website opinions

[mugacoffee]

hi i am updating a website and would like your opinions.

this is the old website : http://www.tailoratdrum.co.uk/

and here is the new (non working) design layout idea I'm messing with. http://www.tailoratdrum.co.uk/testbk.html

any opinions, is it better?

Jamie

 

[Smallwood]

While the latter is more functional, something I always like in any website, it is also busier with the white text running all over the pictures. I would do something about that. Perhaps, have only eyecatching titles to the pictures, with the text rolling up when the cursor is over the picture.

 

[mugacoffee]

thanks smallwood, I agree with you, it's too busy. I'll do what you suggest. thanks.

jamie

 

[Erna]

The colours work well together, and it's stylish. Just remember people 'only' recognise a sale if it's white on red, that's how we're programmed - red + white = sale.

I stared at the website for ten seconds before I noticed the blue strip. I would also not incorporate the sale bit into the website design per se, because people (again) are programmed to ignore advertisements that take banner format. A suggestion would be to have a red label on a string with white text at the top slightly overlapping the design (to give a temporary feel).

:)

 

[mugacoffee]

Ah I see! I didnt know that, but it seems so obvious now (regarding the red and white) Thanks. so just to clarify do you mean a label like that you'd get to put on a parcel/wrapped present and place it at the top of the website? That sounds like a good idea.

thanx again.

jamie

 

[Erna]

[quote author=jamie]
just to clarify do you mean a label like that you'd get to put on a parcel/wrapped present and place it at the top of the website?
[/quote]

Maybe 'tag' was a better word to use. Something like this:

And then you can make it swing just to make it REALLY obvious...form follows function ;)

 

[mugacoffee]

yeah i like that. thanks

:)

 

[mugacoffee]

I've made those changes thanks.

 

[Erna]

Oh that should do it! :) You're welcome.

Here's some inspiration for you (although the skill of some of these guys on fwa (favourite website awards) can also make you depressed):

_http://www.thefwa.com (Flash)
_http://cssvault.com/ (CSS)
_http://cssbeauty.com/ (CSS)

And for those days that you you REALLY have designers block with interface design, this site always helps:

_http://www.templatesfactory.net/

 

[mugacoffee]

you know how on some websites you get the web icon of the site on the adress bar, like the 'C' icon at the top with the constellation in it? well I've seen some which are longer, like this on:

I know how to add an icon, but how do I make it long like the one above?

jamie

 

[mugacoffee]

it's ok, its not a favicon, but a firefox thing to show you have a security certificate thing

 

[Erna]

Hi mugatea, the fwa.com link I gave you has been down since I gave it. I see it's back up again.

Check it out! Great inspiration there! ;) (the page turns with your mouse wheel)