[Lydon]

Hey guys, just finished building a site for a friend who is setting up his own PC repair type company.

It's been mammoth. Endless changes and re-writes, additions and deletions, but we've finally settled on this.
ArDomus PC

Now that I've got all the content together, I've already decided to revamp the site, completely change the look of it, and incorporate a few new things.

But in the meantime, any feedback regarding the current version would be much appreciated. It would certainly go far in helping me on the second version whenever I get round to starting that.

Thanks

[Martyr2]

It is alright, not too bad of a start. I would clean up a few of the graphics like the drop shadow on the windows 7 logo. You might want to play with a slight gradient for some of the main special offer box. A small gradient here and there will add a little more dimension. I think you can get rid of the drastic gradient on the menu items however. Menu items should be simple and clean.

The overall layout is nice and simple though. So keep heading in that direction. Good luck with the site.

[Lydon]

Thanks Martyr

Indeed I wanted to keep it clean and simple, but tbh, that's pretty much all I like about the look and feel of the site at the moment.
Gradient on menu was what my friend wanted, I'm not convinced they work neither.

Cheers for the feedback

[TheSoundOfTruth]

I don't like gradients that strong either. I would also change the font on the banner, the 'A' and the 'R' look to similar. The gradient on the letters also looks a bit strange. The chrome is just too... different? I can't quite place what the chrome is, but it's not attractive.

[Saldash]

TheSoundOfTruth, on 19 July 2010 - 06:09 PM, said:

I don't like gradients that strong either. I would also change the font on the banner, the 'A' and the 'R' look to similar. The gradient on the letters also looks a bit strange. The chrome is just too... different? I can't quite place what the chrome is, but it's not attractive.

That banner does tend to fuzz out when just *looking* at the page rather..
Something a tad smaller and clearer would do very nicely..

Silly question.. in your network installation page.. why do you have a very big picture (albeit a nice picture) of an HDMI cable?

This post has been edited by Saldash: 19 July 2010 - 12:18 PM

[moopet]

The "repairs|upgrades..." line in the header image looks too much like a navigation menu. I actually thought it was until I tried to click on it. Also the font there is pretty nasty.

I don't like the gradient on the menu buttons nor their red hover effect. I think it makes them look like they were from some frontpage template.

Other than that, looks alright.

[Lydon]

Cheers guys for that input. Appreciate it.

Header font was chosen by my friend who wanted it like that.
Same for the 'repairs | upgrades' bar, which I too pointed out looked too much like a navigation.

Those will both be going in version 2 for sure.

As for the HDMI cable, my mistake. Was using it as place holder until I got something else, and forgot about it lol

Looks like the overall feeling is to ditch the gradient, at least on the navigation. That's good to know.

Thanks folks

[clockworkjordan]

Its good you have content, but the design looks a little out of the 90's. The best page was the contact page. Here are some things I would do to improve the website:

• Fix the banner image. First off, Spider-Man font is too unoriginal. The banner image as a whole is grainy and out of focus (especially the subtext). That subtext is also way to close together. It needs some breathing room. Last, the banner seems too disconnected from the rest of the website.
  
• Spice up the design with some more pictures!
  
• Find a better color palette. I feel these don't blend well.
  
• You don't need a border on every box. I'd only do it if you make the border a shade away from the color inside. Looks neat that way.
  
• Find a more creative navigation.

Good Luck with the website, though. Don't ever get discouraged!

[Lydon]

Thanks for that feedback clockworkjordan, I appreciate it.

I agree with you, and even though I made it, I do dislike the site, that's why I'm planning on re-doing the whole thing.

Still, by knocking this out, it has allowed me to see what other people feel about certain features, so it's not been a complete disaster

[clockworkjordan]

Lydon, on 23 July 2010 - 01:52 PM, said:

Still, by knocking this out, it has allowed me to see what other people feel about certain features, so it's not been a complete disaster

In web design, each website you make helps you learn something. I've made a few websites that never even went live, but the experience of creating them and finding not only my potential, but the internet's potential is never a waste! Keep up a positive attitude about it and you'll have professional websites in no time!

[Lemur]

clockworkjordan, on 22 July 2010 - 06:43 PM, said:

• Spice up the design with some more pictures!
  
• Find a better color palette. I feel these don't blend well.
  
• You don't need a border on every box. I'd only do it if you make the border a shade away from the color inside. Looks neat that way.

More Pictures != better design. If anything LESS images are encouraged for load time and coherency. I'd have to agree as far as the color and boxes though. As far as color look into Adobe Kuler, it's a free web service that's bound to point you in the right direction.

Spiderman font needs to go and layer effects with it. NEVER use layer effects, they're cheap and they scream newbie, not something you want to broadcast.

The top nav doesn't need the drop shadow.

The left nav make it a solid color instead and don't change the font color but the color of the background to be a lighter variation.

AVG I wouldn't recommend to anyone, it's a pain and it rarely does its job correctly. Bit Defender or Avast would be a safer bet to go with as far as anti-virus is concerned. Zone Alarm and Bit Defender for all-around packages are great as well. (I do my fair share of repairs, working on A+ and CompTIA certs currently)

[Lydon]

Thanks for that feedback Lemur.

I suppose it's all about finding the correct balance with pictures...just enough to break up the text, but not so many as to slow down load times.
Nice pointer to Kuler, I've had a quick look and will be making better use of it in future

Already planned to lose the header and side navigation, and the effects with them, so we're on the same page there.

As for the AVG, I'm just going with what I was told on that one. I'll mention the other packages to my friend, see what he fancies using.

Cheers!