View Full Version : Standardization of all pages...
Vicman
07-29-2005, 05:23 AM
The one thing that bugs me about Sega-16 is the lack of standard buttons at the top of each and every page when I go to read a review or a feature story. I often have to press the back button on my browser (sometimes more than once) to get back to the main page. Making everypage conform to the same design standard that takes ease of use and quick linking from one section to another would greatly improve Sega-16's design IMO. I understand that it might be a tough thing to do at the moment but hopefully the site can achieve this in time as ease of use keeps people coming back. Content will always be king, and Sega-16 surely delivers, but an improved layout would help attract more people IMO. :)
The only pages that don't have standard buttons or nav bar are the master list's individual pages and the reviews. I'm just to lazy to change the ML pages, but the review template doesn't permit changes.
I'm hoping to eventually redo the entire site, and when it's done, it'll be much more modern and streamlined.
The one thing that bugs me about Sega-16 is the lack of standard buttons at the top of each and every page when I go to read a review or a feature story. I often have to press the back button on my browser (sometimes more than once) to get back to the main page. Making everypage conform to the same design standard that takes ease of use and quick linking from one section to another would greatly improve Sega-16's design IMO. I understand that it might be a tough thing to do at the moment but hopefully the site can achieve this in time as ease of use keeps people coming back. Content will always be king, and Sega-16 surely delivers, but an improved layout would help attract more people IMO. :)
I've mentioned this to Ken at least a few times in the past. Navigation should be consistent and user-friendly and frankly...Sega16 just doesn't offer that. Users shouldn't need to press back on their button. That's an inconvenience that can easily turn many potential visitors away from becoming dedicated readers.
My suggestion was to include a standard navigation bar that could exist atop of every section. Even something with a drop-down menu would be practical and offer a greater ease-of-use.
Main :: Reviews :: Features :: Master List :: Forums
Reviews could open up into a drop-down menu that allows a reader to instantly select whether they want to access the Sega Genesis, Sega CD or 32 X reviews. Features could open be categorized in a more, organized format (e.g. interviews, editorials, retrospective, etc.)
Anyways, this is just a few of my thoughts. Ultimately, Sega16 needs a new look in which these quibbles with navigation for example would be easily rectified. Perhaps a bit of direct advertising for a site designer should be considered at this point. (Ken: I know you're considering doing a revamp yourself. While that's commendable, I think you should seriously look into a more experienced person who's familiar with HTML as if it were a second language.) As you've already expressed -- content definitely is very solid here, but a great design goes a LONG way into solidifying a regular readership that could be your asset for bringing even greater numbers to the site.
The only pages that don't have standard buttons or nav bar are the master list's individual pages and the reviews. I'm just to lazy to change the ML pages, but the review template doesn't permit changes.
I'm hoping to eventually redo the entire site, and when it's done, it'll be much more modern and streamlined.
Easily rectified if you tweak the overall design so that the navigation is consistent in all pages as Vicman and I are trying to convey.
I've mentioned this to Ken at least a few times in the past. Navigation should be consistent and user-friendly and frankly...Sega16 just doesn't offer that. Users shouldn't need to press back on their button. That's an inconvenience that can easily turn many potential visitors away from becoming dedicated readers.
The problem with this is that I would have to completely redo the layouts for over 180 reviews. I just don't have time for that now.
(Ken: I know you're considering doing a revamp yourself. While that's commendable, I think you should seriously look into a more experienced person who's familiar with HTML as if it were a second language.
I have no intention of doing the revamp myself. I fully intend to find someone who knows what they're doing. I did the initial work, which is what's up now, and probably couldn't do much more than that. I want someone with design skills to do the revamp, so it can get done right. The problem is, I need to find one who's willing to do it and then find out how much it'll cost, etc.
I've mentioned this to Ken at least a few times in the past. Navigation should be consistent and user-friendly and frankly...Sega16 just doesn't offer that. Users shouldn't need to press back on their button. That's an inconvenience that can easily turn many potential visitors away from becoming dedicated readers.
The problem with this is that I would have to completely redo the layouts for over 180 reviews. I just don't have time for that now.
(Ken: I know you're considering doing a revamp yourself. While that's commendable, I think you should seriously look into a more experienced person who's familiar with HTML as if it were a second language.
I have no intention of doing the revamp myself. I fully intend to find someone who knows what they're doing. I did the initial work, which is what's up now, and probably couldn't do much more than that. I want someone with design skills to do the revamp, so it can get done right. The problem is, I need to find one who's willing to do it and then find out how much it'll cost, etc.
No one makes time to convert their previous design to a new one. If that were the case, nothing would ever get done. In any event, this isn't a matter of if...but when a designer is 'contracted' and comes up with a new template; that won't be a problem. And how soon you forget that you have folks that would be happy to help you when that momentous occassion finally rolls around (who might these people be you ask? oh, like say meesa, perhaps?)
p.s. ever thought about making a request to the fine folks over at TNL who actually dig your site? I am sure someone would be MORE than willing to lend a hand giving Sega16 a new coat of paint.
I was thinking about doing that. Shidoshi is very good at layouts, and there are a few guys there who might be able to help.
I was thinking about doing that. Shidoshi is very good at layouts, and there are a few guys there who might be able to help.
Uh. Anyone EXCEPT shidoshi (recently asked on your behalf anyways). The man has a busy lifestyle much more than anyone on TNL knows about. You can forget about him giving you hand because of such. Think of simpler, more realistic options.
j_factor
07-29-2005, 11:32 PM
I don't see what's the big deal about pushing the back button. I use the back button anyway, because it loads the page from cache rather than redoing the whole transfer. If you can't push the back button, you suck at the internet. :P
Vicman
07-30-2005, 12:03 AM
:roll:
J_factor please, were talking about intuitive design not if pressing back is hard or not. What if I want to go to a totally different section of Sega-16? Having a consistent design standardized makes that even easier and thus encourages enjoyment of the site even more. Making a user feel as natural and as comfortable as possible greatly helps in keeping them around and talking about the site with others, thus increasing traffic. It may seem trivial and little to you but believe me not having those "little" things can hold back a site as great as this one.
Making a user feel as natural and as comfortable as possible greatly helps in keeping them around and talking about the site with others, thus increasing traffic. It may seem trivial and little to you but believe me not having those "little" things can hold back a site as great as this one.
This man speaks truth. GotNext (http://www.got-next.com) definitely wouldn't have picked up and maintained the traffic it has over the past year if it wasn't for a clean, inuitive design.
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