Jeep-CJ.com - a new Jeep and Off-Road site.

[PhilMcKrackon]

I've been working on a new concept for months and just opened the main site. I wanted to create an all em composing site that wasn't to restrictive for a passion of mine, my Jeep CJ5.

http://www.jeep-cj.com

I really fought with myself over the front page look and decided I liked the rustic feel of the portal instead of a real streamlined smooth feel - rough like off-road.

I have managed to buy up jeep-cj2, jeep-cj3, jeep-cj4, jeep-cj5, jeep-cj6, jeep-cj7, and jeep-cj10 (.com) over time (all the Jeep CJ series except cj8 (still working that one)) and I am using them to automatically redirect (after 15 seconds) to the main site.

Jut thought I'd throw this out to you all and ask for thoughts and suggestions. I am aware that the site is best viewed at 1024x768 (I'm working for 800x600) but I had to make that concession due to a graphics problem I'm trying to sort out.

I just opened it last night so it is very new...

Thanks for looking,

[Xtrato]

It looks good , i like it , good concept , unique of course, good use of header and footer.

The main page seems to have a lot going on , not sure if thats really necessary, but just seems that its overloaded.

I do like your site however, the buttons "hover" state, are ok , they can be improved, quote sectons is good, post bit is quie nice.

Good work i would say

[PhilMcKrackon]

Originally Posted by Xtrato

It looks good , i like it , good concept , unique of course, good use of header and footer.

The main page seems to have a lot going on , not sure if thats really necessary, but just seems that its overloaded.

I do like your site however, the buttons "hover" state, are ok , they can be improved, quote sectons is good, post bit is quie nice.

Good work i would say

Thnak you so much for taking the time to look around. It really has been allot of work. What 'busy' parts would you remove from the main page? Just curious.

I agree with the hover buttons, haven't quite decided what I want to change (if). I really think the designer hit the nail on the head with the post bit. I asked for something like that but he completely went beyond my expectations on that part.

Thanks again...

[gfxhelp.com]

I would get rid of all the redirect pages and have it go straight to the site. The colors and textures are nice, but the border around everything is a little too thick. Also, I would flip the header/logo so that the logo is on the left and the car is on the right, pointing inwards. The black splats are hard to see on the brown background as well. The new/old post icons could use a little more contrast. In addition, I would make the sub-forum icons a matching color other than the default vb blue.

[PhilMcKrackon]

Great advice - I never noticed the subforum Icons... I'll change that immediately!

I'll make a new logo and flip it to test and see how that looks also as well as the other items.

As for getting rid of the redirect pages, that's very easy but I was under the impression (probably read it some where) that could be bad for the search engines. Mybe not - I'll look into it.

Thanks again for looking!

[gfxhelp.com]

I've heard that using a 301 permanent redirect has neutral effects on seo, but I mentioned it just because I don't think most people would sit on the page for 15 seconds. If you do leave it, maybe make it 5 seconds.

[Xtrato]

hmm well, you should have a welcome message, describe your site etc , just dont have it scrolling down for ages, not so fun hehe.

Take the most relevant stuff on your site ,most important to user and leave it there, the rest have some other page for it , or somehow incorporate it on some other parts of the site.

[PhilMcKrackon]

Originally Posted by gfxhelp.com

I've heard that using a 301 permanent redirect has neutral effects on seo, but I mentioned it just because I don't think most people would sit on the page for 15 seconds. If you do leave it, maybe make it 5 seconds.

I'll try the 5 seconds - I though 15 might have been to long but wasn't sure.

Thanks,

--------------- Added [DATE]1222552075[/DATE] at [TIME]1222552075[/TIME] ---------------

Originally Posted by Xtrato

hmm well, you should have a welcome message, describe your site etc , just dont have it scrolling down for ages, not so fun hehe.

Take the most relevant stuff on your site ,most important to user and leave it there, the rest have some other page for it , or somehow incorporate it on some other parts of the site.

Hmm.. The second block is a welcome message - I guess I should relabel it as such... If it wasn't clear to you then it needs to be changed. (now changed). Maybe switch the top and the second block around??? Or even place the guest notice below the welcome block - or even get rid of it on the main page?

I'm leaning on getting rid of the guest notice on the main page...

Thoughts,

Thanks,

[giaguaro]

my compliments. I manage a jeep site too, here in Italy, www.jtv.cc
I would like to ask u something about yours..
Where do u find the classified section?
Thx! W Jeep. Marco