home??

pk · 09-26-2008, 04:27 PM

Most of us know our way around the forums and the site in full. But when you think about being here as a new member you start thinking about how awesome this site must be, but a bit 'huge' as well. One thing I have always noticed is the fact that there is no actual 'home' button to help a person get back to the beginning or home page. Yes, I know they can just click on the bubbler icon on top, or use the first drop down box to find the word home to click on ..but sometimes if the 'home' button is not right in your face you can get confused as to where you saw it or how to get back to it.

Unless it is up on top and in my face and I don't notice it? lol Sometimes I don't notice what is the easiest to see...

but really I was wondering if you ever thought to help out the newbies and add a button for the 'home page' that is more clearer to see.

just my thoughts.

Patti

**dgridley** · 09-27-2008, 02:36 AM

Not a bad idea.. I'm generally so familiar with the layout of most forums I forget there are many who might not be! I have to agree it can be confusing at times!

**keith** · 09-29-2008, 03:04 PM

Most pages that are forum-based have a "bread crumb trail" like this one:

theBubbler > Site Related > Suggestions > home?? > Reply to Thread
to help people know where they are and to 'climb back up the ladder' if they wish. The trail also helps with search engine optimization in many cases.

In addition, theBubbler logo is a link back to the home page; an intuitive one I like to think.

The first link under the first Forum drop-down nav is a link to 'Home' as well.

With all that said, perhaps one day we'll switch to an 'ultra-clean' home page that is heavy on links to explanations of what the site has to offer as well as tutorials (video tutorials) on what the site has to offer.

Regards,
Keith

**dgridley** · 09-29-2008, 10:12 PM

Good explanation, Keith.. that said, it's always important to use the KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) principle in web design (and by extension, forum design). What an experienced user takes for granted may not be so obvious to new users.

**dgridley** · 10-01-2008, 01:26 AM

How about the option to choose between beginner (i.e., simple) vs advanced (or expert) menus and options here at The Bubbler?

I think the forum here (IMHO) can perhaps look a bit daunting to the new user.. maybe less options at first, then as they grow accustomed to the site, they can add more advanced menus or options?

pk · 10-01-2008, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Beginner vs Advanced Menus

LOL when I first saw this title I instantly thought it would be about Restaurant Menus...I thought...beginner? Advanced? Menus? lol

OK, I'm tired.

**keith** · 10-01-2008, 09:20 AM

Yes, I alluded to this in another thread...at least as far as the simple home page part. The idea of a choice is interesting.

Regards,
Keith

**Mike** · 10-01-2008, 10:28 AM

Technically, users do have a choice whether to minimize all the categories on the main forum page. I do agree that we should put all the forums (technically sub forums) underneath and just show the categories. It takes more time to get where you are going, but it would be easier to navigate. Even if we just start with the county forums going so that they only show when you go to the County Forums Category.

**keith** · 10-01-2008, 10:36 AM

Let's play with the formatting a bit later today, Mike.

Thanks.

Regards,
Keith

p.s.: Please see the other home page threads you have going on updates and blogs.

Kens Digital Media · 10-01-2008, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

Technically, users do have a choice whether to minimize all the categories on the main forum page. I do agree that we should put all the forums (technically sub forums) underneath and just show the categories. It takes more time to get where you are going, but it would be easier to navigate. Even if we just start with the county forums going so that they only show when you go to the County Forums Category.

That would be fine for people that already know what the subforums are "but" what about the visitor. The visitor will scan down a page and if something interesting catches the visitors eye then they will check it out.

You need to think, if a visitor only sees the County Forums Category, will they open the category or just pass it up?

I would say have an option for members to expand or collapse a category if they'd like but if you want to turn visitors into members you need to make the website as interesting as possible.

Just my 2¢

**keith** · 10-25-2008, 07:05 PM

We still have a long way to go to simplify.

BTW, I prefer KISS as "Keep It Simple Sweetheart"!

Hopefully we'll have a whole orientation section with videos that will help.

Regards,
Keith

**keith** · 10-25-2008, 07:08 PM

Merging this with a similar thread now.

Regards,
Keith

**dgridley** · 10-26-2008, 12:34 AM

I agree.. Keith and I have talked about this and the fact that I find the layout cluttered (in general) and confusing. As a somewhat "advanced" forum user, if I find it confusing, how about those new posters we're trying to attract. I suspect many people get hopelessly lost or frustrated at times with the layout here.

**keith** · Yesterday, 05:57 PM

We're working on making the home page a bit more like that of one of my favorite forums, www.NamePros.com

Notice the three tabs to the forums on their home page:

Discussion Forums - Marketplace - Buy & Sell - Industry Reviews

We're looking at have one or two rows of tabs on our home page, starting where the "News" and "Featured" threads start now on the home page here, as follows:

News Wisconsin Free Wisconsin Counties & Wisconsin
/Home Forums Classifieds Directory Communities Events

I lean toward two rows of items on the home page making the major features of