I've overhauled my site at Social Colleague and whilst most of you probably didn't see the previous design, I would really appreciate some thoughts on the following.
• What stage of development is your site at? Few tweaks and bugs need to be ironed out such as social icons not working, recent blog posts not showing.
• Who designed it? (Yourself or a professional designer?) It's a WP theme customised.
• What market and/or demographic is the site is aimed at? Small/medium business owners.
• Is it hosted in the UK, US or elsewhere? Uk - Vidahost.
• Is there any particular area you want critique on? Layout, design, images.
Thanks in advance for taking the time to take a look and give me your thoughts.
I think maybe it's too homogenuous. I'll give you my opinion.
Needs something contrasting with white background. For example, the three first pictures, something I'd say... like this http://acrisdesign.com/wp-content/up...msn_social.jpg It's still same style, it adds some contrast and keeps a uniform branding.
Text is also too homogenuous. In general, should be fine something similar to the menu. Using different colour and playing regular/bold.
Logo may be better aligned to the menu and smaller.
I think maybe it's too homogenuous. I'll give you my opinion.
Needs something contrasting with white background. For example, the three first pictures, something I'd say... like this http://acrisdesign.com/wp-content/up...msn_social.jpg It's still same style, it adds some contrast and keeps a uniform branding.
Text is also too homogenuous. In general, should be fine something similar to the menu. Using different colour and playing regular/bold.
Logo may be better aligned to the menu and smaller.
I appreciate your comments and feedback, many thanks. The comment about the contrast against a white background is a really good point.
Like a lot of these type of sites/themes, I am not actually sure what I am supposed to DO.
There are lots of badges and buttons but no single focal point to get me to do something.
Average user will be baffled and just click away.
I appreciate there isn't currently that many calls to action, fair point.
It's interesting you mention the badges, as they are predominantly in the footer area. The nav bar includes a contact call to action and some more info' about me. I have specifically tried to ensure the header is clear and more transparent than others of this type/theme as you put it yourself.
Just to clarify - do you believe the average user wouldn't notice to nav bar? When you say baffled, exactly what it is that is baffling - what isn't right? Apart from missing a call-to-action?
I appreciate there isn't currently that many calls to action, fair point.
It's interesting you mention the badges, as they are predominantly in the footer area. The nav bar includes a contact call to action and some more info' about me. I have specifically tried to ensure the header is clear and more transparent than others of this type/theme as you put it yourself.
Just to clarify - do you believe the average user wouldn't notice to nav bar? When you say baffled, exactly what it is that is baffling - what isn't right? Apart from missing a call-to-action?
Thanks for your feedback.
It has been proven over and over again that the first page people look for is the "about" page. The row of grey buttons above the photo would send my mum running for cover for instance.
Having said that - you DO have a contact form under the about page - more than most...
You do have a couple of interesting provocative blog posts also but why do I have to login to comment ?
See the link in my sig for tuesdays webinar that might interest you also :-)
I value all feedback,. but honestly I think the about page is fairly easy to see in the navbar.
The log in comments system is to prevent spam, and you only have to log in with an account you already have using social media. Fairly standard practice these days in all honesty.
I'll take your thoughts into consideration regarding clarity, thanks again.
I value all feedback,. but honestly I think the about page is fairly easy to see in the navbar.
The log in comments system is to prevent spam, and you only have to log in with an account you already have using social media. Fairly standard practice these days in all honesty.
I'll take your thoughts into consideration regarding clarity, thanks again.
Try and remember everyone's eye is different, what looks good to me, you might not like, there is no perfect website, don't rush into changing things too quickly on other peoples opinion. If you take in people's views but wait a tiny bit, you will probably find a lot of things will come to you, that way you will be learning yourself. The most important thing with a website is your drive to make it succeed, by learning about it and doing things the correct way. Yes the seo side of things is a bit different so ask as many questions as you can in places like this. Remember there are millions of websites built and to some designers, are the best designs ever, but they don't get any hits. So just because a website, in design ticks all the boxes, does not necessarily mean it will work.
_
Overhaul of my site - thoughts welcome.
