Looking For Some Feed Back

[Red Wolf]

I am starting this Thread because I am currently trying to make up a North American based Outdoor Website and was directed here. From what I see there are a lot of individuals here that have strong outdoor backgrounds and interests, as well as computer skills that I myself am lacking. I hope that some of these individuals would be willing to give me some feed back on how I could improve my website and forum in anyway.

Thank you for your help

 

[Tadpole]

I am starting this Thread because I am currently trying to make up a North American based Outdoor Website and was directed here. From what I see there are a lot of individuals here that have strong outdoor backgrounds and interests, as well as computer skills that I myself am lacking. I hope that some of these individuals would be willing to give me some feed back on how I could improve my website and forum in anyway.

Thank you for your help

Can I make one suggestion...
take off the backing noise. it is really annoying having it playing. If not take it off put an Icon on the front page to turn it off,

 

[Red Wolf]

I took care of a good portion of the background noise and the pages I still wanted some sound on I attached more subtle sounds. I cannot put an icon on these pages because the site that is hosting me doesn't allow it to be an option. But you still can turn it off with the volume control on your computer.

I didn't think it would be annoying, thanks for the tip!

 

[pibbleb]

Red wolf on a first, flying visit, I like what I see, I thought the YouTube clip is very professional and certainly fits in with the mood of the site. I also like the fact that the clip has a modern sound track, not everyone's cup of tea, but it does suggest t the casual viewer that we can be fairly normal and modern!

It seems well put together so congrat's. I'd like to spend some time looking at your forum so when I have a mo I'll have another look.

I have to agree about the bird song as you log in. It's a little distracting and would perhaps put off the casual surfer who would, I'm sure, enjoy your site. Although I get your point about the volume button on one's PC.

Good job

Pib

 

[KAE1]

I am starting this Thread because I am currently trying to make up a North American based Outdoor Website and was directed here. From what I see there are a lot of individuals here that have strong outdoor backgrounds and interests, as well as computer skills that I myself am lacking. I hope that some of these individuals would be willing to give me some feed back on how I could improve my website and forum in anyway.

Thank you for your help

After a quick look through one thing concerned me; the wildlife page contains a number of organisation links, be aware of the agendas of these organisations. From our UK anti hunting experience some seemingly good organisations have strong single issue political agendas - just beware.
Other than that it looks good, its interesting how the extreme sports lifestyle meets traditional outdoorsy stuff, I have found this with open canoeing/kayaking.

Keep up the good work

 

[Wayland]

I have not had a chance to look at very much but my first impression is "adverts and pop ups" which immediately makes me want to leave before I get clobbered with ad. or spyware.

It also leaves you with the impression that this is an amateur site that does not want to pay for hosting.

Web space is so cheap now that if you really want to get your message out there, a few pounds / dollars a month will make your site look a lot more professional.

 

[Geuf]

I agree with wayland. The amount of information you have is excellent, but the way everything is organised is less clear. it's not a homogeneous whole. I think if you work on consistency and navigation you'll have an even better website.

 

[Timinwales]

Have agree with Wayland ref the popups, and although I only payed a brief visit it's apparent that there is loads of good info on the site.
While I can't speak for organisations in other countries, I have to reitterate what KAE says as sadly in UK many apperantly benevolent organizations and some wild life / outdoor charities have definate political agendas which is a bit sad really but C'est le gurre.

ATB Cheers Tim

 

[Red Wolf]

I honestly can't do anything about the advertisements because my website is being hosted and frankly, every bit of money I can get is needed for more important things at the moment. I do plan to eventually break off and be independent, but untill then myself and my visitors have to make do with the advertisements. I am sorry that I can't change that problem.

I do understand that there are a lot of organizations that have very different agendas with the same apparent outlook of other organizations and I am slowly working on that.

It is difficult to do anything right at the moment. Last two weeks of college and moving. Thanks for the feed back so far!

How could I make the appearance of my site look more "homogeneous" (quotation is from a post by Geuf)? Is it specific pages or the website as a whole? By the way any pointers for the Forum?

 

[KAE1]

The fact that you have no say on who advertises puts your site in a very fragile position.

 

[Tadpole]

I honestly can't do anything about the advertisements because my website is being hosted and frankly, every bit of money I can get is needed for more important things at the moment. I do plan to eventually break off and be independent, but untill then myself and my visitors have to make do with the advertisements. I am sorry that I can't change that problem.

I do understand that there are a lot of organizations that have very different agendas with the same apparent outlook of other organizations and I am slowly working on that.

It is difficult to do anything right at the moment. Last two weeks of college and moving. Thanks for the feed back so far!

How could I make the appearance of my site look more "homogeneous" (quotation is from a post by Geuf)? Is it specific pages or the website as a whole? By the way any pointers for the Forum?

On the whole a website needs to be uniform, sticking with the same positions for menu bars/button. Don’t use too many fonts, stick to say a maximum of five or so. Pick complementary colours, and don’t use too many of them either. Pick colours that suit the subject (racy colours for a sporty page, or muted colours for a page on the country side) try googling “Free website templates” or surf the net till you find a free template you like, download it to your computer, and play with it till you are happy, don’t add your text, just change the font or the colours or the layout. Once you are happy with that single page, use it as s template for all your pages; then it will be time to change the content and the links. That way all the pages on your site will look the same.

