I need some advice on this page.

[MichaelMcC]

I'm not really happy with the background at all and I can't seem to come up with one I really like. I could use advice on all the colors for that matter.
I'm not done with the page by any means but I am curious if people find the page easy to navigate.
Any ideas?

Location: www.innlodging.com

Thanks

Michael

[Pig]

The background looks homey, which isn't my style, but does seem to fit the site's theme.

btw, this line at the bottom of the page is pretty tacky IMHO:
Email:innlodging(at)innlodging(dot)com
why not just use js to display it, and prevent spiders from getting it? Even an image with a transparent bg would be better.

Just my opinion.

[MichaelMcC]

Thanks for taking a look at it. Yes I agree that it sort of fits with the other colors. I'm just not sure I like any of them :)

And yes, I plan to change the email to a transparent gif. I quickly changed it one day because I got spammed and the site was not even finished yet. Google seems to find them regardless don't they.

I also have a snippit of js to handle the email when I get to that point.

Thanks

[muijefr]

Next, your background is almost immaterial. The available area is mostly take by text. I suggest a background color instead(#630000). The same or similar to the color of your text. This will require some modification to your untabled text areas but no big deal. I also suggest making your innlodging(at)innlodging(dot)com a real email link or removing it. I know you know this but an email link can use text as in:

<a class=ifneeded href=mailto:InnKeeper@innlodging.com>
innlodging(at)innlodging(dot)com</a>

P.S. your right, never mind what I said about my cursor




:p

[MichaelMcC]

Ok, I went ahead and put the email link in there. This is the way I had the email planned.

No sure about your cursor? If your cursor changed I haven't got any idea how it changed.

The page is 100% java free as it is now.

Thanks

[ncoer.com]

I think the colors work well together. The page overall is very clean. I like it!

[Jo-Bizz]

I don't mind the background. backgrounds usually look dated, but I don't mind this one. I think a background color might look worse, unless it was white. The backround pattern sort of gives depth, and since your colored tables take up most of the screen, it doesn't compete for my attention.

I would put the featured inn and welcome information in two vertical columns side by side. I think that would give a more updated appearance, and it would give both pieces of information importance on the screen. It seems like the welcome message should be at least as prominent as the featured inn. Also, you could try tables w/o borders. They might get lost in the bg that way, though.....

I agree with the comments about the color scheme. It looks femenine and understated and assuming that a lot of your viewers will be women (my mom's the only one of the marriage equation that would look for a bed and breakfast), it fits the bill nicely.

[MichaelMcC]

Thanks for all the advice. I will make a few changes later today and see how it looks virtical.
Yes I did want ot to appeal to women more so than men. I took the current colors from a victorian color chart in the section for romantic colors. Being male may be why I have a problem with the colors. Might need some female feedback.
Since nobody mentioned navigation I assume there was problem with it.

Thanks again.

[muijefr]

A solid color background is not a lost cause:
http://www.the-ebiz.net/forum/bbins.html

and for sure not gender specific



:p

[MichaelMcC]

I put the main page with that background color, the other pages are still with the image. You're right it's not bad at all.

[muijefr]

Another type of background you might consider is a gradient. I added a #630000 to a centered #c7c9c9 gradient background version to the above URL for your preview.



:p

[Grymwulf]

I think the background and the colors fit the theme of "Victorian" England. The site has a basic rustic feeling which works well with the whole idea of self-proprieter B & Bs.

-Shawn

[Limesroad]

nice looking site. I like the multi coloured table for your states and the random image. The background looks good...chintzyish I would disagree about Victorian England unless you were thinking of sticking on a pic of Sherlock Holmes or God forbid...**** van Dyke :D (nice word censoring)
Perhaps your logo needs to be a bit different in style to your other buttons?

[MichaelMcC]

Thanks all,

muijefr:
I like that gradient a lot. I had changed it back earlier this morning from the #630000. How did you do the gradient? I think I would like to change a page to that for testing.

I'm attempting to do a site that works well from about 600 - 1024 width. I'm avoiding java on this page and sticking to pure html.

Limesroad:
Yes I see your point on the logo however graphics is my weakest point. I just made a larger button for it. I wish I had something better but I'm strictly a perl scripter. I have PSP here but to be honest, most everything in PSP has me scratching my head. I'll have to play around with the logo.

Thanks again.

Michael

[muijefr]

How did you do the gradient? I think I would like to change a page to that for testing.


As mentioned, I used Paint Shop Pro/PSP to apply a 30% uniform noise, a 20 radius Gaussian blur, to as not mentioned 800x100 image gradient from #630000 to a centered #d7c9c9. If you don't have/use PSP, click the below URL and save "background as" for your testing. It has some interesting effects when viewed at resolutions other than 800x600.

http://www.the-ebiz.net/forum/bbinsbg.html


:p :cool:

[MichaelMcC]

muijefr

Thanks. I do have PSP but I'm never fooled around with gradients at all. I changed the Guest info page to that background for test.

http://www.innlodging.com/guestinfo/

That's a static page so it's best to just try it on that one.

Michael

[Pig]

IMHO, the gradient is pretty distracting.

[Grymwulf]

I guess I'm in the minority here in saying I liked the old background .....

[ncoer.com]

I am in agreement with Grymwulf I like the old bg better. You have a nice design either way.

[MichaelMcC]

After looking at the gradient overnight. I found it distracting too. I agree with the majority that the old background is easier on the eyes than any others I've tried. I changed it back. Now everything is exactly as it was originally except the email is functional.

I guess getting the email working was the only change made.

I still plan to see what I can come up with for a better logo.

Thanks everyone for helping. I think I can go live with it after uploading the backend and finishing the data base.

Michael

[tomwilson]

Looks good, but your right the backround is just eh...

It gives me a headache, i think most people nowadays are looking for clean sites with nice lines. A contemporary look might be the ticket if you try it.