Question

Topic: Website Critique

Please Review Mock-ups For Our New Website

Posted by cambridge on 5/2/2010 at 9:23 PM ET 125 Points
I would be grateful for your review of these two mockups of our new website:
https://hebsdev.com/Sunset_Inn/mockups/index-new.html

Please note that there are mockups for 2 different home pages. Underneath each mockup, you can also see an example of another navigation (Our Hotel).

It would be very helpful if you could give me your feedback on which of these two versions you prefer and why. Alternately, please let me know if you think neither version is acceptable and we should go back to the drawing board and start afresh.

Since these are design mock-ups, we are not focusing on content or language, etc. for now ---just the overall approach, look and feel. Our current website is www.sunsetinn.com

Thank you for your time and help.
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 5/2/2010 at 11:35 PM Accepted
    I also prefer the 01-1.html website.

    I'm not a fan of the menus both on the left side and across the top. It makes it harder to figure out where to look for information. Like Karen, I prefer the left side menu to the top menu on this page.

    Whichever you do, make sure that the website isn't written as a pure Flash website (for SEO reasons).

    Also, make sure that it's clear in your banner and page title that this is a Vancouver Hotel, with your phone # and address clearly listed (as a minimum, in the footer). A phone # in the banner would make good sense if you want people to call you.
  • Posted by AdsValueBob on 5/3/2010 at 10:37 AM Accepted
    I prefer the photo of version 2 picture 2-2 (who hung the pictures off-center?) to show as many of the room features first, yet the "best" photo is 1-1 and the curved photo shape and overall design in layout 1. It looks like you might be planning on photos cyclying.

    I'm torn over the size of the photo - it shows what people want to see but all text is below the fold. I'm not crazy about the 2 nav bars - try combining the top nav into the left nav and move the photo up a little. That will help bring up your Getaway Offer up and should insure it will be visible above the fold.

    Colors are pleasing - a feeling of warm and homey.

    Bob

  • Posted by cambridge on 5/3/2010 at 3:29 PM Author
    Thank you for this terrific feedback.

    There seems to be a consensus in favor of version 1.

    I will add mention in the page's header that the hotel is located in Downtown Vancouver and add address and contact information.

    I will also reduce the size of the photo so that the more important text appears on the first screen, rather than force the reader to scroll down.

    I will see if I can place all the menus on the left side as opposed to having these in two places.

    Thanks, Bob for your comments on the colors. Warm and homey is the feel we are shooting for. Would be curious to hear what others think about these colors.

    Thanks again for these very helpful comments.
  • Posted on 5/5/2010 at 6:30 PM Accepted
    Agree that 1 beats 2, and that left-column nav is better.

    Warm colors definitely communicate the "warm and homey" feeling, but may not be quite as effective if you're trying to attract business customers.
  • Posted by cambridge on 5/7/2010 at 5:09 PM Author
    W.M.M.A.,

    Please accept my apologies for any confusion. v.1 opened a mock-up design with left column navigation --which most people commented on favorably. Please let me know if you saw this differently.

  • Posted by cambridge on 5/7/2010 at 5:12 PM Author
    Thank you all for this great feedback. We are incorporating your suggestions in our redesign, which I hope to be able to show here soon.

    I am very grateful indeed for your help.
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