Content of Million mile road trip

[mrcap]

Hi

I would like to get some previews about content of http://www.millionmileroadtrip.com

-Is main point of site clear? Should I try to make it clearer?
-English isn't my main language, so if you read my blog does it look like that it is made by a scammer or a child or is language good enough? I know that incorrect language is quite big turn off, but is my language too bad for serious site?
-Do you have good ideas what content my site would need more?

[deathshadow60]

My question would be "WHAT CONTENT?!?" Clear as to what it is? Uhm... no. Though it appears that some sort of image should be loading in the massive space-waster up top; it isn't. (Opera)... ah, I see... massive fixed width image for a navigation that's too big for my netbook... ok, it's too big for my 1680x1050 lappy? Ouch. Are there supposed to be working links? Ok, I see them in the markup, but up top I can't get your navigation to even function.

I don't know what those massive grids are supposed to be for; but more text (you know, actual content) explaining what I'm looking at here would be far more useful than all these pointless confusing images that don't explain anything. You're sucking down a ton of screen real-estate for no fathomable reason other than "But I can do it in photoshop".

[mrcap]

My question would be "WHAT CONTENT?!?" Clear as to what it is? Uhm... no. Though it appears that some sort of image should be loading in the massive space-waster up top; it isn't. (Opera)... ah, I see... massive fixed width image for a navigation that's too big for my netbook... ok, it's too big for my 1680x1050 lappy? Ouch. Are there supposed to be working links? Ok, I see them in the markup, but up top I can't get your navigation to even function.

I don't know what those massive grids are supposed to be for; but more text (you know, actual content) explaining what I'm looking at here would be far more useful than all these pointless confusing images that don't explain anything. You're sucking down a ton of screen real-estate for no fathomable reason other than "But I can do it in photoshop".

Thanks for review. What browser do you use on you lappy? My resolution is only 1024x768 and unfortunately navigation works fine on my computer. Didn't even realized that there could be a problem in it

In my mind first page content is clear, but I just have to find a way to put my mind on that site so even a people who doesn't have my mind understand that site. Thanks, I will think more carefully first page.

[deathshadow60]

Well, I couldn't even figure out what the site was FOR -- what does it do/is about? I couldn't even find that. Below your massively oversized and ridiculous 'navigation' image, what is all that stuff at the bottom even for? "where you can get your ad" -- what ad? Ads for what? When you land on a home page, there should be text explaining what the site is; while a separate 'about' page can elaborate further, there should be some indication what is actually going on there. I see a bunch of links, a bunch of massive images that just seem thrown on the page any old way, and nothing to explain what any of that is/does.

As to browser I used -- I'm a Opera user, but when testing pages I also use FF and chrome just to be 'sure' since a lot of people don't seem to bother testing my browser of choice. My netbook is only 1024x600, but I have tabs in portrait right and taskbar in portrait left, so I've only got about 920px left after that...

But because it's fixed width, it's also not all that useful at 1920x1200 on my desktop either...

-- edit -- oh, figured out what's wrong with your header in Opera -- I have iFrames blocked by default.

IFRAME -- an element that has no business even being on websites after 1997.

[mrcap]

Thanks for pointing problems. I added text to my first page so people would know what this site is all about. You have been really helpful. I think that I will do something to that iframe problem, but currently I am more worried about my content, so I'll do it later.

If someone speak good English, I would like to know if my first page is good enough or should I correct language.

[J in Calgary]

I'm not a coding expert like many on this site, so my perspective is that of a "regular" user stopping by.

I assume you know that the sticky note links don't go anywhere yet--I would remove the "home" link from the home page when you have more than one page.

I like the way your map looks (Firefox) on the screen, but as far as messaging, I can't tell the purpose unless I scroll, which is probably not good. Even if you said "My Million Mile Road Trip" at the top, it would be clearer that this is a personal site. A brief, clear, call to action toward the top would be preferable to what you have now.

I'll make recommendations for changes to smooth out the English for the text at the bottom here.
Original version:
My name is Ville Kiviniemi and I am going to do new Guinness World Record of Longest Driven Journey. I am going to drive million miles and this site tells about my journey.

Currently I am looking sponsors for the trip. I am sure I will get lot of publicity, so this is quite cost-effective way to advertise company or product. You can buy ad space from my car. Currently there are 5 places ( Hood, Left Front Door, Left Back Door, Right Front Door and Right Back Door) where you can get your ad.

My recommendation: My name is Ville Kiviniemi, and I am going to set a new Guinness World Record for the Longest Driven Journey. I am going to drive a million miles, starting from (INSERT CITY), and this website will document my journey.

I am currently seeking sponsors for my trip, which is likely to generate a lot of publicity. This is a great, cost-effective way to advertise your product or service.


Okay--this is me again. I think I would create a separate page with more detailed information for interested sponsors. Space on the car is a fun idea, but it suggests you only expect to get five sponsors.

