New Design?

[WebSavvy]

I just completed the new design/layout for my search engine marketing tools site. This now has flash elements in it along with some CSS.

Can you please let me know how fast/slow it loads? If the colors render OK or if it's too dark?

It's not completed yet, all I have up is the index page. Am waiting for comments first in case I need to redesign again. ;)

http://arachnid.esubmit-it.com/

Thanks!

[aps]

savvy1,

Looks good to me :)

I use a cable modem but it should load just fine on a 56K being only 11.02Kb in size.


Dave S.

[crifer]

Great looking site Deborah! Color lookes good, perfect amount of infomation, easy to get the whole picture on what you do, no scrolling at the first page. The only thing that might be a little disturbing is the 011010 that always is flying by at the top. But apart from that, Great!!

[kneelsit]

The only thing that might be a little disturbing is the 011010 that always is flying by at the top.

Hi Debbie,
I tend to agree with crifer about that flying thing, but apart from that the site looks great.

Just one aspect on appearance - have you thought about using a very pale cream background ( mayber even textured ) and having the text in a dark chocolate brown. Just something to consider since the rest of the graphics look very classy.


G.

[WebSavvy]

Hi Greg, Crifer, and Aps,

Thanks for your comments.

Greg-

Yes, actually I had already planned on switching to a more neutral color background. Just completed it last night and will be uploading it later tonight along with the new CSS file to change some fonts and colors.

:( I rather like the flying thing...LOL It's 1's and 0's (binary code) and moving as does Internet data. It's symbolic. If it's just flat, the site looks lifeless and boring. The movement catches the eye and draws interest, thus my reason for adding the flash. It seems to have just enough balance to add interest without in itself becoming a distraction.

[MazY]

Originally posted by savvy1
Hi Greg, Crifer, and Aps,

Thanks for your comments.

I rather like the flying thing...LOL It's 1's and 0's (binary code) and moving as does Internet data. It's symbolic. If it's just flat, the site looks lifeless and boring.

Agreed. Stick with it. Paper is a static medium, not the web.

[kneelsit]

Sorry - forgot to mention that i use a 56k. modem on a dial-up connection and loaded very quickly.

BTW you have 2 broken links from "submit" on your main website 'AnnounceIt'


Greg

[WebSavvy]

Yes Greg, that I knew. I have not had the chance to replace that yet. It links to the free submission area that I have just removed withing the past 3 days due to the fact that porn peddlers were submitting through it, so I have removed it. The search engines that they were pushing their garbage to do not even accept those types of sites in their database. I had information there to tell people that adult sites are NOT allowed nor tolerated please do not submit them, but as you know, some people do not listen and therefore mess up a good thing for everyone else.

[kneelsit]

I agree Deb it is a constant battle. Have installed mailwasher and find it seems to be working very well for my mail.

My website email addresses were also subject to this sort of attack until Mel gave me the coding to prevent their bots. from picking them up.

[Blue]

Hi Deb,

I'm afraid I have to agree with crifer and Greg......and Mazy. What if instead of a loop with constant action, you interspersed it with some "non-action" time, maybe put 10-15 seconds of no movement at the end of each loop?

The site looks great though, and once you upload the new background, it'll be killer!

:cheers:

[WebSavvy]

Thanks Blue. The new lighter color bg will improve quite a bit and make a huge difference. I may or may not alter the flash header, that will all depend on how pleased I am with it's appearance once it is completed.

Greg, I PM'd you back. :)

[MazY]

Originally posted by savvy1
I may or may not alter the flash header, that will all depend on how pleased I am with it's appearance once it is completed.

LOL. I'll deduct points from my previously given score chart if you remove it!

[WebSavvy]

Originally posted by MazY
LOL. I'll deduct points from my previously given score chart if you remove it!

LOL! Oh no, lose points! I shant touch it then!!! ;)

[sanity]

Hi Debbie,

I think the design looks fantastic. Professional and extremely stylish. It also loaded well on 128k ISDN. I really like the colour scheme too.

At first I was not sure about the Flash but after viewing it a few times I gotta say I really like it. As Mazy says the web's not a static medium. And it's hardly distracting in fact it makes it look pretty slick.

:cheers: on a great design!

