Requesting review of a new (full) site.

overzealous · 09-22-2008, 02:30 PM

I'm an experienced web developer, but am new to developing sites for mass consumption, and completely new to attempting to generate any kind of income stream from them.

This represents one of my first attempts, and I'd really appreciate feedback on how to improve it.

I do also honestly intend the site to be a useful community resource, and would like to see it take off. Making any money from it is just a bonus.

If there is sufficent community interest I may redo it in a CMS to allow user supplied updates, comments, etc...

For the time being, I'm looking for design feedback, as well as suggestions on how to increase the click rate without making the site seem spam-ish and annoying.

Thanks in advance.

the url is: pittcoaching dot com

p.s. I attempted to submit this earlier and did not see my thread show up, MODS - I believe I'm complying with the rules here, if I'm doing something objectionable please cue me in.

Bodhi · 09-22-2008, 05:32 PM

Nice clean design, but maybe a bit dreary. Some colors could help out a bit. I really would not worry about the CTR right now, personally I think it is a waste of time to try and monetize a site right out of the gate. I find it better to focus on development, getting traffic, and creating new content. Once you get the traffic then the best thing to increase your CTR is to experiment. Change ad locations, looks, size, colors, ... etc. It takes some effort but it is worth it if you want to make money.

If you really do want a community website, I would switch to a CMS now rather than later. They are free so why not use one. Having user comments, or allowing user to create content can be a real time saver. Google loves unique and fresh content and it can be tiresome to feed the beast. If you can find a clever way to get your users to add content to your site, then it is just a matter of weeding out the spam here and there.

Anyway I think you are off to a great start. Do your SEO and build backlinks, when the traffic starts comming in come back and make a new thread and people will help you with the CTR issue.

Jacklin · 09-23-2008, 02:23 PM

Design is good and yes i agree it can bring some life to it if you add some decent and good colours to it ...Create some more and more content and try placing ads at different places ..

dysak · 09-28-2008, 04:31 PM

There is just one thing desturbing my eye:

Can you either try to widen your header to get it in one line with the right edge of your tower-banner, or change the size of the banner to get it in line with the right edge of the header.

If you need a program to resize grafics without loosing quality, just send me a pm. I have a very good program which you can have for free.

Why do you have 2 navigation lines? One above and one below the header?

I would only keep that below the header.

Wish you much success with this site.
Renate Schedl

Sapphiro · 09-28-2008, 11:39 PM

The design is a little old fashioned over there, but well, I think it'll look alot better if you improve on your top banner and top horizontal navigation table.

You may want to consider making it animated using flash, or if not, at least it will be still good if you make the design less 'squarish'. (maybe you can shorten it, and round up the top edges). Also, try to use a brighter and clearer image if possible.

weblord · 09-28-2008, 11:42 PM

lots of whitespaces on top
put some banner, a logo
overall ok

Backlinksservice.com · 09-29-2008, 11:22 PM

I agree with weblord,There is a lot of white spaces on the site.
A bit of colour,Logo is a wee bit dark looking.
After that Im sure will look great.

Good luck with your sites

09-22-2008, 02:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
overzealous New Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 5 0.00 NP$ (Donate)	Requesting review of a new (full) site. I'm an experienced web developer, but am new to developing sites for mass consumption, and completely new to attempting to generate any kind of income stream from them. This represents one of my first attempts, and I'd really appreciate feedback on how to improve it. I do also honestly intend the site to be a useful community resource, and would like to see it take off. Making any money from it is just a bonus. If there is sufficent community interest I may redo it in a CMS to allow user supplied updates, comments, etc... For the time being, I'm looking for design feedback, as well as suggestions on how to increase the click rate without making the site seem spam-ish and annoying. Thanks in advance. the url is: pittcoaching dot com p.s. I attempted to submit this earlier and did not see my thread show up, MODS - I believe I'm complying with the rules here, if I'm doing something objectionable please cue me in.

09-23-2008, 02:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jacklin NamePros Regular Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 626 0.00 NP$ (Donate)	Design is good and yes i agree it can bring some life to it if you add some decent and good colours to it ...Create some more and more content and try placing ads at different places .. __________________ Naruto Naruto Shippuden Naruto forums

09-28-2008, 04:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
dysak New Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: St. Leon-Rot, close to Heidelberg, Germany Posts: 14 0.00 NP$ (Donate)	There is just one thing desturbing my eye: Can you either try to widen your header to get it in one line with the right edge of your tower-banner, or change the size of the banner to get it in line with the right edge of the header. If you need a program to resize grafics without loosing quality, just send me a pm. I have a very good program which you can have for free. Why do you have 2 navigation lines? One above and one below the header? I would only keep that below the header. Wish you much success with this site. Renate Schedl __________________ Renate Schedl http://www.dysak.com/go/christmas http://dysak.biz/mlmpromotion http://workfromhome.renate-schedl.com

09-28-2008, 11:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
Sapphiro NamePros Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Singapore Posts: 162 0.00 NP$ (Donate)	The design is a little old fashioned over there, but well, I think it'll look alot better if you improve on your top banner and top horizontal navigation table. You may want to consider making it animated using flash, or if not, at least it will be still good if you make the design less 'squarish'. (maybe you can shorten it, and round up the top edges). Also, try to use a brighter and clearer image if possible. __________________ My Domain Portfolio \| For sale: Kunkka.com (Popular search), Noxiously.com (Dict word) Last edited by Sapphiro; 09-28-2008 at 11:44 PM.

09-29-2008, 11:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
Backlinksservice.com NamePros Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 30 15.10 NP$ (Donate)	I agree with weblord,There is a lot of white spaces on the site. A bit of colour,Logo is a wee bit dark looking. After that Im sure will look great. Good luck with your sites __________________ Article Submission Service

09-22-2008, 05:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
Bodhi Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Barcelona Posts: 2,984 80.38 NP$ (Donate)	Nice clean design, but maybe a bit dreary. Some colors could help out a bit. I really would not worry about the CTR right now, personally I think it is a waste of time to try and monetize a site right out of the gate. I find it better to focus on development, getting traffic, and creating new content. Once you get the traffic then the best thing to increase your CTR is to experiment. Change ad locations, looks, size, colors, ... etc. It takes some effort but it is worth it if you want to make money. If you really do want a community website, I would switch to a CMS now rather than later. They are free so why not use one. Having user comments, or allowing user to create content can be a real time saver. Google loves unique and fresh content and it can be tiresome to feed the beast. If you can find a clever way to get your users to add content to your site, then it is just a matter of weeding out the spam here and there. Anyway I think you are off to a great start. Do your SEO and build backlinks, when the traffic starts comming in come back and make a new thread and people will help you with the CTR issue.

09-28-2008, 11:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
weblord NamePros Legend Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Philippines - www.Nabaza.com Posts: 19,840 21,700.43 NP$ (Donate)	lots of whitespaces on top put some banner, a logo overall ok

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