With Or Without Tabs? help me choose design for my site.

[finaldesign1405241487 0]

As I run this website for more than a 1 year now, Im getting more and more visitors, I have a feeling that navigation on my page isn't such great as it seems on the beggining.

I tried to navigate like first-time user, and have trouble finding information that I was looking for.

So, I have an idea, to integrate basic types of information on 4 main TABs at the top of page.

Look at the two pictures and tell me which one is better:

the one with the tabs, or the one without.

 

The above picture is new version, with tabs...

 

The above picture is current look of page...

 

If you like the one with the tabs, please tell me how did you like it?

If you don't like them, then please give me your opinion why it's bad?

[iGuest 3]

Those tabs look good. It will assist the visitors a great deal.Should be easy enough to figure out the code for it, too.

[iGuest 3]

I think the tabbed version is so much better, for more than one reason .Of course, there's the original purpose, which is making it easier for visitors to find what they're looking for right away. The tabs serve this purpose beautifully.Having the tabs on top of the page rather than on the left save a lot of space and give more room for your content -- which is great, by the way .The tabs blend seamlessly with the layout and colour scheme of your site.And the best thing is that you're sacrificing anything for the tabs implementation.So yes, my opinion is that you should definitely go with the new design. It's an A .

[becibear 0]

I think that the tabs look much better than the non-tabbed version. I've also noticed that not many people seem to use tabs anymore. I would do, but to be quite honest, when I've been trying to make site layouts with tabs, it ends up screwing up the whole look, and I have to go back and edit to make it more presentable, and it's too much hassle, so I just end up going back to flat layouts with simple buttons.Tabs have a generally more professional look to them, and make site nav easier, so I'd go with the tabbed version if I were you.Rebecca x

[pyost 0]

Yep, the version with tabs It summarizes everything you have on your web site, so it is easier to find. Also, it looks more professional and fits in. And another thing I just noticed - you don't have a favicon, and I think it gives your web site a special touch.

[finaldesign1405241487 0]

Yep, the version with tabs It summarizes everything you have on your web site, so it is easier to find. Also, it looks more professional and fits in.

So it's done then! I'll start coding today and add those tabs rightaway. Thanks for all you who reviewed this.

And another thing I just noticed - you don't have a favicon, and I think it gives your web site a special touch.

I had a favicon before, then when I installed new CMS, I forgot to put a new one... well, anyway, noted I'll put it a.s.a.p.

[finaldesign1405241487 0]

I finished the tabs, and put them online, for users to test it... Beta testing was done at my own webserver, that's not plugged-in.
So, this first stable version of tabs is now online, you can see how it works at http://www.final-design.net/

Thank you all for commenting, and helping me choose.

[pyost 0]

I have another comment I know it's quite usual to see, but I don't like it. When you are visiting the home page, the DESIGN tab will be selected. However, it will still remain a link, which is unnecessary. Why would people go to the same page? So my idea is to put the selected ones just as images.

[finaldesign1405241487 0]

I have another comment I know it's quite usual to see, but I don't like it. When you are visiting the home page, the DESIGN tab will be selected. However, it will still remain a link, which is unnecessary. Why would people go to the same page? So my idea is to put the selected ones just as images.

 

Well, yes, I considered that. But, I must disagree on that. Someone like it, someone don't... Anyhow, If an user is on DESIGN tab, and then browse further more in selected tab, he is still in that area of web-site, so the link must remain there if he wishes to go back on front page easily. (but there is an bug, I still must implement in tab some more functions so it remains selected if you browse more in same "tab area")

 

anyway, thanks for reviewing it. please let me know if you find any more bugs or if you have any other comment on it

[pyost 0]

If an user is on DESIGN tab, and then browse further more in selected tab blah blah blah blah

Well, as you said it, the bug is still there. All tabs get deselected wherever you go. Nevertheless, I will stick to my idea - but then again, it is just a personal opinion.

[Quatrux 4]

I like the version with the tabs much more, well done But to the other comment, I encourage you to leave the selected tab as a link, if the tab is selected, in my experience with this kind of tabs I sometimes get mad that I can't get to the tab if its not a link, that is why I like the wordpress admin panel, besides, the more links on the website link to each other, the better.

[finaldesign1405241487 0]

I like the version with the tabs much more, well done But to the other comment, I encourage you to leave the selected tab as a link, if the tab is selected, in my experience with this kind of tabs I sometimes get mad that I can't get to the tab if its not a link, that is why I like the wordpress admin panel, besides, the more links on the website link to each other, the better.

thanks! I think the pretty same way...
I just need to correct some stuff on that tabs, and then I will be pretty satisfied with it.

[minnieadkins 0]

Looks great with the tabs in my opinion. Easy to find navigation for the user is the key. Make them happy; that's your goal. Or is it? Depends on what your site is for, looking like you'll have a lot of users for photoshop tutorials. The easier they are to find the more satisfied everyone will be. Why not throw in a tabbed menu above your content. Fits nicely into the page, and looks great.

[finaldesign1405241487 0]

Looks great with the tabs in my opinion. Easy to find navigation for the user is the key. Make them happy; that's your goal. Or is it? Depends on what your site is for, looking like you'll have a lot of users for photoshop tutorials. The easier they are to find the more satisfied everyone will be.
Why not throw in a tabbed menu above your content. Fits nicely into the page, and looks great.

thanks. Just I need to figure out the way to programs those tabs so when user is navigated in certain area of web then the TAB is selcted if it's connected with that area of web... well a bit of php coding for me..

[pyost 0]

I didn't want to open a new topic, but you (or I) have some problems with the forum. I just can't access it. I just keep getting "Read Access Denied" and it says I need to login. However, on the same page, on the bottom, I have "Logged in as: pyost". I don't know if anyone else has these problems, but that should be fixed ASAP.