Webnauts Net need review: http://www.webnauts.net

Webnauts · #1 (**permalink**) 09-27-2004, 09:11 PM

I would appreciate any critiques, comments and/or suggestions for my web site for the following issues:

1. Logo;
2. Other graphics;
3. Colors;
4. Layout;
5. Markup (XHTML and CSS)
6. Client Side Programming (JavaScript);
7. Accessibility;
8. OS and Browsers compatibility;
9. Usability and Navigation;
10. Search Engine Visibility;
11. Discoverability;
12. Credibility.

I thank you so much in advance for your visit and your time:
http://www.webnauts.net

orlandoknox · #2 (**permalink**) 10-10-2004, 08:31 AM

I had a look at the site and I'll share the first impressions and thoughts about it. I like the straight forward design and simple structure.
You carried through the concept of colours.
The purple on grey (visited links) may be slightly more difficult to read for some people.

As I didn't know what the website was about, it took me a while to find out what you were "selling". This has partly to do with the fact, that I couldn't immediately figure out/decide where to start reading first. There is little difference between the navigation bar and the main text area and using the same font (I think) for the whole page and no images makes the whole page look like a scientific text.

As for the accesskeys they didn't work for my browser (Opera 7.50 shift + esc + [number]). Where and how can I activate them?

I can't quite understand why you should want to skip the navigation (I had to scroll the text anyway and using the menue it jumped to the correct position). I think if it gets skipped it shouldn't come up again if you move to another page of the site (or move to the "top") - with the possibility of activating it when needed.

You've got quite a few links to other sites. Personally I prefer those to open in to a new window. (is this a draw back for people with disabilities?)

I hope these comments are useful and of help. Feel free to send me a mail if you want something explained better or differently.

Mit freundlichen Grüssen

web-content-king · #3 (**permalink**) 10-11-2004, 09:10 PM

I would imagine that this site is not converting well in terms of getting you leads for your consulting business. I assume that as a business site its ultimate goal is to make you money; the way the site can do this for you is by getting you leads.

To get leads, you need to make it easy for people to contact you.

1) Put your phone number, email, and a link to a contact form prominently on each page. The upper right hand corner has become sort of a default place to put a phone number.

2) Include a call to action. Something as simple as "call us," "email us," or something more involved like, "get a free initial consultation," or simply, "request a proposal for your site," (that last has worked well for me).

You also need to make clear the value you are offering, from the potential client's point of view. Something like, "comply with federal guidelines and increase the audience of your website." This should be in the headline and reinforced in the body copy.

Looking at this site, I'm guessing you or someone on your team wrote the content yourselves. As you grow, you might want to consider getting a copywriter.

web-content-king · #4 (**permalink**) 10-11-2004, 09:12 PM

I would imagine that this site is not converting well in terms of getting you leads for your consulting business. I assume that as a business site its ultimate goal is to make you money; the way the site can do this for you is by getting you leads.

To get leads, you need to make it easy for people to contact you.

1) Put your phone number, email, and a link to a contact form prominently on each page. The upper right hand corner has become sort of a default place to put a phone number.

2) Include a call to action. Something as simple as "call us," "email us," or something more involved like, "get a free initial consultation," or simply, "request a proposal for your site," (that last has worked well for me).

You also need to make clear the value you are offering, from the potential client's point of view. Something like, "comply with federal guidelines and increase the audience of your website." This should be in the headline and reinforced in the body copy.

Looking at this site, I'm guessing you or someone on your team wrote the content yourselves. As you grow, you might want to consider getting a copywriter.