[Venka]

Hello,

I have just received the new visual for our new homepage. I do like it but for some reason it just doesn't look right. I can't put my finger on it why though?

Any feedback most appreciated.



http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/n...f?t=1210225636

[Carbon Neutral Copy]

Morning Venka

My immediate reaction was that the big square image on the left was overpowering everything else on the page. Also, for me the most predominant thing in the picture is the skyscrapers and they have nothing to do with what you sell.

I hope that helps.

Vicky

[SBP]

what do I do ?

no call to action

no links to click

no headline to hook me into looking deeper

[whistle ink]

Hi,

There is defo something wrong with left hand side. All that white space, you need to move the black navigation bar right across to the left, move the newsletter box down (or somewhere else altogether) and then put somethinng in the remaining white space.

I don't think the skyscraper picture needs to be that big - maybe cut it in half or something. What is supposed to show or say? Sofas? Put a text link in the picture 'More Info' and / or 'View Sofa Range'.

Same with the small images underneath.

You could also move the basket to the left hand side column too.

I think that there is too much text in that paragraph. I'm sure you could trim it down - maybe place it above the big image amd make the text bigger.

Good luck with it!

[Dotwhack]

The page isn't balanced - long white strip down the left and the massive picture in the middle overpowers it.

Not sure the 'lifestyle' shot is right for the site - personally I'd rather see exactly what products you sell i.e. cut out shots of products instead of lifestyle situ shots

[pvcprinting]

Sky Scrappers jump out immediatly....get rid of them and go for something more suitble like a countryside view or river/lake....more calming

[awebapart.com]

Originally Posted by Venka

I have just received the new visual for our new homepage. I do like it but for some reason it just doesn't look right. I can't put my finger on it why though?

Yes there is something odd about the general layout, and I think it is down to layout giving the impression that the main content area is completely tied to the width of the menu bar, when that menu bar doesn't go across the full layout width, and everything else has just been added and flowed around this (i.e. the top, top left, and left areas). With the menu and the vertical photo band attached (with a clean right angle), it looks like an r shaped banding separator, which divides your page into two areas, the main bottom right area and the remainder.

There's nothing wrong in having a menu bar that doesn't go the full width of the layout, but I think you need some way of separating the menu bar from the impression that it also tied to the main content area. This can be done by adding space between the menu bar and the main content, and changing the widths so they are different, and moving the left area down so it doesn't look like it is flowing around the main bottom right area. Here are some subtle variations to give you some examples:

1.

2.

3.

Hopefully some of the blank area under Sale will be put to good use in the future, once news and blog items are added.

[IP2]

Still the skyscrapers that are too distracting in my mind. Due to them colour co-ordinating with your top bar, they grab the attention.

[Venka]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR FEEDBACK.

The visuals examples are so much of an improvement, I will get them to change the images as well.

The website designers are great technically, it seems their graphic designer however is not that creative. I have no graphic design background myself but I could see immediately the page was not right at all.

I am getting slightly nervous about employing the agency now.

Thanks again for the input, I am sure the page will be much improved.

[IP2]

Perhaps you could do with a chat with Calibre Designs on this forum, she may be able to help you.