New website design

Not often that I would criticise a website for its feel, but am I alone in thinking this new design is awful?

The navigation is too busy, and there's just too much information on the eye.

Less is more in my opinion. And a message for the admin - don't be upset and take it personal, view the feedback objectively. (I would have added a voting question to see whether people liked or disliked the new design, but I can't see the option)

Oh yeah, what the hell is the points system about? People should be allowed to advertise for free, whoever they are, as it's in the interest of the club members. I did suggest that a feedback section be started for sellers, where buyers could leave comments for all to see. This would be linked to a users profile. Perhaps then, the admin team could award sellers stars based on their level and quantity of feedback. If a seller becomes an issue, then the admin can impose restrictions or ban them and their IP address.

Any other views?

Update: The mobile version is actually a slightly different feel, and a lot better than the classic site.

2 vw forums over the last 2 weeks have started to charge for the classifieds

the mk2 owners club and the caddy forum ( have done for a while)

i might be wrong but the point system can be use or just left alone, so you can ignore it and carry on ss before

benandemu said

Not often that I would criticise a website for its feel, but am I alone in thinking this new design is awful?

The navigation is too busy, and there's just too much information on the eye.

Less is more in my opinion. And a message for the admin - don't be upset and take it personal, view the feedback objectively. (I would have added a voting question to see whether people liked or disliked the new design, but I can't see the option)

Oh yeah, what the hell is the points system about? People should be allowed to advertise for free, whoever they are, as it's in the interest of the club members. I did suggest that a feedback section be started for sellers, where buyers could leave comments for all to see. This would be linked to a users profile. Perhaps then, the admin team could award sellers stars based on their level and quantity of feedback. If a seller becomes an issue, then the admin can impose restrictions or ban them and their IP address.

Any other views?

Update: The mobile version is actually a slightly different feel, and a lot better than the classic site.

There are bits i like, and like most people bits i don't like but overall i think the changes are better.

The one thing i'm not sure on is all the blue, but i'm sure i can live with that.

David

In defence of the admins.


As an admin of Scottishmini I know how much money goes into a creating a web forum and with the current climate donations to sites are down.  

Advertisers are cutting back and hosting and software companies are charging more.

Charging to post classifieds a simple and effective way to fund the website and keep the ads to relevant items

I know there are a few people that have issues about the website, but for me you are taking steps to improve the site rather than let it age. So well done.

The only thing I would like to see is the ability to upload pictures straight on to the website rather than via a third party.

That said I feel the work done is good and I have become a paid member to show appreciation.  

B-G-B said

In defence of the admins.


As an admin of Scottishmini I know how much money goes into a creating a web forum and with the current climate donations to sites are down.

Advertisers are cutting back and hosting and software companies are charging more.

Charging to post classifieds a simple and effective way to fund the website and keep the ads to relevant items

Aha, you sound familiar!!

I'm an admin on the "The Mini Forum" and we operate a similar system, either a 150 post count or a paid member to use the classified.  We used to get quite a few issues and once the restrictions were put in place the problems stopped overnight.

As said hosting a a site is expensive and if the only reason some people want to use it is to buy and sell then they should pay, its as simple as that.

I think a lot of it is down to what people are used to.. people generally don't like change I build websites for a living and have been doing so for 15 years, so I know the effort that goes into redesigning a site like this.

I do think there are a few bits I would change, specifically the navigation at the top, but otherwise I do think the site is more functional, even If I'm not 100% committed on the design

If the guys that run the site need any help with upkeep or any design input/changes then i'm more than happy to help out.

dont like change hence i drive a 1990 mk1 golf…. what have you done to the website put it back to how it was  
its like going down the aisle in tesco thinking thats where the tuna fish is only to be finding the dog food
go back to the old site we all love and can use …nuff said..

I dont like the new site what so ever.

Personally I think it looks awfull.

Couldnt the old site just have had a facelift rather than a full transformation?

The old site was hacked to death and needed a complete overhaul.

