Go easy on me... ;)

ApeXX · 08-23-2007, 05:22 PM

Alright, well this is the first website I have officially built from scratch. For the record, I'm not an artist and I'm terrible at designing templates. However I spent a few hours putting this together and I actually like it.

The website: http://www.iSPONT.com

Let me know what you think, but go easy on me: I'm not a designer.

GeneCosta · 08-23-2007, 07:13 PM

In that case it's not too bad. I would suggest having a background that separates your content from the white space.

RockDiesel · 08-23-2007, 07:20 PM

I agree with GeneCosta. It is missing some kind of container to seperate the content from the white space.

I don't think it is too bad if this is your first from scratch. Nice job and keep up the hard work. You will get better with practice.

ApeXX · 08-24-2007, 05:33 AM

Thanks for the feedback folks, rep left for you both.

.X. · 08-24-2007, 06:01 AM

I think it looks great! Nice effort

Mike · 08-24-2007, 07:17 AM

For a first attempt, this is turned out actually quite nicely.
I'd consider some sort of "frame" around your context, just to lift the text areas off the white backdrop or shade the backdrop do a slightly different color to take some off the cold white out.
Your site works as intended, i assume. I'd consider an embedded contact form and a FavIcon as the next 2 steps to be implemented.

IB

ApeXX · 08-24-2007, 07:50 AM

The site's back up now.

OpenAreas · 08-24-2007, 08:01 AM

Ok! will review it then.

ApeXX · 08-24-2007, 08:21 AM

I see a recurrent theme, which is that everyone thinks I need some sort of box or background to help differentiate the text area from the white background.

I think it's a great idea, the only problem is I don't know how to do it.

Also, +rep for everyone that left feedback.

Here's my FavIcon: http://www.iSPONT.com/favicon.ico

Do I have to insert coding into every single page in order to display it, or is there an easier method?

edmarriner · 08-27-2007, 12:29 PM

Most of the popular browser will use the favicon with-out any coding needed if you place the file in the root directory ( e.g www.site.com/favicon.ico) and that you name it favicon.ico

Zurvan · 08-27-2007, 08:40 PM

I like it, mostly. There's a few minor things I would change, and one big thing I think you should definitely change.

Minor first:
1. It took me a second to find the navigation bar. It needs to stand out more.
1a. If you put a border around your content, connected to the nav bar, it might do this.
2. I would remove the adsense just below the navbar. Or change it to a horizontal link unit. The way it is now puts too much distance before your content. I could also consider putting a square ad unit

The big thing:

Your login / sign-up pages are completely different from the rest of your site. It feels like you've left iSPONT, and gone somewhere else. To me, this is not a good thing when it comes time to buy. It makes people who were just thinking about signing up think again. Once they've made up their mind to buy, it would be nice if they stopped thinking

franchise · 08-27-2007, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zurvan

I like it, mostly. There's a few minor things I would change, and one big thing I think you should definitely change.

Minor first:
1. It took me a second to find the navigation bar. It needs to stand out more.
1a. If you put a border around your content, connected to the nav bar, it might do this.
2. I would remove the adsense just below the navbar. Or change it to a horizontal link unit. The way it is now puts too much distance before your content. I could also consider putting a square ad unit

The big thing:

Your login / sign-up pages are completely different from the rest of your site. It feels like you've left iSPONT, and gone somewhere else. To me, this is not a good thing when it comes time to buy. It makes people who were just thinking about signing up think again. Once they've made up their mind to buy, it would be nice if they stopped thinking

Excellent marketing feedback. Design and marketing go so hand in hand and this is an excellent example.
I agree with Zurvan. Nice job however on keeping things simple. That in and of itself can be a challenge for many people.

You may want to look at some stock photo sites as well. A professional (not cheesy) photo of a human tends to add a comfortability factor. Especially on minimalistic sites. Check out istockphoto.com or sxc.hu for inexpensive stock photos.

Keep up the good work. It gets easier as you go.

ProdigyTX · 08-31-2007, 03:20 PM

A nice clean design, I like it mate.

ApeXX · 08-31-2007, 06:43 PM

Thanks for the feedback everyone, +Rep has been left. I'll it all into consideration this weekend and try to make some changes to the site.

bobbie · 08-31-2007, 09:02 PM

You definitely need to go with a template and get rid of some of that white space. You can get free templates at http://www.oswd.org/ ... they're great for people who don't design themselves.

