New Website !!!

[shaun adams]

I am in the planning stages of my new website (rough copy), Here is what I have so far (Built from sections of sites I like across many different fields).

The final website will have different artwork and maybe some extra features but am I on the right path..


I haven't decided yet on the top header section.


http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w270/SHAUNP505050/a.jpg

[Lukejenx]

Very obvious that you have stolen them designs... You haven't even used that much time on it... Have you thrown that together in like 5 mins? Forgetting about that...

Colours need to change, you haven't got a good scheme on in my mind.
Navigation looks plain and boring, doesn't seem to be anything like the rest of the design.
The rotating banner, you most prob don't have it in but in case. Take the green far away, Make the whole image take the area up.
LHS nav, stolen again, get the same font when you do it.

[shaun adams]

What is with the stolen of course they are (Built from sections of sites I like across many different fields), I said this is from parts of other websites.

I am just putting together the layout, what sort of features I would like and where to put them.

This is only a draft and it is only the layout and type of features I would like people to take in mind, this has no bearing on the final artistic layout.

The green rotating banner words are just to show what it does, not in the final design.

[Lukejenx]

So in theory they have been taken? And most probably with out the designers consent.

You could have easily just opened photoshop or even paint and do that design. Grabed a pen and paper and scanned it.

Doing it yourself will make sure that you aren't going to wreck your site when its up. If you use any of them graphics, and haven't had consent. Then you have to take them off. Your designing time would be longer and thus you would end up losing money. Just a warning and emphasizing that you can't use them.

[Kev Jaques]

So in theory they have been taken? And most probably with out the designers consent.

You could have easily just opened photoshop or even paint and do that design. Grabed a pen and paper and scanned it.

Doing it yourself will make sure that you aren't going to wreck your site when its up. If you use any of them graphics, and haven't had consent. Then you have to take them off. Your designing time would be longer and thus you would end up losing money. Just a warning and emphasizing that you can't use them.

Looks to me like he is getting an idea together in a vaguely roughish similar fashion to a mood board. So he can give whoever he chooses for the design/development some food for thought on what he thinks will be good from some of the sites he likes. Not to reuse what he has done.

I use mood boards and wire frame layouts during the research stages before mock-up stage to gauge the mood and approx workings of a site.

[shaun adams]

Do you actually take note of what I put, this is not for the ((((Design)))) just a general idea of what layout I would like, I stated this loads of times now.

If you would like to criticise the design be my guest but stop repeating yourself like and Idiot, this is taken from websites to get a general idea of layout,

Have you seen the state of the site, it would not be good in anyone's idea from design point of view.

[Lukejenx]

Ok so I'm an idiot because I think everybody should get their own ideas.

The LHS:
A form for a email address in a colour block with an image on the rhs.
Navigation in a box above that.
Social networking links. Using their design.
Notes saying what payment you take and promises.

I could design that myself in two mins if that on a piece of paper. Don't see how this would help. If you are going to design it all yourself...

It all seems like a long way around from just making boxes where your forms are. Im not trying to start an argument and don't see how I am acting like an idiot. Have you tried any other way of designing it? If you are going to do the design yourself why dont you start a .psd? You can then design everything in the way you want. it would look nices and you will know how to make everything.

You asked if you were on the right path, the above will be my path. You asked opinions so there's no reason why your given me a mouth full because of it.

[willitbe]

Shaun.

Having been involved in Large format Digital Printing in the past in various guises, I would say steer clear from the "too busy" sites that populate this market.

Do something completely different, there is absolutely no reason why a banner site shouldn't be a treat for the eyes and a pleasure to navigate.

All these sites do exactly the same thing:smack of desperation and cheapness. Most companies out there want to think they are getting the best, if your site looks the best, then they will buy!

The reason I ceased offering banners and pop-ups etc was that I didn't want to be embroiled in a war with an an awful collection of dogs dinner sites, all offering the same shoddy, bandy crap! so stuck with the better paid jobs!

Some people out there would buy from a "Galaxy Caramel" site, they don't all need to look like a "99p Lucky Bag" to succeed..:)

[shaun adams]

Thanks I appreciate your comments.

