Hello forum people,
I've been working on this website casually for 2 months and I just want fair honest opinions / suggestions on how I could improve my website.
What do you like about it? / What don't you like about it? / What would you add? / What would you remove?
Hint: I've yet to work on the jogging articles, as I plan to add more and more of them in time, as well as add some pictures and videos to them. :)
I assume you've gotten no responses because there's no link to the site in question.
Or did you post it and it vanished?
Terribly sorry, here's the link: Jogging Benefits
so, anyone? any thoughts?
Hi,
Here's my review of joggingbenefits.net.
I noticed that right on the homepage, you're trying to sell people a book, after mentioning a couple of benefits. The other pages are merely fillers that surround this advertisement. This reminds me of the many 1-page sites where you just have one long blah-blah promotion talk that ends in "order now".
I think your site will be more effective if you rearrange content, so the emphasis is on educating people about the benefits of jogging, plus information about diets, equipment and music, which can then be completed with promotion of the book. That way, the site's content fits the domain name, and comes off less commercial.
It is not clear what the "vitalife" image is doing there, as it is hardly readable what it says below "vitalife". I suggest you clearly mark it as "advertisement" and move it below the navigation.
Main Navigation: It's a bit confusing to call the link to the homepage "Jogging benefits", as it suggests it is a separate page. It would also be better if it is clear on which page the user currently is. I also suggest to move contact to the end, and remove the privacy policy from the main menu, as it is of secondary importance.
Left navigation: I suggest moving Contact to the bottom as it is the least important.
The article "Jogging to lose weight" misses any headlines, it is one long blurb of text, which is hard to "scan" for visitors. The other articles do have headlines in between.
Good luck with your site.
Great constructive criticism, I really appreciate it.
I always prefer negative criticism so I can stop kidding myself and really improve on what needs to be improved.
I was actually thinking the same thing about the content, I'll restructuate it and even make it a little "less wikipedia style" and more user-friendly style. I'll also expand it and add more related content, so people get what they came for.
Also, I have to work on other pages of the site heavily, as they are really not where I want them to be right now.
One question though - how do I change the order in which pages show in the navigation? (default is alphabetical)
And - in order to show "home" in the navigation bar instead of "jogging benefits", I'd have to rename the whole page to "home" and that wouldn't have a great impact on the SEO I think...
Anyway, thanks so far!
You're doing quite well I think. Try finding some similar sites and look how they do things, that might help you too.
For changing the order of pages in Wordpress, you can just google on "wordpress page order" for some useful hints. It can be done using a plugin, by changing some code in the template - or you can just hardcode all links directly in the template.
I'd say it shouldn't be a problem to call a page that *is* the homepage "Home", because that is what it is after all. For SEO purposes, you already have "Jogging Benefits" as the blog title, which will put that into an h1 tag, so search engines won't overlook it.
(posting this just to remind myself... won't be at computer until tomorrow)
Overall i liked the set up. I think you need to add more content not just paragraphs about little topics. Maybe give a preview of a page or two in the book so people know what there buying.
Layout:
Above-the-fold display is not clear what you are attempting to accomplish. Obviously you are trying to sell the book, and don't be ashamed of it. There is a lot of blank space in your header image that you could highlight the book you are trying to sell.
Web design theory shows that users will look at the top (left to right) then the left side and then go to the content. I would suggest putting your product in the header and your advertising on the right side (so as not to distract from the intent of the page). Moving the advertising to the right will also display the navigation better for your viewer when they have to scroll down through the large header to get to the content.
Keywords:
There is no doubt what you are trying to place for in the search engines, however, I would like to see you place for "benefits of jogging" as well as "jogging benefits". The constant phrase "jogging benefits" becomes a little awkward in reading, and seems you are trying too hard. Switching the words around may give you better search traffic and make it easier to read.
I like that you are having other key phrases stand out, however, the code is not helping you by changing the color. Use the "Bold" in your text instead of the color and address your css to color it for you, this will help in your search engine results.
Also your title and keywords can be a little more descriptive. You want to push for a keyword phrase, but using alternatives, as you would in your content should help significantly as the search engines mature their algorithm.
