Mine is awful - http://www.meetchristians.com
I took over the thing this month, but after thinking and getting a gander at the code and file structure (bearing in mind my nearly zero skill level), my vision of making the thing more feature rich and better looking has faded considerably.
http://www.meetchristians.com - Use the "TAKE A TOUR" link on the left for a look around. Or, sign up (it's free) for viewing features in more depth).
Questions for any who know.
1. Can, for instance, a better forum program be attached to the existing matchmaking feature? The current forum is atrocious compared to the very cheap generics from Invision and at least one other.
2. Will Dreamweaver or FrontPage be able to import the site after simply being given a url, and thereafter make the monstrosity manageable for someone like me? THAT would dissolve my greatest hurdle.
I don't mind learning some PHP to go with what html I know. Yeah, MySQL too. But this is wayyy over my head. I'm afraid to even tinker. The site creator installed a parallel site that allows for testing of new features. I'm not sure how that interplays with the real one because if posting a forum message in test, the thing goes out on the actual site. But other things evidently do not.
Therefore, along with any site feedback, I wouldn't mind ideas about whether anthing can be done starting from this level or if handing it off to someone else is more appropriate.
PS: Some of the features are not currently visible using Firefox, like the icons for posting in the forums.
Megan posted this at 14:20 — 22nd December 2005.
She has: 11,421 posts
Joined: Jun 1999
Hi Randalusa,
Sorry we haven't gotten to reviewing your site yet. It's been a little slow here lately with the holidays and everything.
I can't answer your first question, unfortunately. I'm really not sure what sort of scripts are available for this sort of thing. Here is a hotscripts listing that might be helpful:
http://www.hotscripts.com/PHP/Scripts_and_Programs/Match_Making/index.html
Since this is run in PHP Frontpage will not be able to handle it. Dreamweaver might be able to handle some of it though - it depends on what is running the site on the backend. Someone else can hopefully help you with that.
I will give you a little bit of feedback on the design, since that's my area of expertise. The front section looks okay, and compares reasonably well with other sites of this genre. If you had some funds available you could hire a designer to do a better template. The logo isn't great (plain text, really, not a logo), and the stock photos look too "stock". This should be personalized more to brand your site as something unique and special.
One thing you could fix easily is the font size - in the content area it's too small to read comfortably. People shouldn't have to strain to read the content on the site.
Everything in the acutal system really needs a lot of work. The templates look very out of date and plain. This looks like something that was created around 1997. Again, I'm not sure what the system is that is running this but there should be a way to customize templates - if not, a new system may be in order.
The tour basically goes through the system but dosn't say enough about how this all works before you get to the mail point. People will probably be comparing your site with others so they'll want to know how the process works and how it's better than other sites. How do members exchange messages? How much is free? Who pays, and how much? Some sites require a flat membership fee while others have tokens for sale that allow you to send messages.
I think it would be good if you could browse profiles to some extent without being registered. Most sites allow you to do this and I think it's really important. On a site like this you have no clue how many other singles are in the system and what kind of quality there is. You don't know if there might be someone you'd want to meet in here.
Hope that helps,
Megan
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Randalusa posted this at 03:19 — 27th December 2005.
He has: 5 posts
Joined: Dec 2005
Excellent feedback, Megan. I appreciate the time spent thinking it through. Some great suggestions. I am unsure what you mean by templates. The rest is clear enough. And I probably should know what templates mean.
Since the last visit, I have managed to figure out where most of the pages are in the file system, then even commenced making a few background and font color changes, plus other stuff, all fairly easy, though quite visible.
I love the idea of being able to view actual profiles without signing up, along with providing more information.
The photos are definitely on my list for disposal. Too pretty, too obviously models, or, as you say, stock.
Oh, I'm not sure what you mean about font size in content area.
As for cost, there is nothing hidden, completely free. Still, one of my pet peeves is not to be told right up front what the thing charges. Even being free, that information is not available on my tour or front page, leading me to ironically (if there for the first time) become frustrated at what is generally people trying to hide the cost, in this instance an unexpected free site.
Yes, it does appear very 1997. Fortunately, that part isn't unbearably difficult to rectify. Updating features is another matter.
intruth posted this at 01:53 — 28th December 2005.
They have: 61 posts
Joined: Dec 2005
I think that idea will get you the most sign ups..
My 2 cents is check out the most popular online dating websites like http://match.com I believe they will help set you on your path of change.
The search by zip code is a great feature...Nobody want to set up a date 300 miles away...lol
Seamless Gutters St Louis
Gutter Cleaning St Louis | Truth
Janson0 posted this at 21:44 — 3rd January 2006.
He has: 6 posts
Joined: Jan 2006
I'd say one of the most important things for you to work on is this:
A consistent layout and design throughout the website.
This will no doubt help you seem more professional and will drive up memberships. The layout, as Megan stated, is looking good on the front page, but then it definately goes back a few years when you move past that.
I hope that helps. Send me a message if you want some more indepth looks at the site.
Good luck bro!
Michael Anderson
IT Director / Webmaster
http://www.financialtechnologies.com
joemeca posted this at 01:11 — 9th January 2006.
They have: 11 posts
Joined: Dec 2005
Bored an i made this for you
EGS posted this at 01:36 — 9th January 2006.
They have: 161 posts
Joined: Jan 2005
That should definately make it better.
demonhale posted this at 02:47 — 9th January 2006.
He has: 3,278 posts
Joined: May 2005
My 2 cents coming up:
I like the simplicity of you site, You need to create an identity though, like putting a logo or a banner, and reposition your images to make it work better, I forgot the link to read on at ALA about great designers redesign or something that could help you rethink the positioning of the site.
The main content area could use a little organization since it looks a little too cramped and difficult to read at a skim and scan.
Your color match for the hues on top, and at the left should be taken from the BG image on the main body, your text colors and bg colors on texts should match these too, to make the site stick together...
rencal posted this at 18:20 — 20th January 2007.
He has: 3 posts
Joined: Jan 2007
Because I know your site well (having been a member in the past) I think the advice you are getting here is great. The site is very simple, maybe too simple. Esthetics is everything today.
There is an Open Source Dating Site system called OS Date that you may want to look at for ideas to update the site. It can be found at http://www.tufat.com/script39.htm
It is Free and can give you some ideas on how to update the site and scripting.
Jim
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