Please review hostingspeeds.com

[hostingspeeds]

Dear fellow members,

A few weeks ago I have launched a new site called 'The hosting company comparison project' at http://www.hostingspeeds.com/

A custom PHP script lets registered webmasters check the speed of their host. By collecting all those speed results, we rank their web hosts by average speed, ping speed etc.

Would you be so kind to review the lay-out, functionality and whatever you think is needed to say about it?

Tips are very very welcome! Both positive and negative.

Kind regards,


Jan Paul
http://www.hostingspeeds.com/

[KDLA]

Hi, hostingspeed -
Just looked at your website, and have a few comments:

- Whoa, that's a lot of Kermit the Frog green. How about softening it, using green shad with less yellow and decreased the brightness? The current color is really hard on the eyes.

- On my screen, the line of footer links is broken, so that HostProfessor.com is the last one on the first line, then the second line begins about 15px to the left of the first line.
BTW - the bright green text is a little hard to read with the white background.

- I like the gray shading of the content area: nice.

- You may want to develop a company logo, to add to your banner area just for some visual interest.

- You may want to edit your site's description in the metadata area. It's a bit long. Most search engines will only display about 50 words or less, so you want to make sure those 50 words aptly describe your service.

- On some subpages, there seems to be a lot of empty space near the bottom (either the dark green or white). You may want to check into that. It may have to do with your using tables for this layout.

Good Luck!
KDLA

[hostingspeeds]

Hi KDLA,

Kermit green, lol, have made it less sharp now. If you know a better matching color, please let me know.

line of footer links is broken & little hard to read with the white background: fixed.

meta-description: made it shorter.

Logo: I am looking for a nice logo. Anyone can design a stunning logo and a stunning graphic that explains in short what the site is for? Let me know!

http://www.hostingspeeds.com/

Thanks!!

jp

[KDLA]

For your banner, just assemble some internet equipment: modem cable, cable modem, wireless card, etc., around a greenish background. Take a picture (outdoor lighting is better - less shadows) looking down at the equipment, then in an image-editing program, substitute the greenish background for the color of your web background. In your program, you can also adjust the colors and add shadows.

I often use this technique when I can't locate good images.

[hostingspeeds]

KDLA,

Sounds great, but I don't have the equipment to do this :-(
If a designer reads this thread .... and he/she can design a logo and a button with theme: hosting, speed, foto finish, computer race, computer foto finish, stopwatch etc. please post.

[scojo1]

have you checked your site in firefox? The layout becomes a big mess...

[hostingspeeds]

Yes, just checked it ..... already had to remove the bottom div completely to avoid a complete mess. I am now working on header div's to be displayed correctly in firefox (without losing the working IE lay-out)

[scojo1]

if you take height: 100% out of#main
{
border-left: solid 1px #616161;
border-top: solid 1px #616161;
color: black;
margin-top: 10px;
margin-left: 242px;
padding: 1px;
background: #EBEBEB;
height: 100%;
}


it fixes a nice chunk of the problem

[hostingspeeds]

Fixed Firefox incompatability.

[Ness_du_Frat]

I like the green/orange contrast. I like the general layout, good job. But soooo much green ?????
Ohhh, my eyes, my eeeeyyyyeeeessss !!! It's like playing golf :)
Seriously, your visitors will have green sparkles in their eyes for the rest of the day after visiting your website.
It's a bit too bright, and definitaly too green.
But overall, it's a good one :)

oh, and by the way, you don't won't users who don't have a www domain name to test their host speed ? whyyyyyyy ? *cries*
I wanted to subscribe, but my host is a free one... I understand you're not interested in advertising free hosts, though ;)
I was just curious.

[hostingspeeds]

Hi scojo1,

I have solved the firefox lay-out (and maintained the IE lay-out) by adding these lines to both #main and #left_sidebar2


height: auto!important;
height: 100%;
min-height: 100%;

[hostingspeeds]

Hi Ness du Frat,

Thanks for your comments. Kermit the Frog .... Playing Golf, lol. I wasn't aware it had so much green ;-)

I will try to unbrighten even more.

jp

[hostingspeeds]

I have added 4 short cuts to 4 different color schemes. Which fits best in your opinion?

