TheAirsoftSniper.com revamp: I need your opinions!

Hello everyone. I recently got the urge to spice up my other website - http://www.theairsoftsniper.com. I need your opinions though. I can't decide if I like my latest design or the current one better. I know it's a website designed for snipers/des. marksmen, but this is a design question that anyone can give their opinion on. Look at these two dummy pages and tell me:
- which design you like the most
- why you like it the most
- how I could improve it
- anything else (all opinions welcome)

Current design:
http://www.theairsoftsniper.com/testpage2.html

Proposed design:
http://www.theairsoftsniper.com/testpage.html


Thanks everyone!

Hm....I like te Current Design, or whichever one the first link is better. It just seems more organized/Classy to me. Suggestions? Well, If you know how to, you could put some music on the page. I would suggest some good battle music......like this song for example, follow this link:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=339018074
Its the first song on the playlist, which is on the right hand side of the page. Its titled: "Sunshine" I know, doesn't sound very intense, but just listen to it and tell me what you think....and of course, your music doesn't have to be "Battle music", It can be rock, Metal, whatever you like....after all, it is your site!!

Good stuff. I like that music page. Good soundtrack. I thought about putting music on the page... However music is typically a big webmaster NO NO. It slows down the page-load, people will often not like the music selection and turn away from the page instantly, or they'll have their speakers up loud and not know it, resulting in a blast to their ears. Then they get ticked off... lol. I know it sounds like I'm overreacting, but these things happen more often than you'd think. However, I could just say "screw it" and try it anyway. Besides, that music is pretty good, and not overly loud/annoying that people would be turned away by it. Good idea!!

Thanks, and really, you make a good point there. See, that is something I would have NEVER thought of.

Oh CRAP. Sorry guys. I got the links mixed, which means my "proposed design" was under the "Current design." Which means your votes weren't correctly represented. If you could go ahead and vote again I'd appreciate it (I reset the poll and fixed the links).

Still, the question remains - which do you all prefer?

I thought so, thats why I put in my answer: "Which ever the first one is" I am not a sniper, howvever I have been to your site and I thought hm......"I think the links may be switched." But I didn't say anything, didn't wanna sound like a twot!

Am I correct that the only change was the 'Home' page? As I cannot see any other significant differences?

Given the choice I would vote for the new design, if that theme/style was continued throught the web site. It seems to me more 'professional' to look at, where as the original, while OK, does look more 'boys toys'.

But then what do I know of USA preferred styles and I'm set in my old graphic artist ways!

DOA Draven wrote:

Am I correct that the only change was the 'Home' page? As I cannot see any other significant differences?

I'm not sure what you mean. I just have the two test pages I made real quickly (I put up the links in my first post) featuring each design, current and proposed. I was asking which design looked better and more professional. The differences include

- current: header w/ tons of graphics (target, grass, sniper, etc.)
proposed: header w/ flash graphic of sniper, urban wall as background, tagline of "one shot, one thrill," etc.
- current: tan background with green wood down the sides
proposed: black background with very light-green border.

There are actually very significant changes. Any input is appreciated! Thanks!

The new design the old looks like a hillbilly website , this coming from a kid from Alabama , the Redneck state lol .

no, kentucky i believe is the red neck state. alabama is the inbred state...

I was actually born in alabama, so i can say this...

I like the newer header, but I am not a fan of the black to be honest.

Well, it's pretty obvious that the proposed design is preferred. I think I agree with you all. I designed it thinking it looked more professional and simple, but wasn't sure how people would react to it. Thanks for all your feedback everyone. Now on to my next poll in helping me redesign the site. Background colors. I see that Roamer already stated the black doesn't look all to pleasing to the eyes. I'll start a new thread soon with various background colors I'd like you all to pick your favorite from. Thanks again everyone!