#1 (permalink)

Hello all,
I've been away for quite a while working on the website for DARC Robotics (among other things), and I was hoping you guys could give a review of it.
Here's the URL, by the way: http://darcrobotics.org/

We took second place at the robotics competition, and I've been trying to find flaws in the site that might explain why we lost to this team's website: http://www.phsrobotics.org/

I was hoping you guys could help point out any flaws in our site, as I was unable to talk to the competition judge who reviewed the websites.

Thanks,
~Trey

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#2 (permalink)

you done quite good job can you tell me what promotion strategies do you follow to promote.

#3 (permalink)

Rating: 4.0
Appearance: Colors are “darc” (pun intended). Too much black and white, you need to add some color to it. Typically, black is used for gamer’s websites.

Where are the robots? I should be seeing robots on the front page of a robotic website.

Can you get some art students involved in the website? It would be good experience for them as well. They could have good ideas for a logo and getting quality images.

Functionality: Navigation and links work. Load time is a little slow. Not sure why as it isn’t loading much.

Overall & Content: Purpose of site doesn’t match appearance. Too much text and not enough graphics.

Technical: Didn’t notice typos. Some minor grammar issues.

With that said, the other site certainly didn't beat you based on content. Both websites have the basics (about us, contact, events/news, etc.). You need to spice this up and make it feel less "cold".

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#4 (permalink)

4? Ouch. I know it's not exactly flashy but still.

The colors are meant to be darc. Our colors are silver and black, building off the pun "darc" (anyone know of any good examples of websites with a nice silver and black-based theme?). Although I'm not sure I follow you with black on gaming websites. I've been thinking of inverting the color scheme.

Robots on the homepage? I'll look into it. Although I do agree with your point that the site needs to be more graphically rich. I find that the websites I design are usually light on images. Did you look at the photo gallery?

The site's purpose doesn't match it's appearance? The design is minimalistic, it's not really going to match much. I assume you mean make it have more of a techy feel?

Thanks for the feedback,
~Trey

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#5 (permalink)

hmm taking a different aproach on this review starting with someone elses.

IMO:

"Purpose of site doesn’t match appearance. Too much text and not enough graphics."

If I understand correctly this is a site that simpy provides information, thats what it was made for, not to sell a product or service, which is why it has alot, unless you take a picture = 1000 words literally. The website has lots of text because it obviously needs it. It also has a photo and video page which is nice and has lots of content.

"Colors are “darc” (pun intended). Too much black and white, you need to add some color to it. Typically, black is used for gamer’s websites."

Works perfect with the "Sponsored by NASA" symbol in the top right. It..makes sense. This is not an ecommerce site so it doesnt need to be have a bright color scheme (which ecommerce sites dont either) or have lots of graphics although your site still lacks pictures just dont go overboard.

"Load time is a little slow"

Agreed.

"Where are the robots?"

Agreed.

After all that, I still don't like the layout, simple is good, your site is too simple but not by much just add or change a few things, maybe in the header. and i agreed with bigee it needs ROBOTS!

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#6 (permalink)

I'm not saying change your colors. But, you need to add a little on the site to make it enjoyable to read. The color will draw readers to the content. The first thing people look at when viewing your site is the NASA logo because it has color and contrasts the black and silver. Even the other poster mentioned it.

Take a look at bungie.net that's a gaming site with a mostly black theme. That is typical of gaming sites. Even the NASA site you link to is primarily black but still uses color/pictures to draw attention to things. Try using color in the headers and see how your attention gets drawn to them.

I did go to the photo gallery and you could incorporate some of those images throughout the site.

If this is only an informative site to members of your club, you still want to capture their attention and make them want to read all the content you've put into it. Ask the others if they've gone to the website and what they remember from it. Maybe even survey them on what they'd like to see on a website that represents them. You don't have to use all the ideas but if they have some common answers you may include that.

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