[jmaresca2005]

your site layout if good but i think you should remove those color schemes and have 1 clean professional color. alot of white space with a dark blue maybe. here is a nice, clean , professional, color scheme >> http://www.getbuilt.net. Try to follow this color scheme and font and I think that your site will be a knock out! :)

[KDLA]

I like "Jakarta." The main goal is for the content to come to the forefront, and the colors to the background. Bright colors end up overwhelming the content and cause the viewer to strain to concentrate upon it.

I also like the way you coded the color option changes via stylesheets. Could you please send me that coding in a private message?

Thanks!
KDLA

[Ness_du_Frat]

your site layout if good but i think you should remove those color schemes and have 1 clean professional color. alot of white space with a dark blue maybe. here is a nice, clean , professional, color scheme >> http://www.getbuilt.net. Try to follow this color scheme and font and I think that your site will be a knock out! :)
Honestly, I prefer hostingspeeds's color scheme. At least it's original and dynamic.
Why do professional sites always have to be dull and boring ? ( no offence if the site was made by you or by a friend of you. I just prefer more dynamic colors )

[hostingspeeds]

Hi KDLA,

I have chosen Jakarta too. I have removed the other test style sheets (they were for testing purpose only, jmaresca2005).

I also changed the introduction in the body a bit and have further downsized the number of colors.

I will send you a PM with a URL to the styling sheet coding right away. But be aware, the javascript I used doesn't remember the choice of the user when he/she goes to the next page :-(

Thanks for all your help KDLA!

jp

[Ness_du_Frat]

your site layout if good but i think you should remove those color schemes and have 1 clean professional color. alot of white space with a dark blue maybe. here is a nice, clean , professional, color scheme >> http://www.getbuilt.net. Try to follow this color scheme and font and I think that your site will be a knock out! :)
I like your lunarpage website. It's original :)

[hostingspeeds]

As long as your host supports php, you can join.

(Dear mods, I am not advertising, I am just answering a question)

http://www.hostingspeeds.com/

oh, and by the way, you don't won't users who don't have a www domain name to test their host speed ? whyyyyyyy ? *cries*
I wanted to subscribe, but my host is a free one... I understand you're not interested in advertising free hosts, though ;)
I was just curious.

[Ness_du_Frat]

You can change the css ? Where ? I must have missed an episode, because I can't find it... :(
And no, I can't join, because you're forcing people to type in their url after a http://www.
and my domain is a http:// ( without the www ). :(
About the colors...
I saw you changed it...
Sorry to say that, but I prefered the previous one. It was more dynamic. Now, it's a bit too dark and not as appealing as the other version ( even if the other was a bit too much, I liked it better )

[Ness_du_Frat]

And also, why don't you provide a contact form ?
People like those better, I think. Because if you click on the link, it opens outlook, and if you didn't feel like configurating it ( like me ), you'll just have to copy the address, close it, open your mail account, paste the address, write a message, send it...
A contact form is a piece of cake, and it's more professional.

[hostingspeeds]

Hi, you liked the other green colors better? hmmmm .... maybe I can adjust them a little.

I have first centered the top navigation, but aligning it at left looks way better than at the right. So it is at the left now. Better?

I also added an extra 1px to the font size of the top navigation. Better?

The hostingspeeds logo and a catchy graphic 'saying it all', must be added, I know, but I can't do it myself. Anyone of you can design me a unique logo and catchy graphic? Will pay for it.

Thanks again, I appreciate your comments,

Ness, if you sign up and the www in front causes an error, I will edit your entry in admin ot make it work.

The contact form is a splendid idea. I will add that right away!

jp
Hosting speeds comparison project
http://www.hostingspeeds.com/

[Ness_du_Frat]

Ness, if you sign up and the www in front causes an error, I will edit your entry in admin ot make it work.

The contact form is a splendid idea. I will add that right away!

jp
Hosting speeds comparison project
http://www.hostingspeeds.com/
I'm happy I could help. Yeah, I'll sign up and let you change my http://www.enfantsdelo.free.fr in a http://enfantsdelo.free.fr
I would be delighted to have infos about my host. I'll probably buy my own domain next year, once I really have something to present.

But where can you change the stylesheet ? I see you have this piece of code to switch the css, but... I want to be able to test it !!!! :D


Edit : I registered as ness_du_frat. For my hosting email, I put a crazy thing, because the only email I have is the one where you can contact them in case of abuse.
This society wants you to send real mail, and not email, for all the contracts. So, i don't have their mail. But if I put nothing, I couldn't register... I hope it's still fine...

