Which look do you prefer?

ccera · #1 (**permalink**) 02-02-2006, 04:12 PM

One of these pages is the latest version of my site. The other sort of follows my original look, which I was pretty fond of, while using cleaner layout and code and a dropdown menu similar to the current version.

Look 1

Look 2

Thanks,
CiCi

bodgekaloopie · #2 (**permalink**) 02-02-2006, 04:45 PM

Look 1 has a little more updated appearance.

On Look 2 you get lost in all that blue. A Realtor, after all, has to sell him/herself first, and the real estate follows.

scroggs · #3 (**permalink**) 02-02-2006, 06:00 PM

I like site one over site two, but I think that site one is a bit too "wordy." It's a bit cluttered with all the text. Just my initial thought.

ccera · #4 (**permalink**) 02-02-2006, 06:44 PM

I am really partial to the blue, partly because the non-designers who have seen it really liked it and partly because it reflects my personality more. I think, though, for the blue version to really work I need to come up with a sharper header.
Funny, scroggs, that you should find site 1 wordy. With the exception of the newsbox on the left, the content is identical. :)
CiCi

ccera · #5 (**permalink**) 02-04-2006, 05:34 PM

Made several changes to look 2. Thinking maybe this is a good compromise.

JKomp · #6 (**permalink**) 02-06-2006, 12:06 PM

I chose look 1 out of the two of them.

With these drop down menus, how do the spiders handle them, would it not be better to use a simple, but well crafted text menu? You could have the sub menus on the actual subpages themselves.

Just a thought.

Good luck.

bodgekaloopie · #7 (**permalink**) 02-06-2006, 01:26 PM

It's a bit easier to view now, and while I still think Look 1 is more professional looking, if your heart is set on using Look 2, there are a couple of visual items you should address:

1. Your white text table isn't fixed width, but your header is. When a viewer adjusts the size of their browser, the table expands/contracts and doesn't line up with your header image.

2. On your menu, the "Contact CiCi" option wraps to a second line. Try to change your text - wording, size, whatever - so that the menu stays on one line.

ccera · #8 (**permalink**) 02-06-2006, 05:35 PM

Thanks for all of your opinions.

My drop downs are plain html. Only the styling is done with javascript (for IE at least), so the spiders can handle it fine. I used to have a menu similar to your suggestion, but I kind of like that nearly all of my pages are now one click from home.

The main content was fixed width, too, but I changed it as part of my experimentation.

What browser, etc are you using that show the last menu option on another line? That whole section was supposedly meticulously calculated to put everything where it belonged, but obviously I didn't cover my bases as well as I thought!

I wouldn't say my heart is set on using Look 2. Actually, they are becoming more and more alike and I expect to end up with something of a hybrid between the two. Any and all suggestions on integrating them (what features I should keep or ditch, etc.) would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
CiCi

JKomp · #9 (**permalink**) 02-07-2006, 12:45 PM

Great, but I would still recommend the text links at the bottom of your pages for anyone having difficulties with the current nav system.

ccera · #10 (**permalink**) 02-07-2006, 01:33 PM

That is a good idea, actually. I have even seen some sites that have a page list at the bottom of each page with a brief description of each. I am thinking of doing a footer include on the pages with one or the other.
CiCi

cyanide · #11 (**permalink**) 02-07-2006, 02:16 PM

Well, I'm going to go against the grain and say I like #2. - For one, it's less wordy. But, I think it's a tad too wordy still.

Consider adding a pic or 2, remembering humans are visual creatures

janeth · #12 (**permalink**) 02-07-2006, 02:56 PM

I like #1 There is too much blue in #2

ccera · #13 (**permalink**) 02-13-2006, 01:02 PM

Look 1 is now my redesigned site. I am no longer considering Look 2, but I am still open to suggestions for improvement.
Thanks,
CiCi

martink · #14 (**permalink**) 02-24-2006, 02:35 PM

I'm glad you went with site 1. I like that one the best... something about the navigation on the left. My initial thought was that the yellow was a big bright, but as I scrolled around it didn't bother me and it is a nice contrast to the blue. Overall, I think your site is fine. A few minor suggestions:

1. The Napier Logo at the top - is this the company you work under or are approved by? I'm not in real estate so I have no idea what the connection is, but usually you can click on a logo and it takes you home. Your "Welcome" link does that for you though, but I still tried clicking on the logo.
2. Some of the sub-header links embedded in your text take the user to other sections of the site (i.e. http://metrorichmondrealestate.com/D...ialOffers.html), but I don't know which section I'm under now. Am I still in "Special Offers" or "for Sellers". I had to click around to figure out where I was. Maybe you could highlight the section the user is currently in.
3. The text of your site is on a white background with a blue backdrop. I like that. But as you have blue on the left, right, and bottom, maybe you could look into adding a few pixels line or something across the top too. I'm no expert in this area, but then your whole site would float on the blue instead of looking like it's growing out of the top of the screen. I kept trying to scroll up and then realized I was already at the top.

Just a few thoughts.

Martink

martink · #15 (**permalink**) 02-24-2006, 02:35 PM

Also, I agree that it does seem a bit wordy at the get-go...

ccera · #16 (**permalink**) 02-25-2006, 03:53 PM

Martink,
Thanks for your ideas. I agree that I should go back and link my logos, and I like the idea of putting a bit of the blue up top.
I'm not sure of the best way to make the current section obvious, I will have to play around with that idea a bit. The sections aren't that important, they were just to bring some organization to an otherwise large menu, but I don't want anyone feeling lost!
The yellow is a bit brighter than I would like, I am still experimenting on that one. I had it a very pale yellow which I loved until I saw it on an LCD screen and it was disappearing into the white. I think now just a shade or two lighter and it will work on both.
As for the wordiness of the home page, I am still working on it. I have cut the words considerably since that was first commented on a couple of weeks ago, but I know there's still room for improvement. I am thinking of maybe a brief description and then bullet points for areas served, offered services, and site features. Anyone have a better idea? What would grab you on a real estate home page? I know I need that Search link up high, but what else?
CiCi

View Poll Results: Which page do you prefer?
Look 1	11	78.57%
Look 2	3	21.43%
Voters: 14. You may not vote on this poll

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