ZoomConcept Reviews
Serious Problem on http://p2pspot.com 1 Background is average Critical Problem on http://p2pspot.com 1 this is covering the awesome icons... 2 Give these some interactivity... 3 why a slider? See http://www.1-day.co.nz/ - this layout would be easier on the eye 4 on the live site it's a bunch of boring text links, why don't you add an avatar so that they have a point of difference Summary:
Like the idea...
Don't like the design...
As far as simple to navigate, it took me a while (about a minute) to figure out where the main nav was, and then I saw it laughed out loud (LOL) - this really happened... centered text... oh man... Seriously though, this is really bad design...
look at www.trademe.co.nz - you should layout your site like this a bit more.
Also there seems to be no social aspect to this site, I would of expected that students would want to share a bargain with their mates etc, thus generally increasing traffic to your site, enabling more hits, thus enabling more sales (then you could hire a designer)...
Good Luck!
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Minor Problem on http://p2pspot.com 1 Add some visual hierarchy here. "What is P2PSpot?" 2 Make the padding of your containers the same size (top & bottom) Minor Problem on housing.JPG 1 Give these images a container that way the width is the same 2 Give the map a white border 3 This search bar feels like an afterthought 4 way too tight. add some breathing room. New Idea on http://p2pspot.com 1 Try a different color. Other on http://p2pspot.com 1 Unfinished? Summary:
I think Aaran hit all the major points, so ill just add my 2 cents in the notes to the left.
-Simon
Minor Problem Background
Not a huge fan all around. Subjective point here - it just doesn`t feel right.Critical Problem Make it simpler
Although the arrows are cool, keep in mind that many of the users may not be that tech savvy. I like using text within obvious looking buttons.Critical Problem on http://p2pspot.com 1 Make it bigger! People are going to wonder what is going on. New Idea Homepage use
Perhaps engage the user a little on the homepage - show the most recent classifieds and allow the user to customize their view - similar to the BBC site.Other Usability
Review Jakob Nielsen's site. It's ugly and is a great resource for strictly usability (again, not design). http://www.useit.com/ I would also suggest reviewing how Amazon works. These guys have the bucks to spend on usability and design, why reinvent the wheel when you have a proven case study right in front of you?Summary:
I focused solely on the homepage for this review. The design itself feels uninspired and weak aesthetically. Usability is on its way and the strategy (ascertained from a combination of assumption and design) is also a start.
These sites are everywhere and you really need to give the user a great impression and experience to make it work.
Serious Problem Icons
the icons are to large and its a major cliche. You can use the icons but much smaller or use type in a interesting way.Background
the background is also a cliche design not a very effective one at all.New Idea Logo
I think your logo is not working but something along this might be able to help the logo. http://logopond.com/gallery/detail/130354 here are some other logo ideas http://logopond.com/search/?search=tradewebsite ideas
here an example of a couple sucessful websites that apply to your idea. http://www.chegg.com/ Inspiration: http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/09/03/40-creative-design-layouts-getting-out-of-the-box/ http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/01/22/35-beautiful-and-effective-ecommerce-websites/
Agree with Aarans points.
As for the site being a good idea though, I fail to see that. We have Gumtree, Craigslist, and the one that students will use most...Facebook Marketplace.
I really think the strategy is all wrong. If you want to target students for this, it should at the very least integrate with Facebook, even better it should be a Facebook app. Get right in there with your audience.