Review of 'Discover Secret Scotland' Please...

[AWTS]

Hi All,

Even Daniel had to walk into the lion's den at some point...

'Discover Secret Scotland' is a small, simple site I put together for a pal of mine a few months ago - basically, I just wanted a way to kick-start my portfolio.

Now that he's starting to take some hits as he travels around, I've been tweaking it somewhat.

I'll stake my professional reputation on the site's accessibility, usability and compliance. As you all know, however, I sadly lack inate design skills and only know SEO at the basic level.

So, it's these two areas I'm really looking for feedback on...of course, if you spot any other areas that could do with improvement - then please let me know.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm about to go and put the thickest skin suit that I possess!!

Cheers!

[Global Assistant]

No harsh words coming from me! Read the site and as to be expected as your friend's a writer, not a damn single typo could I spot!

I think it is very clear, designed well and the colours are very appropriate for a site connected to Scotland.

Just one thing, your friend seems like he has my perfect life - lives in the wilds, is a writer, does wine tasting and ghost walks. One very jealous lady here!

[Matski]

Hi Gary

Site looks god, nice and clean, all the info you need is easily accessible etc.

Couple of suggestions;

maybe try putting borders around the information and reviews sections that appear on each page to make the content that changes on each page stand out a bit more

in the diary section everything is crossed out, does this mean they are all canceled? cant seem to work it out? i'm guessing that they are.

my 10 pence worth, matt

[Global Assistant]

I presume the diary dates are crossed out as they have already been held and not cancelled.

[Matski]

I presume the diary dates are crossed out as they have already been held and not cancelled.

ahem, yes thanks katherine obviously I wasn't checking properly doh!

[AWTS]

@ matt: you're right about the borders for attention-drawing - I'll see what I can do.

@ Katherine: Thanks for the comments and, you're right about the crossings. By using <del> indicates - or is supposed to indicate - that the events have passed. I didn't want users thinking that John had a permanently empty diary!

I'm also thinking about removing the Book Reviews from every page, and just have them on the the 'Books' page. I could find something else to fill up the right-hand column for the other pages.

Thoughts anyone?

[edit]Actually, I could leave the Reviews where there are, but limit it to one per page??[/edit]

Thanks guys!

[skeeter]

Hi All,

Even Daniel had to walk into the lion's den at some point...

'Discover Secret Scotland' is a small, simple site I put together for a pal of mine a few months ago - basically, I just wanted a way to kick-start my portfolio.

Now that he's starting to take some hits as he travels around, I've been tweaking it somewhat.

I'll stake my professional reputation on the site's accessibility, usability and compliance. As you all know, however, I sadly lack inate design skills and only know SEO at the basic level.

So, it's these two areas I'm really looking for feedback on...of course, if you spot any other areas that could do with improvement - then please let me know.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm about to go and put the thickest skin suit that I possess!!

Cheers!

Hello Gary,

I will quite happily review your website. You approached me in a valued way. I need to ask you to answer a few things first. I don't want to assume.

-Can you make explicit the different audiences that are expected
-Briefly who the audience is and where they come from.
-How does the website fit into a wider context

To clarify, basic demographic, rough idea of the websites' purpose within a wider context.

Based on this I can review it in terms of how I think your audience will perceive it. Personally I think this is the main point, performing a function. Everything has to have a purpose. Bauhaus.

There are some points I have noticed, but I would like to be clear on these points before I comment.

[Global Assistant]

Had another look and I do think that the pages (particularly the books and teasers pages) do look a bit overwhelming. Perhaps you could leave the reviews on the home page, after all I guess he wants to promote how good his books are, but perhaps not have them on the teaser/books pages as by then they should have been read anyway?

[AWTS]

Hello Gary,

I will quite happily review your website. You approached me in a valued way. I need to ask you to answer a few things first. I don't want to assume.

-Can you make explicit the different audiences that are expected
-Briefly who the audience is and where they come from.
-How does the website fit into a wider context

To clarify, basic demographic, rough idea of the websites' purpose within a wider context.

Based on this I can review it in terms of how I think your audience will perceive it. Personally I think this is the main point, performing a function. Everything has to have a purpose. Bauhaus.

There are some points I have noticed, but I would like to be clear on these points before I comment.

In short - tourists to Scotland. People old enough to go to whisky and wine tasting; people interested in Scottish folklore and history. That's what John Barrington is all about...isn't that obvious from the site?

Gary

[alexhughes]

Afternoon!

It's not the most aesthetically beautiful thing in the world but it does the job you want it to. It loads quickly, it's readable and it is easy to navigate. Just two quick pointers to help you a tad.

+ Match the background colour with the colour used on the background of the images you are using for the navigation and headings?

+ Space the 3 columns out a bit more and maybe variate font-sizes to create some sort of visual hierarchy among the 3.

As far as the book reviews thingy thing, maybe add snippets of the reviews to the side? Then the full reviews else where?