Web Design Workshop #8: Web App Landing Page

I like the design overall. It has a touch of professionalism but I just feel it could do more with some color. But Once again, Great page.

I like your landing page design a lot!
I could add a small video to act as a teaser to the tagline area box.

Great job!

Nothing from what you gave us allows me to see how it will “really” look on my desktop screen (landscape as most all are now). I fear that it looks like yet another tiresome 960 px strip down the middle of the screen where I have to scroll in spite of wasting almost 40% of my screen space above the fold. Why don’t you do something REALLY unique instead of merely repeating previous tuts and design what may be the first ever fully responsive landing page on WDTuts. Get those features up alongside the call to action above the fold on desktops where they belong (or even the testimonials).

I personally purchase based on “content” not presentation; but I do have to say that, as it stands now, really nothing draws my eye to it to give it a closer look. Color, novelty, and “vortex” are missing. The dark background with texture is distracting and renders it difficult to read the text you’ve chosen – sort of looks like the printer was running low on ink. Also the pricing table looks fairly drab to me. You can do a lot better than a corner ribbon (so “last year”) and dark background for the “Best Value.” Bulge it out, pop the text, intensify some color.

To my thinking, “clients” should be treated as sort of “name dropping,” obvious but subtle and understated. The way you’ve got them inside a box looks like a paid advertisement. Testimonials, when meaningful, can be indicated in a light, readable script without resorting to a 96pt wasteful quotation mark

In short, again as it stands now, the page would not draw me in or sell me anything – unless the product or content had such a strong valence for me that it sold itself.

After writing above, I opened all your “larger images” – I’m still distressed about all the wasted, above-the-fold space on my screen; however, your fabric looking background is much less distracting making the font easier to read – still could be easier however. You’ve given several different choices for “imaginary product taglines” – I don’t know whether you intend them to be a carousel or simply choices. Landing-Homepage-5 is the only one that seems to pop to me.

I know that others have suggested a video; however, in the real world the most common user experience on videos is that they drastically slow page loads, are needlessly delayed and not at all what you want on a “sales” page like this [I'm still confused why anyone would call this a "landing" page instead of a "sales" page]. Motion would be great but it should be quick and responsive and NOT delay page load in any way. Perhaps some quick and easy css effect from the top or side as it loads. Videos are best left for user responses, when they deliberately choose to see them so know what to expect.

Hope this helps.