Content:
Obviously what you are doing with the content is providing supporting information for the sale of the book, and you are doing a great job of that. What I would suggest, however, is allow Wordpress to work for you and separate the posts. This will expand the pages for support, and may give you an opportunity to add social features that will expand your links and visitorship.
All in all, although it looks like, as another person said, your typical one-page sale site, you are writing informative and helpful information that doesn't look like a hard sell. It is because of your unique relevant content, and not a cheesy sales pitch, that is actually making me consider buying the book.
I agree a lot with what unimatrix02 said, though if the point of the site is to sell a book, go ahead and make that a big, attractive call to action (a button, or a stand-out link).
Search engines often throw away words like "and", "of", "in" and go for the larger words (and it will bring up many versions of those words: search for "dog" and you'll see "dogs" as well as many compound words that have "dog" as just a part). With this in mind, I would word the text to benefit humans the most. What sounds best? What flows better off the tongue? The keyword order doesn't matter to SE's in this case.Quote:
There is no doubt what you are trying to place for in the search engines, however, I would like to see you place for "benefits of jogging" as well as "jogging benefits". The constant phrase "jogging benefits" becomes a little awkward in reading, and seems you are trying too hard. Switching the words around may give you better search traffic and make it easier to read.
The colour difference is indeed a problem: that text looks like links even though they are not underlined. I expected to click on "aerobic running" and get something with a description of "aerobic exercising", but nothing happened. So I do agree with Ryan that bolding the text rather than making it blue is clearer: you want those words to stand out visually, but they are not any kind of link. Differently-coloured text is so often a link on other sites.Quote:
I like that you are having other key phrases stand out, however, the code is not helping you by changing the color. Use the "Bold" in your text instead of the color and address your css to color it for you, this will help in your search engine results.
Search engines won't see notice or care that some text is bold, though.
Yes, though I see a lot of words usually grouped with jogging: fat burning, heart rate, stamina...Quote:
Also your title and keywords can be a little more descriptive. You want to push for a keyword phrase, but using alternatives, as you would in your content should help significantly as the search engines mature their algorithm.
zannix: I know Wordpress does this thing automatically with adding title attributes to every link. This is retarded though and not recommended by anyone except greasy wanna-be SEO dudes. The title is redundant: it's exactly the same as the link text; it gets in the way of text underneath the link (tooltip in the way); it's not accessible to keyboarders, if you think it IS giving vital information; and it makes surfing sites a pain in a screen reader unless you've turned titles off.
Steve Faulkner lists where using title is bogus-to-harmful.
I agree with unimatrix about the Jogging Benefits link in the main menu: it should say "Home" because I too figured it was a link to a separate page. Having the link of the current page highlighted (same highlight used for :hover) would really help.
Lack of :focus styles (and apparently the outline was removed, likely in a CSS reset) means keyboarders have no idea where they are in the page. This sucks especially for users of Firefox 4, which removed the little bottom bar that used to show you urls of links you were on (this is the ONLY way I know what link I'm on currently with FF3.6). People not using mice not only include those with disabilities, but anyone using a laptop without a trackpad, or people using touch devices and cursorless mobile devices. These populations are ALL growing. Cater to them.
Be aware that the vitalife ad will likely get very few clicks: it's animated. Usability research shows people generally ignore anything animated, except in special circumstances. This is why Google Ads is usually mostly plain text: gets more clicks.
I think you have an opportunity near the top to set up some calls to action: With the text Jogging Benefits: everything you need to become fitter and happier!, follow up with things you want people to do. Make them buttons with simple command text on them.
"Download the Jogging Guide!" (text underneath can be "helps beginners reach the best of jogging benefits in the quickest and most efficient way"
You've got a call to action way at the bottom: order now. Put that somewhere people will skim it right away.
Lastly, I've got to say, the code-to-content ratio is horrid. I'm not sure what you can do about it though; this is the fault of Wordpress, or the theme you've chosen, not you.
