Website Feedback and Suggestions

[ShinGamix 1]

A few things you need to know first:

-This is my first website that I made.

-It is on a free host so it has some limits to style.

-I know nothing about web coding.

-I want it to be unique and is meant to be cute and fun.

-I am not a genius.

 

What I am looking for from feedback:

-Forum categories I may have forgotten

-Stuff that is broken or really confusing

-If you don't like something tell me why and how I could make it better.

-Once you join other options open as you progress in Rank.

 

-Here is the link to it.

http://shingamix.forumotion.com/

[Jon Bon 43]

I use the same provider and in my opinion my website is far more bland. I designed it that way, but non the less, yours is nice while not be overly flashy in my opinion. It's not the greatest thing ever, of course because as you said you are just starting and it's your first site but I like it, an excellent effort thus far. I think your poll is a good poll, it gives people an accurate choice. I don't like to say what I chose, but I think it's obvious.

Good job.

[Marked 197]

I think your poll is a good poll, it gives people an accurate choice.

Accurate? It's the opposite. Two options is not enough unless (which I think may be the case) You're looking for confirmation that you need to work on the design. If it's feedback you are after rather than motivation to make changes, then ideally the poll should have some kind of scale as well as categories. Whether its good or bad overall, what does that tell you?

 

Well, I already told you my opinion via PM and it doesn't look like its changed since then. I could offer a lot more advice though in terms of the design. For example, the banner is too large and not integrated into the design, its just a square image sitting at the top.

 

 

-This is my first website that I made.

-I know nothing about web coding.

-I am not a genius.

If you're serious about it then you should at least learn CSS. Its REALLY easy, its not programming or anything. You are limited to only CSS to change your design but that's all you need (as opposed to altering the HTML, which you can't in free forums).

 

This forum started out exactly the same as yours 6 years ago and knew nothing about developing websites either, but I found it really fun to learn. Just messing around with things is the best way to learn.

[Jon Bon 43]

Well, I already told you my opinion via PM and it doesn't look like its changed since then.

[Broken Messiah 20]

Well, I can't get it to fully load(likely because of my horrendous internet connection) but from what I saw some of the colors for text is a bit hard to read with the background being black.

Also, what Kirhi said is pretty accurate in my opinion.

[Marked 197]

Well, I already told you my opinion via PM and it doesn't look like its changed since then.

ShinGamix and I have discussed the site via PM.

It is enough. No matter the way you assume he to put it. It is still enough. A simple yes, no or nay opinion. If people really wanted to give more details and explain their feelings and even say what they voted on the matter. Then all they'd have to do is leave a comment/post. Example, look at the 1st post by Jon. Hmmmmmm?

Interesting reply. I think its pointless debating on whether a poll is good or not, but ok. The above quote is all good in theory but it doesn't make sense. Your reasoning basically makes it useless to have a poll. The above poll is not yes or no either, its two extremes of a scale: "Overall good" or "Terrible". People just can't answer that because it may be nethier, unless you interpret it as yes or no. The only feedback he's going to get from the poll is either don't do anymore work on it, or do. Which pointless, because it clearly does need work. For arguments sake (I hope no one takes offense) the only advice Jon said was that it's a good site considering the circumstances (his first site) and you said CSS was boring. Now lets assume we're ShinGamix, what we do take from all of this? Pretty much nothing. There's nothing here he can use to help develop his site (the title of the topic is feedback and suggestions), particularly the poll. But at least there's my post and Broken Messiah's (which I also mentioned his points in PM).

 

Y'know, I'm just saying. Hope that didn't sound arrogant or anything.

 

 

Also when making a website, especially if you're going to start from scratch using CSS or any other coding. Yes it is easy to understand. However going on about it isn't. You'd have to have a incredible love for this website to put time and lots of effort most people won't do this unless of course it was a dream of theirs to accomplish. It takes time and is boring very boring. In reality it is easy. In mine it is not. Considering most humans don’t like to be bored. It’s safe to say most others would agree.

I think that only applies to learning it for the point of learning. A long while ago I tried learning PHP and fell extremely short. Since I learned all that stuff purely in messing around with stuff for this site. So yeah its boring, but not the end result which why you do it, and you learn on the way.

 

Also, what Kirhi said is pretty accurate in my opinion.

That CSS is boring or that the poll is accurate?

[Marked 197]

I want to say how philosophical of you but I fear you're going to argue why it's not

 

Rather than put some comment in about how pointless it is then go ahead and give your whole argument. How silly. That is all.

