Website Review and Suggestions

**thoughtbase** · 07:03 AM

Hello,

This is my first website and I would really appreciate any comments and feedback.

The website is designed to be a place where debate and discussion can atke place, mostly about politics andc current affairs, what's in the news etc. I've also added some personal work, photos and multimedia, a blog and a forum...

The blog needs some posts but any comments about the layout, content, etc. would be greatly appreciated...

Site: www.thoughtbase.com

Thanks a million

**PBScott** · 01-19-2009, 11:08 AM

It looks really good except that your only using a very thin and small portion of the screen you should try and set the borders to 790 or so. Which you wont see done on my site right now since im working on a new publications.

**InFn-0** · 01-19-2009, 12:12 PM

if you can change the background colour to something like grey, your body will stand out and that should help make it look better

also as the other person stated, you should use more space in you screen... increasing the width to around 800px would be fine

**Zycron** · 01-19-2009, 07:02 PM

The current width seemed alright to me, but I agree with InFn-0 that it could use some more background color/body definition.

I would check out W3's markup validation of your site. For instance, the last two script tags in the head section are self-closed, then closed with </script>, it can't be both. Having code that validates is good for making sure it works properly for you and everyone else.

As well as their CSS validation.

**PBScott** · 01-19-2009, 10:17 PM

I had a second look at it just now and i find the big line down the right hand side a bit distracting also.

**nlemmon86** · 01-19-2009, 10:39 PM

Quite good, especially for a first effort.

**johnlloyd** · 01-20-2009, 06:26 AM

I think that it is quite plain, and there is a large white portions on both side! i think that adjustment are really needed, though the content is nice!

**thoughtbase** · 01-20-2009, 09:49 AM

Thanks a lot for all the comments. I made the website using weebly but as a novice I'm not sure how/if I can change the code to make it wider. I'm working on making it less plain while keeping it tidy...

Thanks again for the help,

Cheers

**JohnnyD** · 01-20-2009, 01:34 PM

I agree that the center area is a little too thin. Plus it’s a little ‘boring’ with the color just being white. If you gave it a little contrast, that would really pop it out.

**creydesign** · 01-20-2009, 02:24 PM

I like the simplicity of the layout. I would agree, though, that you should widen the center content a bit. It's really narrow.

**PBScott** · 01-21-2009, 09:48 PM

Hmmm Weebly usualy has a few different templates some should be wider.

**kutaone** · 08:41 AM

Great for a first website!

I would try and add some images which would add some color to the front page. You can make them clickable which would just be another internal link to your photo section, which never hurts.

My other thoughts would be... Since it's a site to express different viewpoint...exactly how unbiased do you expect it be with you being the moderator and having strong views points? I'm not saying you can't do it but it's tough to remian neutral and be a good moderator while also participating in the discussion. Just a thought...

Hope that helps...

Kuta
removed AGAIN

**thoughtbase** · 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kutaone

Great for a first website!

I would try and add some images which would add some color to the front page. You can make them clickable which would just be another internal link to your photo section, which never hurts.

My other thoughts would be... Since it's a site to express different viewpoint...exactly how unbiased do you expect it be with you being the moderator and having strong views points? I'm not saying you can't do it but it's tough to remian neutral and be a good moderator while also participating in the discussion. Just a thought...

Hope that helps...

Kuta

Thanks for the comment, I made the site with Weebly and I'm still waiting for an answer from their support about changing the width of the template. I'm hoping that even if they don't have a way for every user to change the template yet (I've read on a few forums that they've been planning it for a while but still hasn't happened) that they can change mine for me. I've added a couple of images and a couple of flash widgets to make it more interactive.
Thanks for your comment on the content. The aim is that eventually there will be contributions from all sides of the spectrum and I hope to be able to provide views on all sides for the same topic, ie: the death penalty. The aim is to invite debate and different opinion (just need to build some readers and contributors first

Thanks for the comment and if anyone out there knows how to change the weebly template code I would be eternally grateful,
Cheers

**Arised** · 01-25-2009, 11:48 AM

Good fish!...ops! work =)

great results, no remarks [5/5]

**thoughtbase** · 01-27-2009, 11:46 PM

I've just been told by weebly that in the next month or two they'll allow greater manipulation of the templates, changing HTML and CSS. I like the simplicity of the template I use now so I guess waiting and then widening when they come up with the goods....
I've made a some changes to pictures, flash etc on the site, any more comments would be great, thanks...

**derekw** · 01-29-2009, 04:25 AM

Right side vertical line is kind of odd to me. Runs up too close to text as well.

Perhaps a dotted line or something not too overwhelming on the side. (perhaps thin black line? I don't know, mess around with it)

Maybe increase font sizes. Make things pop a little more with the links, maybe them bigger, maybe fatter. Would be nice if there was a line that ran all the way under the links instead of being broken. (just a thought)

Like the logo. I'd take up more browser width definitely, though. get up over 800px width...

**Line** · 01-29-2009, 10:44 PM

Hola Thoughtbase.

Simple start as far as design goes. I'd like to see something in your logo to instantly bring to mind that this is a place about poltics or current events. A newspaper, some guy shouting, elephant or a donkey, stars stripes, flags, globe.

Feel free to make the site width a bit bigger, seems a bit constrained.

Hope the advice helps.

-Line