redid my sites let me know what ya think

Sameeee · #1 (**permalink**) 10-19-2008, 09:16 AM

Hi all it has been a while since I have posted but have been reading the fourms everyday,
I have been redoing my sites so if you can let me know how I am doing it would be GREAT!

here is the old Ozarks Trading Post

Here is the NEW! Ozarks Trading Post
I hope I have made it more user friendly

here is Hillbilly Sam's Flea Market
still have a few bugs but it is almost ready to go live

all comments are welcome,
and any suggestions on how to make them profitable would be great too

Walk in Beauty
Sameeee^i^

James · #2 (**permalink**) 10-19-2008, 01:23 PM

Congratulations. You have really improved your skills. Your learning is paying off big time. I like what you are doing with both sites.

As for the NEW! Ozarks Trading Post site, there are a couple of things I think would help—no biggies.

First, I would widen the banner picture a little. I think it would look better if it reached as far to the right as the "Register Now" section.

Second, I would definitely change the title. Take out the "About Me." These two words are consistently used as the title for a page about the author of a site and is almost as well known to be so as is the reference to "Home Page" is for your opening page. Also, I would not repeat twice the phrase, "The Ozark Trading Post." And remember that this is a key piece of information for the search engines. Instead of "About Me - Welcome to The Ozarks Trading Post : The Ozarks Trading Post," perhaps try something like, "Welcome to The Ozarks Trading Post: Branson, Missouri Area's Place to Buy, Sell, and Trade."

Third, the "Hits" counter is questionable. Most recommendations are not to use a counter at all. If you do decide to keep it I would change the title under it which sounds like it may have slipped in from some other use on another site (it says, "Diet Plans" now).

Again you have been doing some terrific work.

alpha7 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-19-2008, 04:00 PM

I agree with James. You made huge leaps in your skills. Great job.

The only thing I would add is that there is a large empty white space in the middle of the new page. It looks like something may have gotten shifted or something. Not sure, but I would definitely close in the space some how.

It is looking really good. Time well spent I would say.

Oh, 1 more thing. You might want to open you printable signs in a new window. Some people don't realize that the Acrobat Reader takes over the web page. Most people think that it's a program that opens on their pc. I learned that from a focus group.

Sameeee · #4 (**permalink**) 10-20-2008, 05:19 AM

Your words of encouragment makes me feel so good, I have been working hard on the two sites,
I am useing xoops to make The Ozarks Trading Post and I have to use a WIWI Module in order to make the extra pages and for the home page text, I tryed a block but could not get the links to work, got some of the space filled in but just can't get all of it.
I made table thinner so it fits in the page now and made the links open into a new page,
the counter is more for me so I can see how many people comes to visit, now to get people to join and add to the site,

I have most of the bugs out of the Hillbilly Flea Market but have one I just have not found any help fixing and it is driveing me NUTTTs

Thanks again for your kind words
Walk in Beauty
Sameeee^i^

TechieGuy · #5 (**permalink**) 10-20-2008, 06:12 AM

You new site is a definite improvement over the old. You ahve done a terrific job.

Just a few points to note:

1. Make sure you spell and grammar check your work. For example, "Comeing Soon" shouldn't have the "e".

2. On my 1024x768 monitor, much of your content is pushed below the fold due to the menu at the top and the header image. Is there a way you can shrink the menu system down, maybe put it on one line? You can also try to put the menu below the image, and shrink the font.

3. I wouldn't use the counter. Instead, use Google Analytics to see how many visitors your receive.

4. The local weather is wider than the menu, and looks out of place. Can you decrease the width of that particular object to fit neatly in with your sidebar?

5. The "My Album" page is missing. If you still need to add this, then you can forget this point.

Other than that, great job.

Sameeee · #6 (**permalink**) 10-20-2008, 07:44 AM

I removed the text links at the top of the page. I can't remove the dark space tho it is part of the template, I am looking for another template one full screen but have not found one I like, thanks for the spell check I am a sign Lady not a speller

lol and my spell checker is in the Navy now,
The weather block I got to go smaller but some of the text is still out of the block,
it will have to do untill I find another weather block for it,
Thanks so much for all the suggestions
Walk in Beauty
Sameeee^i^

Sameeee · #7 (**permalink**) 10-24-2008, 07:13 AM

Well I went and changed my template one that is full screen, and with winter coming on it will match the season, let me know what ya think
Sameeee^i^

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