[Ness_du_Frat]

I'm viewing the informations now. You should pay more attention to the language. It doesn't sound really professional. I even came across one sentence which meant absolutely nothing ( but I'm not a perfect English speaker, so maybe it was my fault ).
I'll try to upload those things on a test page, to have a look at the speed.
Anyway, I'm not too picky, because I'm not paying for it, and 1Go space is much more I would ever dream of filling. And my usual traffic is about 200 visitors per month, not more...

[hostingspeeds]

Please specify the wrong English lines ..... I really would like to change them!

Let's see the outcome of the free.fr hosting speed test!

jp

[Ness_du_Frat]

Ok, first :
As far as we know is this a unique service not offered anywhere else on the internet. ( end of the description of your site )
That way hosting company speed is tested by a wide variety of users resulting a representative average speed of your host.
( end of the page. I would write : resulting IN a )
Speed testing of your host is not ready yet, because the page load speed test has not been installed on your site yet.
( I don't like the repetition of "yet" and the "because". Something like : speed testing of your host is not ready yet, due to the fact that the page load speed test has not been installed on your site, or something similar. But maybe it's just my point of view. I always thought that "because" was an awkward word... lol ! )
Only if the pageload.php file is triggered correctly the page load speeds results are written to our database. ( I would write : only if the ...... correctly can the speeds results be written to our database )
Click preview if you prefer that another one above that size. ( to me, this means absolutely nothing. But maybe it's a sentence structure that I've never encountered )

I checked only two pages. Don't take that too seriously, you would have to ask an English-speaking person. I'm just a French girl.

[Ness_du_Frat]

Oh, and don't forget to change the http://www.enfantsdelo.free.fr to a http://enfantsdelo.free.fr
The poor thing is searching desperately for http://www.enfantsdelo.free.fr... :)

[hostingspeeds]

Ness,

As far as we know is this a unique service not offered anywhere else on the internet. ( end of the description of your site )
fixed

That way hosting company speed is tested by a wide variety of users resulting a representative average speed of your host.
( end of the page. I would write : resulting IN a )
fixed

Speed testing of your host is not ready yet, because the page load speed test has not been installed on your site yet.
( I don't like the repetition of "yet" and the "because". Something like : speed testing of your host is not ready yet, due to the fact that the page load speed test has not been installed on your site, or something similar. But maybe it's just my point of view. I always thought that "because" was an awkward word... lol ! )
fixed

Only if the pageload.php file is triggered correctly the page load speeds results are written to our database. ( I would write : only if the ...... correctly can the speeds results be written to our database )
fixed

Click preview if you prefer that another one above that size. ( to me, this means absolutely nothing. But maybe it's a sentence structure that I've never encountered )
removed that line completely, lol

Also fixed some strange English line in the sign up procedure

Oh, and don't forget to change the http://www.enfantsdelo.free.fr to a http://enfantsdelo.free.fr
The poor thing is searching desperately for http://www.enfantsdelo.free.fr...
please try again, updated the code

Thanks for all your comments!!!

jp

[Ness_du_Frat]

I tried again, and it's still looking for www....
I updated everything, and tried once more, but no. www is the wwway...

[hostingspeeds]

Fixed it and tested it within your account.

After log in, click 'Check your site ping speed' in the left menu. Should work fine now.

Do not forget to install the 100kb page load speed test!

More suggestions are very welcome!

Jan Paul
Hosting speeds comparison project
http://www.hostingspeeds.com/

[Ness_du_Frat]

I get 146ms ping. That's quite a lot, but you're probably situated in the US, and my host is in France, that might explain the delay.
The pageload.php has been installed on my site right after I signed up, but it's still searching for www.enfantsdelo.free.fr
I must have done something wrong... :(

[hostingspeeds]

That's the exact reason for the long ping response time. You already figured that out :-)

I have changed the speed test console. It now doesn't include 'www', so webmasters like you, who host their site on subdomains can perform the web host speed test too.

Thanks for testing my site in detail. I really appreciate it!

Good luck on the speed test!

[Ness_du_Frat]

you need to change it also in the edit account... :)

[hostingspeeds]

changed that too :-)

[Ness_du_Frat]

Nice !!! Free scored 18th on the overall rank :)
I think I have a pretty good host, here. free, ad-free, php, mysql, 1Go free space... What more could I want ? Yes, of course, www.enfantsdelo.com would be just great...
I might buy it, one day...

