SalesAppliance.com Template $150

[ianpurton]

(Admin Code added by Palmer - J4565314)

Thanks to Ubergerlgeek I now have a logo for my site so the next thing is the template.

I've included with this post the logo in .gif and png formats, I have also included html for one of my pages and a stylesheet in a .zip file to give you an impression of how a typical page on the site will look. I have a .psd for the logo which I can e-mail to you put unfortunately was just a little too large to post on the board.

Ideally I would like the following....

1. To keep the font and font size included in the style sheet (Vardana, x-small).
2. To have a white background with black text.
3. To keep the menu on the left hand side.
4. To have the logo in the top left hand side of the screen, where it says 'logo goes here' in the html.
5. The site must use the minimum number of images possible, to improve page load times. i.e. keep the overall page size as small as possible.
6. All text must be as text and not images, as I may need to change the language or just add menus at a later date.
7. I would like the the administration menu to be a different colour from the other menus.
8. The final deliverable must be in html.
9. Please feel free to change the colours on the logo

The site will be used day in and day out by businesses to manage there customer relationships, my competitors are-

www.salesforce.com (http://www.salesforce.com)
www.upshot.com (http://www.upshot.com)
www.salesjunction.com (http://www.salesjunction.com)

Your entry into the competition means that you agree to hand other all the property rights to your work so I can use, re-sell and modify the template at my discretion indefinately.

The prize is $150.

Any questions post them here or contact me on IanPurton@totalise.co.uk

[Zoe]

Hi Ian,

Would you like a flash animation on the entry page like a couple of your competitors have?
If so, do you have some copy you would like included in the flash? A sales pitch?

Thanks

[ianpurton]

Zoe,

No flash please, I would like all the pages to be as fast loading as possible.

Also if possible I would like to see the template applied to the html I have provided so that I can get a view on how it will look on a complicated page.

Hope this doesn't limit the scope too much.

Ian.

[Palmer]

I've completed my entry in your contest Ian. There are only two images. The logo and the diamond that repeats itself throughout the design. This will be hand-coded and comments will be added to the code that describe where you may add your content. The colors and text are all done in html. The font is verdana as you requested.

Hope you like it, all comments are appreciated :)

<img src='http://www.yourwebbuddy.com/templates/sa/1.png[/img]

[TwistedNewMedia]

When is this contest over?

[ianpurton]

Ubergerlgeek,

I would like to see three or four entries before I close the competition. :)

Palmer,

Could we change the colour of the green ? Also I would love to see how this template would fit with the example page given, although I would understand if you feel this is too much work at this stage ;)

[Palmer]

Sure, no trouble at all. I'll make some changes and send up another one :)

[QSDA]

I'm definately gonna have a design for you.

[Palmer]

Ok Ian, here is the update with the changes you requested. :)

<img src='http://www.yourwebbuddy.com/templates/sa/2.png[/img]

[TwistedNewMedia]

Ill hopefully have an entry for this contest by the weekend.

[QSDA]

Here it is.
http://portfolio.iu.edu/otseren/qsda01.gif

[QSDA]

Looking at your competitors' websites, most of them included a lot information on the front page using (some not) a lot of boxes, ad boxes, banners and stuff, I can definately do some nice ones for you.

[ianpurton]

Ubergerlgeek

Great, I'm looking forward to it.

QSDA,

I like your design and also read your e-mail about popup menus, however I don't feel they are suitable in this case. I tried to reply to your e-mail but it seemed to get bounced. My suggestions for your design are.

1. Could we try a non-popup based menu design.
2. Can we straigten up the logo.
3. Can we move the contact|services|about and place the logout link on the top bar.

Thanks everyone.

Ian.

[Palmer]

Ian-What did you think of the color and layout on the last one I submitted?

QSDA-Just a reminder that questions should be posted on the forum, not emailed. Actually I think it says no entries by email or pm. :huh: Anyway, just post any questions so the other members of the Design Team can avoid bothering the contest holder with the same question. :D

Thanks!

