help required

[barryw33]

I work as a web developer for a motocross company. I have been building a site for them for a few months now(to the boss's instruction). I have hit a wall and dont really know what to do next. any ideas would be grateful.
not looking for critisism as the site is not to my spec but my bosses(yes that includes the cluttered front page).

http://www.motocross-news.com

I know some parts could be neater etc but looking for ideas for new things mainly. and no the boss doesn't want a forum on there.

[Steve C]

The obvious stuff seems to be there already Barry... the one thing that I do notice is that there are fewer sexy pics of bikes than I'd hope for. What brings people to sites - IMHO - is change. Have a look at Mercola.com, for example. Totally different style but they keep the site alive by creating constant change, flow of ideas, weekly video broadcasts and a newsletter that links back to the site.

Shame your boss won't listen to you about the clutter

[barryw33]

The obvious stuff seems to be there already Barry... the one thing that I do notice is that there are fewer sexy pics of bikes than I'd hope for. What brings people to sites - IMHO - is change. Have a look at Mercola.com, for example. Totally different style but they keep the site alive by creating constant change, flow of ideas, weekly video broadcasts and a newsletter that links back to the site.

Shame your boss won't listen to you about the clutter

the site is full of pics in the user photos section race reports section and photos section, but I take your comments on board..cheers

BTW if anyone want to look at the race reports section etc and doesnt want to register then they can login as barryw333 password:liverpool

[Lumiya]

I know some parts could be neater etc but looking for ideas for new things mainly. and no the boss doesn't want a forum on there.

You don't want a forum, but the site looks like it's designed for one.

If it's a news site shouldn't there be editorial splashes on the front page. To find any information you first have to read then click, by that time you've lost 50% of the people who are scanning the sites and might have stayed if there was something interesting to catch thier eye.

Kymmy

[Steve C]

the site is full of pics in the user photos section race reports section and photos section, but I take your comments on board..cheers

BTW if anyone want to look at the race reports section etc and doesnt want to enter then they can login as barryw333 password:liverpool

Sorry, those pages were unavailable to me or empty, so I couldn't see them. But I really meant in an 'in your face' kind of way as well as within the site - but fair enough, I'll mind my own. Good luck with the site

[barryw33]

Y

If it's a news site shouldn't there be editorial splashes on the front page. To find any information you first have to read then click, by that time you've lost 50% of the people who are scanning the sites and might have stayed if there was something interesting to catch thier eye.

Kymmy

whats an editorial splash

[barryw33]

Sorry, those pages were unavailable to me or empty, so I couldn't see them. But I really meant in an 'in your face' kind of way as well as within the site - but fair enough, I'll mind my own. Good luck with the site

sorry didnt mean to snub your comments as I asked for your opinion

which pages where empty???

[Jenna]

ok, we have been down this route already but with a different sport and believe me its hard work!!..

Firstly designing a site to somebody else's tastes is a nightmare, tried and now wont go there again, its just a merry go round and a total waist of time.. from day 1 make a clear decision who is boss. if its you do what YOU want and if its them then do what they want and say 'told you so at the end' whist biting your lip!!!

I can understand the problems your having in that the site is both a commercial project and your trying to also make the site an information base too, its the same as were doing with raidxtreme infact. However this has a few 'issues' in that people dont trust 'news' when its news linked to some one thats got an axe to grind or a product to sell you!!! like wise if your looking to buy a product you dont want to be hassled with news about things your interested in.... Our decision was in the end to make a strict distinction between the two: the commercial site is just that and the information pages in effect a separate site albeit run from the same server and website, i guess much as in a portal.

[barryw33]

Sod it, going to try and tidy the front page wether he likes it or not

[Whealie]

Just to let you know you made my browser quit. I'm on a Mac using Safari. It said I need some Mime download and whipped me to the relevant Macromedia site but then my browser died.