My minishop, ok design?

[Flusher]

This is a small webshop, it's based on Wordpress and a shop-plugin.
I have modified a Wordpress template to meet my demands, and now I want to know what you think

Is the design bad, ok, good or great?

http://www.miniappz.com

Thank you!

[jimbo_dk]

I love the minimalist design and the color scheme, and the fact that it's running on Wordpress

However, there is not enough info on the site to persuade me to make a purchase. I would've like to see more screen-shots, or free trials.

[Flusher]

I love the minimalist design and the color scheme, and the fact that it's running on Wordpress

However, there is not enough info on the site to persuade me to make a purchase. I would've like to see more screen-shots, or free trials.

Thank you very much!
In fact, i intend to make videos, demonstrating each program. And the trial/demo is something i also am thinking about (so much more work..*sigh*)

But thanks for the feedback on the design

[Shyflower]

I agree with jimbo. Your design is wonderful, but when I accessed your product pages I was a bit disappointed. I like the idea of your web page thumbnailer, but I would like more info on how it works before I lay out the money for it (even though it is an inexpensive application ).

Also, going from page to page loads slowly for some reason and when I hit the back button, before my browser went back, it showed an empty white page. However, I don't know how to fix this. I also use WP and my blog doesn't seem to have that problem, nor do other WP blogs I've looked at.

I also noticed that in your side bar you have "latest" releases but no navigation for your other applications. Although you have the link at the bottom of your home page, I think it would be beneficial to add your products to your side navigation, listing them by name, as well.

I'm also unsure as to why you have the "login" displayed on your site. I'd remove it.

[Flusher]

Thanks Shyflower, you got some good points there! I'll try to fix them tonight (if i'm not too tired..)

I will also fire up Camtasia to make some "stunning" videos for demonstration of the applications Then you just "have" to buy it, hehehe

[dgeehot]

Site reviewed: http://www.miniappz.com
Date Reviewed: 8/8/2007 9:29:51 AM CST
Configuration used for review: Browser being used: Internet Explorer Version 6.0.2900.2180.xpsp_sp2_qfe - System being used: Windows XP Professional - Hardware being used: Dell Latitude D600 with Dual Screen Samsung Sync Master 17GLs secondary monitor
General Questions:
Does the front page make you want to click in further? No, quite confusing

Are you confused when you first see the navigation and menu system or does your eye flow to the most important parts first? Nope

Are things generally where you expect them to be? Yes

Tell the developer whether the site loads quickly enough for your hardware configuration – Loads quickly – pages flash when transitioning..

When you click on a link, is it what you expected to be on the next page, or not? If it's not, tell the owner what you thought you were going to see-- this is very important for the designer to be able to get a fresh view on how the navigation works. – Links are confusing not sure where they go.

Can you find your way around and then back to the start again? Are the search facilities appropriate for the site? Yes

Imagine yourself as the site's target audience (whether it be children, lumberjacks, or cricket umpires) and tell the designer whether you think the colors and graphics are appropriate for the audience. Is the kids site colorful and lively or dull and grey? Is the tax advice site using too much flash and graphics that people wanting tax advice don't care about? Very dull colors and nothing to draw me to explore

Website ratings:
Style Score (1-5) : 2 Comments on the style: very dull, no graphics
Code Score (1-5) : 3 Comments on the code: generated by Wordpress
Usability Score (1-5) : 2 Comments on the usability of the web site: not very user friendly
General Score (1-5) : 2 Comments: Interesting applications, add a mailing list application

[Flusher]

Thanks for the feedback, but i'm a bit confused by your answers:

Does the front page make you want to click in further? No, quite confusing
What is confusing?

Are you confused when you first see the navigation and menu system or does your eye flow to the most important parts first? Nope
When you say no to this, how can you say yes on the next question, or vice versa?

Are things generally where you expect them to be? Yes

[DotCommentary]

Flusher,

I would suggest adding more contact information (instead of just a contact form) to help boost credibility and confidence from future shoppers. There isn't much information in that area to instill trust.

Also, from just a legibility point, you might want to make the dollar symbol smaller than the #9. It would be a little easier to read.

[Shyflower]

I like your changes.

Still, on your thumbnailer -- it isn't clear to if it shrinks the whole web page or just that which is visible in the browser.

[Flusher]

I like your changes.

Still, on your thumbnailer -- it isn't clear to if it shrinks the whole web page or just that which is visible in the browser.

Thank you Shyflower, I'm working on a few things now, but you like the product listings on the right side?

[Shyflower]

yes I did.

[Jay-S]

Dont like it... try with new design...

[Shyflower]

Dont like it... try with new design...

I don't believe this sentence will count as a review, so it looks like you wasted your time posting it. What don't you like about it? What would you do differently?

Reviews are meant to help other people. Is this the kind of helpful reply you expect when you put your site up for review?

[gregjarvis]

I love the simple design. Need the header logo to link back to the home page, maybe move the navigation to the top somewhere or something... maybe its just me

[Flusher]

Thanks everybody! I've made some changes and added some of the things you've helped me point out, what do you think of the site now?

Thanks!

[Jay-S]

Try all css inline to put in your css file: admin-stylesheet.css
dont like content on this page: http://www.miniappz.com/?page_id=3
look at the pictures around the text, it looks very bad... :S

look here at the text around the picture (seo): http://livingforart.com/bluestyle/
try to make something like that...

[Shyflower]

I don't like you new "all products" blotch, but I don't believe that would keep me from looking at your products. However, I do think that it's not needed and if you keep it, I would definitely reduce it in size if I were you. It breaks up the focus of the page and IMO also ruins the simplicity of your original layout, making it look more amateurish and less professional.

[dublinbach]

First thing that came to mind on opening this site was 'Professional'.



However the ads put me off; Firstly I would suggest, if your going

to place ads along side, such a well thought out and glance friendly

site, select an ad-broker, that pushes out high quality ads.

( They are bringing you down )


The font is great, and I can comfortably read the font , leaning back

in my chair , with my not-so-hot eyesight.


The site is fast, and responsive, and the results are relevant -


Overall, I think , this site has potential, bordering on awesome.


Db

[dublinbach]

Very good looking site..

can't download unfortunately on this machine - due to

network restrictions - ..

[abelking2648]

Cool color scheme and simple layout. Also you you tried to keep the logo on every page for users to return to the home page instantly at any point instead of the conventional home text. The site is fast to navigate and the biggest plus point is that it runs on word press.

[Flusher]

I don't like you new "all products" blotch.

Do you like it better now? I've reduced it, and added another one as well.

[Shyflower]

Do you like it better now? I've reduced it, and added another one as well.

Yes, I do like it better now. However, one of the things I liked about your original design is that it didn't go "below the fold".

It seems to me you have lost some of the simplicity of design, which was a very appealing part of your page.

I think I understand your reason for the banners, but if you moved the side bar "Information" items into your footer, That would bring your page back up and you could reduce them even further, regaining your original concept.

I need to add that when I downloaded the trial version and hit "open file" (in FF), the only thing that opened was a text file, so I was unable to demo the thumbnailer. (I imagine this would keep most people from downloading the paid version. )

[Flusher]

I think I understand your reason for the banners, but if you moved the side bar "Information" items into your footer, That would bring your page back up and you could reduce them even further, regaining your original concept.

That's a good idea! Thank you Shyflower, i'll try that