Results 1 to 5 of 5
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10-29-2000, 08:22 PM #1Newbie
- Join Date
- Oct 2000
- Location
- Halifax, Nova Scotia
- Posts
- 7
My company is working on a web site designed for the grocery industry and would like some feedback on the overall look and feel of the site. If you notice any text errors, please point them out.... It uses some Flash for naviagation and maps, but is mostly based on HTML and some CGI scripts for the job search and message board system.
The URL is: http://www.groceryinsider.com/
If the board could offer any advice it would be great on the layout or even site promotion that would be great !
Thanks,
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10-29-2000, 08:45 PM #2Web Hosting Master
- Join Date
- Apr 2000
- Location
- 80,000 feet under the sur
- Posts
- 2,735
Howdy Shawn,
My first review for a while, so you'll bear with me, won't ya?
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Review template by BC, 'nit-picky' reviewer of the year
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Browser : MSIE 5.01
OS : Win95
Browser resolution : 1024X768
Speed : cable
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Disclaimer : these are all purely suggestions and you don't have to act on them if you don't wish; however, the suggestions I have below are aimed at increasing usability and the design of the site, with the ultimate result of being a site to return to for a visitor.
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<--- problem areas
<--- great work
1. Initial impressions : nice color theme, reasonably clean. I usually don't agree with frames, but they're reasonably appropriate for this site, particularly in view of the Flash navigation bar. It's a bit plain, but it will do.
2. Very good Flash bar. I was about to say "Why not use JavaScript" but then I saw the hidden sub-sections. Technically in terms of usability it's not the best way to present information, but it will do for the site. I hope you have navigational options for those who don't have Flash......
3. Centered text doesn't look very nice on the first front page - leave it all as left-justified and enclose it in a table so that it looks neat Do it like you've done with the Corporate profiles, but left-justify it. This also goes for the Corporate profiles page. It should actually look like the 'Customer Service Tips' page - replicate that look for the rest of the text on the site.
4. With the image maps of the US and Canada, you might like to take it a step further and do colored outlines of the particular regions.
5. Products --> Grocery Department --> Quality Garlic - that red and gray table clashes badly with the rest of the site. Choose some slightly more neutral colors that suits the rest of the site as well.
6. Currently a lot of the site looks really empty without overview/filler text - I'm sure it will look better when it does have the text.
7. I see you're using YABB for the msg board - great choice. It's a wonderful board for small-to-medium size boards. I highly recommend adjusting the board colors to suit the rest of the site (including the general grayish-blue).
8. Make your navigation consistent. When you click 'Information About Site' it not only reveals its sub-contents, but it also brings up a new page. The other buttons which have sub-sections don't do this. Make it one way or the other.
9. With the Contact Us page, I suggest you add some targeted questions (e.g. instead of having a general 'Comments' box, have a few questions to try and identify the demographics of your visitors and try and get as much detailed info as you can from them to answer their questions).
Overall : generally speaking, it's reasonably clean and it works quite well. However, it doesn't quite have that polished professional feel.... It feels rather plain.
Have a look at http://www.greengrocer.com.au/ (one of the most popular greengrocer sites in Australia) and you'll see what I mean. That site exudes professionalism, but at the same time a touch of friendliness. (I'm not actually asking you to destroy and start again, I'm just suggesting you have a look to get a feel for what other competitors (direct or indirect) might be doing).
Hope this helps.My 2 Cents.... (or is that 2.2 cents inc. GST...?)
Have a think about this : Programming is like sex. Make a single little mistake, and you'll be supporting it for the rest of your life.
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10-29-2000, 09:31 PM #3Newbie
- Join Date
- Oct 2000
- Location
- Halifax, Nova Scotia
- Posts
- 7
wow that was quick....
Just wanted to say thank you for the quick response so far....
Fixed the alignment on some of the pages, will look better now.
Changed the product layout, was the way the client had it laid out but was considering changing it for quite a while... That is the worst product layout, but when you are looking to post something on the site the information is better than nothing at all (even if I am trying to give it away for free right now .
Glad you liked the message board system, think it will be nice once there are lots of users / posts. The entire industry can take notice if public can post their idea.
Nobody ever mentioned the navigation issue before, but the fact that it is not consistent is now very noticable, thanks a lot for that one !
I think once I can get some products and jobs posted on the site it will become more professional looking because I will be able to update on a daily basis. Just a matter of getting the content that is all.
Thanks again.
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11-24-2000, 11:25 PM #4Web Hosting Master
- Join Date
- Oct 2000
- Location
- Moldavia
- Posts
- 1,177
Overall, I like it; nice buttonwork on the left.
The one thing I think I'd change is, give the text a little more breathing space on the left. It feels cramped against the left buttonwork.
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12-03-2000, 11:13 PM #5Aspiring Evangelist
- Join Date
- Nov 2000
- Location
- Dayton OH
- Posts
- 359
to be honest
i am really digging the dynamic buttons.
they are extremely smooth and integrate
well with the overall navigation. i also
like the forum....
i think the graphics are very clear and
frames were appropriate in the content
portion of the site.
it also loaded relatively quickly, which
is always a plus.
great jobNathan M.
Stormwire.com
A decade of professional hosting !