fatcowdesigns.com

Hi there, please review my re-vamped site http://www.fatcowdesigns.com

This site isn't new but I have been following the advice of members of another forum and have made changes based on their suggestions.

Opinions from a different audience would be appreciated.

Regards,

I'd start with the logo, I'd get rid of the reflection and blurriness round the edges, a nice sharp crisp logo would look much better in my opinion.

I'd also make the header the same width as the rest of the page, it looks odd that the image cuts off on the right before the content does.

Some extra background padding is needed on the menu (only a couple of pixels) as you can't see the underline on hover

Anti-alias the button images a bit, they are not very crisp on the rounded edges. Narrow the number of colours for text etc down a bit, only 3 or so main colours should really be used for a site.

Maybe make the BJA image into a link? Someone new to the site (like me) might not know what it is and be interested to find out. Maybe link to their site if they have one.

Resize the UK small business directory image properly in Photoshop or something, as it is of low quality when resized by the browser.

Also there needs to be a main focal point on the homepage, I wasn't quite sure where to look as there's quite a lot going on, use a heading for the main area you want to draw user attention to.

Finally I would remove the links from the bottom of the page since it is not very high, and remove the admin link (put it as a separate page that you open, don't link to it from the main site)

Otherwise I think the site has potential, it looks nice, the images of the rings are very nice and sharp, so sorry if I seemed to be slagging it off, I just think these additions will make it much more professional

Hi Uqwebdesign,
thanks for the feedback.

I've done a few of the changes that you suggested - although I think I've messed up the alignment a little bit on the right hand side so I need to sort that out before I carry on.

Thanks again.

Regards,

That is starting to look better already from the changes you've made.

If you're having trouble with the alignment why not post something in the other forums? I don't design using tables so can't help you with it sorry but I'm sure it's just 1 line of code that you've changed by mistake - if you can go back to the old version do that to compare and change that part back

Almost done I think the original small business directory logo was throwing out the alignment to begin with - just need to match the button colour to the nav bar colour now.

Well I don't know if this is coincidence but, since I made the suggested changes, page views are up 20%

I can't discuss spacing because I'm using Firefox, and I suspect the design is just not completely cross-browser compatible. In other words, the text is not well placed in FF.

I like the general look and color. The photos of the rings are really superb.

The top screen is a total mess. Really, you could just eliminate it and have that very nice bottom screen -- linked pictures of your rings -- and it would be an improvement for my taste.

You have too much navigation. It's very confused-looking. The right column top is a rat's nest.

I would go to two columns. After the top navigation (which is fine, except it doesn't fit correctly in Firefox) and search bar, the site really goes downhill. At that point, I would do a narrative description of the product -- a sales pitch -- in a largish single font (12 pt), with no links. At least 200 words. If you have to hire a copywriter, it will pay you back quickly. You lack this and it is important. Your writing is very choppy and doesn't flow.

I'd do the ring-picture navigation down the left, perhaps two rings wide. Perhaps after the rings, if you have room, other graphic-driven nagivation like the cute picture of the girl for help with ring sizing. Everything else -- shopping cart, promotions, etc. -- at the bottom, each in its own section with top border of some sort. This will keep you from running different things together.

A very promising site. Good luck.

Hey geti, hows it goin?

The good.

• Your banner and logo are very nice. Just so you're aware though; animated gifs are notorious bandwidth hogs because of their large file sizes. because if this I suggest you keep the use of them to a minimum.
• The quality of your images is outstanding. It's good to see you realise that you are selling expensive, high quality products and need to show off this quality.
• Your Catagories section at the bottom is well laid out.

The bad.

• The white background and lack of any borders means that the page looks crowded and disorganised.
• Your Catagories thumbnails give no feedback to suggest they are links.
• Your top navigation lacks styling, it appears quite bland.
• the images of rings on the left, although they are stunning, serve no purpose on the home page. they just clutter it up.
• The right column is a bit of a free for all. It all seems too bunched together. I'd say the only thing that needs to be there is the basket.
• The content on your home page doesn't really give the information it should. There is no introduction to the site or the company...

My advice.

• In your mind's eye split up the page into the simplest sections (Header, Navigation, Content, right bar, Footer) then try and just rationalise it.
• Give some more thought to colours. White background looks plain and bland.
• I think that overall the site needs more organisation. Using semantic markup and solid CSS layout you can accomplish this.

Good luck

hey minute44... its not an animated .gif, its a rotating banner of more than one image

Oooops, so it is. My bad

hey, no worries

Thank you everybody for the excellent advice. I'm going to study all your suggestions and try a few different things - watch this space

Just an observation....

If a man or woman buys their significant other a piece of jewelry from your store, how are they going to answer the question "Where did you get it"?

"Oh... from the store FAT COW". Now... the man might not have a problem here, but the ladies, however, might punch the guy in the nose.

That was something that we did consider - would people be offended by the name? Fortunately I don't think anybody has been - the people who buy our jewellery seem to be quite broadminded and see the funny side. The name certainly stands out. We chose it because of the fact that we are not traditional jewellers and didn't want a traditional jewellery name - mind you we do sometimes get referred to as Mad Cow Designs

PS. Don't suppose there is a cow smiley by any chance?

http://validator.w3.org/check?uri=ht...designs.com%2F
Failed validation, 187 errors

This site looks cluttered and confusing, less is more

This one rips your eyes out and skull******* you hehe or is it cos its 1:30am :S