web site review please

[Timmo]

Hi All,

Just released the new version of www.thedigitalroom.co.uk

I have checked it in most browsers, if anyone notices any errors please let me know.

Can people let me know about download speed as it is a bit graphics heavy.

And lastly what are your general views on it.

Cheers

TimmoB

[leehack]

Nice modern fresh layout, I like it apart from the purple element, it's a bit too strong for my eyes. It wouldn't make me leave the site but I think a glossy black or charcoal would look better and be more striking/appealing/classy.

[grantglendinnin]

In terms of load time - it seems very good to me, no delays at all using Firefox 3 on a 8mbps connection.

I think the banner needs a bit of work - as it's non-existent, just a plain white box above the main horizontal navigation.

I looked around the site - my biggest gripe was on this (http://www.thedigitalroom.co.uk/acatalog/products.html) page - why does the second menu come in to play, and both menu's link to the Products page? Confusing navigation IMO.

The 'Search' button is also aligned next to the Quick Search field in FF3.

Unless you actually use the Coupon Codes - I would suggest removing this from the first checkout page, as most people will see your site gives the option - thus making them think "well looks like I'm missing out" and will begin to hunt for coupon codes online and potentially find another retailer...

Just my 2c ;)

[leehack]

Add some coupon codes instead I say, I am just about to have a look round for somewhere to print off some canvases. Joine the Xmas promo thread - woot.

[Duncan Rounding]

I like it. The LHS homepage menu also looks good for your products.
When you start your order the Next button and the text below it is 'truncated' in FF3.

Speed wasn't a problem for me on a fast connection but at >600kB on a page it might be for many.

[Timmo]

thanks for feedback,

grant there should be a logo at the top of the page, i have noticed though that in FF3 i have to refresh the page as not all the images load all of the time, any ideas as to why this is, perhaps i need a onload script to make sure the images all load properly.

The logo is bought in as a div background in the css. maybe there is a problem there.

I do use coupons in magazine advertising.

the 2nd menu is really related to the cart. mmm i'll think about that.

Timmo.

[grantglendinnin]

Tim,

After refreshing the page several times the main logo has now appeared.

Just had a look at your source code and can't see anything obvious in there, just one gripe:

<meta name="revisit-after" content="14 Days" />
Contrary to popular belief, this tag is useless - no search engine uses this tag and thus only weighs down your code-to-content ratio.

Though I must admit I do like Lee's idea;)

[Timmo]

Drounding,

i know about the buttons being squashed, i need to work on that. something in the css.

ta.

[Rich Brady]

I like it... :D

I'm unsure about the white text on purple bg, may be difficult to read for someone with poorer site.

My only concern is here:

http://www.thedigitalroom.co.uk/sizes_and_prices_acrylic_prints.html

When I click on one of the links in the block of nine, it appears not to take me anywhere. Almost all of the changes are below the fold, it was only after a couple of clicks I noticed some changes happening at the bottom of the screen.

Header logo appears for me in FF3!

Also, the "Adding Colour to your life" link text on the home page, doesn't take me anywhere. This is the same for "Products" and "Sizes and Prices"

On the whole though a nice bright site. Well done!

[Timmo]

what christma promo thread....

im happy to join it if you point me at it....

:)

[leehack]

You can only join if discounts are 25% off or higher, is that OK with you?

[Timmo]

webD,

the effects button in the sizes n prices nenu doesn't work as we are still working on the effects pages.

The links you mention are all 'h2' links which i was led to believe help the search engines seo. tell me if i'm wrong.

[Timmo]

is that 25% + a pint of blood???? ;)

[leehack]

OOH no we are not that demanding, if you have blood to spare, keep it and up the discount to 30% instead.

[grantglendinnin]

Actinic's Christmas 2008 (http://community.actinic.com/showthread.php?t=39395)

[Rich Brady]

webD,

the effects button in the sizes n prices nenu doesn't work as we are still working on the effects pages.

The links you mention are all 'h2' links which i was led to believe help the search engines seo. tell me if i'm wrong.

It's not specifically the effects button. What I mean to say is that when you click on one of those buttons the display in the bottom half of the page changes. I missed this, perhaps because I'm on a laptop, but there is only a very subtle change as I view the page. Originally I thought nothing had happend. Perhaps it would be worth sticking anchor in so that when one of those is clicked the page move down for the user.

The links I mentioned may well be h2, but tha't not relevant to the point I'm making. May be I wasn't clear enough, sorry. If I click on a link I expect it to take me somewhere or for something to happen. Currently they do not. This maybe that you're still working on the site, but incase not I thought it worth mentioning.

[RuralWeb]

Not good - http://thedigitalroom.co.uk/acatalog/info_36.html

[Timmo]

i'll have to work on the extended info.

[Timmo]

webD

what if i changed the colour for each size and price page so from the purple to the relevant colour of the product, ie blue for canvas etc.

[Rich Brady]

webD

what if i changed the colour for each size and price page so from the purple to the relevant colour of the product, ie blue for canvas etc.

Rich, please?

I'm not exactly sure what you're asking me here. But I just noticed that on your Products page, if you click on one of your colour blocks you have used anchors, so get the sizes page doing the same. IMO

In response to your question, the coffee is slowly workings its way in, White on blue looks better than white on purple. If I've understood you correctly!

[Timmo]

Rich,

I'm gonna have a quick fiddle with that page.

I'll post when its fiddled with.

[Rich Brady]

Can't beleive I'm going to write this, but...

Happy Fiddling...

It may be worth making the top banner iage into a index.html link too...

[Timmo]

Rich

I've fiddled.

is that better?

the top banner / logo is actually an h1 link to the homepage that uses image replacement to display the logo image, not sure why the link isn't showing though.

[Rich Brady]

PMSL... Feels great :eek:

*Waits patiently for Bumpsy's comments*

What have you changed? The only difference I see is if I click on AcrylicPhotoBlock, the text bg colour changes...

[Timmo]

the sizes and prices text background changes to match the product colour.

so now when you click on the different links you can see a visual change.