Any Feedback? My first web app (RoR)

[Jonathan]

Hi guys – I put together a (very) simple suburb explorer type site. Useful if you want to look up a suburb's profile, location, pics, etc.

There's also some Australian Census data in there for most of the suburbs – basic stuff like total population, average rent, mortgage repayments, etc.

What do you guys think? Any requests? There's a lot more census data that could be added (e.g. average income) and I was thinking it might be fun to add a 'Would you like to live in this Suburb' voting module in the sidebar.

URL is http://www.suburbprofile.com.au

Example suburbs:

http://suburbprofile.com.au/suburbs/sydney-nsw-2000
http://suburbprofile.com.au/suburbs/melbourne-vic-3000
http://suburbprofile.com.au/suburbs/perth-wa-6000

 

[Ashman]

I like your site design, it's clean and simple. How are you going to monetise it?

 

[Shane]

I just like that the picture for my suburb is a Lamborghini Diablo.

 

[Data Glasses]

i clicked random suburb and got Cape Tribulation ..... good memories, agree simple and easy to use , also wondering how it will make some cash ?

 

[Alex]

Will duplicate content be problematic for this site?

Please read -> http://www.seo-gold.com/google-duplicate-content-penalty.html

&

http://googlewebmastercentral.blogspot.com.au/2008/09/demystifying-duplicate-content-penalty.html

Nice looking site tho!

 

[gravitymarketing]

Feedback from a developer:

1) I like the use of jquery ui autocomplete. I just got done using the same implementation of this with a AMAS certified PAF provider to do full address validation. The method you used is consistent with best practice.

2) The volume of information, font size, highlighting the data with color changes, etc is all interesting.

I would however recommend a layout modification. I know you are probably going to play with this one you work out what the site is actually used for, but i think the data on the site is all in the wrong order.

I would recommend moving the bottom paragraph of text to the top of the site, and creating an improved google maps function. Then when you consider the purpose of the site (choosing somewhere to live? Advertisements for real estate?).. you can have the general information on the suburb in close proximity to the commercialisation of the site.

I would also recommend using a twitter bootstrap or similar framework for the UI of the site, its always a quick and easy clean UI/UX tool.

3) If it was me, I'd add stuff like schools, amenities, even parks and bushlands and play with the idea of selling surburbs, be it for the purpose of renting or buying. Allow users to contribute photographs and comments which are moderated.


EDIT *** 4) On SEO as mentioned above. There are plenty of examples of content amalgamation services which still rank on google. His method for data inclusion is consistent with best practice as he actually links the census source for the information, rather than just randomly taking it without citation. if he chose to pick a purpose for the site, additional content would drive keyword based relevance on whatever he so decided to use the site for / whatever the new content was.

Cheers

 

[Jonathan]

Hi guys, thanks for the replies and suggestions

I'm not sure how I'm going to monetise the site at this point (if at all). I have a couple of ideas but no firm plans.

Alex: Not sure about duplicate content, we'll have to wait and see.

GM: Good advice on moving the content around, thanks - I've done that now. I probably should be a/b testing that kind of thing!

Other suggestions were great too. I've got about 20 items on my to do list, and a couple of the things you mentioned got moved to the top of the list