Website Feedback: When Hard Work Meets Unexpected Critiques

So, I recently shared my new website to get some feedback. You know that mix of nervousness and hope when you finally show off something you've worked hard on? Yeah, that. And let's just say, the feedback was... a bit surprising.

First, the good news. The performance? Totally nailed it. I spent way too much time working with Chrome's Lighthouse, optimizing every little detail. It paid off because the site's performance was a real highlight. It loads fast, interactions are smooth, and I got great scores from Lighthouse. Honestly, seeing all that hard work pay off was pretty satisfying. It proved that the effort I put into the technical side really made a difference.

But then came the design feedback. Turns out, the AI-generated images I used didn't really impress people. "Creepy" was the word most often used, and everyone agreed they just didn't fit the vibe. I was hoping they would add a cool, futuristic touch, but I guess they ended up being a bit too weird. So, it's back to the drawing board for visuals. I think I'll use real photos or illustrations that feel more natural. High-quality, professional photos seem to be a must-have for successful cannabis websites because they create a sense of trust. Swapping out the AI images for real photos could make the site feel more welcoming.

When I compared my site to others like Canix and Trym, it was clear that those sites have a more modern and polished look. Canix, for example, uses a clean, simple design with a top navigation bar that makes it easy for users to find what they need. The focus on simplicity and easy navigation is definitely something I could learn from. Trym also has a very user-friendly layout, with clean visuals and easy navigation. They include a lot of educational content, which helps build trust and provides value to users—something I should add more of on my site.

Another comment I got was about the navigation. Apparently, my old-school sidebar navigation isn't how most modern sites do it. People are used to top navigation now, and I guess my site felt a bit outdated because of that. Many successful cannabis websites use top or sticky headers for easier access on all devices, which matches what users expect. I like the sidebar because it feels different, kind of like a dashboard, but if it's making the site feel clunky, I might need to change it. A top navigation layout could make things feel more modern and easier to use.

The content could also use some improvements. Many of the top cannabis websites put a lot of focus on education—like blogs, FAQs, and product reviews to keep users interested and build trust. Canix, for example, has guides and insights that help users understand their products better. Adding more educational content could make my site more interactive and help users learn more about the products. Testimonials and grouping products by effects (like terpene profiles) are also common features that could help improve the user experience.

The overall takeaway? The technical performance is great, but the user experience and design need work. It’s a balancing act between what feels unique to me and what users find easy to use. At the end of the day, I’m learning that feedback is part of the process—even if it means rethinking the creepy AI images, changing an old-school sidebar, and adding more content like the industry leaders Canix and Trym.

If you want to see what I’m talking about, feel free to check it out at weed-garden.com. And hey, I’m always open to more thoughts—good, bad, or anything in between.