www.adhdfamilies.net

Jerry · #1 (**permalink**) 01-18-2005, 07:33 PM

OK, here's where I wring my hands and sweat. I've posted sites for review here before, but http://www.adhdfamilies.net is my own private concern.

Please take a look at the site. It is in its infancy, and geared to providing information and community resources to families with ADHD, Bipolar disorder, and other related conditions. Any comments/suggestions are welcome.

I'll be posting some changes to the home page over the next three days, so keep tuned!

C3PO · #2 (**permalink**) 01-19-2005, 10:20 AM

The site looks almost great, there are only two changes I would make.
1) Enlarge the fonts in the left navigation bar and; 2) Change the background colour. Violet is to strong a colour, it is true that some love it but there are equally others (me included) that hate it. If I were you I would change it to the same coulour that is in the header, it will give the site a better symmetry and it is more soothing for the eyes.

Jerry · #3 (**permalink**) 01-19-2005, 02:29 PM

C3P0,

Thanks for the suggestions, I've changed the page background to a blue and increased the font size in the navigation (I had been wondering about that.)

I'd be interested in any other comments or suggestions that people may have regarding the site

MarcieZoob · #4 (**permalink**) 01-20-2005, 07:44 AM

Great site with excellent content, you're off to a good start.

As far as the layout, it would "feel" better to me if your site was centered and not sitting off to the left. On a higher resolution, it feels somewhat tilted, plus background color on the right is too strong.

Since the site pertains to ADHD and bipolar, consider toning the background color down to something softer and more neutral for the sake of your web site visitor. Studies show that violet hues tend to have a very strong, sensual meaning so this might not be appropriate for your site, it might have an adverse effect.

I like your header graphics and logo, that looks very nice. In regard to SEO, consider strengthening your description and keywords with a little more content for better keyword density throughout.

Nice job!

Jerry · #5 (**permalink**) 01-20-2005, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarcieZoob

Great site with excellent content, you're off to a good start.
...

Nice job!

Marcie,

Thanks for the input. I was thinking about floating the tables to the center myself, and I'll work on implementing that later today.

The content will actually be getting stronger as of this evening, when I post the site's first completely original article.

As far as SEO, I've been looking over keywords and I'll be adjusting the density as time goes on.

The background color has me in a bit of a bind, I've been finding it difficult to find something that matches well, and I've been toying with the idea of updating the look of the site a bit and shifting to a deeper overall hue. (The color scheme stems from thr preferences of the YaHoo! group that originally started the idea for this site).

Does anyone have any ideas on a color scheme? I'm definitely open to suggestions.

mlevenhagen · #6 (**permalink**) 01-20-2005, 04:58 PM

I would have to agree you've done a nice job...

Maybe you've changed something since that last posts, but I happen to like the color scheme. We need more color on the web. The only problem I have a lot of times with using a lot of color is it makes the site look cheap or not professional... but I think your graphics, logo and the blending of color is done well and looks professional... it's not hard on my eyes at all. I wouldn't go deeper.

In my opinion,

Jerry · #7 (**permalink**) 01-20-2005, 08:14 PM

Thanks Matt!

I actually thought I'd get a lot more critical responses from folks here than I have. I've visited many of your sites, and I must admit, they're all pretty great.

I am still considering some slight changes to the color scheme, but I'm saving that excersise for this weekend, since the current layout took quite a few hours to put together. I've also been toying with the idea of modifying the section headings and shifting the content to the middle of the browser window. I'll keep everyone posted.. ;)

minstrel · #8 (**permalink**) 01-20-2005, 11:33 PM

I'm going to comment on content rather than design: This is a good concept with relevant information and potentially an excellent resource. I've added a link to you at http://www.psychlinks.ca/pages/adhd.htm, by the way.

I think the challenge whem starting any site like this is to decide on your scope. When i rtead your opening post in this thread, what caught my attention was "resources to families with ADHD, Bipolar disorder, and other related conditions" and my initial reaction was that you need to be careful not to expand beyond the focus of the site implied by the domain name (or you've got the wrong domain name for the site if you do). I'm not suggesting that's what you're doing at this point but I've seen other sites which set out to be a comprehensive resource for one disorder or syndrome get distracted from the "mission" and dilute the focus -- the danger there is that you may also dilute the audience.

A good start to a potentially good site.

As mlevenhagen said, I don't know if these are the original colours but I don't find them objectionable at all. I'm not normally a hige fan of "purples" but I find the overall effect soothing.

Jerry · #9 (**permalink**) 01-21-2005, 12:40 AM

minstrel,

First, let me thank you for the encouragement. This site has grown a bit past its original intent, and I hope to be able to gather domain names that more closely relate to the topics I wish to cover in the near future.

The original incarnation (Which was, unfortunately, not very secure and summarily destroyed by hackers) was focused strictly on ADHD. Since that time I have found that a very large number of the members we have on our mailing list suffer from both of these disorders, and several more. The site has simply grown to accomodate this observation.

I appreciate the link, and will be addig a prominent link back to you before the night is out. I've looked over your site and find it very enlightening, especially since a number of our YaHoo group members are in Canada.

Feel free to contact me at any time, your insigts would be very welcome.

netace · #10 (**permalink**) 01-21-2005, 01:23 AM

The only real problem is one I find with many sites out there - there is a need for grammar and spell-checking. For example, the word diagnosis. The spelling diagnoses means plural, in other words, more than one diagnosis. That may be the case sometimes, but not when you refer to the diagnosis of ADHD or the diagnosis of bipolar. If someone has BOTH, then the diagnoses of ADHD and bipolar applies.

Jerry · #11 (**permalink**) 01-21-2005, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by netace

The only real problem is one I find with many sites out there - there is a need for grammar and spell-checking. For example, the word diagnosis. The spelling diagnoses means plural, in other words, more than one diagnosis. That may be the case sometimes, but not when you refer to the diagnosis of ADHD or the diagnosis of bipolar. If someone has BOTH, then the diagnoses of ADHD and bipolar applies.

netace,

Thanks for the observation. I have spell checked each document, but will do so again. Perhaps I'll start running grammar checks in Word before authorizing the posts, since the CMS system I'm using does not include grammar checking.

I've changed the plural form to the singular where I saw it. (It is early and the coffee hasn't really kicked in, so I'll double check later).

Jerry · #12 (**permalink**) 01-21-2005, 11:21 PM

OK, according to the general concensus, I tried to adjust all my templates to layout of center page. For some reason this caused my site layout to fail. It looks like I'll be rebuilding the blasted thing on the morrow. I'll post with updates when I do..

Thank you all for the wonderful input

MarcieZoob · #13 (**permalink**) 01-22-2005, 07:35 AM

Your site "feels" much better centered now!

Jerry · #14 (**permalink**) 01-22-2005, 05:38 PM

Marcie,

I agree that the site has a much beter feel centered. I just wish it hadn't mangled the front page display. Ahh well, it's time to get coding. I'll post back when I've got the damage repaired. Perhaps with a slightly different look and feel to boot.

Jerry · #15 (**permalink**) 01-27-2005, 02:45 AM

OK, I think I've not only repaired the damage, but improved the overall look of the homepage.

I definitely would like the opinion of those that have visited before.

Have a great evening...

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