Hello everyone,

 

I've recently constructed a site using the Joomla CMS and some components in order to collect and present visitors ratings on Airlines they have travelled with and Airports they have visited. The site can be accessed at http://jet-vista.com

 

I'd like some constructive feedback in the following areas:

 

1. Design / Layout

2. Usability

3. Any other areas.

 

Im working on a method of searching fields in the reviews and giving the visitors a method of generating reports. (This will take me some time however)

First impressions are excellent - smart, clean and appropriate - this is important, so well done!

 

Now for the buts ... after all that's why you asked, no?

The Google Ads dominate a lot of precious above-the-fold real estate - try viewing the home page at 800x600. Only you can decide how important that is to you. However, if folks cannot get at the 'meat' of your site quickly then nobody's going to bother with the Google Ads either, is my guess.

 

JetVista is a good name [in these days of mostly registered] but it gives little clue to the web theme or content. There's little or nothing that you can do about this but it causes that point to be important on the rest of the page - I need to know what it's about within seconds of arriving on that first page. This could be *hugely* helped by increasing the red headings Top 5 User Rated Airlines and Top 5 User Rated Airports - make them bold and bigger. Even with the Google Ads they'll still be in view on a 800x600 and will greatly assist me to know what the site's about.

 

To the right top opposite JetVista there's a large lump of unused space - how about a strapline [or tagline in you're in the USA] this could also add to the site identity [see point above] It need not be 'in your face' and need not overpower the nice white space layout.

 

The main menu rollover effect is muted - too much so for my tastes - swiftly moving a mouse across them almost has no eye-catching response. I don't suggest 'fireworks' which would not be in keeping with the smart professional tone but something a little sharper would help perhaps.

 

Those are my principle 'buts' - the rest is excellent. Without doubt the Achilles heel of the whole site is the omnipresent dominance of the Google Ads.

 

Hope this helps - thanks - Jack - www.websites.madesimple.cc and www.webweaversworkshop.com

 

 

 

1. Design / Layout

2. Usability

3. Any other areas.

not bad at all

First impressions are excellent - smart, clean and appropriate - this is important, so well done!

Thank you very much! I really appreciate the time you have taken to evaluate my site. I also appreciate your comments about the fact that this site has a professional tone. This was one of the key objectives of the site, as I'd like this site to be used by people of all age groups.

 

Now for the buts ... after all that's why you asked, no?

Of course! Thanks for the useful comments!

 

The Google Ads dominate a lot of precious above-the-fold real estate - try viewing the home page at 800x600. Only you can decide how important that is to you.

However, if folks cannot get at the 'meat' of your site quickly then nobody's going to bother with the Google Ads either, is my guess.

This is something I am looking into. I am messing about with my scribblings (on paper) as we speak.

 

JetVista is a good name [in these days of mostly registered] but it gives little clue to the web theme or content. There's little or nothing that you can do about this but it causes that point to be important on the rest of the page - I need to know what it's about within seconds of arriving on that first page. This could be *hugely* helped by increasing the red headings Top 5 User Rated Airlines and Top 5 User Rated Airports - make them bold and bigger. Even with the Google Ads they'll still be in view on a 800x600 and will greatly assist me to know what the site's about.

I've changed the size and strength of those title fonts. It does stand out better now.

 

To the right top opposite JetVista there's a large lump of unused space - how about a strapline [or tagline in you're in the USA] this could also add to the site identity [see point above] It need not be 'in your face' and need not overpower the nice white space layout.

I've tried a few scenareos, and the best looking one I thought was to keep the tagling underneath the logo. It didn't look quite right sitting in the middle. Because of the way the template is, I wanted to keep the top part clear as it gives a clean look. My goal is to keep content on the page to a minimum. I've seen other Airline/Airport review sites and I find them very busy. It makes all the elements appear less significant.

 

Also, I am planning to localise the site into European languages as well as Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. (This could be costly, but this will be later). As a result, I have reserved the area just under the "Access" button for switching the language. That leaves a gap in the middle, but I still like to keep it less busy.

 

The main menu rollover effect is muted - too much so for my tastes - swiftly moving a mouse across them almost has no eye-catching response. I don't suggest 'fireworks' which would not be in keeping with the smart professional tone but something a little sharper would help perhaps.

This is a consequence of using a ready-made template which I bought several months ago. I'll take a look into this as well. Quite right about 'fireworks'. Im not keen on them either. I want my visitors to have a peaceful and informative visit with as few distractions as possible.

 

Those are my principle 'buts' - the rest is excellent. Without doubt the Achilles heel of the whole site is the omnipresent dominance of the Google Ads.

You're right. The interesting thing was the something I read in Google itself about coverage - but they would suggest sticking more ads I guess.

 

Hope this helps - thanks - Jack - www.websites.madesimple.cc and www.webweaversworkshop.com

Yup, it did help. Thanks a lot for the help. By any chance, have you travelled in the last couple of years?

 

not bad at all

Hi AVVStudios, thank you for your comments.