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 Fred
follows up on Joyce's review of
Mooses Tooth Pub and Pizza
Oh, Joyce, you're such a PILL! (Only kidding). Folks, you'd better watch out... you
won't get much past the eagle-eyes of Joyce. Every one of her points are valid.
__But let's back up for a minute. Put the technical
problems aside for a moment and go back to our Designers' Check List to ask some
sober (no pun intended) questions about Mooses Tooth:
- 1) Are FRAMES really necessary?
- __ There are only a handful of content areas. I
believe the frames are the first barrier to reader acceptance of the site. Call
me old fashioned.
.
- 2) Reader Recognition?
- __ Ask yourself what's MOST important about this
site. Lining up those 'things' as buttons across the top serves two self-defeating
purposes: 1) they call way too much attention to themselves. They occupy 25% of the
arrival view (or "window") and are essentially 'empty' visuals.
__ What is the MOST important thing about the site?
Beer kegs? I think not. 2) What are they? Yes, I guessed right, but will the large
percentage of your readership? Will they know they are Beer Kegs? Beer steins? "Barrels"
as Joyce calls them? Why are they so important?. . . . And, more importantly, do
they sell the dream? Yes this is a microbrewery, but no, the "container"
for the beer is not what the reader wants to align with. Ask: "what is the action
or benefit of the subject" NOT what the container is.
__ Now ask "Why should I go to Mooses' Tooth?"
I don't think you're selling your best face. Let's get the good stuff up front.
.
- 3) Purple? Will the color Purple appetize our readers?
- __ A fundamental problem with many, many web sites
is in color selection. Dan, I want you to sit back and think about your favorite
restaurant, or place to meet and hang out. (Aside from Mooses Tooth of course). What
color comes to mind?
__ To me, that lilac sort of overall purplish look doesn't
say "Good food, good times and good people." If you look at your color
wheel, you'll note that Purple (lilac) falls toward the "cool" side. You
do NOT want "Cool" (temperature) for your establishment. You want warm
and fuzzy. Okay, I know you were playing off the purple in the Mooses Tooth logo.
__ let's do an experiment. Okay everyone, go to Mooses
Tooth and look at the screen. What is your eye drawn to? Yup, the brown Moose, right?
Sure, because it's the only image in the window that offers "friendliness"
and "hospitality". I believe you'll purvey a much more inviting and welcome
feeling to your readers by simply changing the background from an overall "cool"
color range to a warmer tan, gold, or sand color. How about wood? (Beer is a golden
color... you could play off that. Or, look for appetizing colors. )
.
- 4) Product Recognition
- __ What will your diners and visitors see when they
arrive at your establishment? Is there a big sign on the street? I'll bet. Use it.
At the very least, make the kegs smaller, and put them at the bottom. Let the star
of the show be at the top. (Branding)
Do you see visual clues in that window that says "PIZZA"??? Didn't think
so.
.
- Bottom line: Throw navigation at readers and you
got a 50/50 chance.
- Make the reader WANT to navigate and they will, no matter where it is on the
page.
Hey, all this talk of pizza... I'm getting hungry. Bye.
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