Site layout suggestions [SPLIT from FAQ questions thread]

godix · Post by **godix** » Fri May 02, 2008 7:52 am

trythil wrote:http://code.ninjawedding.org/amv-org-design-test/

This is a front page, intended to optimize the process of finding videos.

The search button on that page doesn't do anything. Not saying that's a bad thing that should be fixed though. If anything I suspect that'd cause lots of luls for a little while.

trythil · Post by **trythil** » Fri May 02, 2008 9:56 am

godix wrote:
trythil wrote:http://code.ninjawedding.org/amv-org-design-test/

This is a front page, intended to optimize the process of finding videos.
The search button on that page doesn't do anything. Not saying that's a bad thing that should be fixed though. If anything I suspect that'd cause lots of luls for a little while.

Nothing on that page does anything; it's all mockups.

BasharOfTheAges · Post by **BasharOfTheAges** » Fri May 02, 2008 1:58 pm

It's taking the minimalistic approach a tad bit too far and making things more difficult for those that know how to get to at least a sub-page of where they want to be.

In general there's a whole bunch of shit that does not need to be on the member's main page (software/hardware reviews, interviews) and stuff that should be collapsed down into the sub-menus that their grouping suggests they be in. Godix and Driftroot covered about everything i've found issue with, so i'll go ahead and "x2" their suggestions.

Personally, having so much gray space on the sides is annoying as all hell, but I know not everybody runs at 1680x1050.

Zarxrax · Post by **Zarxrax** » Fri May 02, 2008 2:08 pm

I completely agree that the site has major usability and design problems, and generally too much crap thats not really necessary.

I don't expect anything to change though, because seriously, who wants to do WORK?

Corran · Post by **Corran** » Fri May 02, 2008 4:48 pm

We've toyed around with changing the menu layouts to something more intuitive about a year ago. The biggest problem with implementing changes right now is the fact that a lot of pages still don't use the newest php templates or CSS. If we change the layout right now, it would be inconsistent across the site. Some pages would have the new menu layout while others would still have the old one. Then again... maybe doing that will get Phade to finish the css conversion he started. >_>

Zarxrax · Post by **Zarxrax** » Fri May 02, 2008 5:21 pm

Heh, not much point in converting the rest of the site anymore. Site needs to be redone from scratch, with ajax and web 2.0 and stuff. The design is really starting to show it's age.

trythil · Post by **trythil** » Fri May 02, 2008 10:57 pm

BasharOfTheAges wrote:It's taking the minimalistic approach a tad bit too far and making things more difficult for those that know how to get to at least a sub-page of where they want to be.

That's what bookmarking, URLs, and the whole concept of addressability are about.

DriftRoot · Post by **DriftRoot** » Sat May 03, 2008 10:15 am

heh, the funny thing is that I love projects like this and I have no problem volunteering my time to help out - except in this case I can't because I don't do Web design. I "do" graphic design and copy writing, but that's it. ^_^

It cracked me up, actually, the past few days I was at a marketing seminar and in spite of the fact that I was supposed to be soaking up information on how to optimize one's Web site for the ideal user experience for my COMPANY's site, I spent most of the time thinking, "Yeah, a-m-v.org needs that. Yeah, that would be good. Yeah, hmm, oh that gives me a good idea...." LOL

One thing I thought was fascinating at the conference was the use of site analytics to get an idea of what's going on, what needs tweaking, etc. Has anyone ever done anything with that stuff around here? Not sure if we need hard data telling us where the problem areas are...I think they're pretty clear anyways...but it would be interesting to look at. Also would be a good way of testing any new design that was implemented.

And yes, I realize the likeliehood of a new design is thin...but things can't go on like this forever, right? hehe

trythil · Post by **trythil** » Sat May 03, 2008 10:55 am

DriftRoot wrote:a marketing seminar ... on how to optimize one's Web site for the ideal user experience

What specifically did that seminar cover? Was it actually optimizing Web sites for the user, or was it more of "how to inundate a user with advertising crap in the least invasive way possible"?

Forgive my snarkiness, but whenever I see "marketing" and "Web" in the same sentence, I automatically think the worst. Experience dictates it.

One thing I thought was fascinating at the conference was the use of site analytics to get an idea of what's going on, what needs tweaking, etc. Has anyone ever done anything with that stuff around here? Not sure if we need hard data telling us where the problem areas are...I think they're pretty clear anyways...but it would be interesting to look at. Also would be a good way of testing any new design that was implemented.

a-m-v.org already uses Google Analytics' services. The next step is actually keeping up with that data, and as far as I can tell nobody has the time to do that.

DriftRoot · Post by **DriftRoot** » Sun May 04, 2008 4:50 pm

trythil wrote: What specifically did that seminar cover? Was it actually optimizing Web sites for the user, or was it more of "how to inundate a user with advertising crap in the least invasive way possible"?
Forgive my snarkiness, but whenever I see "marketing" and "Web" in the same sentence, I automatically think the worst. Experience dictates it.

Snarkiness is ok - I get an icky slimy feeling every time I am asked, in the line of duty (aka work), to deliberately try and manipulate the customer into doing what my company wants. It's like, oy, please...do we have to look at our customers like guinea pigs? On the other hand, I've always been fascinated by psychology so I love figuring out what works and what doesn't and why. ^_^

As far as this seminar goes, though, overall they went at things from the perspective that advertisement inundation has its place...but they're few and far between. Web site optimization was about creating the most pleasant online experience possible for users, since the happier users are the better that generally is for whomever's site they're on.

Nifty about the analytics - I agree it's a huge job to do anything with all that data, though.