Website for Review
http://www.buildingscoop.com

Additional Comments
I have just got this site up and running and would like to get some feed back or some suggestions on how to make it better. The main goal of the site is to be able to spread knowledge about  home building and repair to those how want to do things on their own .I couldn't find another site like it that lets people post their own articles on home building. Most of the sites write the content for you.

I appreciate any input.
Thanks
Agreater

Hi,
I think your website has a really good layout and the header really shows the visitor it is a construction website.
I dont know if you are finished with it, but looking at the background of the header and the empty spaces in the body makes it appear obviously incomplete.

borderle

Hi Borderle,

Thanks for your input about the site. The site is one of those kind were the content comes from the users . It is a new site and I have been trying to get people to write articles . Is there any sugestions that you my have to get people to write article for my site?

Thanks
agreater

Your site looks good, but you still should try to clean up your code: http://validator.w3.org/check?verbose=1 … oop.com%2F

Definately agree on the discussion on validation, I would also note that the layout is broken in IE6, still the #1 browser on the market.  Finally, some work on font flexibility for accessibility and usability would help as well.

I'd get your header image to line up with her left hand edge of the nav box to make it look neater
On some pages the text runs over the images
On some pages fonts are different sizes
If a global site, you are exposed by not having disclaimers on the articles on electrics. In many countries it is illegal to do more than change a light bulb. This means if someone is electrocuted, you can be sued for offering life threatening advice

This is my 100th post and a worthy site to be reviewing.

pros:
1) I liked the way you have managed the links on the left side. The navigation is easy and very well presented, the shades of gray are also used very well.
2) Nicely put up google ads, they are filling the space and are well laid. but try some background to them so that it suppliments your left side menu. White background for google ads is reducing your visbility and also a grayish tone will provide symmetry to the page.
3) Header image is very neat and good. Water mark it with the company name... I was lured to copy it, but I don't have any such projects where I could use it...   
4) Nice to employ forums good work.

cons:
1) Site is not complete... I tried to submit one article but the section is not working i suppose.
2) if you are planning to use white background for google ads, then add a line to end the page. Box it all.
3) use some image for your home link or just highlight it with any other method... change font, place it a bit up.


best of luck with it...

Regards,
Cipher

Hi 

I thank everyone for all the great input. It is really great to have all these eyes to help out and see things that someone would over look with there own 2 eyes. I am going to make some changes to the site and fix the problems to .

Thanks again for all your great input.

Agreater

Hello
I looked at your site today and it's really looking good at least in Firefox. I did not check it with IE. I have to say you have really done a good job with you site and keep up the good work.

I agree with the comments given so far.

I guess I need to add another one to your list.

Unless I missed it,
Why should I join and submit articles?

If I missed it, maybe it needs to be more prominent.

Being involved with the construction industry myself, I have bookmarked your site. Have an idea for an article or few so your site intrigues me.

Thanks ColoEagle,

I am working on an interdiction for the home page to let people know a little about the site before they register.

I am looking forward to reading the articles that you post.


Agreater

Very nice looking site.... and the concept is excellent.. Everyone could use a good How to fix it reference site. Is it going to be a free site? Although the content is low .. with time,  you could have a sweet database of valuable information needed by every homeowner out there. I am new to web development and can not give you expert advise but I will book mark your site and return when I need fix it help..... Great Job!!!

HI PennyRolls,

The site is a free site. All you have to do is register and you can write, comment ,rate the articles. I plan on adding more features as the site gos on.

Thanks for the nice comments.

Agreater

Very professional site. My son in law is a contractor and I bet he would be impressed.

Rick Sullivan
<edit>snippety snip - please use the signature feature</edit> WS

This is a really good site - at least from my limited perspective.

1. Love the colors, the fonts, great tells it all photo - the whole page depicts wood, not by accident my guess.

2. You may want to allow the photo to extend to the left margin rather than leaving that 2 color/panel to the left - looks like an oversight that can easily be corrected - just my view, however.

3. I recommend you provide less on the front page about content - link to an articles page rather than listing all on the landing page - and more about what viewers are gaining by going to this site. Question - why am I here? and, Why should I come back?

4. Same with the do it yourself links - get a seperate page on those and add to your navigation bar.

5. You might want to consider a "pull-out" navigatioin system - fewer main heading, than a mouse over allows all the sub heading to show.

5. Use your front page to distinguish your company and your people - in a way that conveys trust (sincerity, competence, and performance excellence).

6. Again, I love the whole setup but the content to the right of your navigation bar - show off who you are and what you stand for - hit the viewer with what they need to know before they make another click.

Good luck,

John

Hi John,

Thanks for the review. The hole purpose of the site is to be about the articles and the people how write them which are the users of the site. All the content is made from people how come to the site and want to tell other how they did something on there house. I am working on some things for the front page to tell people what the hole site is about and why they should keep coming back.

I thank you for the review

Agreater

Good looking site, easy navigation, can grow into a great site.

The only problem I saw is this:
Along the lines of what Matte said, when telling people to dig in their yard, especially with a power auger, you should inform them about having all of their utilities located.  It is a law in all states to call your local "One Call" Center before any excavation.  The new national, toll free number, put in place May, 2007, is 811.  By dialing 811, you will be connected to the local "One Call" Center, they take your information, notify all utility owners in the area, utility locate technicians come to your property (for free) and will locate all underground utilities that are owned by the utility companies.  They mark the lines using paint and flags.  (NOTE: Not all underground lines are owned by utility companies and those will not be located and marked.  These can include gas lines from the meter to a pool heater or BBQ, propane lines, electric lines for outdoor lighting, water service from property line to your house, and sometimes even your electric service from the property line to your house.  You may need to hire an underground utility locating company to locate those lines.)