Inhumane Humane Society web site?

wenwilder · #1 (**permalink**) 10-25-2005, 04:40 PM

Thought I'd drop this by here and see what feedback I could get. The ED is Web Site illiterate and is having a "pro" design the site and teach her how to edit it. Any input I could pass off to her as to how to "improve" the site would be passed on. She won't listen to me so here's hoping she'll listen to webpro-worlders ;)

http://www.panhandlehumanesociety.org/

ADAM Web Design · #2 (**permalink**) 10-25-2005, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Your important to us and we want to here from you.

This site is in serious need of a proofreader.

Lose the ImageReady code. There's nothing in this site that is so complicated that it couldn't be coded by hand.

Separate the Javascript from the HTML code by putting it into a .JS file.

The black text on the dark green background is almost impossible to read.

Why is there an iframe with a scrollbar on the services page for a subpage which has all of the text above the fold?

In some cases, a default font isn't specified. Use Tahoma across the board for your plain text and something else, ideally something like News Gothic with strong anti-aliasing, for the menu items.

On the Adoption page, I don't know much about pit bulls, but I don't think I've ever seen one with purple bordering on lavender eyes before. I'm reminded of the Big Gay Al episode of South Park.

About Us should be in the top menu as well as the bottom.

I'm sure the rest of the geeks will kick in with what I missed, but this should be a good start for ya. ;)

webhost1 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-26-2005, 01:01 AM

Mission Statement needs to be turned upright or lose that part.

Get rid of newsletter coming soon. You either have it or you don't. It also does not look good in that corner of the site.

Which pic is the featured pet?

Center your bottom menu area.

Put a link to the logo area to the home page.

You have a service heading, why the service provider sideways?

Events area, put a space between each event.

Adoption area fix the font size. You have about 4 different sizes on that page.

What state and city is this in?

useful links put a space between each link. They lookk like they are running into each other.

designed by Templatesbox make this either smaller or a lighter color. The way it is now it makes you look at that instead of the other info down there.

Where is the key words and discription tags?

Clear up the code on all pages. To many blank lines between each code. Pages will load much faster if you take out all the wasted spaces in the codes. Will make the file 1 or 2 k smaller.

Remove all those sideways headings on each page. It is hard to read them, the letters are facing the wrong way and you already have the heading listed why add more to the side.

The panhandle humane society logo might look better with a address in it. In fact why not put it at the top of each page. Otherwise what is the logo of this site?

wenwilder · #4 (**permalink**) 10-27-2005, 02:03 PM

I'm not fond of the site personally. For some of the reasons stated and some I'm trying not to state. It's a 'peeve' thing.

I just think it could be better, and should be, for what it is representing. Call me picky but....

The input you two have provided is great! I will pass it on to the ED. She's computer/web site illiterate and is being led down the wrong path. Not sure exactly how to help her without flat out saying the person doing the site is a joke. I'm a bit biased there - I can't stand the guy.

Anyway, any other picks? Problems?

janeth · #5 (**permalink**) 10-27-2005, 02:43 PM

I really don't like the site.

The header I can live with even though it is really hard to tell what some of the pictures are and it looks a bit boring.

A different color with a couple dogs playing with there owner I would think would be better.

I feel like the website should make me want to get a pet. Show me a picture of a little girl playing with a puppy.

The footer is way to big. Why not make it smaller and make the header a little biger.

The scrolling in the middle of the page I really do not like.

But the website really looks boring and there is nothing that would excite me and make me want to go get an animal.

vharris · #6 (**permalink**) 10-28-2005, 10:21 AM

I haven't read all of the comments, so I apologize if I repeat some things:

- Both the header and footer are too huge. It takes the focus away from the more important content within the center of the webpage

- The content's text is two small, it should at least have an HTML font size of 2 or 3

- The owner of the website should remember that one of the main purposes of a website is marketing. She/he should include images, within the header and throughout the site, of families, children, even adults playing with puppies (or animals), signing adoption forms, or something positive to show how easy the adoption process is

- The featured pet should be a huge image on the homepage with the mission or about us statment on the side of the featured image

- The logo should be updated, it looks like a generic, Microsoft clip art - - that really makes the org. seem like a start-up in my opinion...creatively designed text works

- On the adoption page, I'd make the image or text link to an email address or online form where people can easily contact the org. for more information about the specific pet. Using HTML, you could have the dog's name or description appear within the Subject line of the email

- On the events, I'd place the date of the event in bold below the name of each event so that people can easily recognize when each event will occur

- A description about the wish list would be helpful on that page or should be added to the donation page if that's what this is..online users may get the term "wish list" confused with the ecommerce definition

- If donations are important to the orgs. operation, I would feature it prominently on the homepage's content area with a brief explanation that would link to detailed information on the donation page

-Overall, given the importance of donations and "wish list" supplies, I would reformat the homepage with a smaller header and footer; include the mission/about us in the center, create one HTML row with three HTML columns to include donation, wishlist, and adoption sections.

urbanroots · #7 (**permalink**) 10-28-2005, 03:47 PM

I haven't read through the other reviews, my appologies if something is repeated:

1. The name of the Humane Society should be present in the header on every page. If a search engine index's one of the pages other than the home page, the viewer won't recognize what Humane Society website they are on without scrolling down to see the footer.

2. The use of frames is something I wouldn't suggest and if feel that you must use frames I would have to say use an iframe with a javascript scroll feature. The scrolling bar on the right side due to the frames takes away the attention from the content.

3.When using background images, make sure the text above it can still be viewed clearly.