It could withstand anymore patches and we need as a club to move forward.

Ade & Kenno have worked damn hard on this to give us a site to work with so give it a go like the rest of us and it'll work for you too.

Agree, people in general dont like change and the new site is a big change.

Yes there a probably a few bits here and there that can be tweaked over time, but i think the key is persistance and keep using it and it will all become more familiar as everyone uses it more and more.

If the old site was hacked to bits and had holes all over it then a new one was needed, simples.

Kenno and Ade thanks for you hard work, i know it must have been quite as task, and i am enjoying learning my way around the new look site

Once suggestion i would have is perhaps a constructive thread where people could add there thoughts on what bits of site could be tweaked and why? for example, some have mentioned navigations at top, colour etc etc maybe this thread could then be looked at by Ade, Kenno. Alfie, people that have the ability and skills to change things in the backgroup and subtle changes could be made over time?

Cheers, Rich

I'm not sure if this should be here or in the membership queries section but I'm not showing as a paid member over there < I've also lost a lot of my posts on the post count, and my avatar pic is stuck out over the copy area.

Another thing that confused me is when I've looked in my profile settings it says my last submit time was 251 days ago but I posted last week. Confused!

GavB95 said

I'm not sure if this should be here or in the membership queries section but I'm not showing as a paid member over there < I've also lost a lot of my posts on the post count, and my avatar pic is stuck out over the copy area.

Another thing that confused me is when I've looked in my profile settings it says my last submit time was 251 days ago but I posted last week. Confused!

I will get your member status back

As for pm's you'll need to wait and see if Ade can transport them from the old software posts and post counts don't worry too much about that it's something to do with the old site, which is another reason the club needed to update to a new one.

cheers Dave.

Shouldnt they have posted a sticky telling people to copy any important info from PMs before moving to the new site?

The only thing I would complain about with the new site is the Login box is at the bottom of the page, shouldn't it be at the top? that would make it easier for newcommers

Other than that well done lads it looks spot on so far.

Just tried to determine what the user groups are and whether I'm missing out on something….Have noticed when looking at the 'local heros' that quite a few have not been around for 8 months is this a transfer fault ot did something significant happen last April like an earthquake or something?

Lee_dub said

The only thing I would complain about with the new site is the Login box is at the bottom of the page, shouldn't it be at the top? that would make it easier for newcommers

Other than that well done lads it looks spot on so far.

You can also login through the link on the home page towards the top below where it says

Welcome to VW Golf Mk1 Owners Club

Thanks Mark

personally i quite like it, its taking some time to get my head around the forums and im finding i cant do the things i need to do with COTM like i could before like moving the cotm topic when its ready to go live etc..

hopefully this will be sorted soon, if any Mods reading this can pm me so it can be sorted i would appreciate it.

other than that winge, keep up the good work lads

Bella said

Just tried to determine what the user groups are and whether I'm missing out on something….Have noticed when looking at the 'local heros' that quite a few have not been around for 8 months is this a transfer fault ot did something significant happen last April like an earthquake or something?

The usergroups are based on the points systems, which in turn is linked based on your post count and site usage of the lifetime of joining. Them users in that group have gained the most points  to get there.

We are not just deleting old users for being inactive so they will stay in that usergroup.

The point leader board which is down the left when viewing the forums is set weekly so you should see different users in there after 7days of the launch

Thanks Mark

Kenno said

Bella said

Just tried to determine what the user groups are and whether I'm missing out on something….Have noticed when looking at the 'local heros' that quite a few have not been around for 8 months is this a transfer fault ot did something significant happen last April like an earthquake or something?

The usergroups are based on the points systems, which in turn is linked based on your post count and site usage of the lifetime of joining. Them users in that group have gained the most points  to get there.

We are not just deleting old users for being inactive so they will stay in that usergroup.

The point leader board which is down the left when viewing the forums is set weekly so you should see different users in there after 7days of the launch

Thanks Mark

How many points do you need to be a local hero ??

Scott