Interested in Critique

[Linxie]

This is the second osc shop I have done. But even though I have not changed much, I have changed the most with this one. It still looks pretty stock though. Unfortunately, I don't really know enough to change that. I am an html person, not php lol!

 

All moderations that I have made, I did mostly with the help of reading this site, and finding answers.

 

I have yet to get a SSL... to be honest, I am not sure where and how to do that.

 

I have to finish uploading the stock.

 

I am not sure on the images, but they are the only ones I have, so I did what I had to so that I had no super huge images, and none that were completely invisible. They are all such different sizes, I am not sure how well this tghumbnail contrib, I have seen mentioned would work.

 

Anyhow... any advice would be welcome.

 

www.silverlinx.com

 

Thanks in advance!

[Linxie]

Anyone? I know it is very "stock" but I am looking for suggestions.

[choosealogin]

I'm not a very motivated "reviewer", but a couple of things....

 

Some of your tables are hanging off (outside of the 'shop' space) in Firefox and Netscape. The header and footer in particular, and the shopping cart and notification box too....especially when there are items in the cart.

 

I like the centered fixed width effect, although I think since you've removed most of what's in the right column you could benefit from eliminating it all together. Maybe put your "information" links in the footer, making room for the cart box and notification box on the left? ..or just put the notification stuff directly on the product pages somewhere? That would make more space for your product pages (without the column_right).

 

If you get bored someday, you might take the cellpadding out from inbetween your column_left boxes (takes editing all the shop's 'root' files :o ...but I think the solid blue "column" would look better than the individual box effect.

 

I would lose the 'manufacturer:' spot on products_new.php, since you're not using it.

 

I like the blue ...suits the theme well :)

 

Like I said,...I'm not much for reviewing ....hopefully more people will take a look.

[Linxie]

I'm not a very motivated "reviewer", but a couple of things....

 

Some of your tables are hanging off (outside of the 'shop' space) in Firefox and Netscape. The header and footer in particular, and the shopping cart and notification box too....especially when there are items in the cart.

 

How do I fix that? I use IE, and it all looked right to me. I am not sure what to correct.

 

I like the centered fixed width effect, although I think since you've removed most of what's in the right column you could benefit from eliminating it all together. Maybe put your "information" links in the footer, making room for the cart box and notification box on the left? ..or just put the notification stuff directly on the product pages somewhere? That would make more space for your product pages (without the column_right).

 

What about placing the search in the header? Can I do that? I would like to, right above the buttons. And what about getting rid of the cart, and best sellers off the pages? I mean people can always click on cart to see what is in their cart. Or just removing the best sellers. Or should I leave that? What about reviews? I know I have just one, but for some reason it is not showing up. Do you have t o have a certain amount before they do show up?

 

If you get bored someday, you might take the cellpadding out from inbetween your column_left boxes (takes editing all the shop's 'root' files :o ...but I think the solid blue "column" would look better than the individual box effect.

 

I had thought about that myself, but was not sure how. can you go into more detail on how to accomplish that?

 

I would lose the 'manufacturer:' spot on products_new.php, since you're not using it.

 

I had not noticed that. I will take care of that ASAP today. Thank you. I thought I had rfemoved everything I was not using lol.

 

I like the blue ...suits the theme well :)

 

Thank you, me too!

 

Like I said,...I'm not much for reviewing ....hopefully more people will take a look.

 

I sure hope so, I would like to learn how to do more.

[choosealogin]

The cross-browser issues are common but I'm unfortunately not much of an authority on how to fix it. I think PHP is "fun" (that's crazy, huh?) but I really hate HTML. Table issues are not my friend. :blink: I would just suggest downloading Firefox if you don't have it already. Then take a look at those areas. Right click and view the source, look at the widths that you have set for the cells and tables. Take a close look at the table and cell widths, make sure they're all defined. Make sure their "sum" (left to right total width) is equal to the width you set with the fixed width CSS contribution. (Whatever value you have in .fixedcenter in your stylesheet).