I mean its pointless because there's not really two sides to it even though you just argued your point. I just think the poll is useless and won't be convinced otherwise :P I didn't intend to continue it with this post but.. you're argument is that the poll is not useless because of the content of the post. Thats the topic overall, I'm talking about just the poll. So the poll whether its there or not will make no difference to what ShinGamix uses from this topic to alter his site.

 

This would be a great point for ShinGamix to step in I think and take a side. Even though we slaughtered this topic a wee bit..

[ShinGamix 1]

Stepping in!? I hope I didn't step in a pile of poop with a the crap in this topic now. haha! Everything else is here so why not jokes to now. Since marked said it I will repeat it

I'm just saying. Hope that didn't sound arrogant or anything- Marked

Ditto! -ShinGamix

 

Post 2 by JB-> Gave me a very passive agressive good job with no details on what is good or what I could do to improve it in any way.

Post 3 by marked -> Really appreciate the old site link! Is it still active in any way? I could have the greatest necropost ever there!

Post 4 by JB-->Don't see any point to a blank quote?? really what is the point besides target practice?

post 5 by...don't want to read rant really

post 6 by broken messiah -> This was actually a very good point and something I hadn't thought of. Thank you!

post 7 by Marked--> Well I changed a few things since then. I just made a custom portal page I am secretly testing out by hidding a button for it in the site. and why do I have to have a big header all the way across the top. I am actual liking the "big Square" a lot.----.-..-.-.-..----pointless debating...yep and yep was useless.....and yep...pretty much nothing.

Wow Post 10 was just added but I will continue on being a smart pants replying..haha (made fun of myself!)

post 8 by OMFG! Is that a novel or term paper. I tried reading the whole thing a few times and I just can;t do it. Geez keyboard junkie.

post 9 by marked -> useless to me except this would be a great point for me to step in..and I am or was...(i stepped in poop!)

and the post 10! Skip until it says on topic! That is a nice touch in a rant I really dont care about thanks!

WHY THE BIG PICTURE!? Come on! Haven't you taken up 80% of the topic with your extra long rants and then you go hide a epic big picture in a spoiler to sucker me to open thinking you might have actually added some kind of real feedback except it is nicer than some or most!! geez!

 

I might come back and edit a real comment in this late but all this typing is way too much!

 

The face in the spoiler is called "rape face!" well you have raped my topic so it is only fitting.

[Marked 197]

Lmao... that was really hard to read. I was writing a post when it came up that you replied while I Was tying. So I'll spoiler it.

 

 

 

I am not arguing that the Poll is not useless. I am saying that it is not useless. In fact.

Yeah that's what I said in my last post too, just the opposite side. Which is why its pointless to argue, but interesting how we both think there's no merit to other's argument. Just coz I may have used to the words "I think" ... I had only just woken up when I wrote that post And besides, I still think it can be used since you do think differently even though we're both of the position that our side is fact.

 

 

 

And here's some more advice:

 

 

 

Does the width of the header vs the wide of the body bother anyone else?

<table class="three-col" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">


<tbody>


<tr>


<td width="183" valign="top">

<td width="100%" valign="top">

<td width="183" valign="top">
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

If you found this

And removed the class "three-col" as well as the first and last

tags (where the width = 183px) then you could fix that problem. I'd do it for you if you want. But I also think the site needs to take into account both the larger screens. With small screens it should snap across just fine. But with a larger screen, say 1600px +, you can't read text when it stretches that far. Therefore you could think about setting a fixed with of 980px or so.

 

Fair enough if you like the banner.

 

There's also little things like padding in your tables

 

Three items here are almost touching the border. If you can add some padding to those columns that would look better. I'm really not a fan of the forum software, but you can't change that :P

 

Also, I like your forum structure. Do you have forums for tutorials?

[ShinGamix 1]

"How annoying," you said. (kihri)

--My point exactly!

I answered the most annoying way I could just to get my point across. Do you feel that reading my big reply was a total waste of time and didn't have anything to do with what you were trying to point out or get across and messed up all your marbles in your head?

Now you know how I feel.

It was and is rather annoying that the topic turned into this and yes it all doesn't make any sense to me either.

So where does it go from here....only ..scratch that...no one knows!

 

oh damn! I almost missed that marked had posted above you!

Sorry Marked!

 

"Lmao," Marked said. Wow! He actually saw through the whole thing! Good job and it was meant to be "fall on the floor funny". To the post now!

