Startpage Ireland

**SlitheryImp** · 01-27-2005, 02:31 PM

Hi all,

I'm trying to build a simple portal like site Start Page Ireland , but I'm sort of stuck for ideas. Is what I have now ok, or should I be looking at a totally different design?

By the way, I want to keep the site as simple as possible, no flashy graphics and stuff, just useful links, news and that sort of thing.

Any input would be greatly appreciated, thanx!

**hbcca** · 01-28-2005, 08:56 AM

Well, First, your linked site gave me a headache in 4 seconds flat... Green/Black dont' go well together.... Green Doesn't work well with text OR background, IMO....

As for the layout, I think it needs to be spread out a bit more, everything looks like it's sitting in a jail cell in the center of the screen.... and the font... It may work better in another color, but I'm not that crazy about it.

The layout of the linked pages looks good, I like the single column straight down information type pages.

Navigation is simple, that's great! Had no problem getting around the page, and then back to the start.

Best of luck,

Adam

**ParasHaria** · 01-28-2005, 12:01 PM

as hbcca said the green and black dont go very well together. maybe create a central box in which you're content is contained and use the green as the overall page background.

Additionally you need to rethink all the header images - they are too "blocky" (if that's a word) and a bit blurred. oh...and the green used within these images is slightly different to that of the page background.

its a good start! Good Luck with taking it further.

**kidsleep** · 01-29-2005, 12:14 AM

A good effort to be sure. It loaded very fast even on my 56k dialup. You got the content, just keep testing things and I'm sure the design will fall into place

**SlitheryImp** · 01-29-2005, 04:47 AM

Thanks for the input guys, I am going to work on the site today.

I'd like to keep the background green though (it is a page about Ireland

), I think I'll go for the lightest web-safe green I can find.

I'm downloading a demo version of photoshop at the moment, see if I can recreate the headers to match better without the blockiness.

Thanx again!

**pixelputty** · 01-29-2005, 10:22 AM

Personaly I love the green and black, when the page opened I thought "oh nice!" it makes a change for someone to go with a different look, you`ll get people not liking your colours the same as them not liking this that or the other, we can`t please everyone. As for the site, it`s seems easy to understand and works well, good luck.

**dojo** · 01-29-2005, 12:53 PM

Put some graphics, use CSS effect on links, lose times new roman ... not bad, but get get better

**shashank_hi** · 01-29-2005, 02:13 PM

U've got a nice site over there, light on the modem and very informative. However, can u put the google search bar on one side. Your site has a sobre theme and google came written in the centre of my computer screen. Overall, I like it and the background goes well with the text colour. No headaches here.

**SlitheryImp** · 01-29-2005, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dojo

Put some graphics, use CSS effect on links, lose times new roman ... not bad, but get get better

Could you please provide me a link on using CSS effects? Sorry I'm a newb as far as CSS goes.

**scotia** · 04:50 PM

Hi There, how you doin?...

ok, here we go!

1. First Impressions - I like green and black, but the green could do with being a richer, darker, Eire green (like shamrock) try #336633 or #006600, or maybe even lift the colour into the more garish greens, such as #339933! It will give you a better contrast, just now the green is a bit "wishy washy".

1.5 -

have a look here : www.ecossedevelopments.com (its a scary green for some!)

2. Layout - Hmm, I can see what your aiming for, but to be honest, I would ditch the headings font in favour of something more "known" as heading fonts, such as Ariel, Verdana or Impact...and make them just a twitch smaller...? possibly?..not sure about this one, I think when you change the font type, the size would look more in keeping. Plus, rather than use images for them, if you use a statutory font, you'll keep the page size down (although it loaded fine for me on broadband)

3. I like the wee graphics, they work well and dont take the eye from the content. I might offer just a little more in the way of eyecandy, just to liven up the site a little more, afterall, Ireland is one of the livliest places in the world to visit (I love it!!!)

4. The "amusing links" gave me mixed feelings, its great to have "funnies" on a site, but considering yours is designed to be a portal, Id suggest removing some of the current content. I sae Bonsia Kittens over four years ago, and hmm, yeah it can be funny, but not necessarily to a mass market who may actually believe it....(plus these days the photos could get you hung if your providing a "public service") youve got loads of good content on the Irish News page (I didnt read it all, sorry) so Id aim more for that, or just tame down the funnies.

Overall, it does what its meant to, good luck!
Scotia

**Booies** · 01-30-2005, 01:43 AM

good start. I think you should change the color scheme to one of brighter colors. Maby Add some pictures to make it less bland. Try to organize your links a bit better so everything can be found easily. You want to minimize how much people have to look for stuff.

**SlitheryImp** · 02-03-2005, 12:46 PM

Thanks again for the ideas everyone, especially all the tips from scotia

I have a test idea up at the moment, could you have a look if this is more 'lively'.

(its not finished yet, the background colours for the icons = haven't been changed, it's just for a general idea)

here's the link test page

**jeanne** · 02-03-2005, 02:09 PM

The test page doesn't work for me, sorry. The green in blocks is way to dark and the grey doesn't go at all. I liked the first version better although the sections titles needs to be set off better.

**dojo** · 02-03-2005, 02:24 PM

If you put them into boxes, make sure the links don't "stick" to the left size. You could use center alignment or ident (hope that's its name). Good job so far ... don't stop