New Design

DrivingInfo

What do you think of the new look to the site

Can you give advice or opinion on this design (new look), What its like now (see here).
I want to promote the video tutorials and Instructors Ads as it is the source of revenue but i also want to keep the easy to use format.

Thanks

cpu-dude

DrivingInfo wrote: »

What do you think of the new look to the site

Can you give advice or opinion on this design (new look), What its like now (see here).
I want to promote the video tutorials and Instructors Ads as it is the source of revenue but i also want to keep the easy to use format.

Thanks

Can I suggest making Tips in DrivingTestTips also Italic, it will look smoother (it looks odd now).

Also, your Header with your links to everything on your site - why not try space it out to fill the entire bar?

DrivingInfo

cpu-dude wrote: »

Can I suggest making Tips in DrivingTestTips also Italic, it will look smoother (it looks odd now).

Also, your Header with your links to everything on your site - why not try space it out to fill the entire bar?

Made a few changes, Thanks for you advice.

herya

I find the new look very messy, you have at least dozen photos/photo backgrounds all different and uncoordinated. I'd rather work on the previous version or at least remove most of the photos and replace them with nice simple graphics.

cpu-dude

DrivingInfo wrote: »

Made a few changes, Thanks for you advice.

Much better, nice work - I like it.

Art_Wolf

A few suggestions:

a. The background picture in the main body - remove it, it just distract
b. The Driving Video part - push it to the left so that it has only a single colour behind it.
c. The testimonals image - keep the text within the sign or put the testimonals under the image as a bottom border to the people jumping.

The old banner with the single image is nicer, though the expanding of the width could have been done a little better.

DrivingInfo

Made some changes BR, I like to other way with the people in but see what you think.

New stage 1 = http://www.drivingtesttips.ie/newimage2.php

After changes = http://www.drivingtesttips.ie/newimage.php

a. The background picture in the main body - remove it, it just distract

Done

b. The Driving Video part - push it to the left so that it has only a single colour behind it.

Don't know what you mean

c. The testimonals image - keep the text within the sign or put the testimonals under the image as a bottom border to the people jumping.

Put it inside and ye think it looks better

The old banner with the single image is nicer, though the expanding of the width could have been done a little better.

ye but the new image tells a story. I will keep the new one.

DonkeyStyle \o/

I'm not feeling the blue/yellow gradient, it's very attention-grabbing, but I find the usage of it confusing... especially at the bottom of the page... my eyes are drawn to it, then they stop and think "ok, why am I here?"... it's distracting.

I think you've fallen into a trap of fixing design problems by adding more design, when really what you should be doing is backing off, simplifying, and focusing on improving the execution of what you do.
I'm not an amazing designer myself (I wouldn't even call myself a designer), but I've been in the trap.
I think the key is to spend more time on each step, tweaking and revising... it's boring, frustrating and lacks the instant gratification of adding something new and interesting, but ultimately it'll look better when you get it just right.

After changes = http://www.drivingtesttips.ie/newimage.php

I prefer that one.

DrivingInfo

DonkeyStyle \o/ wrote: »

I'm not feeling the blue/yellow gradient, it's very attention-grabbing, but I find the usage of it confusing... especially at the bottom of the page... my eyes are drawn to it, then they stop and think "ok, why am I here?"... it's distracting.

I think you've fallen into a trap of fixing design problems by adding more design, when really what you should be doing is backing off, simplifying, and focusing on improving the execution of what you do.
I'm not an amazing designer myself (I wouldn't even call myself a designer), but I've been in the trap.
I think the key is to spend more time on each step, tweaking and revising... it's boring, frustrating and lacks the instant gratification of adding something new and interesting, but ultimately it'll look better when you get it just right.

I prefer that one.

I changed the bottom. what do you all think now.

Thanks a mill people as it has helped a lot.

Its is my second ever design and I think with your help it looks good, but if you think i should change anything else just let me know.

Thanks

Tim M-U

I think the site is grand as it is!! I like the one you help already.

p

I think the colour, the bluey/purple isn't very pleaing or presenting a positive image. I think a more vibrant shade would be better.

DrivingInfo

p wrote: »

I think the colour, the bluey/purple isn't very pleaing or presenting a positive image. I think a more vibrant shade would be better.

I have tried to change the shade but I just cant get a colour which will market the site.

Thanks

p

Use kuler.com - or find a nice photograph on flickr.com that captures the mood you want and sample colours from it.

DrivingInfo

p wrote: »

Use kuler.com - or find a nice photograph on flickr.com that captures the mood you want and sample colours from it.

What do you think now, i changed it

p

DrivingInfo wrote: »

What do you think now, i changed it

It's better, I think it could even be a shade brighter.

A few other details.

- Make the head logo colour match the new colour scheme.
- As a general guidelines, don't use Verdana for headings, it's ugly at large sizes.
- Try to think about who your various visitors are, and what you want them to see on the site. Web sites should allow people flexibility, but you should define specific goals and try guide the towards it. Here's some good articles:
http://www.andyrutledge.com/eye-paths.php
http://carsonified.com/blog/features/design/turning-visitors-into-users/

DrivingInfo

p wrote: »

It's better, I think it could even be a shade brighter.

A few other details.

- Make the head logo colour match the new colour scheme.
- As a general guidelines, don't use Verdana for headings, it's ugly at large sizes.
- Try to think about who your various visitors are, and what you want them to see on the site. Web sites should allow people flexibility, but you should define specific goals and try guide the towards it. Here's some good articles:
http://www.andyrutledge.com/eye-paths.php
http://carsonified.com/blog/features/design/turning-visitors-into-users/

Made changes but what text type should i use? Hmm

p

If in doubt, use Arial.

DrivingInfo

thanks a mil.

What is your opinion now.

http://www.drivingtesttips.ie/newimage.php

Art_Wolf

Ah alot of improvement!

One small suggestion - the text where there is a blue background, lighten the colour up similar to your menu bar.

Either way, nice

DrivingInfo

Art_Wolf wrote: »

Ah alot of improvement!

One small suggestion - the text where there is a blue background, lighten the colour up similar to your menu bar.

Either way, nice

Thanks, is that the job now?

p

Make the headings Arial.

Overall, it's an improvement and as good as your going to get for this version.

Good luck with it!

DrivingInfo

Hi All

I just added the new design to the website and would just like to say thank you all for you feedback.

You can how see it working here www.DrivingTestTips.ie .

If you would like to give your opinion of the site please do as it helps a lot.

Thanks again.

Brian

Webmonkey

Looks good. However, the Driving Instructor's page does not have a heading. Bit inconsistant with the other pages.

I suggest fixing these errors too: http://validator.w3.org/check?uri=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drivingtesttips.ie%2Findex.php&charset=%28detect+automatically%29&doctype=Inline&group=0