Web design and Usability feedback for SocraticNews.com

Hi Kyle,

This version is graphically much better then the previous one. You are going in the right direction. First option is better.

Few issues:

1. Submit article button should be the most visible button on the page. At the moment it's hidden between Contact and Login :)

2. Rating is too wide IMHO. What is the difference between 6 and 7? I don't feel this difference and I bet others do not also.

3. Tagline still needed :) but I know you are working on it. It has to differentiate this service from so many similar and promise the value.

4. I'm not sure you should use the same style of buttons in the categories main menu and in the top menu.

5. Page title is needed - Users have to know where they are and to see it on the active button is not enough.

6. Any paging? Is there more than 10 results? If there is more than you need paging.

Hope this helps.

Cheers!

Michael

(user experience designer & strategist)

1st option is better- you can remove the google box if possible.

Site looks good, but still have some issues with white space between posts

I agree with Michael completely. His point about the submit article needing emphasis is good.

1. Clear visual hierarchy - I see the lower nav first then the rating buttons. However, it seems that the article title and submit article button should have more importance. Larger titles and orange submit button could work.

2. Header problems - if the higher nav was simpler and the Pantheon (?) was larger/stronger, it could make the header more visually appealing.

3. Top 10 Articles - seems too emphasized for what it is. With a stronger header it could help with a stronger overall look.

4. Google ads - with such a grey look the blue text is overpowering. By strengthening other elements you can push it into the background.

5. Article teasers - the title needs to be quite strong. The underline is not needed if it is darker/larger. The numbers are emphasized for a reason - you could make it more obvious by making it brighter/darker/contrasty.

6. Visual Flow - There is a problem here with all the horizontal straight lines. Making the diagonal line in the Pantheon strong could really help out.

I hope this helps. Cheers.

Very nice lightweight looking site. I prefer Design v1

A few things I like:

• Article titles, prefer v1 to v2
• View by day/week/month, etc looks nice
• Search bar and RSS layout are layed out nicely
• I like the rank numbering of articles.

• Great logo!

  A few things I'd change:

• The top navigation is too busy as buttons. Consider using simple text links for Home/About/Contact.

• The Submit Article button should live near the list of articles in the table listing. I'd place it somewhere near "Top 10 Articles"

• The Google Ads don't need your artistic column. It draws too much attention away from your content. Also, it makes the ad space look really busy.

• Change "Current Rating" to "Rating." One assumes that ratings are always current.

• Too much text for the "published on, by, minutes ago". Simplify. Use fewer icons. I suggest something more like "By John Smith 53 minutes ago". Either show posted dat OR "minutes ago", but never both.

Nice work - I think you're close!