Artshowcentral.com

[Cossiks27]

I am putting together an artist resource site for some students of mine. I am trying to keep it simple almost like a mini-site, not too complex. I am also hoping to make a couple $-bucks-$ on the side with my Adsense. In terms of layout, structure, usability and add placement, do you think I am going in the right direction? If you have any other comments or suggestions, they will be much appreciated. Thanks.
www.artshowcentral.com

-AC

 

[namenut]

I think you should first disclose if the funds you are raising on this site will be used to further educate your students....or buy you a toy? It may not be my business but I think if you clearly state this on your site you will be less likely to offend your participants.
I think you would do well to place a counter on the page, along with a disclaimer, showing the total funds YOUR VISITORS will be generating for your STUDENTS.

That being said I think your site is a little too simple. The page needs to be resizable to fit screen. It currently is too wide. The title cells need more cell padding and or cell spacing. Your PPC google ads should be placed at the bottom of the page. The art, you title your site after, is absent and obviously disappointing. "Art Show Central” is devoid any art yet full of PPC ads links. I think a more transparent policy on the ad rev is in order. And a secondary even tertiary importance should be placed on the ad rev.


Perhaps some free resources for you students to actually use would be helpful. Some interactive use like Tutorials, links, Articles, Forums, Contests… Art etc .... A student/artist of the month contest would be cool. With a picture, bio or profile page. Something like that could spark an interest. If you provide these features to your students they may participate. Otherwise you simply have a PPC site. In My Humble Opinion.
Good Luck

PS
I was voted most artistic in my High School ( Las Vegas, NV )

namenut

 

[Cossiks27]

Thanks for the feedback

So I made some adjustments. Actually I am really glad you pointed out that I made the frame too wide. I have a pretty big monitor and forgot about fitting the screen. My adsense banner is pretty wide to, which may be limiting the page width. I am going to look into changing that as well. You mentioned that the site is too simple. I do have a Forum that is live and a Gallery which is under construction. I am not sure if you found these when browsing the site.

I plan on running some contests once I have more users. Right now I am kind of limited with my students because the company I work for owns the rights to their work being displayed. I will be mainly focusing my advertising to outside people.

I really appreciate your feedback, it was clear and made alot of sense. One really big question I do have is, with all the adsense banners you see on every site these days what is the problem with having the adsense at the top of the page instead of at the bottom. I do want to generate a little cash inflow from the site because I am using my out of pocket money to keep the site going. What about adding a donation button? In your experience do these type of buttons really help?