[ne-it]

Hi ShaunP505050,

Not wishing to annoy you in any way but LukeJenx has a point. Although I understand that you are looking for feedback on site layout the layout is ultimately a fundamental aspect of the design.

On the good side it's clear what you're concept is and although the presentation is somewhat cluttered it shouldn't be too difficult to inject that bit of required originality :-)

[shaun adams]

No that's fine I would like as much criticization as possible.

[bdw]

Ok so I'm an idiot because I think everybody should get their own ideas.

What he is doing is what most people who want a website do. In other words use what is available as an example. The Internet is awash with websites that have plagiarized ideas from other websites. There is nothing wrong with what he is doing other than publishing other peoples content on public forum, which is a wee bit iffy.

With regard to the design, personally I think it is bad and not the way to go at all. When I go to a cluttered web page with so many colours and boxes like that all it does is give me a sore head. There is way too much going on there. A webpage is supposed to offer a call to action. What is yours? For me on this example the call to action would be to click the back button. ;)

Calm it all down and get the call to action into a highlight box if you like but you don't need 15 of these.

[ne-it]

Hi ShaunP505050,

I'd take bdw's advice he knows what he's talking about :-) The last thing you want is to have visitors to your site bamboozled by what's on offer. Keep your concept simple and sell the Banner idea, forget all the other bits you have on the page inclusive of the Twitter banner, the buttons at the bottom of the page, payment methods, etc.

It would be great to see what you end up with? By the way if you are a small business and want to create a stylish site it may well pay to check out Microsoft's Office Live Small Business suite?

[fisicx]

I am in the planning stages of my new website (rough copy), Here is what I have so far (Built from sections of sites I like across many different fields)...
Waaaay too busy. Cobbling together the bits YOU like from other sites isn't good planning. What you need is to build a site that your VISITORS like. So have a mock up but be prepared to rip it to pieces when your bounce rate is high or no one places and order.

As said abouve it looks too deperate and smacks of cheap and cheerful rather than good quality products.

[shaun adams]

Is this any better, same as before this is crap on the graphical side of things just a quick draft for layout and type of features.

The white at the top of the page is for the header once the layout is decided.


Only problem now is advertising the free delivery over £99 and buy 2 get 1 free which would be critical to 50 % of customers in there choice.


http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w270/SHAUNP505050/2-1.jpg

[Lukejenx]

If 50% of the customers would want it why not put it on the top RHS. Next to your logo. Or put it where the middle image under the banner.

[fisicx]

It's still completly pants. There is no page focus, infomation chunking call to action and so.

If the 2 for 1 a free delivery is the main feature then make that your header. Lose the bloody great images and keep it simple.

Why do you think 2 for 1 relates to 50% of your customers? If you can afford to do this then you much be charging to much.

[shaun adams]

My prices are a lot more competitive than anyone else on the net (I have come across so far).

I don't mind selling 3 for 2 as I lose a little, but gain on most customers buying 2.

Also I think free shipping is a nice extra.

Do you have any sites you could recommend the layout as there is not much in your portfolio.

[alanc]

High quality fire retardant,
500gsm reinforced PVC Banner Material
Hemmed and eyeleted every 2ft

That's product detail. You don't need it at the top of the front page. The words "Top Quality" cover it. If I were looking to purchase, I would only start looking at that level of detail when I got down to comparing prices.

[Lukejenx]

You do have too much on, cool it down. Is there need for the user to have all that information on their first 5 seconds? All they need would really be the banner, links, maybe ONE deal and your promises etc.

I would keep the LHS but get rid of direct delivery etc. Maybe take them three images and compress them so you can put in your buy 2 get 1 free and free delivery.

Take the large rotating image and split into two different ones. You can pass through all your information there rather than 4 boxes.

Ill try get some design on photoshop just the boxes if you want.

[Michelle_HLD]

Shaun,

If you employ a proper graphic designer they will help you work out the best layout. Are you planning on building your site yourself. In my opinion you are only going to be as successful as your site and if it is a home made number, then the chances are you will struggle to do volume.

