New site launch :)

Sagalout · 2 Dec 2009 at 11:49

We see to be cornering the market in restaurant sites - its an elaborate plan to make sure we always get fed at client meetings

Anyway, we're really pleased with this one - its jQuery rich and has a pretty interesting location finder and an enticing (our aim was to make you feel hungy!) menu section.

http://www.giraffe.net

topbanana · 2 Dec 2009 at 12:00

Oh my god.

Narziss · 2 Dec 2009 at 12:02

My eyes!

Sagalout · 2 Dec 2009 at 12:05

Hah, you'd have to visit a Giraffe to understand the vibrant colour scheme

Goldy · 2 Dec 2009 at 12:07

Looks good. Like the drop down menus for 'other stuff'.

Much too flashy though. Not meant to be a substitute for content.

topbanana · 2 Dec 2009 at 12:30

Nice design, you need to tone it down though. I've no idea where I'm supposed to be looking. It's like peering into a mad man's brain.

LiE · 2 Dec 2009 at 12:30

I like it

but it feels a little overkill for a restaurant.

gord · 2 Dec 2009 at 12:39

Site is quite catchy but fairly poor on SEO.

Craig R · 2 Dec 2009 at 12:49

I really like the way the food menus are displayed.

paulh · 2 Dec 2009 at 13:14

I like it, but it looks a bit like a site for a music festival. I kept waiting for a line up to pop up!! looks nice though.

nIckEl101 · 2 Dec 2009 at 13:14

nice site, not sure about the jquery flyout menus, i feel they should be abit smoother.. kinda come in like Keeerklunk.... (sound effect)

what cms are you using?

Sagalout · 2 Dec 2009 at 13:28

nIckEl101 said:
what cms are you using?

Its bespoke, but based on codeigniter

daz · 2 Dec 2009 at 13:37

Really like it. Perfect for a chain restaurant site as I'm sure as long as it shows up for "giraffe restaurant" they're not too worried about SEO. :cool:

Sagalout · 2 Dec 2009 at 13:40

It actually beats wikipedia for the single term Giraffe

daz · 2 Dec 2009 at 13:46

Exactly.. on page SEO can only do so much.

Sagalout · 2 Dec 2009 at 13:59

The font is under discussion - its not one we picked but its on all of their other material for the moment.

Cheers for the comments though

Some people get it, others less so. The client has had great feedback from their customers via twitter etc. I think its more apparent to anyone that's been to one of the restaurants, which are also very vibrant. We did 'sophisticated' with www.strada.co.uk but this brand is very different.

gord · 2 Dec 2009 at 14:16

daz said:
Really like it. Perfect for a chain restaurant site as I'm sure as long as it shows up for "giraffe restaurant" they're not too worried about SEO.

Sagalout said:
It actually beats wikipedia for the single term Giraffe

daz said:
Exactly.. on page SEO can only do so much.

You both have completely misunderstood the point of SEO.

SEO doesnt target people who have heard of you. You are targeting people who don't know who you are. They will never search for Giraffe Restaurant. They will search for Oxford restaurants etc.

daz · 2 Dec 2009 at 14:28

gord said:
You both have completely misunderstood the point of SEO.

No, I haven't.

SEO doesnt target people who have heard of you. You are targeting people who don't know who you are. They will never search for Giraffe Restaurant. They will search for Oxford restaurants etc.

Most people use Google as the equivalent of their address bar. Giraffe are a national chain, they are not too worried about "Oxford Restaurant" and showing up, just as McDonalds aren't worried about showing up when you type in "London fast food". Those terms are too specific for such large websites, and it is better left to sites like timeout or just-eat for people to zone in on their actual location.

If Giraffe has only one or two restaurants in a couple of locations, I'd totally agree with you though, but they don't. ;p

Sagalout · 2 Dec 2009 at 14:28

I haven't misunderstood it, I was just pointing out its easy to find if you know Giraffe.

The cost of SEO to compete against the guide sites like london-eating or squaremeal is prohibitive, thats why none of the big restaurant chains even try - the budget is better spent towards emarketing to existing customers and driving them through the door with emailed 2-4-1 offers that are also seeded on the likes of moneysavingexpert.com and the other voucher sites.