Feedback requested

It doesn't matter if you do all the error checking in the world, or if you have the most beautiful graphics, if your site or application design isn't usable, it's not going to do well. Get input and advice on usability and user interface issues here.

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m3mn0n
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Feedback requested

Post by m3mn0n »

I put this site layout together a couple years ago and I have recently revived it for a game community that I manage.

I've been really trying to focus on appealing to the absolute newbie, and trying to make their experience as easy as possible and as enjoyable as possible.

So can anyone give me some feedback from a first look, and if you have the time, some feedback from the registration process?

Here is the URL: http://www.wgamezone.com/

Thanks.
Last edited by m3mn0n on Mon Aug 29, 2005 3:36 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Burrito
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Post by Burrito »

doh! page can not be displayed...
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phpScott
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Post by phpScott »

far too many logins. maybe one login with a dropdown with which server to login in too.

the newbie section could be a little bigger.

first reaction ' what the heck is going on and what am i suppossed to do next? ' 8O :?
Roja
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Post by Roja »

I'm a big fan of "Dark", but the site definitely is too dark.

I'll chime in and agree with phpScott, and say that having multiple games is fine, but if you do, don't make multiple logins on the same page with no explanation of what they are.

To explain further, imagine you had no idea what Legend of the Green Dragon was. There is no graphic, no explanatory text, etc. I have to click "about" to even get an idea of what it is.

Having the multiple login entries is definitely confusing. Perhaps go with the "about" information, a small logo for the games (or even screenshots!), and then save the login pages for once people click on the specific games. That would require little in the way of coding, and would give a much clearer idea what a user is going there for.

Plus, if you just look at the *text* of the page, there is very very little for search engines to 'hit' on in terms of the games you are running. You don't even have the word "Blacknova" in the text of the page, yet its a game there. (You use a graphic for the title, and dont describe the game at all). On the flipside, someone searching for "Login" would probably find your page useful. ;)

Finally, design wise, I see little seperating the columns. It has three columns, but they arent lined up - there are three columns for the header that dont correspond to the three below, yet nothing seperating them (lines, graphics, etc), so it looks poorly designed (although its not).

The links are even confusing. At the top, there is a sign-in link. Sign in to what? Not sure. There are 5 game sign-ins ("Logins") in the main area, and then an email login at the bottom. What does an email login do, and is it different from the top link? Too many uncertainties.

Frankly, I think you are trying to do too much on one page. Trim it down and pretend that you are a complete stranger who has never even heard of a webgame, and make sure the text explains anything on the page.

Once you've done that, then work on giving some kind of graphically clear seperation of data, and finally, brighten it up at least a little. Of course, the 100+ validation errors would be nice to clean up too. :)

Its not a terrible design, it just needs some thought for new users.
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m3mn0n
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Post by m3mn0n »

Thanks for the feedback.

I'll take note of some of the things you mentioned as I continue to improve the site layout and functionality.

Anyone else have some input?
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John Cartwright
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Post by John Cartwright »

Perhaps a more clear way to seperate the sections instead of a 1px black line :P
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m3mn0n
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Post by m3mn0n »

Finally got around to updating the layout and adding some new features...

Anyone interested in giving me some new feedback? :)

http://www.wgamezone.com/
thiscatis
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Post by thiscatis »

What's with the Harry Potter buttons? :)
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m3mn0n
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Post by m3mn0n »

The what? lol
matthijs
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Post by matthijs »

There's a lot of info on the site, but not much on the front page. In fact, the main content on the front page is about one paragraph long. Maybe it's an idea to place some more info about the game/site/etc there? Just small snippets of info with links to the rest.

Another thing is that I prefer the left-aligned text as it is on the other pages. Would it be an idea to do the same for the homepage?
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