Website Critique....
Discussion
Ok, so my current website is a bit old hat and starting to cause issues. So I have employed a firm to build me a Bigcommerce store (Im not here to discuss the merits of Bigcommerce and be told I should have gone Magento or whatever - I just want advice design wise)
My designer wants to keep it fairly plain and simple as is the way things are going at the moment. i.e: Small compact header with emphasis on search, then a clear basic design with my major categories having small campaigns etc.
So I have had a couple very basic homepage only mocks through and whilst its clear and simple, I cant help but think its too plain and boring.
Mock hosted here - http://mocks.weblegs.co.uk/jadlam/sample10.png
Ignore the Logo for now, we were experimenting with shortening the logo and I dont particularly like the example on this mock. Also ignore the text and images as its just all random content for the mock up.
So, Is it too plain? If yes what could be added to spice it up a bit?
My designer wants to keep it fairly plain and simple as is the way things are going at the moment. i.e: Small compact header with emphasis on search, then a clear basic design with my major categories having small campaigns etc.
So I have had a couple very basic homepage only mocks through and whilst its clear and simple, I cant help but think its too plain and boring.
Mock hosted here - http://mocks.weblegs.co.uk/jadlam/sample10.png
Ignore the Logo for now, we were experimenting with shortening the logo and I dont particularly like the example on this mock. Also ignore the text and images as its just all random content for the mock up.
So, Is it too plain? If yes what could be added to spice it up a bit?
Edited by russy01 on Wednesday 2nd September 10:18
I'd say that was too busy if anything. You keep repeating yourself.
The layout is a bit confusing there seems to be about 4 different places I can click for Scalextric. The delivery line below the banner is in the wrong place. I assume the big banner is going to be one of those ones that has a number of different things that switch on a regular basis. That should be where you show the featured items (why are they featured? sale? limited edition? special offer?) Some bits refer to generic products like plastic kits others to specific brands.
The layout is a bit confusing there seems to be about 4 different places I can click for Scalextric. The delivery line below the banner is in the wrong place. I assume the big banner is going to be one of those ones that has a number of different things that switch on a regular basis. That should be where you show the featured items (why are they featured? sale? limited edition? special offer?) Some bits refer to generic products like plastic kits others to specific brands.
I think it looks good. Minor thing, you'd want a telephone number at the top somewhere.
I'm also unsure of the branding, but you say you're working on that.
Lastly, I want to be able to shop by different options too, so say under 3s, under 5s, etc. If I'm shopping for a present for my niece or nephew - I don't always know what I'm going to get them, just that they are aged X and they are boy/girl.
I'm also unsure of the branding, but you say you're working on that.
Lastly, I want to be able to shop by different options too, so say under 3s, under 5s, etc. If I'm shopping for a present for my niece or nephew - I don't always know what I'm going to get them, just that they are aged X and they are boy/girl.
Have you or your designer thought about how it will look on a mobile? More and more people are accessing a website on mobile devices now. It is much easier to build a responsive design from the ground up than try and build it in later.
Usually you will want to see you menu collapse into a burger menu or similar and the columns to stack vertically. There are plenty of frameworks to handle this for you but you should consider than in the design.
Usually you will want to see you menu collapse into a burger menu or similar and the columns to stack vertically. There are plenty of frameworks to handle this for you but you should consider than in the design.
The design will be responsive and is being built with mobile in mind, the platform works well for this.
Phone Number? It will be in our Contact page - phonecalls are often a nuisance. If people want to call they will need to click a page or two to get the number. (I know you will say that people like you want to see a number blah blah blah....but when anaylsing our calls the vast majority could be avoided if they read our FAQ etc. So I will sort out a proper contact us/support area on the site)
Age browsing - we are a cross between Toys & Models, with the majority of our website traffic (and inventory) still being Model related (much different demographic to the typical LEGO/Sylvanians customer). So I am trying to avoid the whole Toy shop (Blue & Pink, 3-4yrs etc) categorisation for now. However I will build this data into each SKU so it can be used in faceted search - so the options will be there, just not plastered over the homepage.
Phone Number? It will be in our Contact page - phonecalls are often a nuisance. If people want to call they will need to click a page or two to get the number. (I know you will say that people like you want to see a number blah blah blah....but when anaylsing our calls the vast majority could be avoided if they read our FAQ etc. So I will sort out a proper contact us/support area on the site)
Age browsing - we are a cross between Toys & Models, with the majority of our website traffic (and inventory) still being Model related (much different demographic to the typical LEGO/Sylvanians customer). So I am trying to avoid the whole Toy shop (Blue & Pink, 3-4yrs etc) categorisation for now. However I will build this data into each SKU so it can be used in faceted search - so the options will be there, just not plastered over the homepage.
944fan said:
Have you or your designer thought about how it will look on a mobile? More and more people are accessing a website on mobile devices now. It is much easier to build a responsive design from the ground up than try and build it in later.
Usually you will want to see you menu collapse into a burger menu or similar and the columns to stack vertically. There are plenty of frameworks to handle this for you but you should consider than in the design.
I don't think any site should have been designed in the last 3-4 years without i being responsive to mobile devices. Usually you will want to see you menu collapse into a burger menu or similar and the columns to stack vertically. There are plenty of frameworks to handle this for you but you should consider than in the design.
Frimley111R said:
944fan said:
Have you or your designer thought about how it will look on a mobile? More and more people are accessing a website on mobile devices now. It is much easier to build a responsive design from the ground up than try and build it in later.
Usually you will want to see you menu collapse into a burger menu or similar and the columns to stack vertically. There are plenty of frameworks to handle this for you but you should consider than in the design.
I don't think any site should have been designed in the last 3-4 years without i being responsive to mobile devices. Usually you will want to see you menu collapse into a burger menu or similar and the columns to stack vertically. There are plenty of frameworks to handle this for you but you should consider than in the design.
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