When you have a bit more practice try using .css as this allows total control of the site. And instead of having to change each page by hand, you just change one file and all pages based on that will change

This is a great place to start, and if it looks like it was written by a twelve year old, that is because it was (she’s twenty now,) but don’t let that put you off.

 

[Red Wolf]

On the whole a website needs to be uniform, sticking with the same positions for menu bars/button. Don’t use too many fonts, stick to say a maximum of five or so. Pick complementary colours, and don’t use too many of them either. Pick colours that suit the subject (racy colours for a sporty page, or muted colours for a page on the country side) try googling “Free website templates” or surf the net till you find a free template you like, download it to your computer, and play with it till you are happy, don’t add your text, just change the font or the colours or the layout. Once you are happy with that single page, use it as s template for all your pages; then it will be time to change the content and the links. That way all the pages on your site will look the same.

When you have a bit more practice try using .css as this allows total control of the site. And instead of having to change each page by hand, you just change one file and all pages based on that will change

This is a great place to start, and if it looks like it was written by a twelve year old, that is because it was (she’s twenty now,) but don’t let that put you off.

Wow, the way you laid it out kind of put a lot of my questions into perspective. I had a really hard time to wrap my head around how the entire thing should be laid out. Thanks for the run down. I'll try to put it into affect with this currant site and eventually to a different site when I find a new location where I can choose what I want to advertise. It will take some time but all the tips I've been getting are coming of use and will be applied.

And I agree with you KAE1 about the advertisements. It really puts me in a pickle. I've tried to contact the administrators who are hosting me about changing the adverts up so they are more applicable, but no such luck.

What is .css exactly and does it take away from the site if certain pages don't have the same colour scheme?

NOTE: A lot of the pages with "under construction" images are very torn apart and chaotic for now. They are slowly being put back together. Any tips on these particular pages are of great use. ANY idea, no matter how ridiculous it seems would be great. I enjoy the brainstorming!

 

[Dr Onion]

Have you tried looking on ebay for web hosting - that's where I found mine for much cheapness - had it for over a year now with very few problems.

Something like this maybe:

Cheap Web hosting

Basically lets you run your own site with your own config plus loads of free gear which will have you up and running in minutes

I should point out that this is not me selling this and nor am I using this chaps services but it is to give you an idea of what you can get for a few of our earth pounds!

Oh, and if you want any help designing your site then I would be happy to lend a hand - I am in no way anywhere near expert at design or coding but I think I can hold my own and my own site doesn't look too bad overall!

 

[Dances with Wolves]

Using Frames would be a good start visually. Repeating Backgrounds can detract from the information displayed on the screen. If you like you can PM me and I could give you the name of some web hosts I've used in the past, and some web site creation tools that are VERY easy to use and give you great results every time. And even if you'd like I'd be happy to help you with it as I've made various websites over the years for my art work, to clan websites, to personal web sites. Seems like you've got some great stuff there and you've made a superb start. As I said if you want any help at all for hosting / creation tools and ftp software just PM me. All the best.

Wolves.

 

[Tadpole]

Using Frames would be a good start visually. )

if you want your site to be both forward and backwards compatible with most of the current browsers, don’t use frames, frames are old fashioned and limit your viewing audience, lots of browsers display frames badly.
Cascading style sheets (.css) are the way to go, until you understand something like flash.
Lissa explains it better than I can.
It is quite simple and easy to understand, if you have it in front of you and you are willing to spend a few hours “playing” with it. JMHO

 

[dommyracer]

css is definitetly the way to go. Takes a little to get to grips with at first, but once you've got your site set up it saves a lot of hassle, particuarly when you want to add new pages etc.

 

[Red Wolf]

Thanks to all the tips there may be a huge upgrade this comming May. Don't expect everything at once though. It will take some time.

Any more helpful tips or creative critisizim would be appreciated. I really wouldn't mind some tearing apart or anything like that. Believe me, I'm accustomed to it.

I still have yet to recieve any feed back about the Forum. Anything would be of use.

Thanks.

 

[Dances with Wolves]

That's a good forum by the way I've used a few over the years and they're much of a muchness. It's a good forum and just as good as most. I had a quick browse, its simple, plain, easy to navigate, good colour scheme nice and easy to view. Good!

Wolves.

 

[Dr Onion]

The forum looks pretty decent as it is - unless you want to add some site logos or something similar - but that is purely cosmetic.

One thing I would advise is to give your forum brakers a colour to break up the monotone of the page a little - i/e where it says "Hunting and Fishing", "Outdoor Living" and "Misc."

Just makes the site easier to navigate!

Dr O

 

[Red Wolf]

I have finally made some updates on my website and I have used as much advice as I could with my limited capabilites at the moment. The host of my website has moved my address and there is an actual colour theme implemented. There is still much work to do and any more tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. Also, if any of you would like you could join in the forum I have available. It has the same sort of goal as bcuk but it is mainly north american based. Thank you for your help and may your health be well.