Need Opinions

[TheWife]

I've been working away on my website to make some changes and updates and stuff. I need feedback on 2 things, one: how does the site look, the layout, the information, is it easy to understand and navigate, do you see any errors or broken links, is it too wordy or cluttered anywhere?

And 2:, I'm making these "pass along cards" that are business cards that I will give to real estate agents, contractors, fire departments, mortgage companies, etc. and people will also be able to request them to be mailed to them, so they can pass them out as well. How does the card look (it is the same size as a business card). Is it too wordy, does it get your attention, does it make you want to visit the website?

I'd really love to get as much feedback as possible, and soon. A news channel will be doing a story on the website in the next few days and I don't want there to be any errors or anything on the site. Consumers Digest is also doing a story on it in their January issue. Thanks!

[spotty4]

Hi Michelle, I've designed quite a few web sites in my days so I thought I'd chime in. I think your web site is great. The color scheme is pleasing and easy on the eyes. The information is organized and displayed in a flowing, easy to follow manner. And the web site is SIMPLE! That is soooo key in web site design and development. Sites that are overly busy cause the user to panic w/ information overload and their eyes have no idea where to start. I think you've nailed all the main, simple, and key components to a great web site.

As for your card, it definitely portrays your message, but I think it may be a bit too much on a small space. Its not bad, but perhaps it could be better. Problem for me, though, is I don't have much in the way of suggestions for improvement. Perhaps fewer words to deliver the message in a larger font. Also, to get people to go to the website, I'd better "mark off" the contest blurb (i.e. in bold print or set off in a box).

Good luck and congrats on all the publicity!!

[TheWife]

I agree, too many words on the card, what if I combine the first 2 paragraphs and increase font size?

[TheWife]

Hmm, still looks wordy since the font is bigger...I could take off the bottom box w/ the stats, but would most people look at it and realize they are at risk or danger if I don't give them a reason to realize it, KWIM? I could take off the picture but it kind of breaks up the words and adds visual appeal I think. I could take off the line that says "This $50 product could save your life"...?? I hope that it portrays awareness and information, and not "someone trying to sell something".

[TheWife]

Another option would be to maybe do a double sided card, with just the pic and website on the front and the info on the back, I think it looks really clean that way, but I wonder how many people will turn the card over, and that also means professional printing instead of print at home, which is a huge price difference.

[spotty4]

Perhaps the card could be printed/turned 90 degrees so its tall/skinny and the graphic could be a background design that is muted/faded a bit. The font could be printed over top of the background design. The boxed off banners, top and bottom, could sandwich the muted graphic. This could provide more space for your text in a larger font ...
?? just ideas ...

[TheWife]

[spotty4]

OK, the front/back option is good. Simple and clean. However, as you pointed out, may not fit your printing budget. But if you find room for it, may be the best option.

I like the bottom right vertical option. I would further mute the graphic, just a touch. I'd also bump the text: "Visit our awareness ... save your life." down over the grates of the background image and the other text section up a bit, so that the viewer can better see the graphic ... just keep playing, I guess, till it just *feels right*!!

[Bigsweetie]

Congrats on all the publicity for your site Michelle!!!! You're doing an awesome job!!

I think your website is great!!

As for the business card, I like the double sided idea. I also think it would be good to put the title in big bold print. Make it grab my attention KWIM? I think a lot of people might look at it and think "I already have a carbon monoxide detector" and toss the card, not realizing you're talking about a combination device. You sort of have to scare people a little to get them to take something like this seriously.

Or maybe a title like "DO YOU HAVE A COMBINATION CO2/COMBUSTIBLE GAS DETECTOR? IF NOT, YOU'RE FAMILY IS AT RISK".

O.k.- that's wordy, but you get my drift.

Just my opinions, you know I support you no matter what you decide to do!!! I'm so proud of you Michelle~! And I know April is too!!!

BTW- How is Olivia doing? I think about her often....

[madlibs]

Hey Michelle! Yesterday I went on your website, and read the whole thing. I agree that it is clean, concise, easy to navigate, and WELL written. I started to tear up while reading the story of your sister-in-law --Especially around the part of Greg saying, " I lost my sweetheart."
I thought about your story all day, and again last night when I told DH what had happened to you. We just bought this new house in March. It's built on a hill, with the back of the house being much longer in height than the front. The previous home owner tried to dig out the crawlspace to make more room. Idiot. Anyway, we have a gas furnace that is close to the erosion line the previous homeowner created, and I'd forgotten all about until reading your website. I told my husband that we need to go get that double detector, and we need to correct that crawlspace problem.

I think what you're doing is just wonderful. I'm sure April is looking down on you and smiling. Keep up the good work. I'll try and tell anyone I can about the detector.