www.dwarfpuffers.com

**jread** · 02-09-2005, 12:15 PM

Was just wondering if you guys could review my aquarium fish hobbyist site, http://www.dwarfpuffers.com I'm wanting to give it a makeover soon and was looking for some ideas on what I could improve/change to make it better.

Thanks in advance!

**mrowton** · 02-12-2005, 10:01 AM

Hello,

This is much better than most sites because it offers useful content and answers questions. Most people get so worried about the "look" and "promotion" of their site that they forget to offer good content.

So way to go!

A couple of my own opinions:

Instead of "Hello and welcome to the Dwarf Puffer website!" Why not give a 8 word description of your site. Most people already know the title of you site and don't need to be welcomed. Take this area as a chance to better describe whats here.

Also, try to put some content on the front page. Maybe its just a brief abstract of the latest entry. Personally I think putting the stuff from "About Dwarf Puffers" would be great on the home page.

Remember, people don't want you to tell them what your website is about. They want you to show them, and on the main page you should show them as quickly as possible.

Great site

Mitchell

**bytesnbits** · 02-12-2005, 01:38 PM

also it may look better if the text is centered on your info pages, but that's just my opinion.

looks good though !!

**CasaPages** · 10:22 PM

I love the top banner, but maybe you should make it a little longer. Nice layout, although im not a big fan of the color scheme.

The menus lack dynamics. you should try some simple CSS or some advanced CSS if that floats your boat.

Here is some links for information on CSS and a good site for getting menu ideas:

http://www.w3schools.com/css/default.asp (an excellent place to learn CSS)

http://css.maxdesign.com.au/listamatic/ (a nice CSS driven menu resource)

you could also check out the CSS resources on this site in the coding section.

I like the site and keep up the good work. I myself am in the process of becoming an aquarist (again), oh and btw I must agree with the above post your site does have a plethora of information.

Here I was bored so I redid your banner hope you dont mind.

use it if ya want doesnt bother me if you want me to make any changes just PM me

**jread** · 02-13-2005, 04:54 AM

Wow thanks for the posts! Also, I LOVE that banner CasaPages. I'm actually in the middle of redesigning the site and need to create a brand new banner. I will probably have some new photos to use with it and it will also have a new width. If you would like me to message you about it I would love to have your input if you have the time. I'm very bad with graphics as you can see from the site so I need major help in that department!

Thanks so much everyone!

**divicohen** · 02-15-2005, 01:54 PM

good photos but you need to get the site to look better, how will how say more new , right now it looks like a site from the late 90'
you need to put in some serious design into it.

**monkey** · 02-16-2005, 09:35 PM

seems a little plain. first thing i notice is the banner could use to be bigger. make it fit the page. i think that picture of the puffer in the middle is eye catching, but there is much other information around it. use that space to direct where you want your visitors to go next (unless them emailing you is what you want them to do). maybe instead give a brief description of the puffer fish, and what can be found in the site. maybe suggest them to some of the more popular pages. aside from that great content. just try and give it some personality. puffer fish are unique and interesting fish you can make that shine in your page design.

**llizards** · 02-17-2005, 11:27 AM

Very simple site to navagate, but I would work on the design a little more.

**jread** · 02-17-2005, 03:13 PM

I am working on redesigning the site at the moment and have most of the main page done. It still needs a banner on the top but CasaPages is helping me with that. Let me know what you guys think of the preliminary re-design: http://www.dwarfpuffers.com/test.htm

**grammapecos** · 02-17-2005, 03:42 PM

I like it...loaded fast
everything easy to navigate, colors are good
with your banner up
I'd give you a "10"

**rutgersone** · 02-19-2005, 07:51 PM

The new design is definitely a step in the right direction. You obviously just need a banner of some sort. But, overall, oftentimes simpler is better, and you obviously have a simple yet effective site that would be valuable to anyone looking for information of this sort.

**monkeylick** · 02-19-2005, 10:26 PM

The newer version looks 100% better. Fast loads. I don't like the colors but that is probably because I just don't like those colors...if that makes sense.

Good content and easy to navigate. Someone looking for that type of information would find it very useful.

You might want to think about text graphics for your category title, would give a cleaner appearance.