 

I would make that your first priority.

 

As a side note, also take a look at the Firefox web developer toolbar. It's got a lot of cool tools in it. You can make live "test" edits to the html and css with it... There's a lot more to it, just check it out. It's helped me a lot.

 

 

I didn't poke around enough to realize that you have bestsellers and reviews enabled. Maybe hold off on doing away with the right column just yet. Maybe it was just the table problem that made the right column stand out as something negative. Once you have the tables all contained, then you could reevaluate that.

 

Getting rid of the gaps between the boxes is pretty easy, it's just tedious. There are 2 places in each of the catalog pages to change cellpadding ="2" to cellpadding="0". You can find detailed instructions here:

 

http://www.oscommerce.com/forums/index.php?s=&...st&p=885229

 

I would do that after you fix the tables...the right column might look like it belongs there after you do that :)

 

Good luck!

[wildchief]

It looks quite good, the colours are nice. and although people worry about a site looking stock, how many of your actual customers are going to be able to say 'oh that came from oscommerce I won't buy from them'. Not many I suspect. The only small fault I would say is perhap you could tidy up the header image as the colour graduation between the two blues could be better. Paint Shop Pro is perfect for this!

 

Also would you be interested in doing a link exchange ? I run a UK based jewellery store (so won't tread on your toes as you don't appear to be in the U.K) and would be happy to exchange links if you are. http://www.princesssparkle.co.uk

 

Let me know!

 

Thankyou

 

David

[Linxie]

The cross-browser issues are common but I'm unfortunately not much of an authority on how to fix it. I think PHP is "fun" (that's crazy, huh?) but I really hate HTML. Table issues are not my friend. :blink: I would just suggest downloading Firefox if you don't have it already. Then take a look at those areas. Right click and view the source, look at the widths that you have set for the cells and tables. Take a close look at the table and cell widths, make sure they're all defined. Make sure their "sum" (left to right total width) is equal to the width you set with the fixed width CSS contribution. (Whatever value you have in .fixedcenter in your stylesheet).

 

I figured it out, and got FireFox as well. Took me all morning to fix something that if I had known right off what it was, would have taken me 3 mins and a lot of headache. I used Vgers instructions for fixed width, and used his set table width in the stylesheet. Well, his is set for images that are set at 100px for small... mine are set for 150, so I had to allow for that. Seems fixed now.

 

I would make that your first priority.

 

Done, and thanks for pointing it out, on IE I would have never seen it. LOL

 

As a side note, also take a look at the Firefox web developer toolbar. It's got a lot of cool tools in it. You can make live "test" edits to the html and css with it... There's a lot more to it, just check it out. It's helped me a lot.

 

I might look into that.

 

I didn't poke around enough to realize that you have bestsellers and reviews enabled. Maybe hold off on doing away with the right column just yet. Maybe it was just the table problem that made the right column stand out as something negative. Once you have the tables all contained, then you could reevaluate that.

 

Ok, so I did not do away with the right column, and may not... it does serve it's purpose. But I did move the search box... I just wish I could figure out how to make it's background the same color as the rest of the header. It don't look bad as it is, but it may look better the darker blue. Everything I tried either made it totally messed up, or changed all the box colors, and I did not want that.

 

Getting rid of the gaps between the boxes is pretty easy, it's just tedious. There are 2 places in each of the catalog pages to change cellpadding ="2" to cellpadding="0". You can find detailed instructions here:

 

Am going to look into this next. :)

 

http://www.oscommerce.com/forums/index.php?s=&...st&p=885229

 

I would do that after you fix the tables...the right column might look like it belongs there after you do that :)

 

Good luck!

Have a peek now, and see how screwed it is, or not, and let me know. Also, I did remove the added date and the manufactured from the new items page.

 

Thanks again!

