SITE REVIEW: Trader Bots

I created a new website with some friends about trading systems and stock analysis.

http://www.traderbots.com

I spent a suprisingly long time reworking the header, and the littlest things can make a world of difference. I wonder what else I should improve to make it more usable.

Also, is the color scheme to drab?

Lastly, do you get it? The concept I'm trying to convey might be a little opaque, so I'm not sure if I'm conveying the value proposition of the website very well.

Thoughts?

So, what you are doing is basically something like NYSE, correct? If not, the front page doesn't make it clear enough.

The colors I guess are ok, although I am no expert on that. I would suggest (a was suggested to me) to use more than one color, but I don't know to what on your design

I like the simplicity of your design, although it could be a tad bit too simple

Also, W3C Validator found 15 errors in your 'about' page.. I suggest you fix all errors on all pages as well...

That's about it for now... good luck.

doh! i missed the nail on the head. I'm aiming for kind of a stock prediction website. I added the big blue box on the home page just a few minutes ago to hopefully drive the point home.

I'm just awful with colors. My girlfriend says my site looks sketchy. Maybe colors will help. i'll play around with that.

General Question: Don't kill the n00b. Is being without errors really that important?

Mystery,
I am assuming that the blue box was added on "enter a stock option" section. I think its definitely the thing on the page that draws your attention. As far as the color scheme goes could I suggest a black, gray, green scheme (green for money). Just a thought. Also I like the wireframe robot but pulling away from the sketchy idea from your girlfriend you might want to go with something like this.



You might also want to put your disclaimer in a container, but other then that I think the content presentation is good and well arranged. Hope this helps.

i have to run to work right now, but wow! I have to show my girlfriend what you just did. I'll respond in more length after work.

I assume the three areas at the top will lead to other pages, where it says Find A Trading System, Learn To Trade, and Make Money. If so, those should have a different color to call attention to them.

I find that giving users 3 choices across the top like that is very effective, so good layout on that. I assume those pages will have some type of call to action to get the user to sign up, buy something, contact you, or whatever. Good sales approach if so.

Because currently, the only call to action is the one that says learn more about trader bots and goes to http://www.traderbots.com/stocks/About.aspx which has no calls to action.

Providing information to users is great, but providing information that does not guide the user to do something is missing an opportunity to close a sale, generate a lead, or get a new member.

I'm finding it difficult to find what you want users to do. Can you give me some insight as to the business plan? Will adsense be the only monetization here? Will you get people to sign up for a newsletter? Will you sell memberships that allow more advanced use of your system? Will you be selling advertising?

So, the website is giving me more questions than answers, but I'm sure you have some for me.

The little robot is just fun to play with. I think I like the third one the most.

The 4th one looks like ISpy.

ok I added 2 more but now I have to get back to work. They're just fun.



Edit: If you pick one of the last 2 you could go with a logo element as well. Now really back to work.

very cool stuff cxlink. we should talk.

feel free to pm me.

Didn't get to work much on the look and feel. Had some infrastructure issues sadly.

Still thinking about the black/gray/green concept.

Sorry about the issues. Dont get overwhelmed by design elements just start with something simple like this, where you only change the background and the header. I mean you could put more time into it I just kinda threw this together to give you an idea.



Then if you finish this and want to take on the content do it when you get to it.

Good advice. I'll do that.

I did some user studies with my friends. Realized how out of touch I got with my users, so I did some UX updates to make things more usable.

Mostly to help people understand the value add. Seems to work, because people are starting to come back.

Also, I should probably release my advanced algorithms.

Once I get the UX down, I'm going to pick the design back up. Exactly like you said.

Hey CXLink -

I made a change to have the shadowy background. it looks much better.

I'm rethinking the header and colors in general.

Stay tuned. Thanks for your expert input