Oh wow! Details details..need that. Yes Sir!

 

I will try those suggestions out prob tomorrow cause it is late tonight. Thank you in advance. This is the type of stuff I was hoping and aiming for... yippie!

About a tutorial section (and little more)

Yes! It does have a tutorial area.

Once you have updated your member profile and made at least a post (I suggest an introduction), you (aka the member) will go up to the second forum rank and a whole category that is a six block forum opens up for all kind of tutorials and "classes" sections. Each one of these forum areas focuses on a different aspect of design and creation also covers many, many different engines as a whole.

That is one thing in my forum that differs greatly from others is the fact that everything isn't open from the start! Different categories opens up to a member as they go up in forum rank. I also have VIPs that get preferential treatmeant and there own little workspace too. Also I want it to where any game designer, for any maker (or even profession software one day) will come too. I am tired of everyone having to be separated because we are all making games.

Also I made a home portal html page (using some shortcuts) and hidden the link in the forum itself. I wonder who can find it.

 

I didn't know about the stretch issue because my pc is 1920x1080 resolution. This is why I want other ppl to test it.

and Kihri I am sorry too!

Edited July 24, 2012 by ShinGamix

[ShinGamix 1]

Well anyway I call a truce and now we can all move forward. thank you for any and all effort you put into your replies.

[Marked 197]

I found this tutorial and thought of you http://tympanus.net/codrops/2012/01/26/be-less-annoying-reduce-bounce-rates-through-better-web-design/ I think it applies to you -nods- It certainly applies to this site too. Over the last month the average bounce rate is 55.75%, not too good at all.

[ShinGamix 1]

Finally a totally professional comment.

I like that article a lot. Plan to read it again today since I check it out last night.

Edited October 17, 2012 by ShinGamix

[Chief 30]

As a professional Web Designer, I feel my thoughts may have merit here..

 

First off, I would argue that just a forum does not constitute as a website. I consider a full fledged website to have a home page/landing page, and then some. The other forum I was a part of, I was the Moderator for the Websites section, and I would often lock topics if people were showing off just a forum.

 

However, this does not mean the end of the line for you. I am glad to see you have created a forum. It was my first steps into web design a long time ago. Its a great place to start.

 

Secondly, the design is atrocious. This is not a knock on you, just the simple truth. The banner at the very top is obscure, and doesn't fit naturally. Then, there is a long, scrolling area. Its very distracting and serves no real purpose. Then, further down, looks to be where the forums should really start. The "logo" you have there is nice. You should really remove everything above that.

 

Here is what I would recommend for you:

 

Learn HTML (It is very simple) & CSS.

 

Create a fake, test website, just to get you further acquainted with HTML & CSS.

 

Once confident, find hosting, either Free or Paid, and host a forum on it. None of that "FREE FORUM HOSTING" junk.

 

Use CSS to customize a forum theme. This will help you learn how to style forum themes.

 

Repeat the process many times.

 

 

Running a website is not as simple as simply setting up a forum. The moment I clicked on your link, I wanted to close out of it because it looks extremely unprofessional and just a mess overall.

 

I do apologize if you think this harsh. I am not one to baby people. When I first was learning HTML and graphic design, I was told many negative things. Was completely belittled and made to seem a fool. I used this negativity to better myself. The truth is really what people need to hear. Not some fairy tale about how their website is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

[ShinGamix 1]

No that was not harsh at all. I have been researching a new design and appearance style for my little forum. I have also grown a dislike for the scrolling spot at the top. The original purpose was just to show off my game pics and make my forum look different from other sites. and yes it serves no real purpose other than that sadly. I may have already done a few things to the site since you came by and I am helping the layout and design of another site also.

Thanks for the clear advise.

[ShinGamix 1]

I have redone the setup of the forum some. Would like some more opinions about they new look.

[madanchi 18]

Personal taste here but the logos are huge and I think there's too many forums, maybe add categories into a forum, for example:

 

Game Egnines:

-RPG Maker XP

-RPG Maker VX/Ace

-Express Game Meker

-Other Engines

[ShinGamix 1]

I am going to change the number of main forums in the next few weeks. Was going t do it sooner but life is real busy these days.

[Marked 197]

Definitely an improvement, I'm happy to see that. Your logo (Shingamix studios) is huge but looks cool :>

[ShinGamix 1]

I wonder which of the 50+ different forum headers you saw when you visited. Each one has a very unique message attached to it.