So here are two alternative views. View 1 has the photo on top and the bit of text underneath. View 2 has the text on top and the photo on the bottom. Any preferences for one or the other? Do you think I need this text? I wanted somewhere on the home page that briefly explains my main products, so this text serves that function.
Any other final comments or suggestions? Many thanks...
View 1: photo on top
View 2: text on top
View 2: text on top
Definitely Photo 1.
ReplyDeleteI disagree. I think it looks cleaner with the text on top. :D
ReplyDeleteI like the text on the bottom.
ReplyDeleteI like the photo on top, it naturally draws your eyes down to the text.
ReplyDeleteI prefer the text on the bottom, it feels more natural...
ReplyDeleteI too prefer the text on the bottom, it seems awkward having it on top. Looks great! You must be excited. :D
ReplyDeleteText on the bottom.
ReplyDeleteI like the text on the bottom.
ReplyDeleteI prefer the text on top, because I'm more likely to see/read it there rather than perceiving it as 'the fine print' (or missing it entirely if I have my browser window set small)--and it seems visually too close to the contact / about / policies / home text when it's at the bottom. Both are pretty; the second just looks a bit more balanced and works better for me in terms of function.
ReplyDeleteoption 1 has a better visual balance, at first glance.
ReplyDeleteOh, I didn't realize that the text near the photo isn't a series of links. How about moving that text into the header, functioning like a subtitle?
ReplyDeleteIn which case I would suggest putting the text in one line (instead of stacking them on top of each other like they are now). You could put bullet points or something else simple, decorative and functional in between each item. The "subtite" text would need to be a lot smaller than it is now. But not to worry, because the placement (in the header) will maintain its prominence.
The body text is quite large, which pushes the content below "the fold" of the page and requires the viewer to scroll down to see everything on the homepage. It would be nice to see everything on the homepage without scrolling.
Some of the links in the footer seem redundant. You could put "Contact" and "Policies" in the main navigation, and eliminate the foot altogether. Or if you decide to keep the footer, I would suggest making the footer text significantly smaller, as they are currently quite prominent.
I know. I know. I'm being nit-picky. It's because you're SOOOO close. Really, it's about a pixel of this and that, here and there, and you're good to go! :-)
I prefer the text below the picture. I'm missing the buttons in the decorative vine. The smaller size looks better but I really liked the buttons there.
ReplyDeleteI'm with UrbanCrunchyMama on a lot of her points.
ReplyDeleteI'd move the text you are questioning into the header if you think it's essential. But it seems a bit repetitive to me, given you list your products on the home page as well.
I'd also get rid of the footer if possible, and combine things in the left column bar where you have the main categories. Or you could make it more balanced by doing 'shop', 'sale', 'gallery' on one side of the picture, and 'how to order', 'faq', 'about', and 'policies' on the other side. That would also reduce the need to scroll mentioned by other commenters.
Overall, I LOVE your site design and slings, though. And though I didn't weigh in before, I kind of preferred the bubbles on the vine with text links in them. :)
I think you should make it still center around the picture, but rotated to about 2pm. There's a lot of empty space down that side and I think finding a way to fit it over there would balance the page better. Not too big cause that would be distracting... it need to flow in line with the photo or something else already on the page.
ReplyDeleteOption #1 looks the best to me. I'm really visual so I really like the picture being center and then as I want to learn more about the slings I would then scroll down to read on.
ReplyDeleteI like photo 1 & agree with Urban Crunchy Mama & Muffin Cake about changing text under the picture to a subtitle in the header & eliminating the footer. I also liked greylisa's comment about relocating the picture, there is a lot of dead space on the right hand side & to me it makes the page feel slightly unbalanced. If I can get really nit picky here, the vine image could be rotated slightly so it isn't quite so vertical which would balance better with the logo & also accommodate moving the picture up & slightly to the left. Under shop why not just give the options of by fabric type, by color family, reversible slings,children's play slings infant scale slings, & custom sling. I don't think you need to link directly to the add a pocket, it could be covered in the FAQs with a link to the info from the subpages for the different sling categories. By editing the shop links & if you move everything up a line it should reduce the length of scrolling necessary & provide better balance. Also I would include the sale link under the category of Shop rather than on its own. Is the logo also going to be a link bake to the home page? If not that might be a useful change. You don't need a link to the About page if there is already a link on the sidebar & Contact & Policies could be categorized under How to Order or FAQ which would further streamline the home page & eliminate the need for a footer. With the existing photo I would rotate it so it is more vertical the current orientation of the photo makes me feel like I'm lopsided or something (I find myself cocking my head to the side to look at it). I hope I haven't been to critical.
ReplyDeleteOne more thing, this might just be because my laptop is a 17in screen, the header only goes about 3/4 of the way across the top & it makes it look off center because so much of the layout is already pulling you towards the left side of the page. Centering the header or extending it across the entire top of the page would balance it out a little better I think.
If I were to ever buy a sling instead of make my own, yours are definitely my first choice because they are gorgeous & well crafted. I wish you much success with this business venture.
text on the bottom. it grounds the whole thing. provides balance and puts the sling in place of importance. good luck n enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI like photo on top, text on bottom.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I was wrong about GoDaddy. My hubby uses Blue Host and has been very happy with their service - they're also quite cheap.
Throwin' in my two cents...
ReplyDeleteI like the text on top, and I like footers (I think it gives a definite visual "stopping point" to web pages, and makes things look complete and finished). I agree with another commenter about the blank space on the right needing to have something there -- perhaps the text that is above/below the photo or something.
-Kathy
I like the text on top. If you see it right away, you know right away what is being sold. The picture just elaborates, so it can come after.
ReplyDeletetext on the bottom.... a visual is always more impressive than text!
ReplyDeleteI also thought the text would be links. Either way, I like the text on the bottom:)
ReplyDeleteView 1 with text on the bottom. The picture is what your eye goes to, and then it is natural to bring your eyes down to read text.
ReplyDeleteI like photo on top slightly better, but I don't think it's a big deal to go the other way either. I liked the dots on the vines with links though! LOL Can't wait to see your fianl...it's looking great and your work is fantastic, I know!
ReplyDeleteI like No. 1 with text on bottom. You are brave to open your site to critique from all of us! I'm sure whatever you finally decide will be great! And I love the look of your slings! I haven't ordered one yet since I don't have kids, but yours are definitely my favorites ever since I found your blogspot. In fact, it took me a little while to notice that this blog and your slings were the same person.
ReplyDelete