[Linxie]

It looks quite good, the colours are nice. and although people worry about a site looking stock, how many of your actual customers are going to be able to say 'oh that came from oscommerce I won't buy from them'. Not many I suspect. The only small fault I would say is perhap you could tidy up the header image as the colour graduation between the two blues could be better. Paint Shop Pro is perfect for this!

 

Thanks! I can tell a little difference in the color on my own screen, but nothing I do fixes it. It may just be the way I just changed the header image earlier today to help it blend, my eyes may be making me see that line up the right side (thats what I am telling myself, LOL). I used PSP and tried changing the actual header bg to match the image, niether worked.

 

Also would you be interested in doing a link exchange ? I run a UK based jewellery store (so won't tread on your toes as you don't appear to be in the U.K) and would be happy to exchange links if you are. http://www.princesssparkle.co.uk

 

Let me know!

 

Thankyou

 

David

 

For a link exchange, did you mean on the front page, or on my links page. I think I am going to stick with the rotating banners on the front page when I get some. I don't want to clutter it up anymore than it already is.

 

Just let me know and we will go from there :)

[Linxie]

ACK!!! I did something and I don't know what. Now I get this error for the whole site.

 

 

Warning: mysql_connect(): Access denied for user 'silver_silver'@'localhost' (using password: YES) in /home/silver/public_html/includes/functions/database.php on line 19

Unable to connect to database server!

 

Can anyone help?

 

Thanks in advance.

[Linxie]

Did a search and found my problem... I changed the password... um duh, had to manually config in configure files.

 

Anyone else have any other suggestions about the store?

[abra123cadabra]

Although I like the blue colour scheme, I think it's too much tone in tone. Hard to explain. Have a look at http://www.silverlinx.com/index.php?cPath=22 and you'll know what I mean. You certainly need to loose that white around the columns. The right column sort of looks misplace as below the shopping cart and bestsellers, there is nothing, only white space. You could try to move the shopping cart in the header as well and reduce it to just show the number of items in the cart and the current subtotal. Then you could get rid of the right column completely and use that space to properly display your products. It would get rid of your still existing broken layout when items are in the cart with firefox.

 

You certainly need to do something with your images. The thumbnails are very blurry, especially with the text you have around the item. Not too sure if the background is ideal. The contrast darkblue to silver is a bit too much. As it is jewellery you are selling, your images need to be really good. They are selling your product. I need to see details. Maybe install a thumbnail contribution.

 

A lot of these things are how someone perceives the page. I usually have my shop page open on the screen (kind of replacing the screensaver). If it starts to annoy me, I have to change it. If I can stand it for a long time like a picture on the wall, then it's ok. Maybe try this with the page mentioned earlier.

 

You're getting there, keep up the good work.

 

abra

[Linxie]

Although I like the blue colour scheme, I think it's too much tone in tone. Hard to explain. Have a look at http://www.silverlinx.com/index.php?cPath=22 and you'll know what I mean.

 

Actually, I am not sure what yhou mean. That it kinda blends? That was one thing I liked.

 

You certainly need to loose that white around the columns.

 

Not sure what you mean here.

 

The right column sort of looks misplace as below the shopping cart and bestsellers, there is nothing, only white space.

 

I had thought about removing them all together, or placing some banners there, maybe a google thing. Not sure. I wish I could figure out how to make the cart stay the same size no matter what is in it.

 

You could try to move the shopping cart in the header as well and reduce it to just show the number of items in the cart and the current subtotal.

 

How do I do that? Moving the search was a task for me, figuring out what code I did and did not need. I still wish the light blue color of the search box could go away.

 

Then you could get rid of the right column completely and use that space to properly display your products. It would get rid of your still existing broken layout when items are in the cart with firefox.

 

You certainly need to do something with your images. The thumbnails are very blurry, especially with the text you have around the item.

 

That is why I left the click to enlarge, so that folks could see the items up close.

