Redesign of site - can I have some reviews

[broadband-engine]

Hi

I have been working on a total new look for quote-engine.com, this is a full screen version - the new template is www.quote-engine.com/css/index.htm - my aim was to produce a site with a modern feel, that had clean navigation and was not too fussy. Also, to introduce a US version. Can I have feedback on what you think of the new look. There is no SEO on the page and all links do not work, it is just an idea at the moment.

Also, take a look at www.quote-engine.com this is the current version - do you think I am right to change to the new design from this?

Cheers in advance

Phil

 

[printerbase]

Hi,

I like the look of the new site better than the current one, it looks a lot cleaner and easier on the eye.

I am not sure about the full screen idea though, it does not fit on my screen (15" TFT 1024 x 768) and that would bug me.

Peter

 

[broadband-engine]

Hi

I have now moved the second menu from the right and consolidated everything into the main menu on the left. This now enables the content to fit into 800x600 browser window with no horizontal scrolling.

The reason for the change is that I want a faster loading site, and behind the scenes is a better structure aswell.

Cheers
Phil

 

[Ozzy]

Oh no, I'm going to throw a spanner in the works

I like the old site from a co0nsumer point of view. Again this goes back to another comment I made elsewhere that the average consumer doesn't just like a fast loading website with easy navigation, but they also like pretty pictures and some colour. As your website is aimed mainly at the end consumer I feel your website will need some graphical content.
I would look at combining the two together if possible.
The old side menu is difficult with grey on blue for example, but the header of the page is more eye catching and draws you in better than the header of the new site (apart from the bold seo text at the top )

An old boss of mine always used to throw the term "big buttons, people like big buttons" whenever we were putting together an ecommerce website (many years ago) and still to this day I believe that theory is still correct. People like to be guided where to click not have to hunt out where to click.

Hope this is of help,

 

[broadband-engine]

Hi Richard

Took your comments on board and added a colour scheme and new logo, the content on the page will change on the live version of the site - I will alter the text so there is less bold, I know this does not look so good.

Recently got into css so I am going to attempt to convert the site to purely css and lose all tables, but I am struggling along with this and getting varying success. I will keep on though.

The url www.quote-engine.com/new/index.html

Cheers
Phil

 

[Ozzy]

I like it muchness betters

* the opinions expressed are that of my own taste :S

 

[broadband-engine]

Hi Richard

A further tampering has produced this,

http://www.quote-engine.com/css/index.htm

mostly done using CSS, as you may see there are some issues. But I am having fun experimenting with it. Need to figure out how to center the whole page in css and get the layers postioned properly, looks ok in IE - but in FF and NS the layers are not quite right. I'll get there in the end though

Cheers
Phil

 

[vigo]

Centering in CSS is pretty easy, just use margin: auto; on the block level element you want to center (div). Making it work in MSIE is another matter... but not that hard, here's a quick example snippet:

<div id="wrapper" style="margin&#58; auto; text-align&#58; center; width&#58; 80%;">
<div id="content" style="text-align&#58; left;">


content goes here</p>
</div>
</div>

This code will horizonatally centre a box of 80% page width and natural height on the page. Hope this helps - if you need a hand with FF testing/fixing post or or drop me a PM.

best wishes,

Nath

 

[SillyJokes]

My main problem with this kind of site is one of trust.

How can I know your engine will return the best deal for me rather than the one which makes the most commission?

Also what about companies that don't pay commission - will their results be served up?

The font at the top does not match the way I feel when I'm looking for the best deal on my home costs.

And one other thing which I always say about every site I ever review until I'm blue in the face, it is not obvious what your site does the minute I arrive. You have to make it obvious what your site does and your strap line is far too ambiguous to achieve this.

And one final aside which I'm not sure applies to your site but which you might like to check out is does it comply with Financial Service Association rules.