Review by Kerry at Tiny Scars

First Impression

I’m sorry to say, not good. I had to try out all three of my browsers before your header image loaded, which is the only way I can access your content. It finally loaded in Safari, and then, after a lot of waiting, in Firefox. You should probably add some text links for your navigation as some people browse with images off, or may even have the same problem as me.

Layout

Your layout is ok. It’s set out well but I’m not sure about the header image. It’s simple, which I like, although there’s something that puts me off. I think it may be the font. I like the drop-shadow on the container, it’s something you don’t see very often which is good. Your CSS looks good, although you could perhaps pull out some of the orange from your header image somewhere.

Coding

Your XHTML and CSS are both valid, well done.

Content

Articles

These are all very well written and I didn’t find any spelling or grammar mistakes in them, well done. The ‘How your website is like a business’ article is very different and an original idea. I’ve never seen one like this anywhere before.

Contests

It’s kind of wierd reviewing contests but you only have one so, ok. I haven’t seen a contest like this before. I might actually enter it, I’m pretty good at accents XD

Graphics & Resources

Your avatars are cute. I like this one the best.

Your emoticons are also good. ‘Piles of Poop’ made me laugh. I don’t think I’ve seen these anywhere else before. I think your preview images could be better though.

Your Pixels all look pretty good. Perhaps you could make some of them into emoticon sets, such as the Devilish Blobs and Animals.

I’m sorry but I’m not keen on some of your stock images. They could be better.

Web material – I actually thought “what is this going to take me to?” :| I like your RSS icons. I think you should add some more favicons as a lot of people look for these and they’re not available in many places. I’m not particularly keen on your backgrounds.

Tutorials

‘How to Use FTP’ – “CPanel” should be cPanel. That was picky, but I have to be when you don’t make errors in your writing.

You have written “enter your domain in the host box” – some people have to use ftp.domain.com, you should point this out as, chances are, a complete beginner won’t know this. You could also point out that most ftp clients will have the same login format.

Ok, this is a well written tutorial and you seem to know what you’re on about. You could add some suggestions for other FTP clients in there in case people do not get on with FileZilla.

Hosting

One of your rules is “You must know how to use FTP (or be willing to learn) as I cannot provide any other file uploading medium.” You could suggest that your hostees use Net2FTP. It’s an online FTP client that shows a simple file manager. You rules all seem fair.

Owner

“My favorite TV show is Buffy the Vampire Slayer…” – I’m watching that right now. Not that that’s at all relevant. $12.50 on a pencil? Woah! Are you insane?

Nothing is loading for me on your affiliate gifts page.

It’s good to see that you link back to the sites that have given you awards. I’m also glad that you link back to the sites that have provided the pixels in your toybox. Many people think it’s ok to take content and remove all credit.

Domain

Everything here is well written, although I’m not sure that it is necessary for you to display all of your previous layouts from your old site. I guess that’s up to you though. It’s nice that you link to all of your reviews. It shows that you appreciate the fact that people have spent time writing them.

Conclusion

Ok well, as you know, my first impression of your site was not good due to having to switch my browsers to see your images. I must say I’ve changed my mind. Your spelling and grammar is great, and apart from my very picky cPanel mention, I didn’t find any errors, well done. Your content is mostly good quality, apart from what I pointed out earlier on in the review.

I can’t really pick out anything to improve, apart from your layout image, only things to build upon. I definitely think that you should add some more tutorials, as the one that you’ve got is very well written and I think you’d be able to help people by writing more.

I’ve seen from your past layouts page that you are capable of making good layouts, so I suggest taking some time to create another great one. I personally don’t think that the one you are currently using displays your full potential, and it also doesn’t match the high quality of the rest of your site.