Also, you need to get some real content on that page. You've got a logo/header, adsense, a few links. This will get you nowhere in the search engines. Content is king. Give people a reason to read your site. Capture their interest. Make them stay.

ApeXX · 09-01-2007, 04:55 AM

Thanks for the feedback, however I have no intention of using a template. I haven't given up on my design yet.

mbuna · 09-02-2007, 04:35 PM

Here are my thoughts.

I would set the text off from the background to make it stand out.
I would dump the google ads. Successful hosting companies don't need google. Makes me wonder if your company is successful.
Make the "Sign Up" link stand out more. In fact the entire menu bar could be larger and more clear.
Make the sign-up page the same layout and look.

ApeXX · 09-02-2007, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbuna

I would dump the google ads. Successful hosting companies don't need google. Makes me wonder if your company is successful.

Companies usually become successful when they make money. Obviously, since it is free web hosting, I make money via advertisements.

Broker · 09-02-2007, 05:22 PM

Colors seem kinda drab aka dull. Did you save in srgb?

08-23-2007, 05:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
ApeXX Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 2,026 152.74 NP$ (Donate)	Go easy on me... ;) Alright, well this is the first website I have officially built from scratch. For the record, I'm not an artist and I'm terrible at designing templates. However I spent a few hours putting this together and I actually like it. The website: http://www.iSPONT.com Let me know what you think, but go easy on me: I'm not a designer. __________________ Travel Directory: http://www.travel247365.com/ Deep Link Directory: http://www.deeplink.us/ Googlest.com - As Seen On G4TV & Wired Magazine SeatBeltPads.com (TM) Custom & Show Quality

08-23-2007, 07:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
RockDiesel NamePros Regular Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 464 5.40 NP$ (Donate)	I agree with GeneCosta. It is missing some kind of container to seperate the content from the white space. I don't think it is too bad if this is your first from scratch. Nice job and keep up the hard work. You will get better with practice. __________________ Exercise Advice \| Webkinz \| Johan Santana \| Nutritional Supplements \| Xbox 360 Controller

08-24-2007, 05:33 AM	#4 (permalink)
ApeXX Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 2,026 152.74 NP$ (Donate)	Thanks for the feedback folks, rep left for you both. __________________ Travel Directory: http://www.travel247365.com/ Deep Link Directory: http://www.deeplink.us/ Googlest.com - As Seen On G4TV & Wired Magazine SeatBeltPads.com (TM) Custom & Show Quality

08-24-2007, 06:01 AM	#5 (permalink)
.X. Revolution Calling! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NamePros Avenue Posts: 5,497 267.70 NP$ (Donate)	I think it looks great! Nice effort __________________ Queensryche Revolution Calling! Sit Down, Shut Up and Hold on Tight....It's gonna be a bumpy ride

08-24-2007, 07:17 AM	#6 (permalink)
Mike NamePros Expert Join Date: May 2005 Location: www.chrome.us Posts: 5,245 46.20 NP$ (Donate)	For a first attempt, this is turned out actually quite nicely. I'd consider some sort of "frame" around your context, just to lift the text areas off the white backdrop or shade the backdrop do a slightly different color to take some off the cold white out. Your site works as intended, i assume. I'd consider an embedded contact form and a FavIcon as the next 2 steps to be implemented. IB __________________ Do you Chrome? [\|] Noomle No fees & More Revenue IntelBank.com<<Your Business & Your Money>>CreditHelp.TV American Pilot Center <- Learn to Fly -> PilotCenter

08-23-2007, 07:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
GeneCosta Account Closed Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 964 186.55 NP$ (Donate)	In that case it's not too bad. I would suggest having a background that separates your content from the white space.

08-24-2007, 07:50 AM	#7 (permalink)
ApeXX Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 2,026 152.74 NP$ (Donate)	The site's back up now. __________________ Travel Directory: http://www.travel247365.com/ Deep Link Directory: http://www.deeplink.us/ Googlest.com - As Seen On G4TV & Wired Magazine SeatBeltPads.com (TM) Custom & Show Quality Last edited by ApeXX; 08-24-2007 at 08:20 AM.

08-24-2007, 08:01 AM	#8 (permalink)
OpenAreas NamePros Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 193 64.45 NP$ (Donate)	Ok! will review it then. __________________ INX-Gaming.com - Amazing Game Servers At Low Prices With Outstanding Performance!

