Hi, Today, I've been thinking about a new design for needfreelance.com. The design now is pretty ugly (I think), so now I've made a more stylish and attractive design. See it on http://www.jaxl.com/nfnewdes/nfdes. Please give me your opinions. It looks a bit empty atm. but I'll make a "highlighted categories" box under the register image. ) Think it will be quite nice.
For me, the old design was OK, but it had some sort of a "cheap" feel, but that's just me. This new design of yours, however, is much more user-friendly, web 2.0-ish, and much more professional, which makes me think about something: is your website targeted at professional, experienced people, or at regular, newbie-somewhat experienced crowd? I ask myself this because while the new design is great, it's a little too professional (color-wise). I think changing your color palette to a more "live" feel might help if you're targeting a general crowd. Maybe use more of that orange you have in your logo (which you don't have to change, by the way, it's OK). But that's just the opinion of a regular guy.
@ebp: Hi, thanks for your review. I agree to you, that the colors are maybe not the perfect choices. I've changed some of the colors in the design, so there's less red, and more orange. My website is targeted to both experienced, and newbies (ex. someone who works in their spare-time). @thomasHDK: Thanks ;o) nice that you likes it.
I took another look, and your search bar idea is not bad, but I think the space in which it is located is too large for a search bar. There's other uses to that space: 1. Search bar, but different: have your search bar, and below it, a category search. In that category search, users can search for a specific freelancer at a chosen category, and freelancers can search for available projects at a chosen category. This way, it would use the wide space provided (given that the category bar is located below the search bar). This is how I'd do it: [Search Bar] [Search for: a freelancer, an open project] [Category: web design, graphic design, programming, etc.] 2. You could also enter a quick explanation of the site for new users. This can be either text or otherwise, and can start with "Welcome to NeedFreelance, where you can...", or it could be an explanation on how it works (but you have somewhat accomplished it on the lower section of the website). 3. Or you could have an RSS feed or something like that showing the latest projects, bids, etc., much like your original design. The next thing I wanted to mention concerns the color palette once again. I still stand by my initial critic stating that the design was very professional, but since you target a general crowd, a more vivid color palette might be a good idea. The word I was looking for earlier is that your design is so professional that it's intimidating.Take for example Clickbank. Their design is professional, well done, yet it's not intimidating. However, if you head out to Commission Junction, the design is very professional as well, but it's kind of intimidating (and both websites have the same goal - affiliate programs). What I want to say is that your color palette might be a little too much high-end for newbies, or even moderate users. It gives that "big company" feel that might repel some users. Try changing your color palette in a more drastic way: change the background color to see what it gives. Remember that one of the web 2.0's secret weapon is the colors. Some companies that have a professional color palette, but still manage to appeal to newbies are Digg, Wordpress, and Flock. Maybe you could borrow some of their colors, as they match those you pick for your website. If you decide to leave it unchanged, it's OK: it's still much better than the last one.
Hi ebp, thank's for your awesome review ;o) I'll make a search bar in the middle of the gray stripe with a "specific category search" option. On the left side, I will make a "RSS-like" thing to show the 5 latest projects. I will look at the colors to see if there's something I can do. Maybe brighten them a little. Again, thanks for your review
No problem Oh, and if you want color ideas, check the "Web 2.0 Color Palette" (modernlifeisrubbish.co.uk/article/web-2.0-colour-palette)
Thanks for the link. I've updated the design with "highlighted categories", and not the "adverticing" gfx is only showing an orange hover on the botton you have the mouse over (before, the whole image changed on mouseover).
OK. First try aligning the category section with the "how it works" section, moving it a little to the left so it's more symmetrical, and make it a little wider so the left part doesn't look empty. As for the new background color, it is a little better than the last one, however, if I had to pick one I'd choose the previous one... I think the new one is a little hard on the eyes. It's going to be hard finding the perfect background, so if you don't you can stay with the previous one. I think it will look better now that there is more white on the body. Try it out.
I have aligned the category section now and made it wider. The background is also changed back to the old.
OK... Let me see what else... ah, you see the top left portion of the background, right below the logo? It's darker than the left portion. Most people don't notice this, but it has a subconscious effect on their brain (or something like that, I read it somewhere). Maybe that's the problem? Try making it more uniform to see what it gives.
Hi, I made that dark "shadow" under the logo to make a pop out effect. You think it's a bad idea to have that, or does it make a positive effect?
hmm... I think that if you're going to do that, then it should be all the way through. Otherwise, I feel like it looks like a design flaw. Try making it all thew way to see what it gives.
Yeah, it's much cleaner now.Hey, I suddenly got an idea: try turning the background upside down, who knows if it works.
nah, it looks better the way it used to be, given that you had that separate part on the top... well, I think that's about it! What do you say? I got one last comment: this is not my are of expertise or anything, but wouln't it be better if the navigation bar went as it follows: Sign Up, New Project, Projects, Search?
Ok, I'll say it. Upon seeing the background the way it was before, I suddenly felt like it was better when it was upside down. The only problem was that you divided the background into two sections, and there was dark on the top, and then it went directly light. If you turned it upside down without having this issue, I think you might have a winner.