PurTemplates - V2

[ellicit]

Hey whats up...

I just released V2 of my site...
any feedback you submit would be appreciated

URL: http://www.purtemplates.com/


Thanks

[JDM71488]

i say to take that main flash out or have an alternative... its rather slow with cable. it also hides your menu...

i love the simple design.

i would also make your link hovers text a different color than white...

[spufi]

I haven't actually seen any of you templates, but you use a table based layout. Using such a thing is completely counter productive to the idea of templating because it restricts how easy it should be to change things around. CSS is your friend.

[ellicit]

Well, keep in mind that's it a template site, majority of my costumers are newbies to web designs.. and I wanted to make something simple for basic easy to use. Css will allow user to update easily, but i fear that my costumers and potential costumers wouldn't even know what CSS is. But yes In the future I do intend on making Php, CSS and Flash templates, for now... I'm going to stick with the easyer stuff.

Yes, My site is also using basic tables layout and if you notice, the extention for all the pages are .shtml =D and my nav is all CSS


JDM, thats what I intend on doing.. I'm not very happy with the flash intor myself.. I'm working on a gfx for the main page. also, on IE and Netscape the link hover white and the background is fead lime green, which loook really sweet. also, I did fix the problem that I was having with the CSS menu over the flash. Now I'm working on a solution for the hovers text BG

Thanks for both of you for your feedbacks...

Rahill

[KDLA]

Hi, ellicit -

I looked at your website, and thought it was a little heavy on the graphics. Really, some information should be "above the fold," so the user doesn't have to scroll to read about your site. To help with this, I suggest you get rid of the big computer graphic and move the text in the "Hello and Welcome" to that spot. I also recommend getting rid of the "tab" headings (as with the "Hellow and Welcome"). Usually tabs are used for horizontal lists, rather than straight text with no link.

Also, your color scheme is a little TOO reminiscent of Macromedia Dreamweaver's. You might want to vary it a little, so these "newbies" don't think they're purchasing templates to use with Dreamweaver. (Yes, that's a stretch, but Average Joe user can be full of suprises.)

Lastly, you may want to consider streamlining the overall amount of images on the page. All that clutter creates the NASCAR effect, i.e., you can't see the forest because of the trees. Also, you might tame down the amount of Flash used. Flash images are a pain in the rear for anyone with a dial-up modem or lacking all those plug-ins.

Just remember, when any user is thinking about putting money into something, they don't want a page filled with gizmos, they want content. Content that tells them everything about your service. The images/Flash/whatever should compliment the content, not fill in for its lack.

Good Luck!
KDLA

[geekazoid]

It's amazing how many people will right away go for the complain about the table layout approach... :)

I like it. I like the graphics, the flash is nice and not too overwhelming. There's something about your drop down menu that I really like too. To me it looks like a nice professional site.

The only comment would be maybe you could add a background image or color to your body style, to put more emphasis on the content and contain it more.

Other than that, it's the best I've seen in this review site section thus far.

[ellicit]

Hi, ellicit -

I looked at your website, and thought it was a little . Really, some information should be "above the fold," so the user doesn't have to scroll to read about your site. To help with this, I suggest you get rid of the big computer graphic and move the text in the "Hello and Welcome" to that spot. I also recommend getting rid of the "tab" headings (as with the "Hellow and Welcome"). Usually tabs are used for horizontal lists, rather than straight text with no link.

Also, your color scheme is a little TOO reminiscent of Macromedia Dreamweaver's. You might want to vary it a little, so these "newbies" don't think they're purchasing templates to use with Dreamweaver. (Yes, that's a stretch, but Average Joe user can be full of suprises.)

Lastly, you may want to consider streamlining the overall amount of images on the page. All that clutter creates the NASCAR effect, i.e., you can't see the forest because of the trees. Also, you might tame down the amount of Flash used. Flash images are a pain in the rear for anyone with a dial-up modem or lacking all those plug-ins.

Just remember, when any user is thinking about putting money into something, they don't want a page filled with gizmos, they want content. Content that tells them everything about your service. The images/Flash/whatever should compliment the content, not fill in for its lack.

Good Luck!
KDLA



Hey, thanks for the advice and the all criticism... I believe I have done a lot of improvements on the site thanks to you guys. Yes, you are right in a lot of ways, the site maybe heavy on the graphics, the again ... maybe not, a lot will find the site very simple and others tells me its heavy on the gfx. I can only assume, that its the 56K user who complains. This I have to disagree with you, I have put together a great amount of contents, starting with hosting support, and domain registration support, webmaster tools, and even included a third party Photoshop tutorials. I believe I did put together a great site ALONE, and yes their are a lots of bugs and stuff to work out, I have made may improvements on the site, and that's of course thanks you guys who tells me what they would like to see on the site and so on...