Look at the amount of actual content in all those tags.Code:<div class="art-Header">
<div class="art-Header-jpeg"></div>
<div class="art-Logo">
<h1 id="name-text" class="art-Logo-name">
<a href="http://www.joggingbenefits.net/">Jogging Benefits</a></h1>
<div id="slogan-text" class="art-Logo-text">
Everything you need to know to become fitter & happier!</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="art-contentLayout">
<div class="art-sidebar1">
<div id="search-3" class="widget widget_search"><div class="art-Block">
<div class="art-Block-tl"></div>
<div class="art-Block-tr"></div>
<div class="art-Block-bl"></div>
<div class="art-Block-br"></div>
<div class="art-Block-tc"></div>
<div class="art-Block-bc"></div>
<div class="art-Block-cl"></div>
<div class="art-Block-cr"></div>
<div class="art-Block-cc"></div>
<div class="art-Block-body">
<div class="art-BlockHeader">
<div class="art-header-tag-icon">
<div class="t">SEARCH:</div>
</div>
</div><div class="art-BlockContent">
<div class="art-BlockContent-tl"></div>
<div class="art-BlockContent-tr"></div>
<div class="art-BlockContent-bl"></div>
<div class="art-BlockContent-br"></div>
<div class="art-BlockContent-tc"></div>
<div class="art-BlockContent-bc"></div>
<div class="art-BlockContent-cl"></div>
<div class="art-BlockContent-cr"></div>
<div class="art-BlockContent-cc"></div>
<div class="art-BlockContent-body">
<form method="get" name="searchform" action="http://www.joggingbenefits.net/">
<div><input type="text" value="" name="s" style="width: 95%;" />
<span class="art-button-wrapper">
<span class="l"> </span>
<span class="r"> </span>
<input class="art-button" type="submit" name="search" value="Search"/>
</span>
</div>
</form>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div><div id="text-15" class="widget widget_text"><div class="art-Block">
<div class="art-Block-tl"></div>
<div class="art-Block-tr"></div>
<div class="art-Block-bl"></div>
<div class="art-Block-br"></div>
<div class="art-Block-tc"></div>
<div class="art-Block-bc"></div>
<div class="art-Block-cl"></div>
<div class="art-Block-cr"></div>
<div class="art-Block-cc"></div>
<div class="art-Block-body">
<div class="art-BlockHeader">
<div class="art-header-tag-icon">
<div class="t">advertisement</div>
</div>
</div><div class="art-BlockContent">
<div class="art-BlockContent-tl"></div>
<div class="art-BlockContent-tr"></div>
<div class="art-BlockContent-bl"></div>
<div class="art-BlockContent-br"></div>
<div class="art-BlockContent-tc"></div>
<div class="art-BlockContent-bc"></div>
<div class="art-BlockContent-cl"></div>
<div class="art-BlockContent-cr"></div>
<div class="art-BlockContent-cc"></div>
<div class="art-BlockContent-body">
<div class="textwidget"><a href="http://www.vitalifematcha.com/idevaffiliate/idevaffiliate.php?id=106_0_1_7" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://www.vitalifematcha.com/idevaffiliate/banners/vitalifematcha.com-AN-125x125.gif" width="150" height="150" alt="Vitalife Matcha Green Tea"></a></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div><div id="pages-3" class="widget widget_pages"><div class="art-Block">
<div class="art-Block-tl"></div>
<div class="art-Block-tr"></div>
<div class="art-Block-bl"></div>
<div class="art-Block-br"></div>
<div class="art-Block-tc"></div>
<div class="art-Block-bc"></div>
<div class="art-Block-cl"></div>
<div class="art-Block-cr"></div>
<div class="art-Block-cc"></div>
<div class="art-Block-body">
<div class="art-BlockHeader">
<div class="art-header-tag-icon">
<div class="t">pages:</div>
</div>
</div><div class="art-BlockContent">
<div class="art-BlockContent-tl"></div>
<div class="art-BlockContent-tr"></div>
<div class="art-BlockContent-bl"></div>
<div class="art-BlockContent-br"></div>
<div class="art-BlockContent-tc"></div>
<div class="art-BlockContent-bc"></div>
<div class="art-BlockContent-cl"></div>
<div class="art-BlockContent-cr"></div>
<div class="art-BlockContent-cc"></div>
Quote:
Jogging Benefits
Everything you need to know to become fitter & happier!