I didn't edit for content in terms of my opinion (except to recommend you include your home city, assuming you're starting there), but when I read your text, I wonder whether you are likely to get a lot of publicity. What evidence do you have to prove this to would-be sponsors? Also, after the first paragraph, you could link to more details about your trip--will the website include photos of your experiences and a blog, or is the site just a stopping place for sponsors?

Good luck!

[naughtnotions]

Hey, mrcap. I think you have a good start, but I do have some suggestions. I will try to answer your questions and include my suggestions at the same time, if that is ok.
-Is main point of site clear? Should I try to make it clearer?
I would say the point of the site is not truly clear. If I understand, you are definitely going to drive a million miles and you need sponsors...Is that correct? If so, and I wanted to sponsor you, I would want to know exactly why your endeavor should be sponsored over any other. What do you have to offer, and what is the benefit of me backing you?

-English isn't my main language, so if you read my blog does it look like that it is made by a scammer or a child or is language good enough? I know that incorrect language is quite big turn off, but is my language too bad for serious site?
Unfortunately, I am unable to answer this fully as the links on your site were not operable for me. As far as your main language, what is it? I think that barring a couple of grammatical errors in your post, you are communicating pretty good. I understand your questions, at least.

-Do you have good ideas what content my site would need more?
Well, I already told you one thing, but here are a couple more suggestions in no particular order...
1. I think your map is cool, but I would rather see a true map and be able to monitor your journey with one click. What I mean is that when I come to the Home page, I immediately see where you have been with the little dashed line or something showing your journey on the map. That would be pretty cool.
2. I would take the posties off the map. I would just put the links in words underneath instead of large notes. I would also remove the large facebook "f". The map is your biggest attraction in my opinion.
3. I think I understand about what ads are available for your car and the colors show the positioning, but I would remove the large sections of graph like paper from the site. Maybe you could make the cars smaller and use them to link to your sponsors' sites. Not sure...just throwing an idea out there.

I hope this little snippet helps you. Good luck on your trip...I think I will save your site to see what changes you make and what happens on your journey. Follow me on twitter so I can keep up with you. naugh_t_notions

[mrcap]

-- edit -- oh, figured out what's wrong with your header in Opera -- I have iFrames blocked by default.

IFRAME -- an element that has no business even being on websites after 1997.

You seems to know lot of about websites. Is there still a problem on my site or does it work now? Can I trust that my most visitors can see my site?

I assume you know that the sticky note links don't go anywhere yet--I would remove the "home" link from the home page when you have more than one page.

I didn't know. I changed my site and just hope that it works now.

... if you said "My Million Mile Road Trip" at the top, it would be clearer that this is a personal site. A brief, clear, call to action toward the top would be preferable to what you have now.

Thanks for great suggestions. I agreed that adding word "My" is good.

I'll make recommendations for changes to smooth out the English for the text at the bottom here...

I just deleted my version and used your text.

...Space on the car is a fun idea, but it suggests you only expect to get five sponsors...

I have to think this sponsor idea. It is meant to be that there are 5 areas where sponsors can get their ads and there can be multiple sponsors on every area. I must figure out how to make this one more understandable.

...I wonder whether you are likely to get a lot of publicity. What evidence do you have to prove this to would-be sponsors? Also, after the first paragraph, you could link to more details about your trip--will the website include photos of your experiences and a blog, or is the site just a stopping place for sponsors?

If so, and I wanted to sponsor you, I would want to know exactly why your endeavor should be sponsored over any other. What do you have to offer, and what is the benefit of me backing you?

I added proof of publicity. There is still work to do how to get publicity and how to confirm sponsors that they will get publicity if they sponsor me.

Good luck!

Thank you!

...you are definitely going to drive a million miles and you need sponsors...Is that correct?...

Yes that is the case.

As far as your main language, what is it? I think that barring a couple of grammatical errors in your post, you are communicating pretty good. I understand your questions, at least.

My main language is Finnish. Here in Finland we begin to learn English at third grade. So basically almost everyone can speak English. People can easily understand what I mean, but whole another thing is that does people want to read site that isn't good English even though they understand meanings. I personally just hate website's that is bad English (but maybe it is little bit different, because my English isn't perfect so when I hate some site that has bad English, that site must have really bad English so I can notice that it is bad).

I would rather see a true map and be able to monitor your journey with one click.

That is good idea. I think I will do that kind of map when I have had enough sponsors and began my road trip.

I would just put the links in words underneath instead of large notes. I would also remove the large facebook "f". The map is your biggest attraction in my opinion.

I use to have that kind of appearance on my site. Some people just say that my site looks boring and too simply. I think that I just keep my current design for now, make more content to my site and after that I think again how I should modify my design.

I hope this little snippet helps you. Good luck on your trip...

Yes you were really helpful and thanks!

[Jazzy222]

It depends how much your language is bad & whom you are focusing on if there also at your level then its ok otherwise you have improve your content. Use google translation or dictionary <snip>