ReviewMe: OptionTradingpedia.com
I had Blain over at Stocktrading101.com do a ReviewMe on my blog and his comments helped shape the current format. Yes - it was a paid for review, as is this, but the benefits of having someone critique your site made it worthwhile.
As a summary introduction: OptionTradingpedia.com has plenty of information - some useful, other stuff less so, hidden behind an awkward navigation system and distracting front page.
When I look at a webpage I like to ensure there is substantial content readily available to the reader without having to scroll down the page to get it. I also like to see the page at resolution most commonly used by readers - which for sites I could pull data for appears to be 1,024 * 768 (at nearly 50% viewership), followed by 1,280 * 1,024 (at 10% usage). I personally use 1,280 * 1,024 on a 17" monitor and 1,920 * 1,200 on a laptop (I like small text!). Below are two images for OptionTradingpedia.com.
The first is at 1,024*768 on a 17" monitor:
and the second using the same monitor set at 1,280 * 1,024:
What is immediately clear at the lower setting is the lack of visible content and the presence of a large yellow "?" at the center of the screen which conveys no information (almost challenging the reader as to ask 'why are you here?'). The larger resolution shows some content, but the single spacing and boxed formatting has more in common with a message board post than a research article. It would be better if this content was un-boxed and was located where the big yellow "?" lies.
What of navigation? Some of the most trafficked and well read sites like TraderMike and the BigPicture have their content firmly placed front and center with their links, affilate sales and advertising off to the side. With OptionTradingpedia.com the navigation links are placed in small text at the left hand side of the page, but in a non-standard format (i.e. no "Home", "Contact Me" etc links), instead - the linking is done based on a set of questions. I tried to follow the RSS feed for (presumably) a blog, but the page came up blank.
On the right-hand-side of the front page were two gif image links for "News" - a series of Digg articles and some market information (also mixed up with a couple of poorly placed images):
and a more useful "Glossary" of option and market terms.
The articles themselves are well written, with handy 'tip' points to clarify certain points of information:
It would be easier to navigate the information if each section was given its own page so it wouldn't be necessary to scroll up and down to get places.
Unfortunately, there does not appear to be much in the way of new content. If the site wants to attract a regular readership it would need to include a component (such as a blog) which gives trading examples and a 'hands-on' feel as to what Option Trading is about. Eg. Selling a covered call.
In its current format the site is a reference book without an index. I would switch it to a blog with the '-pedia' component listed as series of front-page links down one of the margins, followed by the Digg links. Increase the spacing of the articles and perhaps break them down into smaller components. Additional images and examples would help here explain the actual process involved in trading an option (e.g. how many contracts? Risk management? When to buy or sell in-the-money or out-of-the money options?)
On a final note, the site is a copyright of www.mastersofequity.com, but I couldn't get that link to work - so I can't comment on this.
If you would like me to review your site then you can order one today.
ReviewMe
As a summary introduction: OptionTradingpedia.com has plenty of information - some useful, other stuff less so, hidden behind an awkward navigation system and distracting front page.
When I look at a webpage I like to ensure there is substantial content readily available to the reader without having to scroll down the page to get it. I also like to see the page at resolution most commonly used by readers - which for sites I could pull data for appears to be 1,024 * 768 (at nearly 50% viewership), followed by 1,280 * 1,024 (at 10% usage). I personally use 1,280 * 1,024 on a 17" monitor and 1,920 * 1,200 on a laptop (I like small text!). Below are two images for OptionTradingpedia.com.
The first is at 1,024*768 on a 17" monitor:
and the second using the same monitor set at 1,280 * 1,024:
What is immediately clear at the lower setting is the lack of visible content and the presence of a large yellow "?" at the center of the screen which conveys no information (almost challenging the reader as to ask 'why are you here?'). The larger resolution shows some content, but the single spacing and boxed formatting has more in common with a message board post than a research article. It would be better if this content was un-boxed and was located where the big yellow "?" lies.
What of navigation? Some of the most trafficked and well read sites like TraderMike and the BigPicture have their content firmly placed front and center with their links, affilate sales and advertising off to the side. With OptionTradingpedia.com the navigation links are placed in small text at the left hand side of the page, but in a non-standard format (i.e. no "Home", "Contact Me" etc links), instead - the linking is done based on a set of questions. I tried to follow the RSS feed for (presumably) a blog, but the page came up blank.
On the right-hand-side of the front page were two gif image links for "News" - a series of Digg articles and some market information (also mixed up with a couple of poorly placed images):
and a more useful "Glossary" of option and market terms.
The articles themselves are well written, with handy 'tip' points to clarify certain points of information:
It would be easier to navigate the information if each section was given its own page so it wouldn't be necessary to scroll up and down to get places.
Unfortunately, there does not appear to be much in the way of new content. If the site wants to attract a regular readership it would need to include a component (such as a blog) which gives trading examples and a 'hands-on' feel as to what Option Trading is about. Eg. Selling a covered call.
In its current format the site is a reference book without an index. I would switch it to a blog with the '-pedia' component listed as series of front-page links down one of the margins, followed by the Digg links. Increase the spacing of the articles and perhaps break them down into smaller components. Additional images and examples would help here explain the actual process involved in trading an option (e.g. how many contracts? Risk management? When to buy or sell in-the-money or out-of-the money options?)
On a final note, the site is a copyright of www.mastersofequity.com, but I couldn't get that link to work - so I can't comment on this.
If you would like me to review your site then you can order one today.
ReviewMe
