Discuss "Site Review" in the Website Reviews forum.

Okay, so, we currently have a website online that I designed. You can find the current design here:

Engineered Machined Products

Our company has decided that they do not like the design. So, what did they do, they are having someone design it from the outside. Here is there work:

Engineered Machined Products

Now, you tell me, is this an upgrade to our current site?!? LOL! Now, with that being said, I came up with a design after being completely disgusted. They said they wanted more "color", and since our companies color scheme is blue and gray, this is what I came up with:

Engineered Machined Products: Products

Now, you tell me, once again, which site you would rather have?

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What I don't like about the site made by the outside source is that everything appears too large and the coloring is ugly. I like the new design you created over all of them and I like the old design you created over the new design the outside source created.

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jmurrayhead
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The first thing that annoyed me about the outside design was the color. That yellow gives me a headache! Sure... it's simple... and simple is usually good. But, I think your design with the changing pictures is much more professional looking. I like the new page with the color, and I think they are crazy if they go with the outside design... unless you want to annoy all your potential customers that is.

One thing I forgot to mention, however, is your hover menus are too slow. Might just be that way on my work pc (not sure, will check again at home), but that annoys me

What in particular did they not like about the current design?

I like the "outside" design the least. I noticed that the drop shadow is curved at the bottom edges, but the box it's a shadow of isn't. A small thing, but irritating, for me at least!!

I'm undecided on the individual product images. I don't know if people coming to your site will know exactly what they're after. If they are then it might be easier to tell from an image rather than a product name. Difficult without knowing about your customers etc.

Could you maybe use smaller images on your design or have some flash scrolling section? Or have a look at MSN here where they have the "Discover more on MSN section, perhaps you could have the product images in something like that?

I also hate their Products Page, particularly the Conventional Products section. If I go to a company's website it's to find out information, not to be told for more information contact EMP. That just smells to me of we can't be bothered to do pages about these. Your product pages are streets ahead of the "outside" lot. Even on the old site.

I would maybe try a drop shadow round your new design as it tends to lift the content out of the page.

Just a small point but you missed the n out of testimonials on your link.

I agree with J on the menus. They're a little slow, but if you're losing those on the new design then I guess it doesn't matter.

It's a bit tricky if you don't know what they didn't like about the old design you did. Looks fine to me. Maybe it's that it didn't have any yellow in it...

All in all, if I was them, I'd be more than happy with the design they've got. Why they'd want to change it is beyond me...

Thanks for the input so far. The menus are a little slow, and I can change the speed, which I did. Would it be better to have them scroll down or just display? I can do either.

In regards to the button, thanks for that. I must have been typing fast and I could not see that small error. That has been fixed.

As far as the yellow, I do not like one bit. I think it is tacky and unprofessional.

"Conventional products" are what currently make up 90% of our sales. We just released the "Advanced products" and that is why we are trying to market those, hence the need for pictures and the focus of the site.

With the other site, I TOTALLY disagree with putting the ENTIRE product line on the homepage. That is tacky and ugly and cluttered.

I would just display the menu....my $0.02.

Yellow is tacky and unprofessional (at least the shade of yellow)

I still like your newest design the best.

It's both the shade and the use of it. It's overused on the "outside" site. I really like all of RR's comments. Very well thought out. I agree that they must be crazy to like the outside design. But... what can you do?

I don't think it HAS to look tacky, ugly and cluttered. They way they've done, it does.

I was thinking more from a customer's perspective. Would a customer know what a C20 Controller or an OK1 Hydraulic Oil Cooler is? Or what category they would come under? Or would a picture of it be more useful? How would they navigate to get to the product they want? How many clicks does it take? etc.

Without knowing the type of people going to the site, it's difficult to comment.

Hope you see what I mean.

In this case, a thumbnail gallery with text links might be handy. Indeed, without knowing the knowledge of the majority of the customers, it's hard to tell.