What would you like to see on the front page?

[Nick Verwymeren]

We're thinking of redesigning the front page. Please let us know your (constructive) thoughts about the front page and what you'd like to see more/less of. Do you like the general layout? Is there too much info? Would you like to see more content? Also let us know if you're having trouble finding anything specific. Remember keep it specific to the front page only. If you have comments about the rest of the site we can start up another discussion.

[Stephanie Anderson]

i think the latest activity log needs to go lower down or something.
when new people come here they are just going to see a bunch of names of people they dont know
but thats just my opinion. i dont know if its like that for a reason

[Nick Verwymeren]

Yeah a few people have commented on the latest activity bar. Anyone else have comments about it? Is it too big? Do you like it on the front page? Should we have less/more items?

[The Haythorpes]

I don't mind it being on there... but definitely put it down on the bottom... it's too overbearing.

Another thing... I'd like to see a link to what RTO is.

The front page gives good access to school info, etc but nothing to what RTO actually is. This will be helpful for people who are visiting the page to see what its all about. Especially staff's family and friends.

Maybe something on the left side that has:
- What is Reef to Outback?
- What is YWAM?
maybe even a "Why join this site?/What makes us different?" type of thing...

Also, I prefer the RTO latest news as the feature articles instead of the staff articles. I think they should switch spots...

It may also be nice to feature a page every once in a while. Kind of how we use to profile a staff member with our older web pages.

And it may be fun to have a few widgets on the page too.. like a weather gauge or a clock (it may help people know when the best times to call are).

I don't know... Just some thoughts. :)

[Aaron M]

Yeah, I agree with the "What is RTO?" thing... a must-have if you ask me.

Instead of moving the Activity section to the bottom of the page, perhaps switch the "YWAM RTO Latest News" Section and the "Latest Activity" section, so that the news is the focus of the page, but Latest Activity is still handy. But that's preference, too... I use the latest activity all the time.

[Krystal Cochran]

I think the feature page is def. a good idea especially if there was some incentive behind it it would get people to 'do up' their pages more or to update them... i personally would have fun and would probably keep checking through out the day if my page was up as the featured page. Like if it was a constant changing thing (maybe whenever someone made a change to their page).

[Bill and Tamara Hutchison]

That is a good idea.

If you didn't already know what Reef to Outback was you would have no idea what this site, or this organization was about from looking at the front page.

Other than the verse for the day (which I think is kind of cheesy) there is nothing on the page to even say that Reef to Outback is a Christian Organization, unless you click on and read into the articles.

It is fun from a social network point of view, but I don't think that it really shows off who Reef to Outback is, or engages people who don't already have a relationship with us.

[Nick Verwymeren]

good point. we might need to rethink our about us blurb under he flash ad area.

[Brenda Wilchowy]

I just got your guys' email newsletter with the fun little Backstage Star commercial and it said to come check out the RTO site to join in the fun with a live webcast (yes, I realize it gave me the time I should come, but who can understand 6:30pm GMT+10 (Brisbane time)?!? I forget what time-zone I am in half the time) Anyways, I came to the RTO site (obviously not at the right time), and couldn't see anything about a live webcast or the fact that it was now over. An idea came to me when I saw Nickalodeon's topic here. Maybe you could include on the front page something to connect the people who are following your newsletters, so it looks as though you are expecting people to read the newsletters and find their way to the website. Know what I mean?

P.S. I peed my pants watching the Backstage Star vid. PEED them, I tell you!

[The Haythorpes]

I see that there is a featured staff up on the left side of the page now... nick (wink, wink). Maybe it's just me but I think there probably needs a picture there too or something.

A lot of times, i just peruse the front page and if I see something interesting... THEN I'll click on it. But to me, sometimes, it looks like just a bunch of writing. I want it to jump out a t me a bit and draw me in... you know?

[Ryan & Adriel Booker]

thanks for the invite to give some feedback. here's a few suggestions that i've thought about:

i'd like to see the latest activity thing given less prominence - like on the side or down at the bottom.

in my opinion, good photos can make the page... but they're all the way at the bottom. maybe those could be put in the left side bar under or above the videos. (it's nice to see the changing photos somewhere right away - even if only in a smaller box.)

rto news really does need some photos! so if it needs to be moved to the main section to acheive that, i think it's well worth it!

maybe swap the groups with the rto news. groups can easily go down the side colum and then that could create opportunity to have photos within the news. or, even better, swap the rto news placement with the latest activity...

i like the members blog section - creates a personal touch that i think is good. i'd keep that for sure, but maybe place rto news above it.

on the ad box that has all the training streams... i would delete the text under it. seems unneccessary to me. i think the graphic box speaks for itself. (but question about that: when you click on the tabs within the graphic, is it supposed to take you straight to that training page? sometimes i can get there in one click...sometimes two..)

i really like the header graphics, but i'm not convinced that the photo of the fab three doesn't look a little out of place (as much as i LOVE the photo and LOVE those gorgeous faces in it). maybe there's a way to blend it in a little more, or separate it more... i don't know enough about that sort of thing to give better suggestions... but i do think it looks strange. i also think the campfire and tent look funny - just kind of sitting randomly. to me, the thing doesn't flow. but the trees, roos, stream, oka... all very cool. i like the colors too. it's very 'now'.... but think it could look cool to brighten up the oranges and yellows a bit. just some thoughts from a non-expert. you're the pros. :-)

okay, last thing. it would be nice to come to the page and be able to tell straight away that we are a christian missions organization, training young people for life and missions and reaching out. (though avoiding cheesy "christianese" stuff of course.) i just think it looks at first glanse like we're a tour group for australia and beyond... not a bad concept... but not really who we are either...

okay, that's lots of suggestions. take 'em or leave 'em - hope i've been constructive and helpful. i think you've all done (and are doing) a fabulous job!!!!!!!

[Nick Verwymeren]

this is great Adriel. Ang also sent through some very similar suggestions which is really good.

[The Haythorpes]

Great minds think alike! ;)