FunInRichmond.com

ccera · #1 (**permalink**) 12-08-2005, 01:25 AM

Just started this site: http://www.funinrichmond.com. My plan is to add 1 or 2 items a day to improve the content over time. I realize it is really of local interest, so that will limit it's potential somewhat. I mostly wanted to test the AdSense, so I picked something that would be fun to build and of which I had some knowledge.
Of course it needs much more content, and I think more pictures to go with the individual paragraphs, but I was hoping for some feedback before I get too far into it.
Funny, it took Google a month to recognize my Real Estate site, but with a little AdSense it indexed every page of this one in a couple of days! (But that's a topic for another forum, right?)
Thanks for your help,
CiCi

webmaker · #2 (**permalink**) 12-09-2005, 12:44 AM

First, I like that you are using a fluid design. I feel that fixed with designs have a place and should only be used on occasions.

You need to come up with a logo and tag.
Then put that where you have the pictures.
Take the pictures and include them with descriptive catagories.
I do not think that you should double link. Re- the links on the bottom.
Your welcome link is active on your start page. I would get rid of the word welcome altogether. Change to a "about us". Change the "Welcome" above your paragraph to something descriptive. Like " What we do for you here."
Then maybe a paragraph or what ever about why someone sould use your site.
My next suggestion would to eliminate some of those links on the left. They are very vague and general, since you have done a good job describing them in the main part of the page why not just include the links in your content. You could call it Your Major Sections.
Ex:
One of our popular things to do here is reviewing different activities around Richmond, VA. Here are the most reviewed:
Restraunts
Burger King, McD's, Bla, Bla...
Here is the latest Review to be submitted:
" Ralphs fine dining featured a wonderful atmosphere. However, the food sucked and the service could have been better..........." Read More
My point eliminate some of those links. Include those pictures with your descriptive paragraphs and you will provide content worth reading and looking at. You will get more chances to increase you keyword inclusion. You will be able to get a whole lot more information on the top part of your page. I am just giving you some ideas that is all. It is very hard to do. I am still trying to get it right on my site. Good Luck. Add your new site to http://Yoddle.net
One more thing.
Contact us & email are the same thing.

ccera · #3 (**permalink**) 12-09-2005, 01:36 AM

Thanks so much for the feedback. I have to admit to lurking on and off all day waiting for some. I even reviewed as many sites as I could with 0 answers, to reduce the competition. ;) I guess that's how I got to the front page.
I agree with quite a bit of what you said. I like the logo and tag idea, athough I don't know as I need an actual logo since it is an imformation site rather than a business. Maybe just a picture of the city skyline? It's not like I have to worry about the cost of reproducing it in print!
I also like using the other images for each section, although I will have to get more pics before I can do it.
I am actually rather fond of the left nav bar, although the home page could do without it, I feel it's necessary on the other pages. To defend some of my "choices" a bit, I am using template-based software which makes some of the decisions for me. For instance, I don't think the duplicate navigation at the bottom is really necessary, but it doesn't particularly offend me. If I can figure out how to get rid of it, I will. Also, the software automatically adds the "email" link. BTW, it isn't exactly the same as the Contact Us. Clicking email opens the user's email ap with our address filled in. Clicking contact us leads to a page with a phone number, email address, and submission form. I agree that the email link is somewhat redundant, though. If I can get rid of it easily, I will.
Thanks again for your help!
CiCi
P.S. Tried to figure out your Yoddle submission form, but it said there was an error on the page. I will try again later. :)

ccera · #4 (**permalink**) 12-09-2005, 02:51 AM

I like the idea of putting a tag line at the top, but I can't really think of anything I like. Any suggestions out there?
It only needs to be for the user, as it will be in image form and so won't help SEO.
Thanks,
CiCi

ccera · #5 (**permalink**) 12-09-2005, 04:30 AM

I followed some of the suggestions, but I would like feedback on the new home page before I redo the other pages.
Thanks,
CiCi

JuniorOnline · #6 (**permalink**) 12-09-2005, 05:09 AM

- the background colour is not very nice - I would rather land on a white page and see that background colour as part of the menu.

- The links on the main homepage at the moment are the images. It really should be the text as well. And this is not just from an optimisation point of view - but also from a usability one. People expect to click on text to take them somewhere.

- The images do not have an alt-tag ;) and they should.

- why not use colour for the headings and remove the yellow background so that the colour would be more effective?

Finally, by using border around the information it makes it more organised and easier to read.

