WebPlus X5: WebPlusX5 Game Site w/ all bells and whistles

[dreamcutter]

Please check out http://www.FarmPeeps.com FarmPeeps has just re-vamped in X5 top to bottom. You should find this a fun, enjoyable experience. The site is targeted towards the facebook farmers and animal game lovers. This site integrates most of the advanced X5 features. Test out the lightbox chat/shout out implementation. I am seeking feedback on the sites usability, style and function including adsence implementation. This is a ad-supported hobby site, I try to select and position ads so they are non-intrusive yet effective.
So please hammer away and let me know what you really think. Most all content is original, or licensed/customized. The original ART is 3D scenes developed from Poser & Vue based on licensed and homemade 3d models. Use POLL below TO RATE FARMPEEPS.com!

[Tom.]

Try extending some of your text frames :-

One example page - http://www.farmpeeps.com/playgames_landing.htm

Also add the site name and brief description (Site Properties > Navigation > Specify Page Title). The Google Ad position may not be intrusive but the DART cookie is

[Neil J]

Hi dreamcutter,

I've just had a quick look and I'm seeing the same thing all over the site as in the screenshot. Looks like you'll need to go through and enlarge all the text boxes.

I'm using Google Chrome

[ggrussell]

Bottom of first page ABOUT US: missing letter in the word 'is'
Some of the text that is converted to images is blurry.
Games Tips and Reviews - the 'more' button is on top of the text.

I use the latest Seamonkey which uses the same render engine as Firefox.

[mcclen]

Hi Deamcutter,

I find the home page slide show too fast, no time to take in the characters.
Overall it's too much of everything to stay & look at the pages for too long, it gets confusing after a while.

I am not a fan of adverts on web sites, so can't say they help the site, but if it's a hobby site I can understand the need to make it pay it's way.

A lot of your text is very hard to read due to low contrast with the background colour.

Your menu is a bit pale & doesn't make finding navigation as clear as it could be.
There is no obvious consistent navigation on each page.

On the farm features page the bottom text boxes overhang the footer.

The funny thing for me from all of this is that these games are about as close to the daily reality of running a farm as we are to Mars.

I run a 30 acre alpaca farm in Australia & the idyllic farm life depicted in those games doesn't exist!
But I'm sure they are fun to play!

[dreamcutter]

Wow, thanks for all the excellent comments, on top of the bugs. Yes, the menu & links need more contrast now that I have examined from different monitors. Many updates today. Big thanks!

[dreamcutter]

This Poll says it all... The site needs major design improveent. Must need more colors and advert-blending

[dreamcutter]

Feedback has been a big help. The family always says the work is great, however the critical eyes of other developers is the invaluable guidance needed. FarmPeeps.com has been tamed. Less clutter, color and more clarity was applied.

[mcclen]

Originally Posted by dreamcutter Feedback has been a big help. The family always says the work is great, however the critical eyes of other developers is the invaluable guidance needed. FarmPeeps.com has been tamed. Less clutter, color and more clarity was applied.

Hi Dreamcutter,

Web Desgn Rule #1: Never ask family or friends if you want valuable feed back on site design!

It's definately a step in the right direction, you just have a bit more walking to do.

I still find these problems:

Slide show still too fast & the checkerboard transition is adding just more distraction to an already busy site, I would suggest you try a simple fade transition.

Still has readability issues with the font colours on some areas lacking contrast, eg red text on blue background.

Site still has no consistent navigation.

Still very crowded in both content & the space around your text. Some of your text is still being cut off at the bottom of the page.