Website Suggestions

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  • TD_Project
    FFR Player
    • Dec 2005
    • 427

    #1

    Website Suggestions

    So, I'm not sure if I should be putting this here, but a website is media.

    I run a local car club, that has recently expanded. And ignoring the fact that we have a website, what in your opinion makes a website function well?

    What elements do you look for in a well structured website?

    I'm not linking to the site, because I think that's against the rules, but hypothetically list all the elements required in a well structured website.

    I come before FFR to ask this, because this website has many knowledgeable talents.

    Also, keep posts on topic please as most suggestions will be looked at and considered if it already isn't in place.
  • sumzup
    (+ (- (/ (* 1 2) 3) 4) 5)
    • Nov 2005
    • 1398

    #2
    Re: Website Suggestions

    PM me the link, and I'll see if I can come up with any criticism/suggestions...it's kinda hard to just come up with a generalized view of an ideal website.

    Comment

    • tha Guardians
      MCDC 2011
      • Nov 2006
      • 1680

      #3
      Re: Website Suggestions

      This is what's important:

      • Clean
      • Blunt
      • Easily navigable
      • Offer great online assistance (in-browser Java client that offers chat with employees)
      • Look professional


      Make it look as sleek as possible, but remember that function is more important than appearance, and communication is the purpose of the internet. So keep that in mind, and be sure to keep a good FAQ.

      Originally posted by sonic-fast-fingers
      can someone clarrify what QFT means my friend told me its quit ****ing talking, but im not 100 percent sure

      Originally posted by Synthlight
      I need a car that drives itself completely automated and I want it for free and it needs infinite gas mileage.

      Cheers,

      Synthlight

      Comment

      • TD_Project
        FFR Player
        • Dec 2005
        • 427

        #4
        Re: Website Suggestions

        Originally posted by tha Guardians
        This is what's important:

        • Clean
        • Blunt
        • Easily navigable
        • Offer great online assistance (in-browser Java client that offers chat with employees)
        • Look professional


        Make it look as sleek as possible, but remember that function is more important than appearance, and communication is the purpose of the internet. So keep that in mind, and be sure to keep a good FAQ.
        Awesome, great points. Thank you

        Comment

        • dean_machine
          FFR Veteran
          • Oct 2006
          • 1267

          #5
          Re: Website Suggestions

          tha Guardians pretty much nailed it on the head.

          I'll add:
          keep the theme consistent across each page or most
          try to keep the load time down
          try to make it so you can access the entire website from any given page within 2-3 links.
          never use frames
          don't have many things that distracts from the purpose of the site
          avoid having pages that would cause someone to scroll a long way down

          Comment

          • tha Guardians
            MCDC 2011
            • Nov 2006
            • 1680

            #6
            Re: Website Suggestions

            Try to use very tidy XHTML, and run the site off XML. This will make it viewable from portable devices as well as making it easier to manage and update. It may take a while to learn how to do this, but if you're operating a website that gets anything over 250 hits a day, it's well worth it.

            These links should help you:
            Learn XHTML
            Learn XML

            It's important to have a basic understanding of HTML, but you should be able to pick up with XHTML without much problem. Pay close attention to your coding, and additionally, add a version of your site made specifically for viewing on portable devices (assuming it's worth it). This will allow people to instantly look up vehicle models, prices, etc., before they forget about it, ensuring you more purchases. Plus most of the people that use internet-on-teh-go haz teh muniez.

            So, yeah.
            XML = win.

            Albinoblacksheep is a good example of XML/XHTML. View source on their page and you'll see. XML makes everything a million times easier once you have it setup.

            Originally posted by sonic-fast-fingers
            can someone clarrify what QFT means my friend told me its quit ****ing talking, but im not 100 percent sure

            Originally posted by Synthlight
            I need a car that drives itself completely automated and I want it for free and it needs infinite gas mileage.

