Hello All,
I am asking for a site review for a new web that i am working on. You can view it here:
http://www.scootertopia.com/test-page.htm
I am stuck, i like the basic design but it lacks the proffesional look and the more i do the more i wonder. Any advice on design as well as well as anything else that i am missing would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Mike

Right off the bat, I'd suggest you tone the Orange on the menu bar down, as it's a bit overwhelming. It demands all of your attention, detracting from the rest of the page. I had trouble trying to look at the scooters because I was constantly drawn to the orange. I did notice you have an Orange gas tank you're trying to match on the scooters, but it's too bright and there's simply too much in that bar!

Otherwise the site's well laid out, and looks great.


Rocky

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Thank you for the review Rocky. I agree, I just dont know were to go. I have been playing with that color. I'll keep messing with it and some other color options.
Thanks again,
Mike

Hi Mike,

I’d like to suggest you the following colors for <td bgcolor=...>
Enstead of # FF9900 I would try #808080
and enstead of #FFFFCC try #C0C0C0
Those are two diff. shades of gray
(you can easily find a right one changing the luminance value),
in my opinion would feet much better for a proffesional page
without "being destracting from the rest of the page"-(Rocky is right).
Then, try to play with different shades of orange color for the links (link, vlink, alink, hover).

I’d also suggest your to take a little bit more care about your page "Logo",
and try to get better quality images for the top of the page.

Otherwise very nice page, good job.

Good luck,
Richard.

Thanks for the concise direction Richard. Followed your advice. I like it much cleaner but still lacks that professional look. Possibly because I am a struggling amateur :). I will continue to work on the links and colors.
Thanks for the help. BTW awesome site and music.
Mikw

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I would suggest brighter colors but not eye killing. Your selling a hot item.. Grab their attention. The test page is a better improvement then the homepage. It has more structure and makes the eye move and read. That is important.

Body Font:
Argh. To small for most. Plus break up your text into paragraphs with some spacing from the margins.

Layout:
I like to start every site out by getting out the trusty old story board (tablet of paper) and the magic wand (a pen or pencil).

Draw out components and how they could potentially fit within the front page. Then start breaking out more story boards (additional paper) to segment out the rest of the site.

Keep each board conscise with a direct invite for the eye to click on something that you are focusing on selling or providing info on.

Menu's in my opinion should not take up the large percentage of real estate. Break it down into more global categories.. Then break down smaller menus on sub pages.

Images on left should not touch the table boarders. Whitespace is good for eye. :)

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I would suggest brighter colors but not eye killing. Your selling a hot item.. Grab their attention. The test page is a better improvement then the homepage. It has more structure and makes the eye move and read. That is important.

Body Font:
Argh. To small for most. Plus break up your text into paragraphs with some spacing from the margins.

Layout:
I like to start every site out by getting out the trusty old story board (tablet of paper) and the magic wand (a pen or pencil).

Draw out components and how they could potentially fit within the front page. Then start breaking out more story boards (additional paper) to segment out the rest of the site.

Keep each board conscise with a direct invite for the eye to click on something that you are focusing on selling or providing info on.

Menu's in my opinion should not take up the large percentage of real estate. Break it down into more global categories.. Then break down smaller menus on sub pages.

Images on left should not touch the table boarders. Whitespace is good for eye. :)

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Automotive web site design

Thanks CMA,
I like your ideas and will incorporate them into the site.
Thank you for the review,
Mike

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Overall I think your heading into the right direction - clean and somewhat informational.

When I view it, it seems to mesh together a bit. NAV vs. content, I don't think that there is a very strong seperation of the two.

By adding influential and basic treatments for images, nav sections and overall layout would do wonders allowing for more cohesion and portal identity.

I would agree that the color issues with your left rail is a bit off. Try a lighter opacity for your background and more contrast in your nav.

Again, I agree that the font size is too small based on your site parameters. If you were going for a cinematic feel or different parameter site I think it would work.

Don't know if you have the capability for e-commerce, but you could offer your products online, the price is low enough for internet orders and would add versitility and userability to your business.

Hope this helps

Marty

ome more comment. Those scooters look like a lot of fun, why not introduce that FUN into your site, maybe the direction is more freestyle....

Just a thought...

Hi.

I like the look of your site, but do agree with the comments of others regarding font size, etc. I also feel it is worth mentioning that you may want to avoid negativity in your marketing. For example, I would remove the following: "these are not cheap gas scooters", as well as other similar statements.

Furthermore, while I understand that you want to rate well within engine results for the term "gas scooter", I think that your excessive use of this phrase may run the risk of exceeding acceptable limits. However, I will leave that issue to the experts on this forum, as I am not certain as to what constitiutes an acceptable ratio.

Regards,
Dennis Caul

Hey Mike,
I don't like the font / background color combination on the menu, or possibly the font is just too small. The font in the center table is also too small, very hard to read. You might also want to use percentages in your width so users won't have to scroll sideways and the whole page will show.

All in all it looks very nice. As for your concerns about being a struggling amateur, don't be. I've seen plenty of sites built by "professional" designers that couldn't hold a candle to yours. The hardest thing about web design is it's mostly aesthetics, and you can ask 100 people and get 100 different opinions. You're on the right track turning to this forum. The people here are pretty sharp and extremely helpful.

Having a 12 year old and already being pestered about him getting a scooter I can tell you your prices are quite competitive. I book market your site and will reluctantly return once he turns 16.

RJ38

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Hey I read the posts and it looks like you have changed alot to your site...:) Looks good an I can't wait to get a scooter from you:D Anyways something I hate having pointed out to me but it happens... and the bots that crawl our sites see these errors and we are ranked accordingly;) so here goes... an I only did the first page but go over it and clean it up a lil;) *allowe by law (allowed) *sherif (sheriff) department *Dont (Don't) .... just a small thing I always overlook:)) and someone else tells me all about it:)) but for once I get to tell someone else that they mis spelled:)) Great site Mike
well done;)

L8 M8
NeO~1

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Hello Everyone,
my BAD. I have not been back here in a long time. thanks for all of the great advice. I like all that has been said and will get on it TODAY!, once caught up I will kick out some reciprocal reviews.
I really appreciate the time and honest discussion.

Thanks,
Mike

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