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Thread: Critique please

  1. #1
    Can you please tell me what you honestly think about the site at http://www.inihosting.com

    [Edited by Ironlung on 09-14-2000 at 12:46 AM]

  2. #2
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    Clean, nice color combos... small text in some places. You switch from Verdana to something smaller for the feature list (actually it is just a different font, not smaller and it was on the dedicated servers page that I was looking). I just closed the site, but I think it was TimesRoman, which is a bit hard to read at SIZE=1. You might want to increase major things like this to font size 2 and leave the tiny type for the fine print.

  3. #3

    Cool

    The site design is futuristic?!? I like it
    The Php Support Desk
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  4. #4
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    Unhappy Guess I'm the first one...

    ... to post negatively. Sorry about that.

    Or maybe my opinions as to what constitute effective/good web design are too high !!!!

    anyway,

    1. your name graphic at the top of your page is a bit "dirty". have your designer clean it up.

    2. the leftmost and the rightmost lower outer edges of the navigational buttons need to be redone.

    3. your design is too linear in format... making it look too monotonous.

    4. i really like the 3D effect you have given to your buttons... but again, the background merge is not "clean" enough for some of them.

    5. your most important information is not explained well enough... that goes for all your pages.

    in short... your design looks amateurish and actually gives the impression to the viewer that your company is not able to afford the services of a good web designer.

    remember, a good webdesign doesn't have to always look "jazzy"... it could look simplistic too... but it has to something what I personally call the "SQS Factor" - ie. giving the impression of being Successful and providing Quality Services in your business Factor. It's hard to explain this in a few words.

    Ironlung, i hope my negative criticism helps you. I would advise you to also ask some of the professional web designers who hang about this forum too for their views... like Akashik, BC, Brian, etc.

    Learner

    [Edited by Learner on 09-14-2000 at 07:39 AM]

  5. #5
    Thank you Learner I was looking for the bad comments more than the good.Can you tell me what you mean by 5. a little more?

  6. #6
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    Arrow Hmm.......

    I'm a bit indecisive on this one regarding an overall rating. There's a few points I'd like to particularly raise.

    1. There's a lack of consistency on the site. For overall text it's far better to use one single font and color. It makes for easier reading. This also goes for the copyright down the bottom of the pages too.

    When viewed on a Netscape/Mac, the current size 1 font in some of the descriptions squashes down further and becomes very hard to see. I suggest increasing the font on the smaller sections to what it is in the 'prices/features' section.

    2. I think what Learner was suggesting with the lack of focus on important information (I might be on the wrong track here - in which case correct me Learner) is that there isn't enough detailed information up front on the front page, as well as the hosting page. If you have a look at other hosting sites like FutureQuest, WebExpose and HostMatters then you'll see what I mean. Each of these hosts have extremely detailed plans right down to explanations for each feature and are very up front about it, hiding nothing. I suggest adding more details in order to inform your potential clients better.

    Following on from this point, I should add : on the front pgae you mention in each plan : Unix $19.95/29.95 etc., yet a few lines down you mention Win2000 servers. Uhmmm... huh?? Clarification, explanation, mistake?? It's either one or the other, unless you happen to have a dual-system server (which would be the first on the Net!)

    3. Quite frankly, I find the floating HumanClick chat window very annoying. Use it for the front page if *really* necessary, but I suggest avoiding it altogether.

    4. The members page : the general text layout feels too crowded - fix it by adding CELLSPACING and CELLPADDING = 2 or 4 to give it more space. Using space judiciously will give the feeling of a flowing, easy to read site without squinting your eyes. Unfortunately, this cramped layout combined with the smaller font makes it almost impossible to read.

    5. Secure order form please! (unless you haven't gotten around to that bit yet, in which case it's OK but do it ASAP!) Submitting a credit card number without it being encrypted across the Net is incredibly unsafe and leaves clients open to fraud if the CC number are pinched.

    You really don't need italics for the entire form. Straight Verdana/Arial text will do.

    The dark blue link to the TOS doesn't stand out at all from the darkish blue background. Make it a bright colour (like orange).

    6. The 1 877 number - make it clear it's a toll-free number! It looks very lonely and out of place just simply sitting below the bar.

    7. Have you considered using rollovers for the buttons?

    I think Learner's covered the design aspects quite well.

    I hope it's been useful. Good luck!

    (edited to correct URLs problem)

    [Edited by BC on 09-14-2000 at 10:10 AM]

  7. #7
    Thanks BC.

  8. #8
    Thanks BC.

