ZoomConcept Reviews
Serious Problem on 1.jpg 1 this image is really huge, possible crop down a bit. Critical Problem on 1.jpg 1 way too cramped, give some breathing room. also the logo needs help because it doesn't really look like a logo, it just looks like text. 2 border radius on this button isn't consistent with the rest of the borders on the page. The color looks a little dull as well. 3 give some transparency to this background for some added depth 4 this area is ok, you may want to give the "learn more" links a different color to make them stand out more. -
Kayvanm commented:agreed great point
5 this footer style is pretty dated. use a more fat footer look with a site map type style for the links and add some SM icons. I know SM icons are a little over played, but they can't hurt. Critical Problem on 2.jpg 1 I prefer the gray background rather than the blue 2 the phone number needs to be more pronounced, once again, the whole header area is way too cramped. Summary:
Hi Curtis - my first impression is that it looks like a big screen tv. Is that the intention?
The colors are ok, but the header looks really cramped, and the logo doesn't look like a logo but really more part of the navigation text. The footer style looks dated and some SM icons could help.
please see my notes...
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Curtis Scott commented:The TV look was not what I was going for. lol You make some great points that will all be considered in the revisions. I hope to post a revised comp before the end of the week. I'm thinking of moving away from the darker background and going with white or more importantly light colors. Thanks for the honest review Rebecca.
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Minor Problem on 2.jpg 1 This photo is very large. Users who land on this home page are going to be left without much content. You may want to consider either reducing the height or integrating the great section of services below into this area. You could stack each section on the right and as they transition from one to the other the left image would change. Critical Problem Background
The blue is more fitting than the gray, but it's still not quite appealing. The site is flat overall, so maybe you could consider a lighter blue for more contrast and even add a few aquatic plants that grow up the page from the bottom.Positive Feature on 2.jpg 1 This section looks good. The images compliment the subject matter and the section titles are prominent. However, the placement is lost due to the enormous photo above it. See comment on photo for suggestions. New Idea on 2.jpg 1 The company name is completely lost due to the missing header, links at the same size and level, blue background. Double the height of the header and move the logo higher than the links. You could also remove the logo from the same gray background that the links share. I'd stay away from making the aquarium the same color as the background, too. -
Curtis Scott commented:
great idea, thanks.
Summary:
The site is a little flat and the lack of header is throwing off the design. Consider some of these comments to improve the landing page. I'd be interested to see what a sub page looks like.
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Curtis Scott commented:
Thanks for your feedback Andy. All points will be considered during revisions. As I posted below, I'm thinking of moving away from the darker background and going with white or more importantly light colors. I will also try to post a subpage with the revised comp for review.
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Serious Problem on 1.jpg 1 this color "electric blue" does not work on a dark background 2 redesign into a 'fat footer' (see http://patterntap.com/tap/collection/footers) Critical Problem on 1.jpg 1 Too much visual clutter in this photo. Refer to my uploaded sample Positive Feature on 1.jpg 1 good Summary:
Hi Curtis
Sorry to be so blunt - but the banner doesn't work.
- Eliminate the visual clutter - by focusing on the product versus the product and the cabinet (see my uploaded sample...)
- Everything is a bit dark. You need a lighter treatment that will appear more "fun" than the current mood (which is sort of serious)
- You need to have someone design a logo for your business.
I hope some of this helps.
MichaelR
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Curtis Scott commented:
This is some great feedback and all will be considered as make revisions to the site. I hope to post a revised comp before the end of the week. Thanks for the honest review Michael.
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Curtis Scott commented:
Also, thank you very much for the attached comp example and footer examples link. Very helpful for a visual learner such as my self.
Attached Files:
Minor Problem Landing Image
I like the main image as I think it instantly sums up what the site is about. However, I think the cropping on the image should be much tighter. It should really focus up close on the aquarium, whereas at the moment, it has a lot of dead space. I assume that it is probably just a place holder image, but tight cropping is certainty something to keep in mind.-
Curtis Scott commented:
I agree, this was more of a place holder image. Professional images from the photographer coming soon.
Add more space to navigation
The navigation is a bit too compact and could do with more space. Try breaking it into two lines, with the logo and phone number on one line and the links another.Provide initial Orientation
When you initially land on the site, its not especially clear what the site about. I know that it is about Aquariums, but I don't quite get the concept bit. A short tag line would help greatly to instantly clue readers in.Positive Feature Blue Design
The blue design works much better. However, the black elements (such as the box for Professional and Reliable Quality) don't fit in.Summary:
Overall, this design has lots of potential. it just needs to tighten up a few areas to be more effective (see notes)
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Curtis Scott commented:
Thank you Madhu.
