Homepage Change Ideas - $60 1st place, $40 2nd place + other cash prizes (up to $200)

I'm adding the finishing touches to a site I’m building and I feel the homepage needs a little work though: http://www.oilprice.com/index.php

The 1st prize is: $60
The 2nd prize is: $40
There may also be additional prizes of $25 is you have individual ideas I like.
Winners paid by paypal
All entries to be posted on competition thread only! (No PM’s)
Competition End Date: Thursday 27th August 23:00 GMT
As you can see from my other competitions – There is always a winner (even if I don’t get what I want) – and I “always” pay!
Please read the red bold at the bottom of this post - it has important instructions

Okay so what I’m looking for is this: The Logo & slogan and top part of the site, with the titles: Home, Energy, Metals, Alternative energy – Must Stay the same – so no changes. Also the charts must stay the same – so no changes there!

Looking at the site though – I just feel it’s a bit dull and dreary looking

Where I’m looking for ideas is the background, Everything on the left hand side: So About Us, the Charts bits, and the small little adverts. (Charts on your site for free, site contributors & the subscribe box.

Under the articles section in the middle of the page – I’m not too sure about the light blue colour and the general setup – so I’m looking for Good ideas here (it’s this part that will probably win it for someone.)

For the two adverts I’d also like them to fit in with the site better (Well stand out – but to look classy and professional)

Also with the boxes on the right that show the various market and commodity prices I’m open to ideas here.

So basically any improvements you think you can make please have a go.
I know the title says ideas - but i will need more than just ideas - Actual designs will have to be submitted. Where your changes are shown on the current design. So you will need to design something - Not just circle an area and say this will look cool.

I look forward to seeing your entries.

 

1)background should have this kind of lines pattern[white color]





Regardz

 

This is what i say..

1) Change the headings

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2) Change Background

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Preview on site : http://i25.tinypic.com/2zexc48.jpg (Background change)

 

CH, thanks for the invite... count me in.. please don't close the contest early...

 

Thanks for the suggestions guys - but i'd like more than i'm currently getting.
You will need to actually show me how your changes look on the current design. So you will need to design something - Not just circle an area and say this will look cool.

 

Thanks for the invite . I will submit an entry soon

 

thanks for the invite. I'll work on a few entries soon.

 

hmm bro the concept of your site is good and in general it goes on very fine few changes to be incorporated according to me are:
1.the area marked 1 in my screenshot is background it should have some bright colors so your site on light background emboses on it.
2.the are marked as 2 in my screenshot is the space left blank near the contact us so either fill it up or expand each of the block such as contact us,environment,metal etc to fill up the blank.
3.the marked area of about us in screenshot should be in some of the bright colours to make it more catchy
4.same goes with the marked area of oil companies on right side as its the most important part so it should be hilighted embosed with dark colors to attract viewers.
5.the marked are of "how does tidal enerty work" and "read more" should be in some cool fonts and attractive colors so that visitors are prompted to read your articles.



hope you like my advice
regards ~ Hemp

 

Thanks hemp - can i actually see how your ideas look please.

 

bro i have specified my idea to be implanted in the marked area in my provided screenshot well i do not actually know how to implant my ideas on to that screenshot so that you can get a clear cut idea but i have tried my best to make you imagine what i actually mean via the encircled area in the screenshot.
hope you liked my ideas
regards ~ Hemp

 

Thanks hemp.

Could everyone else please implement their ideas. If you can't or don't want to do it on the page - but just the section or whole page you are focusing on, that is fine. But i'm afraid ideas alone will not win a prize in this competition, i will actually need to see something.

 

no problem bro i wont charge any money for my ideas indeed you can use mine to improve your site.
regards ~ Hemp

 

Hemp if you don't mind, I really like your ideas, so I will implement them into his site. If I get any $ would you like me to share some with you?

EDIT: here is your site with the edits that Hemp mentioned:

 

HI,
Here are some of my ideas.
Your original content & bgr doesnt look seprate so I think u shoul add shadow, also you can add some more icons in the menu like : twitter, feed etc...

with the 2rd menu, the colour doesnt look good, u should change and add some effect on it.

Here is my 2 colour versions.

I like black & white and also keep your original colour:



However, i think the red-orange colour should work better:



Regards,

 

Let me know what you think of the color:
I'm working on the background that goes with it

 

with a new bg:

 

Thanks for the entries guys – Please keep them coming – I’ll give some detailed feedback tomorrow. I would like to see some people tackling all of the issues instead of a few points. The more you try – the better chance you have of winning a prize (the adverts are very important, along with the About us Box.)

 

I will certainly get on that. I had only done what that one man suggested, now I will do my own suggestions added to it, tackling everything you mentioned (unless i think it already looks great)

 

Hello,

Hope you like this: (this is an example of things I can change, let me know what you think (the blue border will have a text on it, just wanted to know if you like it like that).




Ty,
Duff.