AssociatePrograms.com

mimonza · **Joined**: 11 Jul 2004 **Posts**: 16

Hi all,

I have been working on my site for a few months and would like some feedback (esp, if you were a visitor of the site, would you click through the articles or merchants...)

Thks in advance

Debs · **Joined**: 16 Aug 2003 **Posts**: 4296 **Location**: NY

Mimonza,

First problem I have with your site is it is tooooooo wide and runs over the browser even with full screen mode at 1024x768. This is a serious problem for two reasons, the majority of surfers use a smaller browser size to view the WWW than their screen resolution permits. They like to have some of their desktop real estate showing for IM's, other programs, windows, etc.

The second reason is because people don't like reading wideeeeeeee, they like easy to scan, and it is loads easier to scan (and much easier on the eyes) if you keep your sentence width to 60 to 70 characters, or thereabouts.

I wouldn't stick around your site because of the above, simply because I hate scrolling. Now, keep in mind I use Netscape 7, while I may not belong to a large user group for you, being cross browser compatible will stand you in good stead in the long run. DMOZ editors use Netscape, not IE, to view sites to include in their directory. If your site doesn't degrade well, they won't include you.

Also, your left menu doesn't show in Netscape 7 at all but works well in IE 6. I can see the color background for your text block in IE, but not Netscape.

I would keep css and html to the standards that are cross browser compatible but still do what you want them to do.

I love your graphic logo, but you definitely need a tagline.

I would call your design "minimalist" and that would be excellent if you used it to "show" examples of the art each artist is famous for, but you don't as far as I can tell.

I would suggest photos of the artist themselves, and a few samples of their work. Usually posters are a good option to cover both if you can't access inexpensive photos, and your affiliate programs should allow you to post the print graphics on your site.

Just my 2 cents,
Debs
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mimonza · **Joined**: 11 Jul 2004 **Posts**: 16

hey deb,

Thks for the comments. Embarassed

I din expect the site to look so bad on Netscape as all along I have been developing on IE 6.0. Perhaps I should just stick to simple tables instead of meddling with CSS.

What do you think? Is it safer to rely on tables and use simple CSS to complement it rather? Perhaps I need to revamp my website after all...

Before then, any feedback on the content... I intend to add a newsletter ... would you sign up for it if you were a visitor?

Debs · **Joined**: 16 Aug 2003 **Posts**: 4296 **Location**: NY

If I were interested in the subject, I would signup for your newsletter. People do have passions Smile

I did notice however that your site is in the Martell style, and a newsletter is time consuming. Not sure if you want to focus on this site or build more, but Martell doesn't do newsletters for his affiliate sites so he can spend his time producing new sites.

You need to make a choice as to which way you want to go, modifying Martell is certainly an option, so don't let my comments put you off Smile

There is nothing wrong with using css instead of tables for structure, but for us oldies who have done tables for years, it can be a hard transition.

For css help I do recommend Sitepoint.com forums, they can help you debug your code so it is cross browser compatible. It may be loads easier to debug than to start all over with tables.

Debs
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kentf · Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2004 1:09 pm Post subject:

Mimonza,

I'm no expert - but if I were wanting to sell landscape photographs - it would seem reasonable to have some pretty high quality graphics/landscape photography loading on my my home page for others to see and experience - rather than just text - yes?

I like your site - but I'm confused why there are no graphics, or any artistic "quality" to the site when you're selling art?

Kent F.

Guest · Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2004 1:47 pm Post subject:

hey debs,

cool, how did you know i am a martell student? Wink

i believe in james' principles but just tot of personalising the site to make it more interactive. Maybe, I could turn my visitors into repeat customers Very Happy

Read somewhere in the forum that people normally buy from someone they trust Wink

It maybe time-consuming but could reap rewards as well, like motivating me to continually pump in fresh material... btw, any suggestion for a good tagline?

hey kentf,

I am revamping my site... cos a lot of people have feedback that it looks rather.. *sad to say* plain.. I suppose that an affiliate site selling art prints should be more colourful and vibrant... guess photos and pictures really do wonders....

Btw, I really value your feedback.. keep them coming!