Good Luck :)

T

roam_dx · #7 (**permalink**) 12-09-2005, 05:17 AM

The images would look much better if they were the same proportions - "height/width". It looks like they've just been "stuck in there".

I think you should also work on better aligning various elements on the page. Like the header might look better centered, even of it's not much of a header, and with the tag below it, with a cleaner font.

Or you could create one that will run across the entire width of the page.

Right now your header's to the left, bottom navigation is on the right, it's not very good presentation.

Also, the current site will do nothing for your branding, it looks a lot like a personal homepage with a tiled background and all.

It is a clean layout and easy to naivgate, that's a good start, these are just things you can work on for better presentation.

MarcieZoob · #8 (**permalink**) 12-09-2005, 07:00 AM

My first impression is kind of, well, blah. I expected something more fun and vibrant (especially with a URL of "Fun in Richmond"). The background looks like an old FrontPage design so it already has a dated feel to me.

I agree with using one color for the background and another color for behind the navigation. Your menu needs to stand out more. Reduce the font size so your menu stays above the "page fold" (I had to scroll down to see it all). Add a mouseover effect to your menu text.

The header graphic is too small for the site, and the graphic with the "What are YOU..." text needs to be cleaned up and sharpened. The "Richmond Virginia Recreation and Entertainment" font should be more interesting or elegant - it looks to "high tech" or more for a gaming site.

In regard to fonts, you've got too many font styles and there are too many varying font sizes (really tiny in your body text to a bit big in your navigation) - this muddles up the overall look.

Lose the scrolling text on the interior pages, it is very annoying. Your page layout does alot of shifting when you visit the interior pages.

In looking at your code, I see that your page title = "What You'll Find". That obviously needs to expanded on with keywords, plus there's lots of code clean-up to do to speed up the site (lose all those "font" declarations with css), plus you need a DocType.

ccera · #9 (**permalink**) 12-09-2005, 10:57 AM

Thanks! What a lot of great ideas! I will take it all under advisement, and work on as much of it as I can, especially where there seems to be a consensus of opinion.
Some things (such as CSS vs FONT) I have little or no control over as they are issues built into the software. I have access to other software, but it would mean rebuilding from scratch. I think I'll wait and experiment with a few types before building another site.
Thanks again for your time and advice,
CiCi

JuniorOnline · #10 (**permalink**) 12-10-2005, 04:00 AM

no need to build from scratch.. go to view > source
and you can see all the code. select all and save > and then work on that html code using a html editor like dreamweaver or just a normal notepad.

ccera · #11 (**permalink**) 12-10-2005, 12:47 PM

Thanks for the tip. I know how to view (and save) the code page by page, but is there a way to get the code for the whole site? Or is it better to simply save each page?
Thanks,
CiCi

ccera · #12 (**permalink**) 12-10-2005, 03:17 PM

Thanks to all who have helped. I am taking the site down for most of the day today to work on some changes.
CiCi

ccera · #13 (**permalink**) 12-11-2005, 03:27 PM

Thanks to all who have helped. I followed many of your suggestions, although I am still using the same site builder which doesn't always cooperate. I realize that since I plan to add quite a bit more content, eventually I will need to use CSS and a content manager, but I need to learn a little more first.
My main questions right now are:
Any recommendations for the white spaces at the top?
How best to add navigation between the different activity pages?
Does it look better/more exciting than before?
Thanks,
CiCi

JuniorOnline · #14 (**permalink**) 12-12-2005, 04:25 AM

it looks MUCH MUCH better - I wouldn't even want to start comparing - major changes and very effective. I am very impressed. I also like the fact you have links on the animated/flash main page - the skip link usually people have is irritating, while the way you have done it it does the job really well.

i can't see what white space your talking about?
please explain.

thanks
T

ccera · #15 (**permalink**) 12-12-2005, 10:57 AM

Thanks! It's great to know I'm heading in the right direction.
About the white spaces - should I add something inside the oval on the left and/or to the right of the skyline picture at the top?
CiCi

JuniorOnline · #16 (**permalink**) 12-12-2005, 12:31 PM

you could add FIR - which stand for of course (fun in richmond) ;)

ccera · #17 (**permalink**) 12-12-2005, 02:12 PM

I used your suggestion, but I think I need a cleaner font, and maybe use a different picture to fill. Right now, I think it's a bit muddy.

JuniorOnline · #18 (**permalink**) 12-13-2005, 12:00 PM

it looks better than before - am sure by time you can come back and improve on the look and feel of the site even more... but for now, I would say you have turned things around 180 degrees.