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Minor Problem Crop the photo
I agree with the other reviewer - perhaps this is a generic stock photo, but it's not cropped well. Too much wall space. If you're trying to highlight the beautiful woodwork in the custom cabinet (if this is a custom cabinet from the company) do that in a different picture on this (what I suppose is a) rotating image section. Either way, crop the images to really show what you want the visitor to quickly and easily focus in on.Serious Problem Top level navigation is cramped
Maybe make a logo "header" from the "Custom Aquarium Concepts" placed ABOVE the menu and to the left, then make the menu wider and with more vertical space. Now, the nav menu feels cramped because it's stuck to the top of the page.No "what we do" or mission statement
If you enlarge the company logo and move it above the menu to the left, you'd have some empty space to put in a company mission statement. Something that concisely and clearly states what Custom Aquarium Concepts does. Yes - their company name does this a little, but it's impersonal and non-specific. A mission statement or "what we do" line could go a long way towards drawing a visitor in. Something like "Building Custom Setups That Aquarium Lovers Love" or something. Some kind of statement as to why this company is better than any other custom aquarium shop.Critical Problem This layout is too wide
The layout as it currently stands might be too wide for users with smaller monitors or monitors on lower resolutions. Your own target audience includes "males in their 50s." My dad is in that demographic and has his 17 inch CRT monitor set to something like 800x600. That would cut-off your most vital information - the phone number and the contact link. Think about users who have smaller monitors, smart phones and low resolution settings - are they missing vital info?-
Curtis Scott commented:
great point, I plan to run this by the client to make sure 1024x786 will be acceptable. (currently at less than 1% of stats - http://www.w3schools.com/browsers) I would of course advise a min of 1024x786 for screen resolution if the client's stats are confirmed. Otherwise, I might have to make a liquid layout.
Positive Feature Blue design is better
Obviously, it invokes a marine or freshwater environment better than the gray version. However, the gray navigation menu is out of place in the blue layout.Summary:
Overall, a very clean and crisp design with a good layout.
My only real concerns are that the top section is cramped and that the overall design may be too wide, which may crop-off the phone number for users with lower resolution settings on their monitors.
A few minor tweaks and this would be a very well done and pleasing design.
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Curtis Scott commented:
Thanks Chris, points well taken.
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Minor Problem on 1.jpg 1 Instead of the "Learn More", I would have a different call to action that is more compelling like: "How we can help you!" or something that talks adding direct value. 2 "Professional & Reliable Quality" is too generic. You must find a header that is much more compelling. -
Curtis Scott commented:
Any suggestions?
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Kayvanm commented:
Building Custom Quality Aquariums for Over X Years.
Serious Problem on 1.jpg 1 "A picture is worth a thousand words." I think the layout of the web is pretty good. However, the image you have on the home page should be of professional quality. It will give your overall site a more polished look. 2 This is not much of a logo. It looks like just another link. -
Minor Problem Pics
My first beef with your site is that the main image on the slider looks like it was taken by an amateur. Get a professional to give it the quality it needs. I would get a closer shot of it.Transparency
I would make the info in the picture slightly more transparent.Picture
I think your picture is much too large. It seems it's cramping the top navbar.Logo
I think your logo could be revamped to give it more oomph. And a tagline would unpack your niche.Positive Feature Layout
I think your layout is nice and well organized.Minor Problem on 1.jpg 1 About usually comes after HOME from left to right... Critical Problem on 1.jpg 1 text in the header gets a little lost because it is the same size as the navigation items. try rearranging that composition around. New Idea more impressive pic
maybe a closeup would help - something like showing cool colors and fish.New Idea on 1.jpg 1 What if you recreated this slider so that people could see little thumbs of the next/previous slides? Since your product is so visuall, this might help keep people engaged for longer on the homepage. 2 footer pics- could be cool idea > http://patterntap.com/tap/pattern/1303667494a9fb76643c06 Summary:
Overall you are getting very solid advice from others. I like the fact that you are going to try this comp. on a lighter background. I think a lighter color can work - think of how vivid apple images look on their white/light grey website.
And definitely add that initial tagline on the homepage - not the reliable quality one, something better!
Check out the notes - hope it helps Curtis!
I agree...