Just acquired another existing site, please review and suggest improvements.

[Max Taxable]

Originally Posted by Gio~Logist

I take no offense at all. What I mean is simply in terms of guiding the user's eyes.

Let me give you an example:
http://www.dallascowboys.com/

There's really not much white if you look at it, but take a look at the different shades of text.
- blue for links & titles
- light blueish / gray for subtext
- dark gray for content based text
All while still having lots of blue (both dark and light)

The difference here is that it has much more contrast and varied contrast on that. On this page, my eyes know what's important.

Again, if you take a glance at the site at the moment, your eyes have no choice but to go everywhere. Nothing is distinguished with importance or relevance in terms of color coordination. Subtitle color changes, bolding & generally styling can go a long way here.

Site you reference is like a newspaper page, utilizing a CVI (Center of visual impact) which is the one, large image above the fold. Pretty common. But it's still, white BG with dark type.

Most of the traffic I get is in showthread. People read, and post. If I wanted a splash page, a newspaper-like page, I would create one. Again, most of the membership and in fact most of the traffic, comes from pads not PCs.

Check the white styles at the site, you'll see what was there as default, before. All are still choosable for user preference.

[Max Taxable]

Here's the two main, comparable sites. Official team site isn't comparable, it's not a forum.

http://www.cowboys-forum.com/forum.php

http://cowboyszone.com

[Gio~Logist]

I think the fact that I mentioned a possible white bg is where i miscommunicated the overall message.

Here's a subtle example (pardon the ugly colors i chose, just wanted to give an example) of what i mean by contrasting colors to allow the user to focus more on what matters.



vs



In the second image, my eyes are more likely to go straight to titles and links because of the contrast vs the first where my eyes kinda just wander.

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Also, on the sites you showed me, as well as the main "official" site, you will also notice contrast in colors. Even if not just background colors, definitely text colors. This is all part of training the user's eye where to go. Using one color across an entire site simply isn't the best practice when it comes to design. Or else your user's eyes will never know where to go.

[Max Taxable]

Originally Posted by Gio~Logist

In the second link, my eyes are more likely to go straight to titles and links because of the contrast vs the first where my eyes kinda just wander.

It's a good suggestion definitely worth a look, a little more contrast wouldn't hurt. In showthread I went with the facemask grey for the type in posts. I'm committed to using only official team colors.

But.... I think your eyes are wandering because you're looking for the cheerleaders.

[Gio~Logist]

You see, even there - I woulda flipped it on showthread.

Good color choices, but you're training my eyes in the wrong direction. The prominent color in this section is "white". Yet you decided to use that color to focus more on the repetitive / less relevant text (post count, cash, signature, etc) and hide the goods (the actual post). It should be the opposite, my eyes should go STRAIGHT to the post content as a reader.



vs



Again, same colors.. but training the reader's eyes to go in the right direction (the actual post). Also on the left side, the only thing that draws your attention is the user's name, which is the most relevant.

Users wanna know (in this order)
- What was posted
- Who posted it
- Member info

In that order

Which is why the reader's attention needs to be called in that order. In the first screenshot, you drew the reader's attention in the exact opposite order. In the second screenshot, you'll see it draws more attention to the right places. Minor details like this can go a long way.

[Max Taxable]

Originally Posted by Gio~Logist

You see, even there - I woulda flipped it on showthread.

Good color choices, but you're training my eyes in the wrong direction. The prominent color in this section is "white". Yet you decided to use that color to focus more on the repetitive / less relevant text (post count, cash, signature, etc) and hide the goods (the actual post). It should be the opposite, my eyes should go STRAIGHT to the post content as a reader.
Again, same colors.. but training the reader's eyes to go in the right direction (the actual post). Also on the left side, the only thing that draws your attention is the user's name, which is the most relevant.

Users wanna know (in this order)
- What was posted
- Who posted it
- Member info

In that order

Which is why the reader's attention needs to called in that order. In the first screenshot, you drew the reader's attention in the exact opposite order. In the second screenshot, you'll see it draws more attention to the right places. Minor details like this can go a long way.

The white just looks too harsh in your example there. maybe because you have it in bold?

Take a look at main page again, subtle change taken place there.

[Max Taxable]

Originally Posted by Gio~Logist

vs

What stylevars are these? This is definitely worth a look to change. Can always change back or adjust if I don't Grok.

I appreciate your ideas and suggestions.

[Gio~Logist]

Yea, personally I wouldn't use a white there regardless. I would go with a light gray so that it's easier on the eyes.

For example, on a white background it's often better to use something like #555555 (dark gray) instead of flat out black (#000), this way it's less harsh. Same goes with white. Always want it to be easy on the eyes.

Forum homepage is looking much better by the way :up:

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Originally Posted by Max Taxable

What stylevars are these? This is definitely worth a look to change. Can always change back or adjust if I don't Grok.

I appreciate your ideas and suggestions.

I normally start off making css changes right in the browser via inspect element, then I modify the classes after i'm satisfied based on what css changes i made. Don't remember off the bat which ones I effected there.

[Max Taxable]

Well I think the change on the main page definitely helps. I'll hunt and peck around and see if I can figure out the other three you were recommending changing. Thanks for the time and suggestions!

[HM666]

Originally Posted by Gio~Logist

I take no offense at all. What I mean is simply in terms of guiding the user's eyes.

Let me give you an example:
http://www.dallascowboys.com/

There's really not much white if you look at it, but take a look at the different shades of text.
- blue for links & titles
- light blueish / gray for subtext
- dark gray for content based text
All while still having lots of blue (both dark and light)

The difference here is that it has much more contrast and varied contrast on that. On this page, my eyes know what's important.

Again, if you take a glance at the site at the moment, your eyes have no choice but to go everywhere. Nothing is distinguished with importance or relevance in terms of color coordination. Subtitle color changes, bolding & generally styling can go a long way here.

Familiar with that site been a fan for 41 years lol I do understand what you are saying though but I also get where Max is coming from.