Local Attractions in Chicago

ArthurKay · #1 (**permalink**) 08-29-2007, 03:06 PM

I posted my site for review a couple of weeks ago, and I made some changes... was hoping to see what people thought of the newer layout.

Site: Why I Love Chicago

In addition to the CSS/graphical changes I made, I also added quite a bit of new content, an RSS news feed, a blog, and also a video from YouTube.

I hope to add a section about local bands in the future, but I think I'll get some of your feedback first

Thanks everyone!

johnnygphotography · #2 (**permalink**) 08-31-2007, 11:30 PM

Hello ArthurKay,

Took a look at the site and it has an inviting, clean feel to it. I like that the navigation is easy to use and the text is easy to read as well. I think the site has great potential.

If I was to view this site as someone who is interested in visiting Chicago (which I am) these are some friendly neighborhood suggestions I'd like to offer:

1) Different color combo. Although I like the color combos of the blue/green, the hue of the green flattens the page which doesn't make the content jump out at me. Maybe using something other than the green? I've been getting great ideas for colors from this "color wizard" site. (Color Wizard - Color Scheme Generator - Color Theory for web designers)

2) Consider finding another video to put on the home page. Going to a site about Loving Chicago and seeing a video on how dirty the park is ruins the love for me a bit.

3) More pictures with the text. When I see pictures of nightclubs, yummy food, museums, people having fun and loving Chicago, it makes me really want to visit it.

4) Re-arranging the navigation order? Perhaps your intended focus is to showcase forums, but IMO reviews, events, calendar should come before the forum link.

Hope this helps and maybe these are considerations you've already taken. Like I mentioned, nice site so far and it's great to see one that is interactive with folks who can chat about Chicago.

Johnny G

jxw · #3 (**permalink**) 09-04-2007, 10:58 AM

I love Chicago - many business trips and even a vacation. Not having been there for three years, I was anticipating looking through your site. My first impression is that Prudential must be paying you for the nighttime picture. I then clicked on the link for Chicago blues clubs. There were none listed. (The House of Blues is not a blues club, but then you have it correctly listed as a concert venue.) Is Buddy Guy's still open? Do they still have blues in the bar at the House of Blues Hotel (or has the hotel changed, too)? I would suggest not listing Greek Town restaurants until you have some to list. Given the relatively few restaurants listed, you might want to just list them as you do from one link without all the separate links by restaurant type. Also, in the news section, you should consider more Chicago news. When I visited just now, all the news was from elsewhere. Hopefully, you can develop this into a great site. As I said, I love Chicago.

**mjtaylor** · #4 (**permalink**) 09-04-2007, 11:08 AM

Sorry, but it strikes me as dull, dull, dull ... the green background doesn't help ... and nothing jumps out and makes me want to stay on the page or visit Chicago ...

How about replacing the Prudential photo with some Flash presentation of various great views of the attractions and the city skyline?
Get rid of the weather at the top right, you are wasting valuable real estate. Everything on the first screen should scream to me about what I will find on the site that will make me want to stay ...
Get rid of the "your ad: here" and put one up gratis with a tracking link ( if you drive traffic to them, you can ask them to pay t o keep the ad there later. ) Find/create the best most colorful ad you can find ...

Get some great copy ...

Do you love Chicago as much as I do? Tell me what you love best about Chicago and win a .....

Coming to Chicago for a convention and want to see the sights in one afternoon? Our list of must dos will help you decide what to do in limited time.

Stuff like that, maybe ...

Cheers, MJ

getmea · #5 (**permalink**) 09-08-2007, 04:30 PM

I like the upper left logo...good design...

It appears you are out to earn some Google money