  9. #9
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    Originally posted by BC
    I think what Learner was suggesting with the lack of focus on important information (I might be on the wrong track here - in which case correct me Learner) is that there isn't enough detailed information up front on the front page, as well as the hosting page.
    Yes, Ironlung... what BC explained is what I was referring to.

    Again, I hadn't explored your site deeper than one level... come to think of it... if i didn't *feel* like exploring it one level, i am sure many potential clients would have that same feeling too. You really do need the services of a good web designer, Ironlung, if you seriously expect clients to be impressed with your website.

    I've already covered the design aspects. BC has covered the layout aspects. Others will soon hopefully post their criticisms too.

    I am starting another thread in the "General Conversation" forum today for everyone's benefit... especially yours. Do read that thread too as it develops.

    By the way, here is a break down of all your pages now (I will exclude the good points BC has already raised to avoid repetition:



    1. http://www.inihosting.com/index.html - The lowermost table also requires some cell padding like BC mentioned on your members page to space out the three columns. Another technique would be to insert a blank column inbetween the first-second column & the second-third column.

    In addition, some of the lines have more space than others between the first text-character and the bullet.

    But I would like to repeat that I really like the effect on the three buttons above this table!!!!! Cool !!!!



    2. http://www.inihosting.com/policy.htm - the length of your sentences is toooooooooooooooooooo long. It makes it difficult on the human eye to scan such long sentences as they are being read. Simply reduce the width of the table. This should be applied to most of your other pages as well... especially your "Members" page. BC correctly pointed out that it looks just... *too crowded*.



    3. http://www.inihosting.com/services.htm - put your plan description paragraphs below the plan headings, not above them.

    Also, it would be more impressive to have your features table in one vertical column instead of three columns. Agreed, that people would have to scroll down, so you could simply put a clickable links to the beginning of the other two plans on the same page (at the bottom of all the three plans) and the additional features at the bottom of the page.

    Uh...oh... I generally have a look at the source code of web pages i review... and I notice that you have used empty data areas in your tables to space out your paragraphs and images. This is just increasing your file size. Adding a simple <p> tag would get you the same results.

    Uh... oh... again!!! What is even more astonishing is that even though an HTML editor to generate your content, but even then, some of your table tags aren't nested properly and a pattern is noticed!!! Very very very very stange indeed!!!



    That's it. Hope these additional comments help too.

    Learner

    [Edited by Learner on 09-14-2000 at 01:10 PM]

  10. #10
    Can you refer me to some good designers?

  11. #11
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    The terms and conditions have a link to banderloo.com, presumably you are reselling for them. Why go through the trouble of getting your own nameservers?

    Not Design Related, but very few people would signup with a host that uses a hotmail address in their domain record. Does not look professional, does not say much about your e-mail server, and they (free e-mail addresses) are constantly used by spammers/fraudsters and fly-by-night businesses.

    The order form is also not secure, and simply uses a formmail script.

    That's about it.


    [Edited by SysAdmin on 09-15-2000 at 08:33 AM]

  12. #12
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    Can you refer me to some good designers?

    Sure I could refer you to some...

    And you don't have to look too far, Ironlung... that's because I recently discovered that BC, who helped you out above, himself is a good web designer. So are Akashik and Brian Farkas. All of them are members regularly visiting this forum.

    Use the search option in this forum to look up their profiles. There is an email link there you could use to email them.

    Learner

    [Edited by Learner on 09-14-2000 at 02:52 PM]

  13. #13
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    Originally posted by SysAdmin
    ... and they constantly used by spammers/fraudsters and fly-by-night businesses.
    SysAdmin, who is the *they* who are constantly used by spammers/fraudsters and fly-by-night businesses?

    Learner

  14. #14
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    Learner, Matt would have been referring to the Hotmail addresses, which is the current 'flavour-of-the-minute' for spammers and fly-by-night businesses et. al. (come to think of it, hasn't it always been? )

    I'd love to offer my services, but I'm waaaaaaay too flat out at the moment, with a concert tomorrow (performing the Rhapsody in Blue), essays and presentations due concurrently in the next 4-5 weeks and exams in 6 weeks time. This was what I pretty much explained to MikeA anyway when he asked for quotes

  15. #15
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    Red face Aaaaaaaaaah...

    now why didn't that strike me... HOTMAIL, huh !!!!

    <bangs his forehead on his keyboard three times>

    anyway BC, best of luck for for the concert and your upcoming exams!!!

    Ironlung, I just read in another post that Felix also is heavily into web design and web programming.

