Site critique

[UDT89]

Online Debut

Bought this of an anandtech member a while back and finally got around to developing it. Its still a work in progress, probably 60% done, not including the uploading and linking of videos. I'll probably end up paying someone monthly to help me do that.

I just want it tore to shreads. There are obvious things that need to be done like new icons, better logo, etc. I just want to hear what you like and dont like. B/c when you design it yourself you think everything looks fine......and you dont really know what the end user is thinking.

**update**

I made some updates. its still a work in progress though. like the my media, my account stuff will go straight across the top, items on the left wont be bold, there will be more media on the front page with a link to more media.

I just want to see what u guys think so far

 

[lokiju]

I'll have to check it out when I get home.

Not sure if the content is SFW.

 

[lozina]

mmm nice rump roasts

 

[UDT89]

Originally posted by: lokiju
I'll have to check it out when I get home.

Not sure if the content is SFW.

no nudity. theres two vida videos and the rest is fight clips from the UFC and K1

 

[Safeway]

Color scheme completely sucks:
I tend to dislike sites that have the black/gray thrash/goth feel to it.

Organization is a bit, disorganized:
A site is all about clean lines and linear flow. Your left-side navigation bar has choppy alignment. The login box at the top looks unrefined -- try centering the boxes in a round-cornered rectangle, to give the login fields a more defined presence.

Orange headers? Blue icons?:
If black/gray wasn't enough, you had to throw in an off-the-wall yellowy-orange header font? Stick to default colors ... that aren't orange.

The magical floating search icon and field:
Again, integrate this more fully into the interface. Either in the top horizontal rule, or into the left-side navigation bar. If you plunk it in the upper horizontal rule, make it right justified.

Way too much boldface font:
Don't overdo the bold. Bold should make things stand out, and when 75% of the text is boldface, nothing stands out. It just makes it hard to read and skim for content.

Vertical gray bar on right-side:
First of all, the bar takes up a lot of space. If the bar's only purpose is to hold the top 6 videos, then truncate the bar there and use the rest for ad space. Also, and this is a minor detail, the gray bar extends past the bottom of the bottom horizontal rule. The choppiness of the bottom of each page gives the site a rushed/crappy look.

 

[UDT89]

Originally posted by: Safeway
Color scheme completely sucks:
I tend to dislike sites that have the black/gray thrash/goth feel to it.

Organization is a bit, disorganized:
A site is all about clean lines and linear flow. Your left-side navigation bar has choppy alignment. The login box at the top looks unrefined -- try centering the boxes in a round-cornered rectangle, to give the login fields a more defined presence.

Orange headers? Blue icons?:
If black/gray wasn't enough, you had to throw in an off-the-wall yellowy-orange header font? Stick to default colors ... that aren't orange.

The magical floating search icon and field:
Again, integrate this more fully into the interface. Either in the top horizontal rule, or into the left-side navigation bar. If you plunk it in the upper horizontal rule, make it right justified.

Way too much boldface font:
Don't overdo the bold. Bold should make things stand out, and when 75% of the text is boldface, nothing stands out. It just makes it hard to read and skim for content.

Vertical gray bar on right-side:
First of all, the bar takes up a lot of space. If the bar's only purpose is to hold the top 6 videos, then truncate the bar there and use the rest for ad space. Also, and this is a minor detail, the gray bar extends past the bottom of the bottom horizontal rule. The choppiness of the bottom of each page gives the site a rushed/crappy look.

awesome.

some of that stuff is still WIP. like the header is going to be lumped into one. the search bar, nav bar etc.

but the other stuff i liked the input.

 

[NuroMancer]

Is the formatting done with css?

Look at the bottom movie post, it goes over the bottom border.

 

[UDT89]

Originally posted by: NuroMancer
Is the formatting done with css?

Look at the bottom movie post, it goes over the bottom border.

yea thats just an error i have to fix.

 

[NuroMancer]

The signup page has errors.

Line 75
char: 304
Error: Unterminates string constant

 

[NuroMancer]

When you fail to login, the text is FAR too dark.

 

[NuroMancer]

On the Browse media toolbar having Tables "un-indented" looks odd and out of place.

 

[mad0maxx]

I would like to see a small section stating what the site is... I opened your link looked at it and said to myself what the hell is this another video depot website and closed it. Am I wrong is it a website like youtube where users upload their videos?

For example under the YouTube logo says "Broadcast Yourself" so I know what type of website that is... another example is http://www.i-am-bored.com/ which states "Here's a list of sites for when you're feeling bored. Updated constantly, so check back whenever you're bored." which is good too so I know what type of website that is as well.

First glance at the page I would not stay not knowing what the hell is on the page cause I would hate to click on porn (not saying your site has porn) and not know it

EDIT: That statement "Instant Online Entertainment" does not mean anything but that maybe just me...

 

[UDT89]

Originally posted by: mad0maxx
I would like to see a small section stating what the site is... I opened your link looked at it and said to myself what the hell is this another video depot website and closed it. Am I wrong is it a website like youtube where users upload their videos?

For example under the YouTube logo says "Broadcast Yourself" so I know what type of website that is... another example is http://www.i-am-bored.com/ which states "Here's a list of sites for when you're feeling bored. Updated constantly, so check back whenever you're bored." which is good too so I know what type of website that is as well.

First glance at the page I would not stay not knowing what the hell is on the page cause I would hate to click on porn (not saying your site has porn) and not know it

EDIT: That statement "Instant Online Entertainment" does not mean anything but that maybe just me...

i agree about the logo. i have someone working on one now. its going to be the site name in the "hollywood" letters with like the spot lights shining on it.

He's still waiting for my slogan. I've hit major writers block with thinking of something good......

 

[UDT89]

up for updates to the site. need more opinions

 

[UDT89]

last bump.....its 100% complete minus a couple of cosmetic issues.

i need hard criticism.

 

[Crono]

More original content; get people in the forums, channels, and groups where most of this stuff originates. Pay people to develop stuff either directly or through contests. Lose the dark, cluttered look (which isn't that bad, but too many of your competition look the same). Host all your own media with transparent logo in bottom corner of screen, and convert all videos to the Flash 8 (FLV w/VP6) format. Get someone to overhaul your meta and alt texts for SEO. Get a better writer for the descriptions. Create forums with clever ranks and a point/store system (usually requires a mod) with incentives for people to post (upgraded accounts, a selection of high quality media downloads, free t-shirts, etc).

For the games section, get a team together (for free, of course) to create an online mystery game involving clues hidden on different sites, blogs, video clips, and toll free numbers (not your own). Incorporate a tool kit that includes advertisements and the Google search engine (which pays, IIRC). Complement this original game ("it's more than a game"?) with other addicting flash games, like the ones you've seen posted on ATOT (make sure you have permission to use them from the creators, of course).

That's all I can think of right now.