            Cheers,

            Synthlight

            Comment

            • Sullyman2007
              FFR Player
              • Jan 2007
              • 1663

              #7
              Re: Website Suggestions

              Well.. I've taken a few Web Design classes, and the most important thing is to keep fresh content. You need to give your site users a reason to come back, otherwise your site will flounder and die. It also needs to be easy to navigate. Design a single navigation frame and use it everywhere throughout your site so people will remember it.

              Building a community will take time, but eventually people will start comming back over and over to check their PM's/threads/posts, etc. Again, keeping fresh content is important. Once things get rolling, (and if you have forums), it will keep itself going as long as people keep comming.

              Comment

              • tha Guardians
                MCDC 2011
                • Nov 2006
                • 1680

                #8
                Re: Website Suggestions

                Oh yeah.
                Forums should be included. They're not that hard to get. You don't even have to make them.

                Definitely keep new content and update frequently. Try to keep front page posts and link to an archive of older posts, so you don't stretch the page into eternity. FFR is a good example of this.

                Even if you don't have news, make news. Do something new to the website and update the index telling everyone about it. It doesn't even have to be noticeable, it's just important to keep an appearance of being current an up-to-date.

                Also, a good website is a consistent one.

                Originally posted by sonic-fast-fingers
                can someone clarrify what QFT means my friend told me its quit ****ing talking, but im not 100 percent sure

                Originally posted by Synthlight
                I need a car that drives itself completely automated and I want it for free and it needs infinite gas mileage.

                Cheers,

                Synthlight

                Comment

                • NFD
                  FFR Player
                  • Nov 2007
                  • 4715

                  #9
                  Re: Website Suggestions

                  You're 19 and own a bar? That's unusual. Maybe have some music that plays when you go onto a page?

                  Comment

                  • Nightfirecat
                    ...back from the dead.
                    • Nov 2006
                    • 3213

                    #10
                    Re: Website Suggestions

                    Originally posted by dean_machine
                    try to keep the load time down
                    I agree...


                    Originally posted by dean_machine
                    never use frames
                    What? I hope you mean like frames to display information.

                    Frames are easily one of the best organizational tools in HTML--you can organize an entire page by using frames to control sizing and spacing.

                    But everything seems to have been said. Try also not to make it too hard to understand the content without making people search for what they're trying to understand.


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                    Comment

                    • i love gabba
                      FFR Player
                      • Apr 2008
                      • 531

                      #11
                      Re: Website Suggestions

                      Originally posted by NFD
                      You're 19 and own a bar? That's unusual. Maybe have some music that plays when you go onto a page?
                      He lives in Canada
                      I'm an Arbre Triste

                      Originally posted by Amputee/bluexoon.com
                      "who won?"
                      "Zaghurim, he won a popn music machine"

                      Comment

                      • tha Guardians
                        MCDC 2011
                        • Nov 2006
                        • 1680

                        #12
                        Re: Website Suggestions

                        Originally posted by Nightfirecat
                        I agree...




                        What? I hope you mean like frames to display information.

                        Frames are easily one of the best organizational tools in HTML--you can organize an entire page by using frames to control sizing and spacing.

                        But everything seems to have been said. Try also not to make it too hard to understand the content without making people search for what they're trying to understand.
                        Frames are not compatible in every browser, and there are many things that can go wrong with them.

                        They're not recommended. If you want efficient navigation, XML and style sheets are the way to go.

                        If it's like 100 or less hits a day though, frames aren't too bad of an idea. Just make sure you know everything there is to know about frames, or you could create a scenario of yourself debugging the site for a week straight.

                        Nobody wants that.

                        Originally posted by sonic-fast-fingers
                        can someone clarrify what QFT means my friend told me its quit ****ing talking, but im not 100 percent sure

                        Originally posted by Synthlight
                        I need a car that drives itself completely automated and I want it for free and it needs infinite gas mileage.

                        Cheers,

                        Synthlight

                        Comment

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