Suggestion on my website?

[adamthole]

I'm not trying to advertise, as most of you could probably do the same thing I can do, I just want feedback on my site. Any suggestions on how to make it better, etc.

Thanks for the help.

http://www.valuedmemories.com

[freestyler]

Suggestion 1:

adam@valuedmemories.com sounds nicer than athole

Suggestion 2:

Add a testimonials page, people like those

Suggestion 3:

The contrast on the navigation buttons could use some work. Black on Dark Purple is tough to see.

[stiltman]

Get rid of the comic (kiddy) font, as you are a professional. When I see comic (kiddy) font, I think a kid did it and not a professional
Put in a table buffer so the text doesn't hit the right side.
Make sure all your fonts are the same, same size (unless denoting something special), same color.
Format it more like a peice of paper, rather than the size of the windows once you get past 640

[adamthole]

Yeah, I guess athole is too close to ahole, so it would be smart to just use Adam.

I will have to work on a testimonial page, thanks.

And I want to get rid of that whole nasty frame some time. I made that with Microsoft Front Page along time ago, and I think it is hideous. I am still trying to find a design I like though.

Any particular font you would reccomend over comic? One that isn't ugly, that every body has?

Thanks!

[Guest]

Get rid of the comic (kiddy) font, as you are a professional. When I see comic (kiddy) font, I think a kid did it and not a professional
Put in a table buffer so the text doesn't hit the right side.
Make sure all your fonts are the same, same size (unless denoting something special), same color.
Format it more like a peice of paper, rather than the size of the windows once you get past 640

I agree. Reminds me of 1996. You are presenting a technical service, so use something more streamlined. I think the content and structure are good, just needs a makeover. I'll see what I cant dig up.

[Guest]

try this site
http://www.1001freefonts.com/fonts/afonts.htm

I like

accidental president
avdenture subtitle
anabolic sheroid
aqua duct
arbor crest
atarian system
automation

These are just a few from the "a" section. These would be good in your title and nav button gifs. You should use a standard windows font for the text body. Id work on the color scheme as well.

[tgpo]

(This is strictly for your benefit, I'm not just cutting you down)

Overall the page is overly simple and not professional. The colors and fonts are childish. The graphics, such as the DVD image in the top left, look like clip art and cheap.

You need to have a "look" with your website. You need to have a stylish logo that you can adapt to various items and even include on your products possibly.

#1 thing you should do is a complete rewrite of the website from the ground up. For the HTML here are some key points:

-NO FRAMES!!!!

-Use CSS!!

-Make original art for the site

-Make an overall theme and look for your site

-Use AT MOST 2 fonts for the entire website


Hope this helps ya'. Let us know if you need any more help.

[stiltman]

I agree with tgpo, start from scratch

Begin with a piece of paper and draw out the site.

Fonts are up to you, and there are a million of ton of them to choose from. Comic is the last one you want. Personally, I only use arial, times roman in clear text, but in images I've used many others.

I also agree, use CSSs, it's much easier to mantain the fonts and colors

I think the biggest thing is to start from scratch and have a basic plan/idea/design. Then follow it thru for the whole site.

If you find a page you like, just go up to "file" then "save as". Then edit that page until you like it

[glockjs]

yeah it looks a little basic...needs some life... if you have the time i would maybe put in some time with flash

[Guest]

yeah it looks a little basic...needs some life... if you have the time i would maybe put in some time with flash

I agree about flash. Most browsers come with the plugin. You can have much more detailed sites that dont take forever to downlod.

[tgpo]

yeah it looks a little basic...needs some life... if you have the time i would maybe put in some time with flash

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !

[Guest]

Dont knock it till you try it. Your font,color,layout choices remain intact.

[Roundabout]

I would Google some other websites that do the same thing like this one to get an idea of a better layout. You could even copy the basic design idea and change it the way you want it.

[glockjs]

yeah it looks a little basic...needs some life... if you have the time i would maybe put in some time with flash

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


:P

[adamthole]

Any good guides around on CSS?

Any inexpensive programs for the Mac reccomended for coding it (CSS or HTML)? I do much better with something visual...not just BBedit.

[tgpo]

Any good guides around on CSS?

Any inexpensive programs for the Mac reccomended for coding it (CSS or HTML)? I do much better with something visual...not just BBedit.

BBEdit is the best you can find. Begin with Photoshop and code with BBEdit. Ditch the visual programs and learn to code. It'll help you in the long run.

http://www.w3.org/Style/CSS/

[lordsmurf]

Drop the spinmeister intro. People see right through BS. Your tape will never turn to pure fuzz.

