Site Review Request: Course-Notes.Org... Rip it apart!!! - WickedFire - Affiliate Marketing Forum

CLKeenan · 07-21-2006, 10:32 AM

I had made a post on Sitepoint a few days ago regarding PR and then Chris came through and ripped my site apart and I love him for it haha. So that got me thinking, how else could I improve my site? I have been told my navigation is hard for the first user- but I cant understand why. With that said, could you guys tell me how long it takes to find the Chapter 13 Outline for US History.

A few things I'm going to incorporate when I introduce the new version of the site is a strictly CSS, fluid layout to open up more area for the content so it isnt so cramped. I'm also thinking about using some more vibrant/lively colors. Take a look at http://demotemplates.joomlashack.com/voodoo/index.php (color schemes #1,3 and 6) for an idea.

I also want to incorporate some ways to draw users into the forums from the homepage. Maybe a latest forum topics module? I've found that so many of my users just use the content on the site which is perfectly fine, but they would benefit greatly from the forum where they can get help from other users.

So go ahead- rip it apart- dont hold anything back, even the smallest things

Thanks,
-Chris
Course-Notes.Org

katoved · 07-21-2006, 10:49 AM

Hey, I think the site is decent. I own the domain name FakeReportCard.com I was wondering if you might be interested in the name. I was thinking about creating a program where students would be able to plug in their classes, school name, grades, information, etc... and print a report card to take home to mom and dad. What do you think?

CLKeenan · 07-21-2006, 11:02 AM

Nope, sorry. Doesnt really tie in with any of my current goals. But thanks for the offer.

rembrandt · 07-21-2006, 11:58 AM

Well I had a look at the site and visually it is quite fresh and very well done. What I found though is that to me it isn't clear what the site is about. It's about voodoo templates right? Maybe you could add something that says who would need it? Ie: Is it only for people who are using Joomla CMS?

As far as finding the chapter on US History.... I gave up.

Just to give you some background about my knowlege. I've heard of Joomla and even had a little play around with it but generally I don't know much about it. I've done some freelance work in web design, and I primarily do SEO.

John · 07-21-2006, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rembrandt

Well I had a look at the site and visually it is quite fresh and very well done. What I found though is that to me it isn't clear what the site is about. It's about voodoo templates right? Maybe you could add something that says who would need it? Ie: Is it only for people who are using Joomla CMS?

As far as finding the chapter on US History.... I gave up.

Just to give you some background about my knowlege. I've heard of Joomla and even had a little play around with it but generally I don't know much about it. I've done some freelance work in web design, and I primarily do SEO.

Thats how hard I'm laughing right now.

Payton · 07-21-2006, 12:18 PM

haha, I'm waiting for him to post "DOH"

rembrandt · 07-21-2006, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John

Thats how hard I'm laughing right now.

Your laughing and I'm still sitting here scratching my head.

edit:

DOH... ok ok... I can see the funny side now... Go on everyone, have a laugh on me.

sknydave · 07-21-2006, 12:21 PM

Site seems pretty cramped with all of the ads jumping out at you while trying to read the text. I think a darker font on the text would help here.

lol @ John

John · 07-21-2006, 12:21 PM

Ok I don't have too much time to look over the site but heres a few things I found:

1. Your links should have title tags
Thats pretty easy and basic SEO

2. Your ads aren't targeted at all
Maybe integrate some adsense or ypn ads in with your content.

3. I can't stand those burst banners
Some aren't bad but alot of them flash and shake and thats pretty god damn annoying.

4. Making your users register to view content
I can't see most of your content without registering, I hope the search engines can.

Thats a few things I noticed off the bat.

Payton · 07-21-2006, 12:25 PM

Well here's a quick review of your homepage.... I think you have both too much info and not quite enough.

What I mean by this is that at first glance I can't tell what your site is about in the first 10 seconds or so. How about adding a tagline in your header? Something that describes your site right below the site url.

I would consider taking out the section descriptions on the front page and move them into the respective sections. You have so much text on the front page it's a bit overwhelming.

That's my take on it

MisterX · 07-22-2006, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John

Thats how hard I'm laughing right now.

Yepp.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rembrandt

Go on everyone, have a laugh on me.

