Devon Lighting Centre - PLEASE REVIEW

ukkiller · #1 (**permalink**) 04-17-2006, 06:55 PM

Hello, i have been working on a site for my boss. It uses oscommerce as a base for the catalogue, i was hoping to get some feedback.

Thanks Jason

GO TO MY SITE!

JaneEllen · #2 (**permalink**) 04-17-2006, 08:29 PM

Some of the changes you've made to the OsCommerce home page template are affecting the spacing - that little blue lightning bolt is pushing the right column over and creating white space. The blue status bar at the bottom (says Monday April 17..... so many requests...) originally goes all across the page, but you've got it missing on the left hand side and what is below it is centered too far to the right - looks out of proportion.

The different fonts are not good - either change the whole thing to use a larger font or go back to the smaller - you should be consistent throughout the page.

Your enlarged pictures are huge! Do they really need to be that big?

Paul B · #3 (**permalink**) 04-18-2006, 02:46 AM

The site loads slowly - this is likely due to the large image files.

It is basically oscommerce with the header changed and new green buttons which don't match anything else. 'Top' in the breadcrumb trail takes you back to the old store. osc would be better at root level than under 'catalog' (you might also prefer UK spelling in Devon)...

Chris · #4 (**permalink**) 04-18-2006, 11:02 AM

on the index page (and other pages this occurs) you need to actually make thumbnails of your images instead of just resizing the large ones. that makes the inventory images you use look, well, bad...

and like they said above, it drastically reduces the file size of your pages.

ukkiller · #5 (**permalink**) 04-18-2006, 11:10 AM

thanks for replying, this is my first site - but i am happy that you could give me constructive feedback - will make the nessesary changes.

Jason

Paul B · #6 (**permalink**) 04-18-2006, 12:20 PM

The default osCommerce uses only one image. To have thumbnails you'll need at add a contribution to do this.

However you can still work effectively with one image but need to make sure they are optimized for web use and no larger than 25Kb file size and about 350 pixles wide or less. In admin set their small size to say 80 pixels wide and leave the height blank, this will reduce them all images to a neat width to be listed, without too much 'crushing' effect.

janeth · #7 (**permalink**) 04-18-2006, 12:52 PM

Hi Jason,

If I came to the site the header alone would make me think twice before buying anything.

Is the logo in the header the same logo the store uses off line?

If not I would work on it some and see if I could get a more profesional look to the header.

I would remove the online catalogue from the header all together.

The site looks good but all the pictures are fuzzy and the header needs some work.

I would never buy from a company that did not give me a phone number and address.

pachamama · #8 (**permalink**) 04-21-2006, 11:19 AM

Hi Jason,

From a purely "first look" point of view and not a techie rant...

Not sure I like the logo, the shadow makes it look quite dated, bit like the '80s airbrushed posters. I reckon the logo could be made more striking and draw the punters in.

Good luck

pachamama · #9 (**permalink**) 04-21-2006, 11:21 AM

Hi Jason,

Sorry to have sounded so negative, forgot the positives!!!

The shop front looks good, would suggest making the alignment in the Quick Find panel.

Good stuff