Debs · **Joined**: 16 Aug 2003 **Posts**: 4296 **Location**: NY

Being a student of Martell also, it isn't hard to see the little things in a site that scream "MARTELLLLLL" Wink

As far as a tagline goes, how about checking out the thread about taglines one of our "Phil's" started, it offers excellent resources.

Debs
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Guest · Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 6:21 am Post subject:

Thks Debs,

Will check out the taglines... in the meantime, working on my revamped site... will get it up for review once its done....

Guest · Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2004 3:17 pm Post subject:

Hi ppl,

I have came up with a sample page for a new simple design... still using CSS though... need to get some feedback on the following.. keep the comments coming!

a) Browser Compatibility
- Does it look ok on your browser?
- If no, which browser are you on so that I can modify where possible

b) Design
- How you find the design?

c) Newsletter
- Would you signup for the newsletter if u were a visitor?
- If not, what are the things that can motivate you to signup?

Sorry for the long list. Just wanna make sure i get it right this time..

Thks in advance! Wink

AllanGardyne · Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2004 12:41 am Post subject:

It looks OK in IE 6.
It's a very neat design.
I didn't notice the newsletter.

The whole page seems colorless to me - the complete opposite of what I expect to find on a site about art. Could you brighten it up with a nice Monet or something, high on the page so that it attracts my eye?

Also, you've gone to the trouble to disguising many of the links. I don't understand why you'd want to do that. There's a well used convention on the Internet that links are underlined. It saves time and saves misunderstandings. The web design book "Don't Make Me Think" explains this.
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Guest · Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2004 2:35 pm Post subject:

hmm... I am thinking of adding a graphic or 2 to brighten the site a bit.

As for the links, well, i admit it was for initially asethetic purpose that I hid the "underlines".. din know there was such an impact... Confused

You mean you wun sign up for the newletter?

How about those on netscape, safari, opera and other type of browsers? its it ok?

AllanGardyne · Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 1:13 am Post subject:

Guest · Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 2:08 pm Post subject:

Hi Allan,

Thks for your valuable advice... the "Famous" don't mean to flatter my newsletter.. it is part of my site name Embarassed

Btw, I have revamped the site again Wink

and put in some pictures. Still work in progress... but would welcome some feedback before I finalise the design once and for all.

Cheers

raveon · **Joined**: 23 Jul 2004 **Posts**: 30

My company has built almost 600 websites since 1995 so perhaps I can help.

1. use tables for overall site layout and creating small "text containers"
2. use CSS for text alignment, line spacing fonts etc., background info etc.

In general good and simple CSS will cause you no problems, it gets difficult if you try to become a CSS purist and build sites without using tables "just because you can".

Design for IE number one, Mozilla Firefox number two and Netscape number three...forget about the others. In about 6-12 months you can probably cross Netscape of the list also. Of the three Netscape is by far the most problematic, every design house owner I know HATES Netscape...GO AWAY already!

I disagree a little with Debs but her point is still valid...1024x768 IS the most common resolution these days but 800x600 is strong enough that you MUST design for it as well. I like a fixed width of 750-770 pixels myself.

The biggest fallacy you will run across in your travels is "web safe colors", that disappeared as a consideration about 5-6 years ago but people still whine about it (humorous but annoying)...use any colors you like.

David

mimonza · **Joined**: 11 Jul 2004 **Posts**: 16

Hi David,

Thks for your advice Wink

Instead of building a new site from scratch, I have resorted to customising FREE CSS developed templates (tested on various browsers).. Sad to say, I am still making slight modifications on it to making sure it is compatible on NS 7.1/Mozilla with some sitepoint.com expert help, but the changes are minor as compared to what I have to go through if I build one from scratch.

Building websites purely using CSS is indeed a challenge... but the benefits to be reaped are tremendous. I get to control the general look and feel of all related pages just by changing 1 or 2 stylesheets making site maintenance a easy job even as it grows. The loading time is also faster. I try to go purely CSS as far as I can Wink

Hi All,

Btw, can you give me some comments on my new design? have used a nice colourful Van Gogh picture, changed the colour scheme & layout, retained the underlines on most of my links (except for the site menu though) & modified my newsletter punchline... still working on my new logo though Rolling Eyes