Pink Smash Designs

Site Name: Pink Smash Designs
Date Ordered: July 19, 2008
Date Completed: July 22, 2008

Screenshots

First Impressions/ Layout

I'm not sure what color you used for the background, it's different; like teal mixed with black. I don't know, I can't describe it. I didn't like it at first but it kind of grows on you after a while. Who is that you used for the header? It kind of looks like Lindsay Lohan. On a whole I like the layout however I'm wondering why your site name is not on the layout. Your CSS is ok, I think the headers are a bit big which makes the layout feel cramped (your disclaimer header is cut off as well). But I understand that you are going for the creative look. I also think you main text is incredibly small. I just checked to see what the layout looked like in Internet Explorer. You coded this in Internet Explorer right? I'm assuming this because the disclaimer header is not cut off in IE. Anyways, back to the CSS. I love the navigation but I don't like how when you roll over them you can't see the title. The link name should be visible at all times, whether you're rolling over it or not. If you're going to advertise other sites, it's my opinion that you should be displaying their button not a button of Miley Cyrus with that site's name on it. The point of advertising is so that a site with a standout button will get a hit because the visitor sees the button and thinks 'woah their button is cool I think I'll check out their site'. Also just pointing out, your sidebar is bordering on Weborexia. Looking at your coding.. You're using internal CSS? Oh, not good. This is because whenever someone loads a new page of your site it takes longer to load because the visitor's browser has to re-read the same information again and again. If you use an external stylesheet then the user's browser only has to read the information once and saves it. Then whenever the user goes to a different page of your site the browser calls up the data and loads it. It lessons the load time and just makes everything easier on you as well. For a great tutorial on how to convert to external CSS click here (link will open in a new window.)

15/20

Content

Premades

I've skipped the designer's section because I do not review external sites and the designer's pages are external. In Internet Explorer your content area is much too small. In Safari it's fine. There are no premades so why have the section? It just wastes both space (on your part) and time (on the visitors part because they are clicking on a link that takes them to a coming soon page). I'd scrap this section all together until you have content to put on this page. Also consider adding padding (on all your pages) to your divs so that the text you have is not flush against the side of your div.

For You

Referring to the blinking 'updated' text, I personally do not like blinking text very much, it's kind of annoying. When you have blinking text it draws the visitors' eyes to what is blinking not the link that it is next to. Using just a text "updated" would achieve the same result that you are going for and not divert your visitors from the links.

For You- Button Bases

Nothing really to say about "button bases". Nothing special.

For You- Icons

Your icons are good. Some are a bit low quality (notably the Emily Osment icon).

For You- Banners

There's only two here. They're ok. Just like the button bases they don't stand out.

For You- Blends

Not really much here. I can not say that I would use any of them.

For You- Basic HTML

Is this really necessary? There are so many sites out there that specialize in HTML help that if any other site has basic codes as content it seems like they are striving to just have as much content as possible. If you are going to have this section, at least don't encourage someone to use outdated codes like changing font size and family. This is what external CSS is for.

Interact

Not much to this section. You might want to update the "guess the lyrics" section.

Extra

Just like the "premades", "blacklist" and "awards" have no content in their sections. Take these sections off until you have content to put in them.

4/7

Graphics

I like the layout but the banners and other graphics in the "For You" section could be improved. A tip when designing: Design for quality not quantity. Focus on each graphic your making individually and make sure it has that special something that makes it pop and stand out.

5/10

Organization

You're very organized and I was able to find everything very easily. 15/15

Niceness

From your conduct on your tagboard you seem very nice.

10/10

Creativeness

Design sites are everywhere. It's very hard for one to stand out and be original. However you're layout is pretty original. 4/10

Updates

I only see 2 updates on your site; three days in between each. Although I understand that since your website is a design site, which limits what you are able to update on. Why not try to update on something as simple as letting your visitors what is going on and how many orders you have received and done.

3/5

Colors

At first glance I wasn't too fond of them. However they do grow on you. A dark color (the green/teal) and a bright color (pink) normally are a good combination. I personally would have had the background more on the blue side than the green, but that's just me. 6/10

Extra

As I stated design sites are run of the mill and yours doesn't have anything new or unique. I'm guessing that your site is fairly new due to that there is not that much content. I assume that as time goes on your site will grow and you may be able to give your site that extra spark.

4/10

Bonus

The button is only visible on the review page.

2/5

Overall/ Final Thoughts

Run of the mill. I like your layout but the content area is way to small width- wise in Internet Explorer. I notice that it expands to fit whatever content is in the div, however all the content divs should be a consistent size on every page. It's fine in Safari however. Consider changing this so your layout is symmetrical and more balanced. Also, your advertisements are not consistent through every page. The point of advertising is for a site that you are advertising's link to be displayed on every page. This would be much easier to do if you were using PHP. Unfortunately, freewebs does not allow PHP. As far as content goes, try to add more graphics in the "for you" section as well as more content in the "interact" section. Also, take down the premades, blacklist, and awards sections until you have content to fill them with. There's no use in having a coming soon section as it is useless to your visitors. Also, and this is not that big, but consider giving a more detailed credit list. I just enjoy knowing exactly where a designer got their sources from. At least give a detail for the pictures you used on your layout because I would like to know who that is on your layout. By detailed credit I mean:

Pictures: Insert URL
Textures: Insert URL
Brushes: Insert URL

Please don't take that as me thinking you are not crediting because that's not what I am saying at all. I guess I'm just an organization freak.

Overall your site is ok but not great. The only good thing that stands out is your layout and a good layout will only get you so far and keep your visitors entertained for so long. Good luck with your site!

62/102

Prizes