Most shelf life is more like 50 years, but even then, all theory.

[Conquest10]

Any inexpensive programs for the Mac reccomended for coding it (CSS or HTML)?

Haven't done any web stuff on OSX but I recommend simple text. Its easy and free.

No flash. No Comic Sans font (ask a typography guy what he thinks of it).

[tgpo]

Any inexpensive programs for the Mac reccomended for coding it (CSS or HTML)?

Haven't done any web stuff on OSX but I recommend simple text. Its easy and free.

I can't find that program.

Isn't that the OS 9 text program?

[Conquest10]

I can't find that program.

Isn't that the OS 9 text program?

Yeah, I used to use it on OS9. What's the equiv on OSX?

[tgpo]

Textedit

[thecoalman]

try this site
http://www.1001freefonts.com/fonts/afonts.htm

I like

accidental president
avdenture subtitle
anabolic sheroid
aqua duct
arbor crest
atarian system
automation
.

That's no good unless the font is installed on the users computer otherwise they'll see the default browser font.

As suggested use CSS to format your page... No flash, too many reasons to state.... Learn how to use a image editor. Look for the anti-aliasing option for objects, it's your friend. Also make sure all your images are the smallest file size possible. Any image you intend to use on more than one page should be in the same folder on your server.

Important: Use Keywords in the title and have a different title for each page.

[Rookie64]

Simply avoid making your site too flashy - there's nothing worse than a page that takes 20 minutes or more to load
Especially the first page - that's the ultimate nightmare for first time vistors to the site


Also keep in mind that many people still use dial-ups - and it's far more important to focus on your services/site content than how fancy the site looks.

You can go for a cool or professional look but keep it as basic and simple as possible.


Here's another CSS Tutorial and Sample -

http://www.w3schools.com/css/css_intro.asp
http://www.w3schools.com/css/demo_default.htm
http://www.w3schools.com/css/css_colors.asp

[Guest]

try this site
http://www.1001freefonts.com/fonts/afonts.htm

I like

accidental president
avdenture subtitle
anabolic sheroid
aqua duct
arbor crest
atarian system
automation
.

That's no good unless the font is installed on the users computer otherwise they'll see the default browser font.

As suggested use CSS to format your page... No flash, too many reasons to state.... Learn how to use a image editor. Look for the anti-aliasing option for objects, it's your friend. Also make sure all your images are the smallest file size possible. Any image you intend to use on more than one page should be in the same folder on your server.

Important: Use Keywords in the title and have a different title for each page.

Read my post..I suggested using those fonts when making title and button gifs not for body text.

[housepig]

alright, I have to get this crew's critique on mine as well...

Housepig dot com v1.0.

fire away.

[stiltman]

alright, I have to get this crew's critique on mine as well...

Housepig dot com v1.0.

fire away.

I thought I'd never see colors worse than the original vcd colors

But I have now

[Conquest10]

alright, I have to get this crew's critique on mine as well...

Housepig dot com v1.0.

fire away.

Its pretty good just being one page. Do you really need frames? CSS can be used to format the page. Colors could be better.

[housepig]

Conquest -

I went with the frame because, as more content is added, it's going to be a menu bar. I'm going to check out the CSS links earlier in the thread, if I can do it with CSS, I'll probably switch over - I'm just not familiar with it.

nobody likes my colors? should I change them to yellow text on a white background, with a lot of <blink> tags?

[Heywould3]

Adam,

before your topic gets totally hijacked il ltry to bring it back.. hahah.. i think they are all correct.. it looks like it was done by a young kid that doesnt have lots of experence.. in order for me to want to try someone for tech services. i would want to see a nice page.. feedback is a nice touch.. but before you get into that.. i would just redo the page from the beginning.. the idea of saving a page from someone else and changing it to be "yours" is a great idea.. a huge time saver and it will look nice.. BUT if you take tha method.. make sure you go in a manually do one yourself so you can maintain it and know how its done.. . no frames.. NO flash .. and no sliiy clip art and kiddy font.. stick with arial times. roman etc.

oh yues contrast is a big point.. dont use strange combo colors.. like green/yellow red/blue. orange/black red/black.. purple/and anything.. off colors will be to strange.. try looking through the themes for word or FP and get and idea of what color combos to use.. it has to be easy on the eye.. not flashy
my $0.02

[lordsmurf]

alright, I have to get this crew's critique on mine as well...

Housepig dot com v1.0.

fire away.

Orange burns my eyes. The other colors are fine.