08-24-2007, 08:21 AM	#9 (permalink)
ApeXX Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 2,026 152.74 NP$ (Donate)	I see a recurrent theme, which is that everyone thinks I need some sort of box or background to help differentiate the text area from the white background. I think it's a great idea, the only problem is I don't know how to do it. Also, +rep for everyone that left feedback. Here's my FavIcon: http://www.iSPONT.com/favicon.ico Do I have to insert coding into every single page in order to display it, or is there an easier method? __________________ Travel Directory: http://www.travel247365.com/ Deep Link Directory: http://www.deeplink.us/ Googlest.com - As Seen On G4TV & Wired Magazine SeatBeltPads.com (TM) Custom & Show Quality

08-27-2007, 12:29 PM	#10 (permalink)
edmarriner NamePros Regular Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: England :D Posts: 838 78.15 NP$ (Donate)	Most of the popular browser will use the favicon with-out any coding needed if you place the file in the root directory ( e.g www.site.com/favicon.ico) and that you name it favicon.ico __________________ Leeds united football club Leeds United , news , rumors , wallpapers and more!

08-27-2007, 08:40 PM	#11 (permalink)
Zurvan NamePros Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 56 31.00 NP$ (Donate)	I like it, mostly. There's a few minor things I would change, and one big thing I think you should definitely change. Minor first: 1. It took me a second to find the navigation bar. It needs to stand out more. 1a. If you put a border around your content, connected to the nav bar, it might do this. 2. I would remove the adsense just below the navbar. Or change it to a horizontal link unit. The way it is now puts too much distance before your content. I could also consider putting a square ad unit The big thing: Your login / sign-up pages are completely different from the rest of your site. It feels like you've left iSPONT, and gone somewhere else. To me, this is not a good thing when it comes time to buy. It makes people who were just thinking about signing up think again. Once they've made up their mind to buy, it would be nice if they stopped thinking __________________ Web Design and Internet Services - Oshawa, Ontario Last edited by Zurvan; 08-27-2007 at 08:40 PM. Reason: missed a word

08-31-2007, 03:20 PM	#13 (permalink)
ProdigyTX New Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 24 21.85 NP$ (Donate)	A nice clean design, I like it mate.

08-31-2007, 06:43 PM	#14 (permalink)
ApeXX Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 2,026 152.74 NP$ (Donate)	Thanks for the feedback everyone, +Rep has been left. I'll it all into consideration this weekend and try to make some changes to the site. __________________ Travel Directory: http://www.travel247365.com/ Deep Link Directory: http://www.deeplink.us/ Googlest.com - As Seen On G4TV & Wired Magazine SeatBeltPads.com (TM) Custom & Show Quality

08-31-2007, 09:02 PM	#15 (permalink)
bobbie NamePros Regular Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 507 114.65 NP$ (Donate)	You definitely need to go with a template and get rid of some of that white space. You can get free templates at http://www.oswd.org/ ... they're great for people who don't design themselves. Also, you need to get some real content on that page. You've got a logo/header, adsense, a few links. This will get you nowhere in the search engines. Content is king. Give people a reason to read your site. Capture their interest. Make them stay. __________________ These Premium Blog/Forum Packages Will Blow Your Socks Off: Now With Autoblogging - $37 Each: Niche Blogging Treasure The NEW Marketplace for Buying & Selling Websites

09-01-2007, 04:55 AM	#16 (permalink)
ApeXX Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 2,026 152.74 NP$ (Donate)	Thanks for the feedback, however I have no intention of using a template. I haven't given up on my design yet. __________________ Travel Directory: http://www.travel247365.com/ Deep Link Directory: http://www.deeplink.us/ Googlest.com - As Seen On G4TV & Wired Magazine SeatBeltPads.com (TM) Custom & Show Quality

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09-02-2007, 04:35 PM	#17 (permalink)
mbuna NamePros Regular Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: WI, USA Posts: 463 545.73 NP$ (Donate)	Here are my thoughts. I would set the text off from the background to make it stand out. I would dump the google ads. Successful hosting companies don't need google. Makes me wonder if your company is successful. Make the "Sign Up" link stand out more. In fact the entire menu bar could be larger and more clear. Make the sign-up page the same layout and look. __________________ Tropical Fish - Renewable Energy - Banner Exchange - Tropical Fish Items - Avoid Domain Scammers

09-02-2007, 05:22 PM	#19 (permalink)
Broker Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Philly Burbs Posts: 3,148 302.50 NP$ (Donate)	Colors seem kinda drab aka dull. Did you save in srgb? __________________ Hill Climbers Forum