We are thinking of changing the site header a little bit. It's not something that we make a habbit of doing and will only make the changes if they are viewed as a move 'forward'.

We are working on the brand for the site with the DarwenOnline logo (black background) and have used this layout since we officially started in July 2008.

We want a design which implies locality (hence the previous use of the tower image and local streets) and we also want to promote local businesses (incorporate a search bar & banner ads).

Please provide feedback on the attached new design. It's a lot cleaner and demands less space of the website. Essentially the major elements are the same (navigation) but we've removed the tower & background image, created a tag line and moved local business banner ads to a more prominent position (note: this banner will rotate on each page load)

Initially I am just consulting users on the idea - no firm plans to make the changes as yet. If you have any feedback or ideas it is most welcome. Also, maybe you can suggest other 'taglines'?

The site has been under some recent reconstruction which will include new business listings:

The site has undergone some major development in the back-end programming of the site. We are now working on the graphical interface of the new website and would like to seek feedback from site visitors before implementing a particular design.

Please give feedback on the new designs ?(above & below). We will be submitting more in future but we rely on yoru feedback so we can tweak the design/s.

Don't be afraid of constructive criticism of any design or making your own suggestions!

Edit: previous design removed in favour of a design which stays close to the original

I think that design/layout makes this site very dull as well as giving it a very old web 1.0 feel, the fonts used also give the site a very dated feel. I think something more modern is in need here that uses the most modern and latest design techniques that will interest more users and give DOL a real traffic boost and sense of community. In regards to the back-end, what kind of modifications have you made to the existing software(s) and is it OOP based?

Edit: refers to previously submitted design (header.jpg) above. A second design has been created which is close to the current layout but slightly cleaner design.

I was thinking of just changing a few things around - the extra programming has set the site back a bit although it will run a lot smoother, especially with regards advertisers. However, although the site is receiving plenty of new and unique hits, people aren't using the forum - key to the sites success.

From the infomration we have at hand it would seem that people visit the site as a result of Google positioning for a specific business. Once they find the contact information (and presumably contact the business) they are leaving the site.

This is, no doubt, what our advertisers want from the site BUT at the same time I hope to make the site more welcoming to those who aren't looking for specific business information but instead are here to read news and/or join in the forum - this will give more exposure for advertisers through the banner ads and make for a better site.

I agree with your points about the design and appreciate your input. I am using a third party for the design aspect to inject new ideas into the graphic element. I'm never coming up with something too far away from the current design, I feel I am too "close" to the project so seeking fresh ideas.

The programming is sorted, albeit with some niggles along the way when I come to integrate the new design but all in all we hope to have a better site in the end, just have to be careful that we're stepping in the right direction and don't discourage current visitors from returning. This is why I seek approval before making changes - I hope to make this a community site with input from local residents tp help shape the site.

Thanks again

For Christs sake just promise you'll never give it a black background.

Just my tuppenceworth, I can't imaging how design and fonts can make any difference, surely people either want to get involved or they aren't interested.

I am almost convinced that the only people who are concerned about website design are those working in the field.

It has to be easy on the eye and simple to navigate though. I know from my experience, if it hurts my eyes (black background) or it's difficult to read forum posts (when they use stupid trees and too many options for the display) I give up.

I think everyone has a fair point, especially Rick by advising that the design isn't really a mjor priority and most people are happy so long as the site is functioning.

So, rather than making things more complex by starting afresh I've decided to just freshen up the site with some new icons and re-arrange the content and side boxes.

This is only the homepage and, to be honest the other inner pages won't really differ much (i.e. the forum content area/news etc). All the content will fit in nicely within the new design as we've used the same colours.

Again, any feedback welcome and appreciated: Primarily - is it better or worse than the current design (wouldn't want to waste time on something that could have a negative effect!)

A good few months passed since the last post on this topic, however, the "new" design has finally been implemented which hopefully gives the site more appeal, in addition to creating a more consitent design throughout the different sections of the site.

Initially we're sticking with the index page as the landing page for the forum, until things get a little busier then we may revert to active topics or recent posts to make it easy for regular visitors to see what's new.

With regards to a number of FAKE accounts who sign up in an attempt to SPAM the site - you're wasting your time! The unfortunate downside of this moderation is that new members may find their initial posts require approval first.

It's a bit of a pain I know but almost a neccessary evil in order to keep the forum clean from SPAMMERS.

A few still sign-up as members but never actually post anything. We will try to remove these inactive members as soon as possible. Please feel free to report anything which you feel is inappropriate and one of the admins or moderators will look into it.

Most of all enjoy the forum and encourage friends/family to join