Review: www.sportsnarrative.com

SportsNarrative · 08-12-2007, 04:32 AM

Hello everybody!

Please take a look at my new site which I created and uploaded about 2 months ago. It is sports related and is mainly a place for me to post articles about sports.

http://www.sportsnarrative.com

Please keep in mind that this is essentially the first site I have created with the exception of something quick that I made for a project about 5 years ago.

I will take all criticism seriously and will definitely consider incorporating suggestions. If you can articulate exactly why something is lacking and what steps I should take, I would appreciate it.

Starting off with my own self-criticism, I think the sidebar box with the gradient doesn't look the greatest. I am currently in the process of trying to design better sidebar boxes. Any tips or suggestions about tutorials regarding this or anything else would be great.

Cheers.

Jarry · 08-12-2007, 11:13 AM

I've had a look at your site, and found it good. Your choice of font isn't to everyone's taste, but is reasonable. Some of the articles are a little long - you could make more use of the left column to offer a synopsis - but the people who visit your site are likely to be dedicated enough to read the full article.

On accessibility, no real problems, except that images are not given 'alt' tags, so people who can't use the images or use website-speaking are unaware of what is shown. However, this is not really (although you should always thinks about things like these) a problem in the age group concerned.

Out of ten: 8 - solid but not 'chic' enough for some.

SportsNarrative · 08-13-2007, 05:11 AM

Jarry,

Thanks for your input. I appreciate it.

I've sorted out the 'alt' tags issue.

I know what you mean about not being "chic." It's lacking that slick look that so many sites have nowadays.

Anyone else have any thoughts or suggestions?

Cheers.

Brazzell Marketing · 08-13-2007, 07:55 PM

It's Good.

The gradient box you mentioned isn't great, but it isn't hateful. You might try a light image in the background to see if you like that better. Perhaps a landscape shot of Thailand with buildings at the bottom and the sky stretched at the top to make a blue background for your text.

kimberlybarryd · 08-13-2007, 10:22 PM

Nice site. Loads really fast. Clean and to the point. Didnt see Hockey Ville in there though. My home town. Truro, Nova Scotia.

waffles · 08-14-2007, 11:21 AM

I'll work bottom down. Makes it easier for me.

I think the text in the header needs to have a tiny (and I mean tiny, like barely there at all) black outline. It's bad enough that the colors it's on top of are that different. Also, I'm not a fan of smearing text the way you did, but that's a personal preference of mine.

Use more pictures. That first post is great, but get something in the others that will grab my attention.

Why aren't the post titles links? And where are the rollovers for what you do have as links?

The gradient problem I think comes from you going from as dark a color as you did to pure white. Try getting some colors that are closer together.

The gradient also causes a problem with readability issues. The black is good on the left, but gets to be a worse choice as you move to the right.

Finally, use your sidebar space somehow. It's just sitting there right now doing nothing, so you might as well. Plus it'll make the place look less empty.