thanks!

For start isn't bad but if you want to make bigger success try a better design Keep it simple

Hi Ryan,

I like the background of your site, it makes me want to have a tan BTW I think you need a better header, your logo is a bit too small. try organizing your home page it looks a bit too cluttered. I also think you need an about us page to make your site look more professional. If this gets fixed then I think this site will be amazing for tan loving people.

@javajunkie Thanks so much for the specifics! I will put those into action now and update you guys.

@DesertSand I can't send a PM to you because my post count is too low. What is your site?

You're welcome... I am looking forward to see a more improved update of your site.. keep us posted

Ryan, what is the main focus of your site? As a learning resource for visitors (How To Tan Safely)? As a social point for tanners (Chat & Meet With Californian Tanners)? Without a focus of some kind, it's kind of difficult to see how this site should be branded and marketed, which is why it's a bit hard for people to advise you on this forum.

Also, if you're not 'Dance/house/electronica artist Tanya Louise', you may wish to change your name, as currently you are competing directly with her in the Google listings (and she's winning!)

@Webmistress Wow, thanks so much for that. Brutal, constructive honesty is what I was looking for! I'm going to try to refocus the entire thing. I wanted it to be a place for tanners to meet and exchange ideas (I realize that is not SUPER focused; maybe I should try to whittle it down to simply 'making tanning friends'). I need a new, more descriptive logo. Maybe 'TanLuv - Meet other people who tan'.

@Jasmn Yes, I really need an About page (thanks for the tip!) I thought people would catch on that the logo is the 'home button', but obviously I was mistaken. Big thanks on the advice!

I agree with Webmistress, what is the goal of the site? You want think about usability and how to make your visitor go where you want him/her to go the easiest way possible. I know a lot of Wordpress themes that would, in its most genetic form, look more professionally done.

Think of: usability, purpose, conversion. Building a tanning social media site for the sake of it is confusing. I'd love to help, just PM me, gratis.

Thanks, guys. Updates coming in a few days. Will keep you posted!

I think the content doesn't really jive well. It just doesn't add to the sites identity. Like the yellow rectangle up top doesn't even match the logo/name.

For the background I would brighten up the sand so it looks a lot whiter. It is too dark imo and distracts from the light colored content. You should have more of a dominant color shade to the inner content, then lighten up the background.

Good luck! Most of all I just think the site needs more of the same color and less variation, kinda like facebook. =]

ps. just looked at the site again and I really think its the join box that sticks out the most. That color just doesn't match anything on the site. Doesn't match the sand or top logo. So it looks very out of place and since its the first thing you see, I think that should be fixed.

I think its a neat idea. If I were into tanning, I'd use it as is. But then again, I'm a ForumWarrior. I'm sure we all are use to certain layouts of various types of site. The average user might not be savvy enough to easily navigate it however with facebook being integrated I would say anyone could catch on fast enough with an hr of messing with it. I would definitely change the background. Find a better color scheme definitely. Something marketable, not necessarily the color of tan.

A dating site for people who like to 'tan'? all i can say is that you need a better logo and get your colour scheme sorted.

neat and clean. looking simple.
I think I should join. your site is pretty much attractive.
I like the site contents and topics also.

just a suggestion on my end: since it talks about being tan.. maybe make the background beach sand? and a more striking logo or more sexier logo if its more women thats targeted. also that part where they can signup maybe thats the most hilighted part. see facebook landing page alone. if you go to facebook you see the signup form prominent(on the right), nothing else. after all social sites need lots of members ... just my opinion.

I'm liking the concept and the main content of the website. I'm not sure about the banner though, it's a bit too small and doesn't fit in with the background. I like the way you've laid it out a bit like Facebook, but watch for in the future, you wouldn't want to get in a dispute with Facebook about it.

I agree with TayneC8, the banner is too small. I would ditch the Popular Tags widget or at least move it below the "How To" videos, those should be near the top.

I like that you have a call to action but it's a bit weak. Maybe something like "meet other people who love to tan" or "find out how other people are getting their great tans" or "discover how so many are getting their dream tan."

I would take the register for facebook and maybe put in on the landing page after people sign up where you can explain how joining Facebook would benefit them if they aren't already signed up. Right now it's just distracting from your call to action for them to sign up on your site.

I like that you have "^^Don't be shy! Sign up here!^^" and it's in a great location on your site because that's where the navigation would normally be but spice it up a little. The font color is light and I think the only reason I saw it was because of it's location. A graphic might even be nice here.

Hope this helps,

Elisa Navarette