[hostingspeeds]

Great score Ness!

I hope one day host speed stats will be as popular as visitor stats.

And I have good news!
A logo was designed for free. Uploaded it. Good? Suggestions?

jp

[Ness_du_Frat]

I like it :)

[hostingspeeds]

:-) Glad you like it!

A guy who designs them for me is also working on a Flash version.

[spufi]

I'm using Firefox. The "Top 10 web hosts by speed" area could be shifted over a hair to the right so it lines up with the other border. The "Hosting speed comparison project" area could be wider on the left side because there is a strip of dark green background showing between the lighter green background, and the off white, or whatever you call it background.

[hostingspeeds]

Hi spufi,

I have changed margin-right: 6px; to margin-right: 5px; so it should go right 1 pixel. I cannot check it myself, since my Firefox loads the table as it is meant to be. Is it correct now? I can't check it myself.

Same situation with the strip of dark green left of the introduction text. I doesn't show in my Firefox. Can you find the solution in my css, since I really don't know what can cause that green strip.

Thanks!!!

[teclance]

I like your design and concept.

We tried to add our site and when I clicked submit I got this error:

You have an error in your SQL syntax near 's. All hosting plans come with cpanel. Navyhost also sells domain names.', 'sale' at line 1

I tried twice and got the same style error.

[hostingspeeds]

Will take a look into that. Will post as soon as it is fixed!

[hostingspeeds]

Fixed it!

Please post any errors that may occur.

jp

[comptech520]

Nice site, I tried to register and it gave me some flaq. It looks very nice they way it is laid out. Keep up the good work

[hostingspeeds]

What do you mean with "and it gave me some flaq"?

jp

[hostingspeeds]

Ness, I have shortened the main page by removing 2 top 10 listings.
Please review. Thanks!

(Great, your host is still on top!)

jp

[Ness_du_Frat]

Hey, it's getting better and better ! I see you changed the color scheme. I like this one better, it's really professional. And it matches the new logo even more...
( I'm keeping this short because I have to start work in 2 minutes.... I'll try to come back after work )

[tims15]

I think the color scheme is still a bit green. Maybe a softer shade for the background...

[Ness_du_Frat]

I think the color scheme is still a bit green. Maybe a softer shade for the background...
You should have seen it in the beginning... Kermit the frog, as someone said... lol !!!

I see you indeed softened the BG. It's better !!! It's fun how to see how your site has developped from the first comments to now !!! ( not sure this sentence is understandable... lol )
It's really looking very professional. If I came across your site randomly, I would surely like it.

[tims15]

Still think it needs to be softer though. Its a bit... 'aggressive' (?), with a lot of the text being in capitals.

[hostingspeeds]

I just returned from a 3-day trip.

ness: thanks!!!

tims15: I have had a couple of green now. Most reviewers seem to be okay with the current green now, so I think it is better not to change it anymore. But thanks for your comment.

Jan Paul

[hostingspeeds]

Couldn't resists to make some modifications in the color scheme.

Log in has been moved to the right to please Google (better: to please the site with visitors from Google). Added country flags to the local partner page.

I am still struggling with the navigation color. Please advice wich HEX color to use.

jp

[KDLA]

You might try this color schemer for some inspiration:
http://www.colorschemer.com/online.html

Normally, it is best to combine either cool colors (blue, green, gray or white), or warm colors - red, brown, orange, yellow.

[hostingspeeds]

Great, I used it and found a slightly different matching color scheme!

[ricosushi]

You can match grays or browns colors in the site to soften the color. I like the idea of ranking the speeds of hostings.

I saw your site in Safari and FireFox and the right bar is all messed.

=)

[hostingspeeds]

Hi,

Where should I use grey and brown? the links? background? head? Please advice.

I have been working on Firefox compatability, but can't get the right border as it is meant to be. Can anyone help with that?

Yes, the idea of listing hosting companies by speed is quite new :-)

[hostingspeeds]

I think I have found the error in the CSS file that made look bad for Firefox users.

Can anyone please check it for Firefox now? Thanks!!

[hansons]

u have t o check ur website...on firefox....

[hostingspeeds]

Thanks hansons for looking into it.

The site should be 100% Firefox compatible now. Color scheme has been updated to freshen the site up (were dark green colors before).

Added some extra features too.

Reviews still very welcome!

[hostingspeeds]

Please report the errors on Firefox hansons

http://www.hostingspeeds.com/