SEARCH:
(form)
advertisement
Vitalife Matcha Green Tea image
pages
(list)
Thank you very much guys! :)
I've listened to your advice and made some changes to my website appearance.
I've changed the name of the homepage to "Home", because I couldn't change the way it comes up in naviation otherwise (I hope this doesn't affect SEO much)
Then, I've removed that stupid h2 title that was redundant and added a similar size image that meets the eye much more nicely and doesn't affect SEO (it's not title text).
In addition, I have removed the confusing coloring of the text throughout the article and made it mostly italic. I will be peppering the text with some links in the near future though.
I have also re-configured my sales presentation a bit, as you can see. But I want to stress one thing out - right now I am not too desperate to sell a product - heck, I really want people to like my website and appreciate it. That's all... If someone buys the book, it's great, but I'll deal with that more later as I start to get some serious traffic :shifty:
One thing I don't know how to make is that I add an effect to the navigation bar so the page I am currently on displays differently than the other pages.
I'm really no good as scripting, all the changes I did to this template were minor (well, mostly). If anyone has a solution for that, I'd be glad to implement it.
Anyways, I would appreciate if you could take a look at the site once again and tell me if it's atleast a bit better now :)
Cheers!
EDIT: Also, those tooltips in the navigation bar LINKS are really annoying :P
it's too bad it's in Dutch, but I have a great book explaining why something like "Welcome to our site" is a bit of a wasted opportunity.
Esp since you're worried about SEO, that *is* a great place for a header tag (and yeah prolly an h2 since you've got your logo as an h1), and to say something useful. It's big text that catches people's eyes.
I wonder if someone's written something in English (surely). You might want to head over to the Content Writing section of the SitePoint forums and ask what would be good examples of beginning text for a site like yours (I'm no content writer).
Hi,
it looks nice to me but its a very long page about 3 screen heights worth and quite a lot of reading. personally i'd prefer shorter pages with good navigation.
Means i don't have read everything if i'm just interested in one part.
not sure others opinions on that.
hth
Well, the site is about jogging benefits, all the other pages there are just a bonus...
Pleasant design, nice to browse your site. Fast loading. Good order of all pages and all information on them. All links work OK.
Only one thing that I would improve: In your contact page you directly give email address - it may cause spam emails. You can use submition forms instead.
Your header is the most outstading one to me. The two side also looks great. Is it possible to sub some of the content, they long for me.
it's very big and not in a large content way, it's very spread out with lots of white spaces and the images need to be shrunk in KB's I have a fast connect and it even took me time to load all the images just think about people still on cable or phone connections, yes they are still out there! Personally to me, it feels like it's a come as you lately blog trying to pass off as a .net.
Though the layout design is good, you do keep the background soft on the eyes and background mushes together correctly, at least for me.
I give a ***** out of 10, it's ok but there is room for a lot of improvement.
It is not clear what the "vitalife" image is doing there, as it is hardly readable what it says below "vitalife". I suggest you clearly mark it as "advertisement" and move it below the navigation.
I like the site design and layout. I like the blue colors. As a frequent jogger/runner I found the content on the site very useful.
Here are some things that could make the site better:
The running.gif image animation on the left corner is too distracting. It takes away focus from the content on the web pages. It doesn't serve any purpose you can either replace it with a relevant ad/promo or even better remove it entirely.
Replace the "Send me the guide!" button with a more colorful button and bigger button. Use an image button rather than a browser UI button. This will make it more attractive and will get more opt-ins to the mailing list.
Remove the links to the A- free directory | Free DIrectory | Quality Directory directory site. This link makes your site look like an auto-generated content site using spun articles from ezines. You don't want your site associated with an article directory. This will also affect your Google Ranking since backlinks from article directories usually lead to a low Google rank.
Overall I think your site is on the right track. I hope this was helpful.
i think its very simple site need some colors and brigthness SImple you can do slideshow in your header and i am very confused that why dont you have not linked your website with any social networking website
I agree with the post above - the empty white space in the right hand column is just made for a facebook fan box, or a twitter box. Adding social media to your site will help spread the word, and social signals may become an important ranking factor in the future.