the SBI navbar and user navigation

learner · #1 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 02:41 PM

I need help in deciding what to do.

When analyzing SBI sites I have seen that they have long lists in their navbar.
When I create my site I definitely want to be able to put titles and subtitles in my navbar.
The sbi templates seem to just have a loooong list of words in the navbar instead of being able to group them.
I think it is very confusing to the visitor to have a long list of options to choose from in the navbar instead of 3 or 4 blocks of options to choose from.
With the title one color and subtitles in another color this would be much easier for visitors to navigate.

So I would like to know if in the sbi templates there is the option to not have a long list in the navbar. Or at least to be able to change the background color on some buttons and leave other buttons another color for easier visitor navigation?
Maybe even have a divider between all those buttons so that it is easier to group the topics?
I know that with my own html I could do this but I am asking if this is possible with the premade SBI templates?

To me this is a very important factor even though everyone says that webdesign is not so important.
I believe that user navigation is not only important but essential.
I greatly appreciate any help.
Eren

ssmorgan · #2 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 02:45 PM

Hi Eren,

Unfortunately, I do not think there is a way to break up the navigation bar using the SBI templates.

Sherif

lisa · #3 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 05:25 PM

Hi Eren,

Nope. The only way to break up the nav bar is to do what I did... use your own software (I used Dreamweaver) and then upload your design to SBI! that way. Then you'll have more control over your left nav layout.

I didn't convert to my own software until 2 1/2 years after my site launched. There are some steps involved and I just wanted to focus on my content and building traffic.... not trying to learn Dreamweaver. But I'm glad I did now. But the good news is, even with that long nav I still brought in lots of traffic and revenue was good.

learner · #4 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 05:52 PM

Hey y'all,
Thanks for answering so quickly

I guess I have been thinking of how I would organize the content with the SBI template in a way that is not confusing to visitors.

One idea that I'm thinking of is to put maybe up to 12 navbar buttons total and just have links in the midst of the content and in the end of each page for more on that topic or similar things that they might be interested in. That way the navigation is right there at the end of the page.

Also set up the pages with tables for them to easily pick out a topic that they want. Can we put tables on SBI?

The other things is I have seen Elad's birthday site and think I will use a similiar structure to his site- probably the same template only my site would probably be a baby site- I'm so girly

I will have it all pink and white.

I have watched the video demos on sitesell and now I understand just how totally easy it is to use SBI's site builder- talk about easy!
I have a free wordpress blog and it is much harder to figure out than SBI.

Anyways in the video demos I didn't see a video that explained how to put those boxes on the right hand side of Elad's site- you know the box where there is a picture of him with his two girls?
Is that doable with the block by block SBI builder?

Where do I find the info on how to put that box on the right hand side of the site?

I'm so full of questions aren't I?

Eren

lisa · #5 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 08:02 PM

Hi Eren

I don't think Elad used the Block Builder for that site. Generally all "Builder" sites have the same width and his site is a bit wider. And the right-side content leads me to believe he used his own software to accomplish that.

learner · #6 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 08:35 PM

Hi Lisa,
uhmmm I think I will just have to learn dreamweaver then- there is no runnning around it
I am too just too picky with web design to make a site that is not wide enough for me. I truly don't like narrow sites- and small letters in navbar buttons drive me nutty

I feel that narrow sites waste important webspace that could be used for many things so I will see what to do in relation to my own html.
Are you sure Elad is not using an already made template?
Another template that I would not mind using is the one from coolest baby shower ideas.They also have 3 column and use the space like I want to use.
thanks for the response.
Eren

ssmorgan · #7 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 10:41 PM

Eren,

It's important to feel good about the design of your website, so getting and learning Dreamweaver would be a good idea for you. It will take a little bit of time to get a handle on all the features and functionality of Dreamweaver, but it will be such a valuable tool.

It's possible that Elad used a template, just not the SBI templates. You can find many templates online, and then edit the html files to add content, customize it, etc. Or, you can open a template you find online with a software like Dreamweaver and customize it that way too.

Sherif

learner · #8 (**permalink**) 03-24-2008, 04:17 AM

Hey Sherif
I guess I will have to learn how to use dreamweaver after all- I have used nvu on my desktop and think it is okay but still doesn't do what I want it to do.
Maybe I am not skilled enough yet to make it do what I want it to

Anyways I like the look of all of Lisa's sites.
Her flat stomach site loooked awesome even before she did the makeover with dreamweaver.
And now that she used dreamweaver it looks even better. Kudos to Lisa.
Anyways- thanks for helping me out.

Eren

lisa · #9 (**permalink**) 03-24-2008, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by learner

Hi Lisa,
uhmmm I think I will just have to learn dreamweaver then- there is no runnning around it
I am too just too picky with web design to make a site that is not wide enough for me. I truly don't like narrow sites- and small letters in navbar buttons drive me nutty

It's not that bad if you have a template. I made the one I used available for download here.

http://www.2createawebsite.com/design/cssTemplate1.zip

It's a very dumbed-down version because I wanted people to create their own colors, etc. but it will get you started if you open it up in Dreamweaver. And of course make sure you read the SBI! integration guide for specific SBI! instructions.

learner · #10 (**permalink**) 03-24-2008, 09:18 AM

hey Lisa- thanks so much for that.
I'll keep you updated as to what I will be doing.
all the best,
Eren

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