[ianpurton]

Palmer,

I think I would like to tone down the colours a little and perhaps try to give up more space to the content.

I like the way that QSDA has slimmed the header down at the top of the page. You have a lot of white space at the side of the menu, some of my pages will be quite long and as it is effectively a contact management system it is important to get as much information on the screen as possible.

The home, about, contact links at the top of the page can go as the user has logged into my site and this functionality is more relavant before they have logged in I feel.

I like it that you have transferred the design on the content of the page, however the 'headline of the page goes here' is superfluous as the headline for that page is actually 'Account : Columba Systems' two lines down.

I hope I've not been too critical here

Thanks

Ian.

[Palmer]

Not critical, helpful. It's important to me to design something you're completely happy with. I'll work on an update. Thanks for the comments.

Palmer

[QSDA]

2nd draft.
http://portfolio.iu.edu/otseren/qsda01.gif

[Palmer]

That looks sweet QSDA :)

[QSDA]

Thanks ;)

[ianpurton]

FYI, I've been looking around the web and one layout I like is

http://prothemes.chainreactionweb.com/

Hope this helps

Ian.

[TwistedNewMedia]

Do you have any pictures that you like that I would be able to add into the header portion?

[ianpurton]

Ubergerlgeek,

Sorry no, but if you do select a picture the theme would be business related.

Thanks

Ian.

[TwistedNewMedia]

Ian,

Ive been working on this template for you, I hope it fits the style you are looking for:)
comments welcomed

[ianpurton]

Ubergerlgeek,

Superb :D , could you move the first grey bar (the one with lHome|my account|Logout written on it) furthur up the screen by reducing the height of the building and logo, so that I can get just a smidgen more information onto the main area of the template.

You could maybe allow the cable from the logo to fall more into the white space under the grey bar so that the logo doesn't look too squashed when you resize it.

That would be great.

[TwistedNewMedia]

Ok I moved that grey bar:) Anymore suggestions?

[QSDA]

Ian, do you want me to spice it up a little more? Maybe add an image somewhere?

[ianpurton]

QSDA,

That would be great, could we also try a different menu design ?

Ubergerlgeek,

Could we reduce the header again, I'm thinking half the current size. Then if possible could you show me the main area using the verdana pixellated font (same as QSDA) as this will give me a better idea how the final html will look.

Thanks

Ian.

[TwistedNewMedia]

Ok , Ill have the changes made by tonight or tommrow.

[Palmer]

I started over, sort of. I made a template mock-up that I loved, but the contest holder in another contest didn't. I thought it would fit right in with what you're wanting. Here's my latest, as usual, let me know what you like/dislike. :) In case you're still concerned with load time, this page will load in about 1 second, it uses 2 graphics, 1 which will be pre-loaded.
<img src='http://www.yourwebbuddy.com/templates/sa/3.png[/img]

[TwistedNewMedia]

Hi Ian,

You mentioned you wanted to see exactly what the html would look like, I can show you that but right now the layout is just an example so its in .psd format, as I haven't converted it to html yet. If you really would like to see the html example I can convert it for you but I wont have it posted for a few days, if that is alright.

-Kat

[ianpurton]

Kat,

No that's ok just viewing it as an image is fine.

Palmer

The latest template looks great, one change however the search combo would need to be at the top i.e. as part of the template.

Thanks

Ian.

[Palmer]

Wonderful! I knew it had potential, just needed to find the right home for it :) I'll move the search box and just upload the top 1/4 of the page so you can get an idea how it would look.

[TwistedNewMedia]

I will have another post for you shortly

[QSDA]

OK how's this one?
http://portfolio.iu.edu/otseren/qsdaSA.gif

[TwistedNewMedia]

Ok, I resized the top, comments?

[ianpurton]

Unless there are any new entries I'll announce the winner on friday morning (UK time)

Thanks

Ian

[ianpurton]

And the winner is.... Palmer :D

Thanks everyone.

Ian Purton.

[Palmer]

Cool B) Thanks Ian. I'll contact you by email to work out the details.