Before & After

Business Forum

Doing Business on the Web

Website Critique

Before & After

New Topic

Post Reply

Follow Topic

Page of 1

Author
Message

idahobob

posts: 48

Feb 26, 2009 2:07 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

Points: 0 Vote

Hello, It`s me once again.

Just so none of you who had critiqued my first attempt at this thought their advice was falling on deaf ears, here is proof that you can teach an old dog a new trick.

I thought i`d ask for a new critique of the changes I made.

Here is the before link... I really thought this was pretty good...

here is what the new revisions look like. (I know it still needs "some" work like a much better header and a slide show viewer instead of so many pics but i`m working on that...

I`ve cut out most of the copy i thought was good and replaced it with just the facts... so, it doesn`t show much personality nor, does it sound very appealing to me but...? what do i know?

also, I have this earmarked to be hosted on a different site with its own domain but am having a hell of a time with getting it loaded but, it will be on it`s own thing when i can find another bucket full of patience..

Anyway, Your thoughts, suggestions, or comments are appreciated:) Is this new version an improvement or has standarizing it sucked the life and personality out of it?

thanks

Webline

posts: 687

Feb 26, 2009 3:34 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

Points: 0 Vote

Bob,

I agree that the second version kind of has the "same old same old" look as many other sites as far as layout and navigation, however that isn`t always a bad thing. This layout is what most web users are used to and can find their way around without any problems. The first version, in my opinion, was set off nicely with the black background, but the following pages, the layout and the navigation wasn`t consistent, and created confusion. You have some great looking products, it`s just a matter of getting your "feel" and message combined with a more consistent flow and layout.

-------------------------

M Hall
Website Critique Community
International Society of Curmudgeons

CraigL

posts: 9051

Feb 26, 2009 4:13 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

Points: 0 Vote

I like the color scheme of the new home page better, but when I click the picture at the bottom and go to "welcome to our shop," it takes me to a different color scheme. I think it`s the old page?

The other problem is the alignment in the middle text isn`t centered. It`s too far over to the right, so it wraps around incorrectly. (Introducing our limited edition), and (USN CPO and MCPO Rings).

Looking at the coding for that page, and even with my not being a Web developer, I can see that you`re sort of using a typewriter to write thing when you should be using modern word-processing capabilities.

Take a look at Nvu, from the Mozilla people. It`s a free, very powerful Web creation tool. You might also get some help with online HTML basics.

idahobob

posts: 48

Feb 26, 2009 4:21 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

Points: 0 Vote

Thanks webline...

I suppose for this particular product and it`s customer base a conforming web site makes the best sense. Military folks are pretty darn orderly...

I haven`t asked any of the customers if their purchasing decision was influenced in any way by the non conforming site or, it was a stumbling block they had to overcome... Probably they had to overcome it but I wonder how many that did not purchase one didn`t because they couldn`t overcome it?? I guess time will tell.

All in all, even being somewhat of a disorganized non conformist, I do like things orderly. So, I will try to find the perfect balance...

It`s a start anyway

banzaibert

posts: 19

Feb 27, 2009 2:33 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

Points: 0 Vote

The new site is way better. Love the color scheme, what you are selling is way clearer than before. Nice job!

-------------------------

Cheap Web Hosting - Host ALL Your Websites on One Account...Click Here

vwebworld

posts: 1237

Feb 27, 2009 4:32 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

Points: 0 Vote

Watch out for the file size of your photos. The two on your home page are over 92K and 140K. Unless all your viewers have a high speed internet connection those will take a while to load.

The transition effect - only works on IE browser and is so 1990`s

~Roland

-------------------------

Web Design | Best Beef Jerky | ecommerce articles | Follow vwebworld on Twitter

idahobob

posts: 48

Feb 27, 2009 2:35 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

Points: 0 Vote

Thanks craig

I`ve fixed those problems and even downloaded nuvu... (I`m not sure how that helps and i haven`t seen any changes but i have it now)

I don`t know anything about code but if the most advance experts who created front page made this thing write like it does, far be it for a slug like me to criticize the experts. I have nothing to do with any of the html stuff. all i have to do is copy and paste and insert and type... sometimes i need to insert some code and on the rare occasion, i have had to change web hosts and re-do the whole site!! yikes!

Anything other than point and click and it is way - way far beyond my comprehension... I`m not using a typewriter (although i do have a few working models) I`m using the most advanced piece of technology!

I`m happy you like the colors and the pictures:) if you didn`t look behind the curtin, you`d probably think it wasn`t too bad, eh?

you want to see how we started?? this will give you some perspective.

here is a link to our original deal with net-biz http://www.nbizz.com/robbrucker/index.html now before you go there, let me tell you, this is after a ton of improvements! I paid over $1500.00 for this web site plus over $1500 for their merchant account deal. but i did get a free lunch at a motel. Before i went for my free lunch, carol asked me if i wanted to leave the checkbook home and i said, "don`t worry babe, I`m not going to get roped into anything" and when I cam home that night i said "well babe, I just spent 3 house payments on a web site" lol

Thanks banzaibert, it does look cleaner and i`m starting to like it more:)

Roland, 1990`s? That doesn`t seem all that long ago to me, just yesterday (seems like) they were telling me i needed to catch up to the 20th century...

I used to worry about the photo size and cut all my pics down to the nubs but I had to compromise the quality and look of the pic. What is the recommended pic size?

CraigL

posts: 9051

Feb 27, 2009 3:00 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

Points: 0 Vote

Thoughts on the "advance experts who created Front Page...."

Page of 1

Post Reply

Keep the Community Clean!

StartupNation forums should be used as a platform to learn, educate others, share stories, tips & tricks and to provide constructive feedback.
Please do not use the Forums for advertising & blatant self-promotion.
Please be respectful to other members and refrain from personal attacks and vulgar language.
StartupNation reserves the right to delete any message, reply, and/or member who violates our terms of use.

Read full terms of use

Contact Us Privacy Terms of Use Become a Marketplace Provider Advertise Local Guides Site Map Home Business Start a Business

Business Forum

Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Before & After

Keep the Community Clean!