Do keep the feedback coming.. I would like to thank all of you guys for taking the time to write, and review the site. Please take the time to browser around.. I'm sure you will find a lot of information about me and the services I provide.

PS: I did remove the flash from the index page and replaced it with a quick load images, you can still view the intro.. I've placed a link for it. The CCS menu is fix, test on Fire fox, Mozilla, Netscape, AOL, IE and Safari. May Mac user will not be able to view the menu on IE.. you should use Safari or Firefox. :)

[ellicit]

It's amazing how many people will right away go for the complain about the table layout approach... :)

I like it. I like the graphics, the flash is nice and not too overwhelming. There's something about your drop down menu that I really like too. To me it looks like a nice professional site.

The only comment would be maybe you could add a background image or color to your body style, to put more emphasis on the content and contain it more.

Other than that, it's the best I've seen in this review site section thus far.


Thanks, I really appreciate your positive feedback... I would like to continue with your idea of placing a background on the site, but I still haven't fully deiced Whether I should place it, and what it should be..but I'll definitely keep that in mind.. and if any idea pops in my head I'll deffinely processe with it.. unless you have something you would like to shear with me... pleace post it here

once again thanks. :)

[KDLA]

Yes, you are right in a lot of ways, the site maybe heavy on the graphics, the again ... maybe not, a lot will find the site very simple and others tells me its heavy on the gfx. I can only assume, that its the 56K user who complains. This I have to disagree with you, I have put together a great amount of contents, starting with hosting support, and domain registration support, webmaster tools, and even included a third party Photoshop tutorials.

Hi, ellicit -

Just to clarify - if you've got all that content available, make it obvious by mentioning it on the homepage in actual text, rather than images. (And, I think it's great that you've spent as much time compiling it as you've spent developing your site! ;) ) This will help not only search engines index your site more thoroughly, but create a more professional and tidy look.

Many internet users "tune out" Flash images, thinking they are unrelated ads - especially when they dominate the page. Internet users are, first of all, Readers -- and scattershot readers at that.

BTW - I'm accessing your site through a T1 line, so the reference limiting the complaining to those with modems really doesn't apply. The complainers will be people who, like me, are easily distracted and/or overwhelmed.

I really like the simplicity of the horizontal menu - it's just that the rest of the page doesn't seem to follow that train of thought. The page content, instead, seems to be more of the "look, I've mastered Flash and have cool fonts!"

You don't need to make your page boring; you just need to make it more organized for the 50% of the population that are Type-A anal-retentives. :D

Good Luck!
KDLA

[Jowka]

i like it, its nice and clean, really good.

Although there is a spelling mistake -
on your free sample thing, it says "Download smaple"
you probably wanna fix that;

GJ overall :D

[Green-Beast]

I can't say I'm a fan of the construction. The look is professional, and you do offer and awful lot of stuff. It looks like it was a lot of work. Good job.

You really should do the external CSS thing and ditch the tables. Once you get the swing of that you'll find your sites are of lighter weight, more accessible, easier to modify and update, and much faster to build. Aside from containing and organizing tabular data, tables have no redeeming qualities. Browsers have to render them. This all takes time and resources. Go back to the beginning of the WWW and realize that tables have a distinct purpose, and they became whole websites because people are hacky and clever like that. Need an anology? Try this: Duct tape is not meant to hold cars together. Using it as such is consider a "hack" job as they say. It's temporary and unprofessional. And despite the fact that millions of people use duct tape to mend their cars, it's still not the right way to do it.

CSS works best with stardardized HTML as the W3C specifies. Its benefits are numerous and clear once understood. I strongly recommend this approach for your future works. I say "future" because even suggesting you change this site and forgo all the labor and time you put into it already would be almost disrespectful. I wouldn't dream of it. But for your future stuff... do it the right way. You'll thank me for this littl epush in the right direction. I guarantee it.

Mike

[ellicit]

Hi, ellicit -

Just to clarify - if you've got all that content available, make it obvious by mentioning it on the homepage in actual text, rather than images. (And, I think it's great that you've spent as much time compiling it as you've spent developing your site! ;) ) This will help not only search engines index your site more thoroughly, but create a more professional and tidy look.

Many internet users "tune out" Flash images, thinking they are unrelated ads - especially when they dominate the page. Internet users are, first of all, Readers -- and scattershot readers at that.

BTW - I'm accessing your site through a T1 line, so the reference limiting the complaining to those with modems really doesn't apply. The complainers will be people who, like me, are easily distracted and/or overwhelmed.

I really like the simplicity of the horizontal menu - it's just that the rest of the page doesn't seem to follow that train of thought. The page content, instead, seems to be more of the "look, I've mastered Flash and have cool fonts!"