[shaun adams]

Hi no this will be the website designers job, I just want to understand the type of layout I want and features on the page before I go.

They will probably throw this in the bin lol C: , but at least it gives them an idea.

Thanks for you help so far guys, any extra help is appreciated.

[fisicx]

Do you have any sites you could recommend the layout as there is not much in your portfolio.
This one: http://www.immediaprint.co.uk/banners.htm. The whole site converts really well, that's the only thing that matters.

Keep it really simple. Remember as well that you custiomers won't necessarily land on your home page so all your clever imagery is irrelvant.

[shaun adams]

This is where we must differ as I would click straight off that !!!!!!.

Do you have an example of some with nice imagery.

[Michelle_HLD]

I agree, that site is appalling. I would definitely not buy from a site that looked like that. So amateurish!

[fisicx]

I agree, that site is appalling. I would definitely not buy from a site that looked like that. So amateurish!
Targetted customers, that's what makes the difference. The site uses PPC which brings in people who already know exactly what the want as a result the owner makes over 10 times what it costs in PPC. I agree it doesn't look pretty but the conversion rate is quite astonishing.
Do you have an example of some with nice imagery.
Do you want nice imagery or do you want to sell banners?
If you want to pick up the clients who want the cheapest possible then give them the pretty site weioth the cartoons. If you want the clients who are prepared to pay for good quality (and become returnuing customers) then you need a different approach.

[Lukejenx]

Michelle does have a point it is a boring website.

Btw I love your design looks clear and crisp

[fisicx]

Michelle does have a point it is a boring website.
Yes it is boring but it makes the owner a shedload of money.
Btw I love your design looks clear and crisp where who did it for you?
Who we talking about?

[Lukejenx]

Michelle's website sorry for the confusion

[shaun adams]

I have to agree, beautiful website.

I don't understand why a site can't look nice as well as convert well (Your opinion), you have 3 people here which would not for 1 minute buy from that site !!!!

[fisicx]

I have to agree, beautiful website.

I don't understand why a site can't look nice as well as convert well (Your opinion), you have 3 people here which would not for 1 minute buy from that site !!!!
Yup I agree that a site can look nice and convert well but you don't get conversions by just looking nice. It's the research and preperation you do before you start that leads to the converting layout (not the other way round).

And whilst I agree that you 3 (and no doubt many others) wouldn't buy from the site it really does convert well. It generates thousands of pounds of business every month just using PPC. We did try a much prettier site with lots of shiny web2 concepts and the conversion rate dropped like a stone.

[Greg Findley]

Hi,

I would advise setting out your layout with a basic wireframe, using bits and pieces from other sites will just cloud your vision when it comes to designing a layout and will just confuse others when asking for feedback! (as has happened in this thread)

Check this link out, it should help; http://designreviver.com/articles/using-wireframes-to-bring-your-site-together/

If you are going to use a designer having a good understanding of the layout you would like will help the process a long, and having an example wireframe as a starting point will be a good advantage :)

HTH
Greg

[Michelle_HLD]

I do not agree with your point whatsoever Fisicx. It seems you have something against nice looking websites.

There in now way on this earth that it benefits a business owner to have a crap dated looking website. I am extremely sceptical about the conversion rate you claim too.

Your idea of web 2.0 may be very skewed from us other posters on here based on what you think makes a good website.

[willitbe]

I have had many a discussion with Fisicx on these things in past.

Fiscix will forever talk about conversions, never about the pretty side of things, because he can't do pretty, it gets slated!

I too doubt his numbers. After the first debate we had a couple of years ago, I did some digging around and happened across some people who were in the same industry.

They had more info on Immediaprint because they dealt with them, in one way or another and the picture wasn't the same being painted by Fiscix.

Thats not to say they weren't doing business, just figures being bandied about were not the same company, as far as I could tell.

Fiscix, we can all do thousands a month on PPC mate..

[usmanz]

It looks a bit loud to me. The text is too big and the overall look is stuffed up.