Sophie

[WebSavvy]

Thanks a lot Sophie. I am going to leave the flash header as is. The only changes are the new bg (later this evening) and the CSS file (colors & fonts). I am quite pleased with the way this has turned out so far.

[tlpretender]

Really nice. Let me know when it's finished so I can add it to GG.

[WebSavvy]

Thanks. Ok, will do.

[sanity]

Personally I don't mind the white BG. But then judging by your design skills so far, I imagine the new one will look fantastic.

Will look forward to seeing it!

Sophie

[bigblock]

It looks like the flash might not be loading in NN 4.79/Mac.

Here's a screenshot:

http://shell.amigo.net/~jon/images/esubmitscrn.jpg


HTH

[OptWizard]

Looks nice very eye pleasing,,straight and to the point

[WebSavvy]

Thanks for your input everyone. Your opinions and suggestions have been a big help.

The new BG and CSS file are now in place.

BB,

I believe the reason it may not have loaded in Mac is due to the fact that that server is running slow today. I had a similar problem last week where I couldn't access any of the domains I host on that server and their reason was " a client was uploading 100's of CPanel pages all at the same time " Thank goodness I am moving all of my domains to my own server soon (when I have the free time) I own 80 of them, so moving is quite a chore.

[bigblock]

Ooch -- 80 domains. I don't envy you. I thought I was tough because I have a bunch of domain names ;).

I still suspect the problem might possibly be NN/Mac-related, as it loaded OK for me in IE 4.5 on my mac, at the same time I checked it in NN.

Who is it that will send you a bunch of screenshots of your site in numerous different browser/platform configurations, etc. NetMechanic?

[WebSavvy]

hmmm ..... I don't know, I'm not sure about that one, it may be NetMechanics. It'll be something that I will be looking into though. Thanks for your help.

[Kal]

Only just caught this thread - Wow Deb, you have a real talent for this. The best use of Flash I've ever seen - subtle is so much more effective than those huge gaudy movies you see everywhere. Nice work! :thumb:

PS - are you interested in any web design work? Because I often have clients ask me for recommendations and I'd like to include you. Or maybe you have enough on your plate - just let me know.

[WebSavvy]

Thanks Kal. I PM'd you. Truth is, I have only been into doing flash for about 2 weeks now. So I am rather crude with it just yet. As time progresses I will develop better talents at it.

[Kal]

2 Weeks! Yowser. All I can say is you must've been one of those kids at school who could pick up algebra in a snap right? :D

[WebSavvy]

LOL! Nah, Algebra wasn't much of a challenge. I actually am quite interested in Physics as it is a major hobby of mine. :D

[ihelpyou]

Yes, very nice Deb. I love the colors and agree the flash is 'just right'.

[Farhan]

Excellent design overall Deb!

And a very nice use of Flash

Cheers :cheers:

[Mel]

Very Nice Deb - don't change a thing in the design. It loaded up in less than 8 seconds from start to finish, and I see the symbolism in the binary data flow across the top.

[WebSavvy]

Thanks Guys! :) I will be adding the rest of the pages later today to finish up the site. The tools are done now, and the sample reports are done now. I am trying to decide if I want to add the sample report right into the page or put it on another page and call it through an IFRAME.

My only worry with calling through the IFRAME is they are not SE friendly and the SE's can't read the flash links either, so I will probably need to add a sitemap link at the bottom.

[WebSavvy]

OK, ah, I finally have all the pages finished and up. What are your comments please?

http://arachnid.esubmit-it.com

Thanks!
-Deb

[ihelpyou]

Very nice Deb! Ya got some real good tools there! :thumb:

[WebSavvy]

Thanks Doug!


<insert>
Wipes sweat from brow due to programming exhaustion.
</insert>

[kneelsit]

Great job Deb! :cheers:

Looks very professional. dignified and balanced. The whole blends nicely as a unit - specially since you have made the text dark chocolate. Having had another look I must say I LIKE the movement at the top now - catches your eye and attention but is not "in your face".

Anything special about the fact that you have 7 tools - a mystical and magical number? :)

Then of course I would think that - being born on 7/7.

:D

Congrats again..

P.S. drop me an email about that other matter when you have had a chance to put your feet up and have a beer.

[WebSavvy]

Thanks for the compliments Greg! Sent you a PM on that other matter.

-Deb