Suggestions!...I like suggestions Thanks Kevin, that was an extremely useful post. I put a lot of thought into the overall feel of the current site. I've been studying web design for a few years now and have implemented several design concepts on purpose. By 'studying' I don't mean I've been to college or anything but I have read many essays (such as Jacob Nielsen's) and do a mental critique on every site I visit and taken notes on what I think works (and why). On The background: Normally a black background is a big no-no. Yet with all the colours of the cars I think it is appropriate and really makes them stand out. The trick to using a black background is choosing the colour of your fonts and links so as to avoid eye strain. I think I have chosen the right colours for the fonts and links and my choice of a 'gentle' tri-shield pattern (which started out as a photo of the embossed tri-shield emblem on my side mirror) is subtle but hopefully effective. The other choice was the gentle dimpling of the dash vinyl which also worled well but I eventually went with the tri-shield design. The trick to a background pattern is that it needs to be very soft so as not to interfere with the user's ability to concentrate on the text. I think it works well but will take opinions on that from users. So far, I have not received any complaints and quite to the contrary have received compliments on it so I am satisfied that it doesn't bother anyone's ability to read the text. On the Scroll bars: The original idea behind changing the scroll bars was to include them in the overall style of the site. So far you are the only one who has mentioned that it actually makes the site more difficult to navigate so I am going to try a more contrasting colour scheme to see if it improves your ability to 'find' them or if it doesn't I will change them back to default. Good point and thanks for the feedback on that one. On the width of the page: For a long time I had catered to the 2 major browser widths (800x600 and 1024x768) by making the site expand (or contract) to the size of your browser. The reason I have recently forced the site to 1024x768 was to keep the site just one size. Sometimes when 'squashed' down to 800x600 it was a little too cramped and while the middle section was always fully displayed when viewed in 800 some scrolling was needed to see the menus on the left and right. I think I might take your advice and remove the forced (clear.gif) so that the sight can 'breathe' to your browser size again. On the left and right menus: I really like this menuing as well and I think that if it changes it will become a different site all together and will loose to much of the original 'feel'. It might also be in danger of becoming a brand new site instead of an improved version of the old (which was my original intention. You won me as I'm with you 100% on that one and personaly, I actually really like the current design anyway. Babes: The problem with babes is that in order to use them you need their permission (read...cash) to use them legally. Also, I wanted to concentrate on the cars and if there are babes I know that they will become a distraction and are not always appreciated by some folks. Plus, sometimes I just want to say "excuse me love but would you mind moving a bit to the left so I can see the car?" So, like I said. I have put much thought and love into the old site (not to mention literally hundreds of hours) and was kind of uncomfortable with throwing it all away (absolutley no offence to Vic the designer who has also put more than a little effort into the new design - Hi Vic I know your reading this thread) and was more interested in spicing the old design up a little bit so I think this is what I'll do (though I haven't decided fully yet). Vic has come up with some interesting concepts which I might implement such as the top navigation bar and the simplified fornt page text. I might move some of the text (such as how to submit your Buick) onto another page and keep a rotating section of pics on the front page so they don't become stale. I have received some feedback that the moving banner is too intensive for some of the older machines and although I do like it, I don't want to add anything that might give users a hard time. Thanks for the specific details Kevin, they have been really useful and I appreciate the time you took to point these things out to me. I just want to mention that I am always open to suggestions through my regular email (bill@buickstreet.com) and always appreciate feedback (good or bad) as it means that people are interested enough to want to come back and see what I have in the way of new cars and features. This has been a useful exercise and I'd like some more feedback in this thread like Kevin's so keep the comments coming and feel free to make them as specific as you like. I will not take offence. My only goal here is to improve your experience and and to want you to keep coming back. Some features I want to include: 1) A form to make it easier to submit your Buick which will include fields for all the specs and a facility to upload you pictures direcly from your browser. This will include a choice to either be included in a general gallery or to submit for a full feature. 2) A Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.) section to side step the dozens of "what's my car worth?", "how to fix this?" or "where can I get 'x' part for my car?" emails I recieve daily. 3) An improved "Useful Links" page with a small explanation on what is good or 'Buick related' about a site I link to. I might include a small screen grab of the site to assist. 4) A News page so you can see what has changed or been added to the site since your last visit. 5) A User Gallery for every Buick that is submitted to me regardless of the quality of the pictures or story. 6) A 'For Sale' section for Buicks and/or Buick parts. Keep the feedback coming. I am really enjoying it :TU: .