Hehehe! ; )

Quote:

Originally Posted by CLKeenan

So go ahead- rip it apart- dont hold anything back, even the smallest things

Here's a quick suggestion - since you don't have any descriptions under the links themselves, you should put links in the text on the main page. Basically, just add a link to all the bullets you already have (outlines, vocabulary, unit notes etc.) so that the visitor can get to the section as soon as he/she reads about it.

fenryr · 07-22-2006, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John

Thats how hard I'm laughing right now.

haha me too..

07-21-2006, 10:32 AM	#1 (permalink)
CLKeenan Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 2,211 iTrader: 10 / 100%	Site Review Request: Course-Notes.Org... Rip it apart!!! I had made a post on Sitepoint a few days ago regarding PR and then Chris came through and ripped my site apart and I love him for it haha. So that got me thinking, how else could I improve my site? I have been told my navigation is hard for the first user- but I cant understand why. With that said, could you guys tell me how long it takes to find the Chapter 13 Outline for US History. A few things I'm going to incorporate when I introduce the new version of the site is a strictly CSS, fluid layout to open up more area for the content so it isnt so cramped. I'm also thinking about using some more vibrant/lively colors. Take a look at http://demotemplates.joomlashack.com/voodoo/index.php (color schemes #1,3 and 6) for an idea. I also want to incorporate some ways to draw users into the forums from the homepage. Maybe a latest forum topics module? I've found that so many of my users just use the content on the site which is perfectly fine, but they would benefit greatly from the forum where they can get help from other users. So go ahead- rip it apart- dont hold anything back, even the smallest things Thanks, -Chris Course-Notes.Org Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

07-21-2006, 10:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
katoved Banned Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,313 iTrader: 2 / 75%	Hey, I think the site is decent. I own the domain name FakeReportCard.com I was wondering if you might be interested in the name. I was thinking about creating a program where students would be able to plug in their classes, school name, grades, information, etc... and print a report card to take home to mom and dad. What do you think? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

07-21-2006, 11:02 AM	#3 (permalink)
CLKeenan Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 2,211 iTrader: 10 / 100%	Nope, sorry. Doesnt really tie in with any of my current goals. But thanks for the offer. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

07-21-2006, 11:58 AM	#4 (permalink)
rembrandt Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 272 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Well I had a look at the site and visually it is quite fresh and very well done. What I found though is that to me it isn't clear what the site is about. It's about voodoo templates right? Maybe you could add something that says who would need it? Ie: Is it only for people who are using Joomla CMS? As far as finding the chapter on US History.... I gave up. Just to give you some background about my knowlege. I've heard of Joomla and even had a little play around with it but generally I don't know much about it. I've done some freelance work in web design, and I primarily do SEO. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

07-21-2006, 12:18 PM	#6 (permalink)
Payton Affiliate Padawan Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 599 iTrader: 0 / 0%	haha, I'm waiting for him to post "DOH" Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________ Girly Myspace Layouts Cute Myspace Layouts Myspace Tweaks Girly Myspace Layouts Myspace Codes

07-21-2006, 12:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
sknydave Takanori Gomi > You Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 590 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Site seems pretty cramped with all of the ads jumping out at you while trying to read the text. I think a darker font on the text would help here. lol @ John Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

07-21-2006, 12:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
John Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Sewageville Posts: 4,929 iTrader: 6 / 100%	Ok I don't have too much time to look over the site but heres a few things I found: 1. Your links should have title tags Thats pretty easy and basic SEO 2. Your ads aren't targeted at all Maybe integrate some adsense or ypn ads in with your content. 3. I can't stand those burst banners Some aren't bad but alot of them flash and shake and thats pretty god damn annoying. 4. Making your users register to view content I can't see most of your content without registering, I hope the search engines can. Thats a few things I noticed off the bat. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

07-21-2006, 12:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
Payton Affiliate Padawan Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 599 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Well here's a quick review of your homepage.... I think you have both too much info and not quite enough. What I mean by this is that at first glance I can't tell what your site is about in the first 10 seconds or so. How about adding a tagline in your header? Something that describes your site right below the site url. I would consider taking out the section descriptions on the front page and move them into the respective sections. You have so much text on the front page it's a bit overwhelming. That's my take on it Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________ Girly Myspace Layouts Cute Myspace Layouts Myspace Tweaks Girly Myspace Layouts Myspace Codes

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