 

Not too sure if the background is ideal. The contrast darkblue to silver is a bit too much. As it is jewellery you are selling, your images need to be really good. They are selling your product. I need to see details.

 

Unfortunately these are the only images I will have unless I become rich and can pre order one of everything myself to photograph. I am a reseller for this jewelry, and these are the images provided by my wholesaler. :( I myself can take really good images, see? http://simplylinx.com/chain.html (please don't try to order anything on that site, it is going to get revamped, I edited the front page so that it has no links to other pages right now. I will be moving all my handmade jewelry over to the silver linx site. Not sure I will continue with the woodwork.)

 

Maybe install a thumbnail contribution.

 

Is this difficult? Where do I find more information on that, and will it help since all my images are such different sizes?

 

A lot of these things are how someone perceives the page. I usually have my shop page open on the screen (kind of replacing the screensaver). If it starts to annoy me, I have to change it. If I can stand it for a long time like a picture on the wall, then it's ok. Maybe try this with the page mentioned earlier.

 

You're getting there, keep up the good work.

 

abra

 

 

Thanks! and I look forward to hearing more from you.

[Linxie]

Oh, I would also like to know how to remove all but two rows from the New Products at the bottom of the index page. I would like to only have 1 row of 3, to make it not so long.

 

I would also like to have the category and other pages that show products only list a max of 10 items per page. Can this be done? Where would I make the changes?

 

I am going to see if I can look for answers, but would be delighted if someone would post them here.

 

Oh, and how do I remove the right column? I think the site would be fine without it, even if I do not place the cart or best sellers in the header. Isn't that what the cart button is for?

[abra123cadabra]

What I meant was that with all the blurry images it looks very busy on the page. Take a look in the contributions section and check out the thumbnail contribs. I have imagemagic installed which was fairly easy. What it does is, it reduces the images without loosing too much quality and as a benefit they are much smaller which reduces the load time. imagemagic can deal with different sized images.

 

The white around the columns... between the left border of the centered shop and the left edge of the columns. I think you can loose that once you get rid of that padding mentioned before.

 

I'm not sure that the option to enlarge the images helps selling the items. It's the first impression that counts. I only click on a picture to enlarge it when I'm interested and that's the job of the thumbnail. Maybe the thumbnail contribution helps with this as well as the small images are clearer.

 

For the number of products shown in both cases, have a look in the admin section minimum and maximum values. I think this is where I adjusted the settings for my shop.

 

To get rid of the right column you have to modify every single file in your catalog folder. At the bottom you find

	<td width="<?php echo BOX_WIDTH; ?>" valign="top"><table border="0" width="<?php echo BOX_WIDTH; ?>" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2">
<!-- right_navigation //-->
<?php require(DIR_WS_INCLUDES . 'column_right.php'); ?>
<!-- right_navigation_eof //-->
</table></td>

which you could either delete or comment it out (a bit tricky). Just be sure that this is what you want to do. Make a backup and try with one page and see if you like the result.

 

abra

[Linxie]

Ok, so I changed a lot today. I think it is getting further and further away from the stock look. I know it ould be better, but I am orried I don't know enough.

 

I am down to one column, took out alot of the cell padding, and mov ed some stuff.

 

I still want to get rid of the numbers in the category box. Then I need to figure out what is up with this file...

http://www.silverlinx.com/product_reviews_...mp;reviews_id=2

I noticed it when I was removing the right column. Except for removing the column, and changing 2 areas of cell padding, I didn't do anything to this file ever. So, I am at a loss.

 

I also changed some fonts, and some verbage.

 

Then I am on to figuring out how to fix my images. I am getting really happy with the way it is starting to look.

 

Thanks all!

[Linxie]

Just found out how to remove those darn annoying numbers!

 

Hehe.... I am getting to be like a kid. :)

[Linxie]

Is there a way to change just the font size of the category links in the category box? They look so small in all that space. If there is, I can't see where to add it... or change it. Anyone?