ZoomConcept Reviews
Minor Problem on Home Page 1 This is a recipe for orphans. Consider having the text not wrap below the image, or moving the image to the right hand side, or always starting the text below the image. 2 "Read Full Story" or "Read More" might be more appropriate as it explains to the user what they'll get when they "continue". 3 I like the subtle gradient in the lower half of the header bar. Something about the two colours in the top half aren't quite doing it for me. 4 Consider making this font a little larger. The difference in size between this text and the header text is huge. Minor Problem on http://dailygouge.com/smart-money/ 1 Consider having an actual input text box here to improve email sign-up conversion rates. Also a clear statement about what the visitor will be receiving in their mailbox and how often, as well as assurances that you don't rent / sell or share your email list. "We'll send you an email once a week with our top new stories, we'll never share your email and we promise not to spam you." 2 Consider adding a date posted. Minor Problem on Post Example 1 The image border box is good to help break up images with a background colour that matches the background of the page. Consider moving the image caption outside of the image border box. Serious Problem on Home Page 1 No point in having a sidebar of "Recent Posts" when the main column has the exact same posts. Consider "Most Popular Posts" or "Recently Commented On". 2 The edges of the logo look strange. Feels like it needs some work. Positive Feature on http://dailygouge.com/smart-money/ 1 I like the double headline style here. Can you expand the headlines on the other pages so that they look similar? New Idea on Contact Page 1 Consider changing the color on the text area boxes to white, or a lighter shade than the background of the page. Summary:
Overall it's a well laid out site and appears easy to use, but it doesn't feel very "designed".
The colours, the logo and the font treatments all feel like they could use a little more attention to really feel polished. It reminds me an old version of the IBM Developer Works web site.
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Emeka Rajis commented:I agree with Steve, I think if you work the type and the color palette (maybe introduce some complimentary or tertiaries) it will be very appealing. Also, I'd like to see you try something different with your buttons it may be that little accent that gives the overall design more personality. Looking good!
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Minor Problem on Home Page 1 affordance issue - doesn't look clickable 2 affordance issue - doesn't look clickable 3 affordance issues manifest themselves when you have items that are 'not' clickable -- in close proximity to clickable items (but the visual treatment looks the same). 4 Affordance issue 5 Affordance issue 6 Affordance issue 7 Affordance issue 8 Hard to read Minor Problem on http://dailygouge.com/smart-money/ 1 Affordance issue 2 on the landing page -- this area is reserved for a headline. You've switched to titles Minor Problem on Post Example 1 Switching this area from a title to section header from page to page creates cognitive dissonance (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_dissonance) Minor Problem on Archives Example 1 Affordance issue (buttons have some dimension to them) These buttons are too flat looking New Idea on Home Page 1 affordance issue - doesn't look clickable New Idea on Contact Page 1 try to add "hinting" so the user understands what format is necessary. http://londoncomputercollege.com/tutorials/files/2011/11/8c75a440dat_html.png.png Summary:
Hi Gabriel ~
Visually, this template works. If you want to engage visitors you'll need to go beyond the look.
- I conducted a few usability tests to establish a baseline. In the following test (http://rawlins.verifyapp.com/tests/e782f96fd03ff8b8532ffd964d3f9e9d6cf6aa4a) the focus is on what a visitor remembers after seeing the page for 5.5 seconds. If the page headlines resonate with the users - they self-report in this results report.
- Similarly, this test example (http://rawlins.verifyapp.com/tests/a169b3b0ed45849fe82c58c9a4f3e11ce66c24a9) establishes a baseline for simple tasks. Notice the task completion times in the "raw data" tab. As this report builds over the next few days -- you'll be able to correlate how successful this template is.
- If you are trying to engage and influence visitors -- you'll need to understand how they think and behave. The following short video illustrates the PET method (designing for Persuasion, Emotion and Trust) and (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JjHtke2Yew&feature=youtubegdataplayer)
- You have a visual affordance issue (see my annotations)
Try to embrace these concepts of engaging users at a visceral (non-conscious level).
I hope this helps...
MichaelR
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Steve Comrie commented:Michael, Thanks for those two HFI video links. Super informative, looking at their 2012 training schedule now :-)
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Michael Rawlins commented:I am a CUA. I am also working on my CXA in 2012
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G M commented:
Michael, thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it. I've begun to make some of the changes already.
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G M commented:
I also wanted to add, very nice tests, I just checked them out...impressive.
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Michael Rawlins commented:
Gabriel ~ Checkout these findings reports:
55 respondents as of 12/30/11 -- http://rawlins.verifyapp.com/tests/a169b3b0ed45849fe82c58c9a4f3e11ce66c24a9
47 respondents as of 12/30/11 -- http://rawlins.verifyapp.com/tests/e782f96fd03ff8b8532ffd964d3f9e9d6cf6aa4a
Very interesting results that should influence your design decisions.
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G M commented:
Thanks Michael, I'll check them out.
New Idea on Home Page 1 position this after the text ends: "Click here to continue reading.." 2 "Contact us now" block New Idea on Post Example 1 Move this into the right column. Make the right column follow the scrolling of the page, so the user always have the possibility to share. New Idea on Contact Page 1 Move to left or above of input 2 Less spacing between header and paragraph 3 a few pixels more space between paragraph and next header. 4 The space between Recent Posts block and spacer must also be equal between the spacer and next Recent Post block 5 decrease height so it fits height of inputbox Summary:
Hi,
I have posted some notes for minor improvements. However on the front page, you need to do a better work of explaining what you do/sell.
Steve, thanks for the feedback. I made some of your recommended changes like making the text input background on the contact page white, move the pictures on the homepage to the right of the post, put popular posts on the homepage rather than recent and change the text in the 'Read More' box. I'll work on some of the other changes as I have time. Thanks again.