A Shocking site

[steve.ledger]

Re: "A Shocking site" - I got the pun

The site design is first class. The only thing that let's it down for me is the Enquiry form which takes much longer to display than every thing else.

What talking man ?

[pauland]

I'm always the guy that comes forward with the things he doesn't like, so here it's no differrent.

The talking man is a complete waste and a mismatch to the business. Not only does he not say anything of value, he's not what I expect an electrician to look like - a man in a suit and tie talking in a posh way verging on the patronising. He looks like a butler. Get rid.

The layout has a lot of space, so things that are important "above the fold" are getting cut off - it could be more focussed on what the visitor sees on that first encounter to the site. I think it should be tightened up ( I don't mean make it cramped either ).

I had a quick play but I think it could be compressed a little more. It's still a bit of an assault on the senses.

The copy is pretty wordy and I think could be more focussed and punchy.

I'd also like to make a usability suggestion. Where there is a button to click for "more", make the whole panel clickable, not just that tiny button.

I am the bad guy critic here on TG. Compared to many I've seen in this kind of area, the site is definitely better than most.

[xtom]

I'd also like to make a usability suggestion. Where there is a button to click for "more", make the whole panel clickable, not just that tiny button.

+1 for usability but could be -1 for seo. If the panel has juicy text it might not be a good idea to make it all a clickable image. The button doesn't look tiny to me but I think maybe you didn't realise the More text is part of the button? Might look better if the more text highlighted with the button.

I think it's fine and dandy, but I didn't click on the guy cos I know he'll just be annoying.

[pauland]

If the panel has juicy text it might not be a good idea to make it all a clickable image. The button doesn't look tiny to me but I think maybe you didn't realise the More text is part of the button? Might look better if the more text highlighted with the button.

I wasn't suggesting making the text an image.

You can extend the button area over the text using a panel with a very low opacity so it won't be seen.

My suggestion is just to make that navigation as easy as possible without having to go to the smaller area - it's not essential.

[xtom]

Well seo wise I'm not sure covering important text with images is a good idea, even if they are transparent. It might not make a difference but I'd play it safe. I think if you're going to do that you may aswell make it an image and alt tag it etc.

[Cloud]

So much input - and before I comment I would like to say that every single one is appreciated and I may not always implement suggestions I do always take them on board.

Firstly - Big frank, in reply to your suggestion, yes you are right about not putting personal comments about a clients website, luckily in this case he is my cousin and knows my feelings on the subject of the 'man'. And as for the light bulb, obviously electricians don't sell light bulbs, but it is a perfectly internationally recognised symbol for electrics.

Pauland - yes it is a waste of time in my opinion and I have said so to the client, but he still likes it and as I pointed out in my initial post it is a trial before full customisation - He himself will film it with his own script so it will eventually be right for the type of business. And as far as the above the fold thing is concerned, folds are really not that important any more, I recently spoke to a couple of friends in the web design industry and due to ipads and what not people don't mind scrolling down as it has become so easy, major websites have started having important stuff above and below the fold and from a design perspective 'white space' is good.

I don't really understand making the whole area clickable, it's not as if the more>> button is tiny or people wouldn't understand what to do.

I will mention the 'wordy' text to the client.

thanks

[handrawn]

What talking man ?

The one you won't [thankfully] see if yaoti.org does not have scripting pemission in your browser

[Cloud]

The one you won't [thankfully] see if yaoti.org does not have scripting pemission in your browser

so true

[Ramshackle]

Thumbs up here also! like you and most of the others the man is ermmmmm well nuff said but as its all a bit fluid at the mo be good to see it go, like the slideshow - is that one of the widgets in WD7? - like the bold colours, kinda draws you in.

Nice job

Ray

[Cloud]

Maybe if I paint a target on the man we can turn it into a game. Thank you for the comments, the slideshow is done using snacktools.com and the best thing is that even though it is flash when I update it (once I finish the site) it will be viewable on iphones etc because snacktools sets up a script which auto detects mobile browsers and replaces the flash with html5 so that the slideshow is still viewable.