It’s wide. There’s a reason why sites always have wrappers, and that’s because anything over 600 pixels wide tends to be intimidating to read. Most people who see a block of text that big freak out and don’t even read it. I’m not like that, but the average user is. Also, consider styling the links. I realize you seem to be going for a fairly simple look, but just a plain hard blue underline link with no hover effect is kinda boring.
Basically just try to style it up a bit. Throw in a few graphics, narrow up the text column, and do a few other things and it’ll look good
Hi,
if this is for a pro site:
– lose the colored candy-style buttons (they are amateurish)
– lose the advertisement (also amateurish), if then place your own ads there
– lose the header “graphic”, it’s a known one, make your own or ask a pro for a really good logo
– I agree with resiny, make it less wide (90% f.e.)
– use a more pleasing color scheme. Blue isn’t bad, but these blues are too toned down and too diverse. Looks a bit like a swimming pool to me.
I like the cleanness and the directness. But don’t forget that space is cheap on the net. With which I want to say that you should add space where people can rest their eyes, or to stress important areas.
I’d add some line height to the posts.
Thread Starter
basilv
(@basilv)
Thanks for the feedback.
As a quick fix for the width issue, I’ve reduced the width of the main text column and shifted it to the sidebar.
lhk, I assume by colored candy-style buttons you mean the subscribe buttons in the sidebar in the Feed section?
Thread Starter
basilv
(@basilv)
miklb, thanks – especially under IE, the lines look a little close. I’ve slightly increased the spacing between lines.
still kinda wide. Like I said, 5-6 hundred pixels is the most. You look to be 1 1/2 times that
I concur with resiny. Since the content appears to be flex width, I’d simply add some padding to .post content
I usually don’t answer unless it’s positive, but you asked for a tough critique.
I like the fact that your blog is easy to red. However, it just doesn’t scream “professional” to me.
Like everyone else, I think both the main container and the sidebar are too wide. I abhor the color scheme – I think maybe that’s the main thing that bugs me. I don’t really have a scheme suggestion, but there are too many blue colors. Maybe the dark blue like in your navbar and silver and steel gray or something less 1st timer looking.
I like the simple header.
Good luck,
Samuel
Hi again,
yes, I mean the little feed buttons.
Thread Starter
basilv
(@basilv)
I’d like to thank everyone again for their feedback. I’ve made more changes – mostly adjusting the horizontal spacing and adding more whitespace as per everyone’s suggestions. I’d like to make more of your changes, but just don’t have the time right now. I’ve written an article about my changes and your feedback – see http://www.basilv.com/psd/blog/2006/website-changes-and-the-value-of-feedback
If you have more feedback, I’d love to hear it.
