Site Review

[tjcusick]

I am a free lance web designer, self taught and in need of some guidance. Key word here is Free, i do all this stuff in my spare time for difference groups and organizations without asking to be paid. And I'm sure some of you will think that is a good thing when reveiwing my web pages...

That being said, I have 3 websites that I created and I would like some opinions and suggestions as to how they can be improved, what needs to be changed, etc...

I will post each one here individually so that comments can be directed to each one seperately. Thank you for all your comments...

Third Site:

http://www.roadknightsmc.com/

 

[Foamcow]

Please see my comment in thread253-1468909

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Tyres: Mine's a pint of the black stuff.
Mike: You can't drink a pint of Bovril.

 

[tjcusick]

Foamcow,

I was looking for constructive critism not a bash on how lame my websites looks... you could have just said, "Well that is not how I would have done it, but here are are some suggestions."

But thanks this really opens my eyes as to how different people react to requests for help. If it's all the same unless you have something constructive to add to my requests please refrain from posting again.

Thank you.

 

[Foamcow]

I really think you misunderstand (although I conceded I probably did come across a bit rude, sorry about that). I wasn't bashing your work and I did actually say that I fully appreciate that we aren't all master artists (myself included).

Are you looking for help with code or visuals?

My other post does in fact give you some advice in as much as it says to look at some contemporary web design. This is so you can get a feel for what constitutes good design. Sure, it can be learned but it's not really something one can convey with a forum post, it requires study and I had intended to start you off.

There is a sort of principle to good design called the C.R.A.P. principle.

Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, Proximity.

http://www.thinkvitamin.com/features/design/how-crap-is-your-site-design

Want the simple version?
Line stuff up. Use colour with restraint.

You might also want to look at some examples of good typography in order to try and understand what makes good something readable and pleasing to look at.

You see one can't really tell someone how to design.
If you like I can write a long crit on your sites but that probably would be far too much to take in at this point.

I can give you suggestions as to what I would have done if you like, but it would be long and boring and since it would be incredibly different to what you have done would also be very hard to communicate.

I'll try and take a longer look later on, but for now in relation to Road Knights...

Ease up on the ads, animated gifs etc
Avoid putting text over tiled background images. In fact, try a plain background.
Maybe not centre text.
Change the link colour from the intense default blue.
Be careful with the quality of any graphics you use. Avoid resizing them in the browser and avoid pixellation.



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Tyres: Mine's a pint of the black stuff.
Mike: You can't drink a pint of Bovril.

 

[tjcusick]

When you say contemporary design... do you have any example sites?

 

[GUJUm0deL]

Dude, GOOGLE...

http://www.ramos-poqui.com/library/WebDesign.html

_____________________________
Just Imagine.

http://www.imajinarts.com

 

[ascotta]

tjcusick Listen to what people say here, you don't have to agree, or even take on board any suggestions.

You must understand that taking a step back from what has obviously been a labour of love. There is absolutely no personal comments here.

I asked for assistance here, and at first I was a bit hurt and upset that I got flayed. Then I thought actually it was the web site that got flayed and not me, and then it ceased to hurt. Upon reflection it did suck big time.

Through suggestions and help and pointers and a fair bit of hard work and learning it got way better.

I for one can atest to the encouragement and sensible suggestions given by some familiar names in these posts.

A tip from me is to figure out who it is you want to be giving the information to, and is that information being delivered.

Go to an RAC site, try a round table site for example, see how others of the same genre are doing it.

[blue] A perspective from the other side!![/blue]

Cheers
Scott

 

[GUJUm0deL]

Key thing to remember when developing a site in 2008 is that it is not 1998.

Use CSS instead of <font> tags.
Do not use blinking text, moving animation
Test in FF and IE (and I suppose Opera, )
Use a page-layout design so the page doesn't look like it's all over the place.
Stay away from frames as much as possible
Don't make the page too flashy, the main point of the site should be the content (and pictures) not distracting elements like neon color scheme, moving icons, blinking items, annoying scrollers, etc...

_____________________________
Just Imagine.

http://www.imajinarts.com