4. The main menu is way to large, you could place the arrows beside the text ( >home , >services, etc) which will gain you about 20 pixels in height.

5. I noticed all of your image alt tags are empty. Given your menu is made of images it is suggested you insert the appropriate name of the button so those that can't see the images can at least browse your site.

6. Communicating to the viewer that these animals needed to be adopted is the goal of the site. The best way to accomplish this is to make people feel they could be the one to adopt an animal or at least donate. With that said, no one will feel that with no pictures of humans throughout the site. Watch for this in TV commercials, high end print materials and websites. They always make you feel like you can be apart of what product/service they offer.

Good luck with the changes.

Chad

MarcieZoob · #8 (**permalink**) 10-31-2005, 08:18 AM

wenwilder,
This is a post that is close to home for me. Our local humane society was "trapped" in a website that a board member had created, which was awful and harsh. No one at the humane society office could update the site and the board member ignored requests for updates.

My company stepped up and donated a site to them earlier this year. It was a 100% donation because we wanted to give them what they needed but could not afford. We added some simple dynamic tools so they can now update their news/events page easily and add/remove cats and dogs w/photos.

When I saw the site in your post, I felt really bad for the humane society. I don't get a warm, fuzzy feeling from this site and we all know how important the first impression is!

The site is not user-friendly and needs some dynamic content so they can make easy updates. It's not a design they can grow into, either - the use of the iframe makes the site feel claustrophobic and scrunched.

In regard to SEO, this site is going to have some challenges getting indexed. And why the link to TemplatesBox.com in the footer? That does not need to be there...

wenwilder · #9 (**permalink**) 11-08-2005, 05:24 PM

Part of the reason the site "is what it is" is because of budget. They found a "gentleman" to create the site (who simply went to a template site and grabbed a pre-fab site) who's knowledge is.... well,..... limited.

This "gentleman" is "teaching" the director how to manage and maintain the site. She is not computer literate outside of Microsoft word. She's trying very hard to learn but, instead of teaching her html first or starting simple, he simply grabbed the site added some images and handed it to her.

She's lost most of the time and when I have made suggestions she simply smiles - the smile of a person who is listening but doesn't understand a word you are saying.

Quote:

Originally Posted by janeth

couple dogs playing with there owner

These animals don't have owners, that's what the humane society is all about. Finding homeless furry friends homes.

The site does need to be more marketing friendly, I completely agree but..... what is the best way to market homeless animals when the only people who you have to "play" with them are kennel staff? The majority of the staff won't volunteer willingly to have thier pictures taken. The way they look throughout the day may have something to do with it. Imagine a nurse in scrubs with bleach, feces, dogfood or catfood on them... and who knows what else.

At the moment though, I'm waiting for a chance to pass on your comments. Hopefully tomorrow. ;)

Owens88 · #10 (**permalink**) 11-08-2005, 08:14 PM

You have had lost of good advice. I'll keep mine simple.

1) What are you there for ?
The mission statement is the only bit of clarity and that should lose at least a third of its words.
Try to get a message across to readers, not try to write what you want.
2) You say you aim to improve conditions by educating owners as well as providing shelter. There is no education on this site whatsoever.
=>Striking out the BEST opportunity.
3) You invite donations, accepting money in all sorts of forms, yet people have to ring you - !
From a web site ?
4) You have a wish list of stuff you want, but no address.

Sorry if the above seems harsh. There are lots of good people in this forum who will help you refine a web site. Yours needs core revision first. Its not a web design, or pc literate, issue. It is basic marketing !

Good luck

John

wenwilder · #11 (**permalink**) 11-09-2005, 03:57 PM

I would love to have you explain that to the executive director of the shelter. Maybe, a huge maybe, she'd listen to you.

I just hate seeing a non-profit org. be depicted by a bad website. Partially because of lack of funds and needing to do things the cheapest way.

Got idea's on how to make her listen?

wHomE · #12 (**permalink**) 11-12-2005, 08:36 AM

Hi,

Here is my 5 cents worth:

Firstly, I like what the site stands for, but..
If they are trying to solicite donations from the public, at least mention names of people behind the scenes (so I can Google them before parting with any money)

There is no content to speak of. Let the ED rather spend her time researching and compiling content around keywords.

This will hopefully generate some IBL's to the site.

The design I find aesthetically challenged, but then who am I to talk, as my own site has to be the definitive Plain Jane.

Lastly, I would concentrate on 1. content 2. content.. Budget fortunately doesn't play a part here.

Good luck.

Perry

Small Business CRM Solutions

Owens88 · #13 (**permalink**) 11-12-2005, 08:48 AM

Hi Wenwilder

It does seem like the its wrong at the core rather than the detail. I don't know about 'over there' but here in the UK there are lots of organisations that would give some free advice to a charity/social enterprise.
As ever the web site problem might just be the tip of the iceberg.

p.s. I just re-read one of your earlier posts about the staff photos. I wouldn't use it on page 1 but a reality spread isn't necessarily something to shy away from.

Good Luck

wenwilder · #14 (**permalink**) 11-15-2005, 03:24 PM

Thank you <u>all</u> for your input. I have passed it on to the ED and.... she has checked into taking web design classes. Thankfully! And hopefully she will no longer use the "gentleman" she'd been using. All of the suggestion you have made, have made a difference. Thank you so much for taking the time to add your input.

I just hope it is followed through on. :(

ADAM Web Design · #15 (**permalink**) 11-15-2005, 03:28 PM

Stay on her, wen. Kick her ass. And when you're done, stay on her and kick her ass some more. ;)