Dear Host,I just found this site and am interested in the concept of exchanging expertise for free hosting. A few comments to add to the already comprehensive list of comments about the hosting site.1. I agree, the page is just too cluttered, however, there are some ways the information can be organized without excluding any contenta) Decide what three main (sample) users you are appealing to, then wireframe their site experiencei)Use colour coding to include the information most relevant to that particular user ii)Include benefits taylored to the level of technical expertise of that sample user (do try to dazzle with tech/inform, but only to a level that's appropriate to that type of user)iii) create a table (you already have the three columns, they just need to be more organized. The eye gets lost, the user doesn't know which way to follow their path to get the required information. Colour code the columns to correspond to the sample user type. Include only those features which appeal to that particular customer. Add a link for complete table/list of features. The boxes with the different web hosting packages need to follow some sort of inherent organization, and sub-heirarchy, and this needs to be clearly delineated. Consider placing the boxes beneath the column/or info for that type of user. The colours used are unusual (pastels, aqua, yellow) and eye catching. The appeal is feminine and fashion-y. The colours bring to mind leisure. It reminds me of shopping in a ritzy clothing store in spring (or an upscale department store, it reminds me of sailing). I imagine it would appeal to teen girls, and also anyone with an esthetic sense of colour. However, there is no effort to use the colour to guide the eye towards the information you want the user to see. There is a series of static and movement oriented images but there is no logic to the way they are presented. You could rearange the same images, use the same neat colours, and balance the page better, interspersing more white space, and adding movement and flow.c) break up blocks of text--such as the one in white at the upper right (BTW-the white is blurry and as a user, I would stop as soon as this appears--this block of text is like a visual hand being put up, saying "go away") d) The page, as a whole, needs anchoring and visual balance. More contrast to the pastels would help with the anchoring, making the hosting site appear more solid and professional.e) the page is too long (sorry) and there is the feeling that I may not find the important information on the page without a lot of work--without having to read every bit of it.2. To jargon or not to jargon? I find, as a user with some but not extensive technical expertise, that I often want to know what it means to me and my potential site if there is xxx bandwidth, or if it is xxxscript enabled. Part of wanting to host a site (and looking for a new host) is that I am willing to learn what is required to do so. But I may give up unless that learning is facilitated somewhat by the host provider. It seems to me that experienced designers already have their favorite host, or host their own, so exactly who are you appealing to? And what do they expect to learn? And is their perception of the ease of use, ease of learning the required technical part of it a factor in their chosing a certain host? Some simple suggestions to facilitate this concept: a) Reduce jargon to essential keywords and organize them for the user who knows that jargon. Add informational key words to explain the jargon (could be done perhaps as alt text), or as a linkc) add a tutorial description 2 levels down (perhaps) from the key word. This tutorial could be looped back into the services provided by the site. So users can burrow down to see what and how they can learn what they need to learn and then link back to the options to buy the hosting pac.3. What value added are you offering which differenciates you from all the other cheap hosting packages? I can see how it would fit in with your idea (this posting idea) to have a paid hosting site which offers the value added of learn as you go. A kind of supported-learning-to-host-your-site environment, where the emphasis is on supporting the learning aspects, and the flow through experience of the user is always carefully planned to burrow into learning and then circle back to the specific hosting/webdesigning/application task at hand. a) I can see how the education/learning component could include a heirarchy of info starting with simple descriptive non technical explanations for techie terms, then including some more detailed general info, then a simple how to tutorial, then links to more complex tutorials, and also a forum on that particular aspect (divided into three levels of experience-newbie, intermediate, high end or techie user) Well, hope this helps. Nin
