http://www.westcoastonlineshoppingmall.com

westcoast · #1 (**permalink**) 05-19-2004, 12:42 PM

Please let me know what you think. I would like to hear from different perspectives of different aspects of this site. I have built it with frontpage and I have used a frames system to deliver the info. Any Ideas, suggestions or constructive criticism is greatly appreciated.

Imdateless · #2 (**permalink**) 05-19-2004, 04:13 PM

Frames. Yuck. Search engines hate them, and so do alot of web browsers - consider using tables or <div>.

Too much gray. The top area is taking up way to much spacing (limit it to the top 150-200px). The home page doesn't really grab my attention, and would soon fade off the page.

Too much negative space, the side bar has a picture of a boat, and nothing else. What is that supposed to mean? Consider putting your nagivation in there, and leave your top frame for title and inner site links only.

Pop up windows suck. Just don't use them.

It's a nice start, but definately needs more work on the content and useability of the site (navigation, asthetics, etc...).

flood6 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-19-2004, 04:17 PM

It's about to get harsh. Don't take any of this as personal, just suggestions, take them for what they are worth.

You need to decide what you want the site to be about and stick with it. Your "header" says, "A West Coast Canadian Company with Canadian Products and Suppliers" then the first link right below it is about gas prices. Your keywords and descriptions meta tags don't reflect what your site is about. You ask people to submit pictures that have nothing to do with shopping; the 1 picture you do have is a bull?

Most of the links change the small frame on the left. Some change the larger frame on the right, others opened a new window. Keep the navigation consistent.

You offer to sign me up for your mailing list without explaining what I can expect to get from it.

You have a lot of bravenet applications going on; this does not inspire trust in your site nor does it express professionalism. All of these things can be done in such a way that it is hosted on your site and presents a professional, cohesive appearance.

Most pages on the site loaded pretty slowly. I imagine this has a lot to do with the externally hosted banners and bravenet stuff.

I did not find anything on your site that I could not find delivered better and faster elsewhere. You need to check out what other sites that provide similar services and learn from them. What do they do well, what do they do poorly? Then improve on what you find them doing.

Again, sorry if I was harsh, but I assume that if you posted your site here, you want the truth. Read these forums, learn what you can. If you need any of my comments clarified, let me know.

Good luck.

RNSupply · #4 (**permalink**) 05-19-2004, 04:43 PM

I don't like the music...I like to listen to my own music while surfing and that music just played over mine.

I like the background banner. Good Start.