Opinions please

[broadband-engine]

Hi

I am currently running my .co.uk as a prototype/test to an upgrade I want to make to my .com, but before I take the plunge I would like some feedback.

www.ukshopsnet.co.uk
- is the new design, it has a simple menu that expands when a main category is clicked and each page has a single search box as an alternative way to search the site. The site is a directory of websites that a classified into categories. I intend to add a product search aswell - both predefined links and also a search box. The site has different 'skins' dependant upon the time of year or what events are approaching i.e. Christmas and Easter, Halloween etc.

www.ukshopsnet.com
- the old site, which is the established site. I want to follow suit and upgrade to what appears on the .co.uk site. Would this be an improvement?

Another addition I want to make is opening the site up to submissions into the directory, so the webmaster would have to navigate to the category page relevant to their website and submit there. Do you think the idea is a goer?

Cheers
Phil

[ARTzWeb.net]

Personally I like both of your sites. Even the .com. It is very simplistic and nice. The "add link" functionality would tempt many webmasters to be included on your site.

The .co.uk site also looks nice, however it gives you the impression that something is missing (maybe because I view it on a 1024x768 screen resolution. It is nice to have whitespace, but I think there is too much whitespace on the homepage.

I would also suggest you add a small summary of the content in a paragraph above the directory links. This would also benefit your site in terms of SEO.

[Ozzy]

Both sites have the minimalist feel to them, and to the technically minded I think that is nice.

My next comments only refer to the middle section, categories.

If you plan to target the more "consumer" market, the type that aren't that net savvy and a bit of a beginner to the internet, then I cant help but feel that perhaps the categories need a bit more of a graphical face lift. Something to make them a little bit pretty.

I am by no means saying overdo it, but perhaps something as simple as http://www.kelkoo.co.uk/ just to add a bit of extra colour.

Other than that it it looks fine to me.

[broadband-engine]

Cheers Richard the category images idea sounds good to me. It will add a bit more interest to the pages.

Cheers
Phil

[NS-Addict]

Hi Phil,

Both nice designs, .com is very simple and clean, more text explaining/selling your website, which I ways think is a good thing.

.co.uk in my opinion has a better design element to it; however I feel it has too much white space and you need to try adding comments to sell your service. Customer Testimonials, reviews, why us etc. I like the expandable menu system though very nice.

Hope that helps and good luck