    Learner

  16. #16
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    Learner,

    *blush*, why thankyou for mentioning my handle amongst such illustrious company.

    ironlung,

    email me if you want akashik.net to redo your site for you. I'm presuming you'd like something pretty close to what you have now, just cleaned out and tweaked a little? Let me know your ideas, I'll give you a quote. Bear in mind this is what I do for a living so while the price won't 'stop your heart', it is an investment. I have a few jobs coming to a close right now, so my time is freeing up

    That's open to everyone else too btw... It would be nice to have a few webhosts to do at the same time *lol* As they're much the same structure wise it makes for effective use of time.

    Ok, I'll be quiet now. Any more and I'll need to move this to the ad section.

    Greg Moore
    http://www.akashik.net
    Former Webhost... now, just a guy.

  17. #17
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    I would have offered, but I didn't realize that you wanted someone else to do it iron. I didn't want to insult you by asking that (some might have taken offense)

  18. #18
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    Exclamation

    Hey Chicken, you do web designing too??!!! How come you never ever *crowed* about it before???!!!!! LOL !!!!!

    Do send me a coupla' URLs designed by you... sure would wanna like to see them !!!

    Learner

    <lays the table, places a dinner plate on it, sits down on the chair, picks up fork and knife... and waits for Chicken's URLs... slurp !!! drool !!!>

    [Edited by Learner on 09-15-2000 at 01:24 AM]

  19. #19
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    <lays the table, places a dinner plate on it, sits down on the chair, picks up fork and knife... and waits for Chicken's URLs... slurp !!! drool !!!>

    [Edited by Learner on 09-15-2000 at 01:24 AM] [/B]
    My god... I don't even want to know what it said BEFORE you edited it *lol*

    Greg Moore
    http://www.akashik.net
    Former Webhost... now, just a guy.

  20. #20
    Learner. you forgot me? How can you do such a thing to a freind?? eh??


    hehehhe.. Just kidding But yes, I to do programing and designing.
    The Php Support Desk
    http://www.phpsupportdesk.com
    Custom programming - kunal @ e-phoria.com
    http://www.pingzine.com - Ping!Zine. the FREE, FRESH and EXCITING Web Hosting Magazine...

  21. #21
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    Originally posted by akashik
    <lays the table, places a dinner plate on it, sits down on the chair, picks up fork and knife... and waits for Chicken's URLs... slurp !!! drool !!!>

    [Edited by Learner on 09-15-2000 at 01:24 AM]
    My god... I don't even want to know what it said BEFORE you edited it *lol*

    Greg Moore
    http://www.akashik.net
    [/B]
    LOL !!!!! I just added the words *slurp !!!* and *drool !!!* when I edited it !!!!!! My mouth began to water waiting for Chicken !!!!!

    Kunal, please send me the URL's to some sites you have designed. I think it is wise to *personally* refer people only after one appreciates their work, right ??? So please do send them to me. Would love to look at them. I checked out your site a few days ago, but it seems that you are working on it at the moment... and since there was too little content... I had bookmarked your site for later viewing.

    http://www.getmonked.com if i remember correctly... right?

    see ???... I remembered !!!

    Learner

  22. #22
    Getmonked.net

    Well I have desigen not many..but just a few sites!! Including
    http://www.justgetcash.com
    http://www.standbyflights.com --> aint up.. dunno why

    And thats abt it
    The Php Support Desk
    http://www.phpsupportdesk.com
    Custom programming - kunal @ e-phoria.com
    http://www.pingzine.com - Ping!Zine. the FREE, FRESH and EXCITING Web Hosting Magazine...

  23. #23
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    Kunal, just checked out justgetcash.com

    Quite an interesting concept !!! With a few modifications to the core idea, this one could really earn a lot of money for who-so-ever owns this site.

    Learner

  24. #24
    Sure could, to bad I left it in between.
    The Php Support Desk
    http://www.phpsupportdesk.com
    Custom programming - kunal @ e-phoria.com
    http://www.pingzine.com - Ping!Zine. the FREE, FRESH and EXCITING Web Hosting Magazine...

  25. #25

    Reviewed...

    Very nice site...I love it. The only thing I'll say is that you've used graphics in a few places where you could have used text to save bandwidth and load time (The INI Difference and and the writing above the server and control panel pics). Although the site loaded quite fast so it may not be a problem...I have cable though so you might want to speed it up for the dial-up surfers!

    Excellent site!
    Lime Drop Marketing!
    Web Design | Graphic Design | Logo Design
    http://www.limedrop.ca

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