Throwing my site to the wolves

[1quick1]

Hey guys. I would like your input on my site. You don't have to pull any punches but I warn you I'm an ameteur and I had to learn this stuff through trial and error.

I'm mostly wondering if you guys see any major issues or screwed up code that may cause issues. And I'm also interested in your guys opinions on what doesn't belong or what can be better.

This site is www.extremebodybuilding.net

There is also two skins you can chose. The default is custom and the mechanical is a premade one customized a little.

Thanks in advance guys, I'm hoping to get the site moving but I guess aren't we all.

[deezelpope]

I like both styles, but I also think more red accents in the default could make it look even better!:up:

[1quick1]

I like both styles, but I also think more red accents in the default could make it look even better!:up:

Yea I agree some red in there would break up the monotany. Problem is I pretty much such at design work.

[SEOvB]

Yea I agree some red in there would break up the monotany. Problem is I pretty much such at design work.

I feel ya on that,

Some marketing/advertising tips, Add more information to your welcome message, Don't make it such one big long run on sentance that, just never, ends with a bunch, of comas, everywhere, i bet you didnt, like reading, this, and its just, like that welcome, message,.

I made someone this quick template the other day that asked, I'll share it with you as well


?All Hail The Mighty {Guest/Visitor/Some Other Catchy name} (make this h1 or h2)
Welcome to {insert name} where we offer {insert product/service}. Our service provides you with {some fancy details, list your 3 best} all for {price}. To enjoy our wonderful service, {registration/sign up instructions} is all you have to do! Doing so will entitle you to enjoy the most wonderful of features such as {different then the first 3 you listed/minor features/hosting plan details/whatever}

* {Something Cool Here}
* {Something Funny Here}
* {Nude Hillary Clinton Pics!}
* {Previous Example was probably bad}
* {Don?t use it!}

We look forward to having you join our great family of {Guilds/Webmasters/Whatever You?ve Got} today!?


Just replace what is in the {} with your information, It'll be a 89% improvement

[1quick1]

I feel ya on that,

Some marketing/advertising tips, Add more information to your welcome message, Don't make it such one big long run on sentance that, just never, ends with a bunch, of comas, everywhere, i bet you didnt, like reading, this, and its just, like that welcome, message,.

I made someone this quick template the other day that asked, I'll share it with you as well



Just replace what is in the {} with your information, It'll be a 89% improvement

thanks very much. You are right about the welcome message. I will update it soon. I couldn't help but laugh at the 89% improvement. That's some good improvement rates! lol

[SEOvB]

Your welcome, i figured you had a solid 11% there atleast to build on :D

[1quick1]

I suck at writing stuff like this but I got it updated and I think it's better then it was before.

[Mark.B]

The style is clean and smooth and easy to navigate.

Now, some people will come in and say "it's just a black/grey version of the default vb style", which in a way is correct. However, my site has 27 styles (http://www.bowlandcentral.com/forum/styles.php?) and every single one of them is essentially just a different coloured version of the default vB style, albeit with many tweaks.

So my point is, don't feel you have to reinvent the wheel...keep it simple. Unless you run a site for hardcore gamers, coders, designers etc then you don't need anything other than neat, tidy, easy to navigate simplicity.

I'm not sure whether some red would improve it or not. The monotone appearance actually gives it quite a neat look in my opinion, whilst remaining nice, light and airy. You could experiment with this though and see how it looks, as black and red styles can look nice if done well.

I like the dashed border round the guest message....I have a similar thing on my site. It makes it stand out well without being intrusive. I would customize the welcome message a bit more though....for instance, the default message tells me I can use "all of the board's features" if I register...but what are they? I know *I* know, but a casual visitor wouldn't, so list a few of the main benefits. That box is, essentially, a marketing document. Use it to full advantage and really sell your site with it. Also remember Google will probably pick the start of that text up and use it in the description in search results. So if done well it can really improve your rankings!

[1quick1]

Thanks Mark! I really appreciate it. I will update my welcome header in the forum. What you mentioned was a similar issue I had FRDS pointed out on the homepage. I'll get that updated soon.

[1quick1]

Yea guys I thought I'd bump this up since I redid the skin. It's the same colors but I think this one looks much better. Let me know what you guys think and if anybody is into fitness, weightlifting, etc. feel free to join.

www.extremebodybuilding.net/forum