site criticism
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- 15 Responses
- ukit0
Still waiting for the Flash to load...
- baseline_shift0
yeah, im not getting anything but that loading bar under the nav.
I really dislike the outer glow effect on hover.
Might look a bit better with an additional accent color.
I would consider making all the contact info on the footer and the phone numbers up top browser copy instead of images. Helps seo a ton.
- oh, wait. The flash bit finally loaded. took about 2 or 3 mins though.baseline_shift
- Nairn0
Feels a little dark and muddy
Why is 'we are a' a different size to 'design & equipment firm'? Could do with a little more space beneath it too.
Perhaps it's just my connection, but your Flash intro is quite slow to download - particularly evident in the face of the relatively quick load of the homepage otherwise. Actually, in fact - it just isn't loading at all.
Personally, I'd not bother with the iframe (wer) on the contact page, instead just having it as one long list, but that's just me.
Drop shadow around main body content is a bit heavy and ..er.. meh - I'm not sure what you gain by including it.
Rollover state isn't consistent - your text appears to shift a pixel or so.
Personally, I get a bit confused when a primary nav hierarchy relies solely on clicking the main logo to return to the homepage - I know it's a bit crappy, but I'd always include a link to the homepage alongside the other nav, even (in fact especially) if it's redundant.
Logos on 'Why Clark?' page are a bit incoherent and clip-arty - I'd iconify and simplify the colours - 3 of them are in green monochrome, 3 in colour.
Your flash intro still isn't loading :\
- uncle_helv0
The logo is awful!!
- I know. They've been using it since the 70's. If i could get them to update that I would.jtb26
- epikore0
The drop shadow is too fuzzy for me
- designbot0
you might adjust the kerning a bit on the navigation. Or change that font as it's kind of hard to read. Also I would make the phone number stand out a bit more...try semibolding it or something. Under the directory definitely do away with the scrollbar. Make the page bigger or adjust the text, but you shouldn't make people have to scroll.
Once the flash slideshow finally loaded, I think it's nice. But seriously check out that file size or why it takes so freakin' long to load :) You might also consider changing the background to a darker color so the focus is on the site. Looks a bit washed out with all that tan.
Anyway that's my two cents. Overall, it's nice. Good job switching from print to web. The fact that you didn't used an aliased or non websafe font for the body copy says alot :)
- jtb260
Thanks guys. I'll work on the loading. And some of the other details you picked up on.
- epikore0
Look at the variety, layout, grid, icons, details and font size of this page. http://www.scps.nyu.edu/areas-of…
- NONEIS0
Where is the food service equipment?
- what is food service equipment?lukus_W
- did you even read the sites content, the company name?NONEIS
- I have no clue what it "is", but there are no photos of it on this site.NONEIS
- sorry, that wasn't directed at you noneis -> my point was that I don't know what the product is from visiting the site.lukus_W
- Hahaha, I just thought you skipped to post before looking.NONEIS
- wwfc0
...3 minutes in and still loading - you have 95% of the initial content loaded whilst everyone waits for a small piece of animation. not a good way of doing things.
regardless of it's importance to the page, you need to make that faster my friend, got a feelin' you have just put your head in the lions mouth by posting this, but you will also get a lot of relevant pointers. if you are a print designer just think of it as an area of focus, where do you want the eye to go to first, where does it lead to, how quickly does it convey the message. nobody reads on the net - scan read yes, word for word no! so just do something that keeps attention on the subject, and the message you are trying to convey.
unless of course all of your print design looks like this, in that case, buy any if not all of why not associates work - now they really do know how to do it.
- NONEIS0
It looks like you have some ok assets once the flash finally loads, break them out of there, and make them center stage within the design.
- lukus_W0
I'd concentrate on what you're trying to communicate to your site visitors, and what you ideally want the result of their visit to be.
Think about reasons why people will visit your site. What will they be looking for?
My main problem is that after visiting your site I'm not sure what your company actually does. I can tell that you design equipment for the food industry - but it all feels quite vague.
If your actual product is difficult to define, one way of solving this confusion would be to include some case-studies on your site. Show how you have solved client's problems in the past.
If you're hoping to generate sales leads / quotes requests from the site -> make sure that all 'roads' lead your visitor towards this conclusion. As you make decisions about content and structure, ask yourself whether your choices are actively going to help you achieve your aims.
Personally, I think that the copy needs to be refined. For example, your opening paragraph is far too generic imo. It could be copied and pasted onto virtually any other 'design equipment' firm and still read the same; which I think is a problem.
"We are a design & equipment firm that focuses on performing on time, in scope, and within budget every time. We seek to be different in the eyes of our customer and viewed as less of a commodity and more of a valued partner. We listen to our customers, design practically and efficiently, and meet budgets and deadlines. Our goal is to make our customers look good and feel positive about their experience with us. "
- designbot0
loading....
- CygnusZero40
It's okay. Of course it could be better, but I'm sure it's fine for them and not bad for a print designer with minimal site design experience.
Flash isnt loading for me though,.
- epikore0
A bit too basic but I guess it works. The loading takes forever.
- Yeah they're a food service equipment company. Decent is probably good enough.CygnusZero4