You don't need to make your page boring; you just need to make it more organized for the 50% of the population that are Type-A anal-retentives. :D

Good Luck!
KDLA



Hey, I see your point ... believe me I want to satisfied everyone.. but at this point I can't do so.. but, I do take your advice, and it will remain in my to do list, but as of right now I really don't have the time the redesign the site to fit everyone's preference, like I said; I appreciate your feedback and please continue with any other ideas you have, and would like to shear it with me/us

Thanks :)

[ellicit]

i like it, its nice and clean, really good.

Although there is a spelling mistake -
on your free sample thing, it says "Download smaple"
you probably wanna fix that;

GJ overall :D


Hey, thanks for your positive feedback... also, thanks for keeping an eye out on my mistake, I did fix it.. if you find any other once please post.

once again thanks :)

[ellicit]

I can't say I'm a fan of the construction. The look is professional, and you do offer and awful lot of stuff. It looks like it was a lot of work. Good job.

You really should do the external CSS thing and ditch the tables. Once you get the swing of that you'll find your sites are of lighter weight, more accessible, easier to modify and update, and much faster to build. Aside from containing and organizing tabular data, tables have no redeeming qualities. Browsers have to render them. This all takes time and resources. Go back to the beginning of the WWW and realize that tables have a distinct purpose, and they became whole websites because people are hacky and clever like that. Need an anology? Try this: Duct tape is not meant to hold cars together. Using it as such is consider a "hack" job as they say. It's temporary and unprofessional. And despite the fact that millions of people use duct tape to mend their cars, it's still not the right way to do it.

CSS works best with stardardized HTML as the W3C specifies. Its benefits are numerous and clear once understood. I strongly recommend this approach for your future works. I say "future" because even suggesting you change this site and forgo all the labor and time you put into it already would be almost disrespectful. I wouldn't dream of it. But for your future stuff... do it the right way. You'll thank me for this littl epush in the right direction. I guarantee it.

Mike


Hey, thanks for your compliments and the advice is well appreciated. The site uses web-based configuration form, which allows me to update the header, footer, the right column and the product view page. If you notice the extension for every page is " .shtml". the cgi/php system allows me to update most of the site from one area. some of you may ask why didn't you just use CSS... well I wanted to update the site, and do any kind of changes with out using an FTP program.. and this system allows me to do so.. but, believe me I know how much CSS can be helpful.. My menu is fully CSS by the way.. but yes in the future I will diffidently make the site fully CSS.

Thanks for taking the time to review the site and I welcome you to anyother advice you would like to shear with me

[chucknasty74]

I like it a lot, but there was a small problem (maybe), viewing it on Safari/IE Mac the "start here" rollover color jumps on the TVs. Maybe I am over critical, but the little things drive me nuts w/ my own sites.

[Jowka]

Hey, thanks for your positive feedback... also, thanks for keeping an eye out on my mistake, I did fix it.. if you find any other once please post.

once again thanks :)

errrm, same area -
"Download a free template sample, and see how it work download the zip file"

it reads a little awkwardly, and work should be works.

perhaps:

"Download a free template sample to see how it works - Donwload the zip file"


The 300+ freefont thing:

"font with ever template purchased for FREE! "
ever to every.


Main content area:
Line 1:
" At Pur Templates we provides web-designers of all skill levels a chance to make their web site more professional."
Provides should not have the "s"

Line 4: "Pur Templates we'll help"
At Pur Templates. . .

Line 4-5: "If your looking for more custom"
for a more custom.. .

Line 6-7: "ready made template to"
ready made templates"



Sorry lol, my dads a proof-reader so i've been trained to look for this stuff

[ellicit]

hey, thanks... about the start here... its an mouse over effect.. I have ibook and I use safari to access my site.. it seem fine.. however, i was not able to view the CSS menu via IE 5.2 fro mac I dont know why.. :confused: did you have the same problem?

safari netscape and firefox works well...

thanks

[ellicit]

errrm, same area -
"Download a free template sample, and see how it work download the zip file"

it reads a little awkwardly, and work should be works.

perhaps:

"Download a free template sample to see how it works - Donwload the zip file"


The 300+ freefont thing:

"font with ever template purchased for FREE! "
ever to every.


Main content area:
Line 1:
" At Pur Templates we provides web-designers of all skill levels a chance to make their web site more professional."
Provides should not have the "s"

Line 4: "Pur Templates we'll help"
At Pur Templates. . .

Line 4-5: "If your looking for more custom"
for a more custom.. .

Line 6-7: "ready made template to"
ready made templates"


Sorry lol, my dads a proof-reader so i've been trained to look for this stuff



:eek: how sad of me.... hahaha... all fixed
thanks for keeping an eye out... if you find any other mis spelled words or what not.. please post

Thank you for your help.