Review : ismywebsite.com

azoundria · 02-19-2007, 09:17 PM

It's not running yet but I'm looking for input on the design and content I have so far.

http://www.ismywebsite.com

Optional Response Format:

Quote:

1) What is your overall rating of the site and why would you give it that rating?

2) Is the design good. Anything you see about it you don't like?

3) Can you navigate the site well? Is it straightforward and easy to use? Can you find what you might want to know about the hosting easily?

4) Are the features good? Am I missing any you would require? What do you think of the setup (specifically account types)?

5) Do I appear friendly and supportive? Do I present a good public image? Is everything easy to understand?

6) Would you sign up to be notified by email when we launch? Why/why not?

7) Would you use it?

azoundria · 03-21-2007, 02:03 PM

I've been working on the site. What I've changed so far:

1) The front of the site has been condensed for quick readability. Should be better this way.

2) I have resized the 'Features' area, increased the readability, and moved the description to the bottom. I'm not sure how to get this information to appear for search engines and people with JavaScript disabled.

3) I have changed the registration page to get people to join the mailing list. Is it effective?

4) Contact section updated. Does it make sense? Thoughts?

5) I have started on the about section - but it's still heavily a Work In Progress.

6) Fixed the Mailing List signup to proper layout.

7) I am still debating what to do with the side menu for best results. Any ideas?

So thanks for taking the time to review my website.

**Cricket** · 03-21-2007, 03:23 PM

From what I can see, you have not completed 3 reviews for others yet which is required before requesting a review. http://www.v7n.com/forums/website-re...ews-rules.html

azoundria · 03-21-2007, 03:25 PM

Alright. I can do that. I didn't realize I hadn't.

azoundria · 03-21-2007, 04:13 PM

I have completed this (and am slightly annoyed at not being able to edit my post). Please remove your comment.

**Cricket** · 03-21-2007, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azoundria

I have completed this (and am slightly annoyed at not being able to edit my post). Please remove your comment.

There is no reason for me to remove my comment. At the time I posted it, it was correct. You have now completed the needed reviews which is all that needs to be said.

azoundria · 03-21-2007, 04:28 PM

Ok I suppose... I come from a different system where topics are locked as well until you do the reviewing. Are you going to review my site?

chicgeek · 03-21-2007, 04:49 PM

Yep, just continue as per normal. Thank you for your great reviews - very thorough. Speaking of:

In terms of design: 5.5/10.

It's very boxy, even by my standards. I don't completely mind it, except that the logo bolsters this fact - maybe consider a more graphical logo with more curves? I actually quite despise the logo as is.
I like the orange used in the secondary logo in the top right - is it possible to utilize this colour elsewhere in your design? It's a little bland with your monochrome palette.
The left column I feel should be entirely white, not a white box with a grey background. If you insist on keeping the box, then do look at your site in FireFox and fix some browser compatibility issues.
The table formatting is subpar. I think you need to consider using borders as opposed to cellspacing.
The overall design is non-offensive, but somewhat amateur looking. I think you may benefit from looking at other site designs you admire and emulating some of the aspect that you appreciate into your own work.

azoundria · 03-21-2007, 05:54 PM

The most difficult part is that the main design was build for me. I really suck at design and don't even have PhotoShop to build a better logo. But I haven't gotten an overwhelming amount of negativity about it and it's much better than my previous layout.

So I can experiment with table borders though. That part I did build.

I also did the sidebar but yes the width is messed up because I built it in IE and everywhere else its different and apparently I have to use a really complicated hack I can't understand to get by it. Or else I can make is different for IE which I might do.

And the orange is actually part of the layout for EvenHosting - which is my partner in this. They're providing all the hardware setup I need for free as part of our deal. But I can see what you mean as far as utilizing that nice orange colour.

So while I'm working on those, what's my content rating?

chicgeek · 03-21-2007, 06:27 PM

I try to stay away from content evaluation - design is more my thing.

You'll probably get other reviews tackling that side of things.

As for your logo, it may be in your interest to spend $50 on a design contest for your logo - let someone else do the work, and it will provide multiple entries for you to choose from. Just a thought.

Good luck.

azoundria · 03-21-2007, 07:41 PM

When I get the site working and supporting itself I'll consider spending $50 - but right now it looks like I'm not going to be making that much off the host for at least the first month.

azoundria · 03-25-2007, 02:47 AM

Is there any more input? Or did I lose everyone at 'not willing to spend $50'?