Damashi Peer Review - Better Use of Links

Insights into Damashi’s Site Design and Linking Strategy

Damashi’s logo is a striking piece of graphic work, and that visual appeal extends to the rest of the website in more ways than one might expect. Yet, the way the site harnesses that visual strength leaves a lot to be desired, especially when it comes to linking and navigation. By examining the current layout and functionality, we can uncover a handful of simple tweaks that will sharpen user experience, lift search engine visibility, and drive conversions.

First, the logo area uses an image map to provide clickable hotspots for text links. An image map can be powerful when you need to attach links to non‑rectangular areas of a graphic. However, Damashi’s map contains plain words like “Home,” “About,” and “Contact.” These words are already obvious links when displayed as text, so wrapping them in an image map adds an extra layer of complexity without any clear benefit. From an accessibility standpoint, screen readers struggle with image maps, and from an SEO viewpoint, search engines can’t read the words inside the map unless the alt text is carefully written. Replacing the image map with a simple table or a horizontal list of text links would make the navigation clearer for users and more crawlable for bots.

Beyond the navigation at the top, the site’s content structure can also benefit from a more intentional layout. A common design pattern on e‑commerce and publishing sites is to position the primary navigation on the left side, allowing users to glance at a list of categories or authors as they scroll. Above the main content area, a banner that highlights the latest release, the most popular book, or a seasonal promotion can capture attention immediately. This approach keeps the visual hierarchy clean: the logo, a concise horizontal menu, a prominent banner, and a sidebar of categories.

Currently, Damashi sells multiple books but displays only one title on the homepage. Visitors see the cover of that book but have no way of discovering the author’s other works. Including a “More by the author” section, or a carousel that pulls in the author’s bibliography, would encourage deeper engagement. This not only improves the user’s journey but also provides search engines with more contextual links that can boost internal linking structure.

The books page itself feels sparse. It lists titles and authors but offers no visual cues like cover thumbnails or sample pages. For a buyer, seeing an image of a cover, reading a short blurb, or flipping through a few pages can make a decisive purchase. Adding preview images, clickable thumbnails that open a quick view, or embedded sample PDFs would reduce friction. A “Buy” button placed directly beside each title or a sticky “Buy” option that follows the user while scrolling would remove the need to click through to a separate description page.

One small detail that signals a larger issue is the absence of a clear copyright date. The footer only says “Copyright, Damashi.” For readers, seeing a specific year gives a sense of freshness and reliability. For search engines, a year in the footer can help with content freshness signals, which might influence rankings in certain queries. Including the full year and perhaps a brief note about the publisher’s history can round out the professional look.

While all of these suggestions point toward a better structure, they also underline the value of peer review. Reviewers like the one behind this article devote time to analyze and provide constructive feedback on other sites. By sharing their expertise, they help maintain a higher standard across the web. If you appreciate the work of reviewers, consider supporting them by visiting their sites or leaving a comment that acknowledges their efforts.

For those who want a deeper dive into their own sites, the reviewer is open to offering feedback. Reach out at Deep7.com for more information. If you’d like your own site reviewed, send an email to