Final Year Project - NFL Training Camp Website - Feedback

MVP · #1 (**permalink**) 04-16-2007, 08:17 AM

Hi guys!

I am a final year student currently studying a BSc Hons degree in Multimedia Computing at De Montfort University in Leicester, England.

As part of my final year project and dissertation, I have produced a web site which is mainly intended to attract UK-based citizens to take a look at the NFL in an attempt to gain a greater fan base over here.

I need some feedback about the site, so would be extremely grateful if you could take a few moments to check out the site and let me know your thoughts as already existing or new fans to the sport.

The 'team' section of the site is yet to be completed which is why there are only 5 team pages available for viewing.

The web address for the site is www.nfltrainingcamp.co.uk

To leave feedback, please go to the 'Contact Us' link down the left-hand side of any of the pages and fill out the form provided.

Failing that, you can e-mail me directly at joe_pendlebury@yahoo.co.uk

Many thanks to you all!

Joe Pendlebury.

pagetta · #2 (**permalink**) 04-16-2007, 12:03 PM

hiya
nice looking website! the helmet links is a nice idea but perhaps some sort of indication that these are links as i wouldn't have guessed unless i rolled my mouse in that direction.

in terms of seo i would perhaps suggest instead of having large image links (eg the 3 under 'superbowl' ) you could have a small image with some adjoining text and a link this would load quicker and give you more page content too.

i'd also include a sitemap of your website (builds internal links)

You seeem to have good and relevant content and cover all areas of the sport. what about having a 'find your local club' type thing so you can find places to play in the UK.
and perhaps also links to where to buy the equipment if you want to play.

nice design and navigation though - and nice one on validating too!

MVP · #3 (**permalink**) 04-16-2007, 12:37 PM

Thank you for the constructive feedback! I really appreciate it. I'll take on board all the information you have provided me with.

Kind Regards,

Joe P.

**rumblepup** · #4 (**permalink**) 04-16-2007, 02:13 PM

Nice site. Here's my .02

Most web surfers are used to clicking on website logo's to get back to the homepage. I'd add a link back to the homepage at the logo.

Your homepage, however, shouldn't be a link to your index.html file, it should be to your mail url, www.nfltrainingcamp.co.uk.

Format it like this <href a="http://www.nfltrainingcamp.co.uk/"</a>, or something like that. Remember, to the SE's, www.site.com is NOT the same as site.com or site.com/index.html or http://www.site.com/index.htm, They do an adequate job of determining your homepage, but creating an absolute link to it will make it a little easier and safer as well.

Titles. Use the title tag! Right now, all of your pages have the same title. You'll get a better SE placement for it.

Layout. It's generally a nice, comfortable layout you've got going here, however, you have an area on the right side that you only use on the front page for an ESPN plugin. If your intention is to use this area for news or links or other plugins, great, but put it in there. Right now it's empty and looks a little confusing. Otherwise, just ditch it and give your main body area all the room it needs.

Your tag "A UK guide to American Football" is a GREAT TAG! But it's buried in the image. I would suggest to make it real text and float it right under your logo via CSS positioning. Bold it using a tag instead of and see the fun that ensues.

Footer. Your not making any use of it. That's perfectly alright, but just from a user standpoint, I'd put the links to your main pages down there again. There are many schools of thought on this, but mainly my suggestion is for your user. If they get to a real long page, and read to the bottom, you won't have to send them scrolling to the top for a link to another page. You can have lots of fun with footer's as well.

Hope this helps.

corporateface · #5 (**permalink**) 04-16-2007, 02:30 PM

Great Concept.
The design fits the concept well. (IMO).

Terrell owens isn't with the Eagles anymore... He moved to Dallas :o)

I don't know what you have in the back of your website, but I would suggest getting user content such as allowing visitors to post details on teams etc...

The more interactive that you make the site the better visitor retention you will have.

Good idea

corporateface · #6 (**permalink**) 04-16-2007, 02:33 PM

Another quick note ...

I don't know if the rules apply in UK, but if I was making this site in the US I would hanging my butt out there by not using any disclaimers etc...

IE: This website is not a part of the NFL network, all logos, etc. are property of their respectful owners, etc.... yada yada yada...

Just a thought.

MVP · #7 (**permalink**) 04-16-2007, 04:04 PM

Thank you again the time you have taken out to review my site and for all the advice provided. Some very good points that you have picked up on which I will most definitely take on board!

Have a great day!

Joe P.

DrayScherm · #8 (**permalink**) 04-16-2007, 04:16 PM

I like the layout and colors, and especially like the helmet links. The banner and the font you've chosen go well with the subject, and the outline effect works (for me, anyway) - gives the impression of footprints in mud, which fits with my idea of an NFL Training camp.

A couple of suggestions:

The images all have very large file sizes. The banner, for example, is over 115 KB. I would suggest optimizing the images for the web - you should be able to get the banner down to 20-30 KB, for example. The same goes for the other images you've created.

I'm not a fan of pages that have a "menu" as content, like the page I get when I click on "Superbowl". As a site visitor, I like to get content - or at least some overview type info about the three links. For this page, I would go for a page of text with a sub-menu that allows navigation to the three subject areas.

By the way, there is something wonky in the code - the little red rectangle that appears on the right under the banner on other pages, here appears on the lower left, below the side menu. I'm using IE 6.

The Rules page is also one of these "menu" pages. On this one, why not take us directly to "Overview" and include a sub-menu for the other three links.

But if you stick to the current setup on this page, your "Overview" page needs heading the "Overview" like the other three on "Rules" and the menu at the bottom should include links to the other three pages as well as a return to the "Rules" page (like you have on the other three pages.)

I agree that a site map would be useful (especially as the website grows) and with the idea of using the bottom blue bar to include a menu of the main website pages.

Hope this helps...Duane

getmea · #9 (**permalink**) 04-17-2007, 01:16 AM

Nice site...a few "active" links did not work. Not too sure about the red left index. Maybe use a pre-load script for the pics.

Good disclaimer, but oh-ohhhhhh...the NFL is the KING of protecting their name, their football teams, their logos, their websites, etc. In fact, the term "Superbowl" may not be mentioned in any radio, television, or written publication. Not even WITH permission! In fact, my usage of the word above violates some trademark rule...

Good luck...

corporateface · #10 (**permalink**) 04-17-2007, 10:01 AM

Are you using a content management system?

If not, perhaps we can recommend some.
I ask because I can see how maintaining a site like this can quickly become a time hog.

MVP · #11 (**permalink**) 04-17-2007, 10:16 AM

No, I am not currently using a content management system. If you could give me some advice about these systems, I'd be very interested in listening. I have Macromedia Contribute, but have never opened it before.

corporateface · #12 (**permalink**) 04-17-2007, 10:29 AM

I wrote my own, but I'm sure that there are a lot of good systems out there.

I believe that wordpress has a way to use their system to maintain your website. Another that I've seen used is Joomla (Open Source).

Of course there is probably a good thread in WPW about content management systems.

MVP · #13 (**permalink**) 04-17-2007, 10:41 AM

Thanks, I'll bear that in mind.

johngroup · #14 (**permalink**) 04-17-2007, 01:09 PM

Maybe a roll-over effect for your helmets?

Idea Guy · #15 (**permalink**) 04-17-2007, 02:25 PM

Hey nice site MVP! I really like the colors you used.... Keep it up.. :D