XSite Pro 2.0 Update and Launch

XSite Pro Version 2.0 is going to be launched on May 20th!

Finally!

By the way: here are the results from XSite Pro 1 contest:

from: Paul Smithson - Creator of XSite Pro

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THIRD PLACE:
http://www.candywrappergazette.com/
Belver
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From a design perspective I think there’s lots that can be
done to improve this site and hopefully we’ll be able to
address some of those issues in the Version 2 site
makeover, but from a content point of view Belver has
tackled this niche topic really well.

It’s not just a few articles thrown together and some
rushed-off editorial. There’s a comprehensive structure to
the site. There are categories on all of the following:

- Home
- Editors Desk
- New This Month
- For Beginners
- Tips & Techniques
- Interviews
- Design
- Product Tips
- Freebies
- Comic Strip
- Press Room
- Our Mentors
- Reader’s Spot
- Selling
- Suppliers Guide

There are definitely a lot of changes I'd want to make, and
there are a lot of features in XSitePro 2 that will really
help transform the site, but from a content perspective
Belver is definitely heading in the right direction.


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SECOND PLACE:
www.monplaisir.co.uk
Stuart Morrison
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When I arrived at this site I wondered what a French
restaurant site had to do with content. Then I started to
click on a few links and quickly realized just how much
thought had gone into this site.

Rather than just throwing up a one or two page site
promoting this French Restaurant, which is what most people
would have done, Stuart really has gone to town.

Along with the 'usual suspects' such as the menu and wine
list, you'll find pages on the history of France, the
French flag, and even information about all of London's
West End theatres. Not just one or two pages, but literally
dozens and dozens.

This is excellent planning as Stuart has recognized that
people won't necessarily search for that restaurant
specifically, or even a French restaurant in London. They
may not have even planned on having a meal, but when they
conduct a search for the theatre they are going to they
could well stumble across the the Mon Plaisir site, because
of the effort Stuart has made to build multiple entry
points, and since the restaurant is so close to the theatre
they may decide to make a pre-show dinner booking.

There's also been some excellent finetuning going on. Many
people will spell the the name of the Aldwych Theatre wrong
and so, as well as a page with the correct spelling, Stuart
has also put up a page with it spelt 'Aldwich'. Great
thinking.

In addition to the great content I felt that this site had
a clean, crisp layout with a recognizably 'French' theme,
without being stereotypical. All in all, a well deserved
second prize winner.


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FIRST PLACE:
www.the60sofficialsite.com
Carl Hoffman
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I have to confess that when I first landed on this site my
initial impression was “What a mess!”.

But as this was a content competition and not a design
competition I felt I owed it to Carl to dig a little deeper
– and when I did I was blown away.

All you need to do is go to the site map for this site and
you'll see for yourself what a mammoth amount of content
Carl has put together. And what’s even more amazing is that
he seems to have written most of it himself. Where does he
find the time?

I won't even start to list all the different sections on
the site as it would take forever. If you can think of
anything to do with the 1960s then the chances are that
it’s covered on this site.

I can't wait to do the site makeover that Carl has won
himself on this site as I think from a content perspective
this site has so much to offer, but there’s lots that can
be done to improve the overall design.

So, those are the three winners for the Content
Competition. Congratulations to Belvar, Stuart and Carl,
but also congratulations have to go to all the other
magnificent entries too. Well done to everyone who entered!

Once version 2 is out we'll be having some more contests.
As I mentioned at the start of this message, one of those
will definitely be for best design, so if you're an
artistic type make sure to keep an eye out for news of that.