Like many others... Website opinions please.

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

03/28/2008 12:46:25 PM · #1

We have been majorly updating our site. I'd like to see what you all think of it. Our little studio has been competing with wal-mart and the box in the middle of the mall, and we want to stop that. We do good work and think it should show. So. What do you think?

D-Image by Studio Ches

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

03/28/2008 01:36:31 PM · #2

#1 Verrrrrrry Slow to load

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

03/28/2008 01:42:00 PM · #3

Originally posted by cpanaioti:

#1 Verrrrrrry Slow to load

Odd it shouldn't be. That's one of the reasons I redid the site. Does the one you're seeing have the D-Image logo in the upper right corner?

There is a redirect on our original site that should send you to Alternate link.

Edited to add alternate link

Message edited by author 2008-03-28 13:43:24.

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

03/28/2008 01:43:42 PM · #4

Originally posted by chesire:

Originally posted by cpanaioti:
#1 Verrrrrrry Slow to load

Odd it shouldn't be. That's one of the reasons I redid the site. Does the one you're seeing have the D-Image logo in the upper right corner?

Yes. How big (file size) is the image on your home page? 180k is rather large for a web image on an initial page.

One other thing, with the chosen dimensions one has to scroll to see the entire image as well. It would probably work better if it were smaller.

Message edited by author 2008-03-28 13:46:24.

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

03/28/2008 01:46:14 PM · #5

None of them are over 200, The one on the front page changes as I add pictures. Or for that matter if you click Home from Home the picture will change. Maybe I have to drop the quality down, though I didnt' really want to.

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

03/28/2008 01:47:14 PM · #6

Originally posted by chesire:

I would suggest just smaller in dimensions to start with so the entire image shows without scrolling.

ETA: mine is only one opinion though

Message edited by author 2008-03-28 13:47:38.

03/28/2008 01:51:07 PM · #7

:) Yes but you have a different screen than I do, so it's a second one! I appreciate your looking. I tried to use the same file sizes we use here, and with my DSL or Cable I haven't had any issues, though my husband said yesterday he had one that just hung for a while.

The Services and prices and specials and all of that is new for us too. We've been giving out a lot more cards and referring people to the site for info. So it has to be fairly well understandable.

03/28/2008 02:17:34 PM · #8

Your header is huge and takes up way to much prime realestate. Try making it half that size.

03/28/2008 03:06:33 PM · #9

Header reduced.

mpeters

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

03/28/2008 03:09:25 PM · #10

It is hard to read the titles for each print package. In particular 'copper' and 'bronze'.

03/28/2008 03:53:41 PM · #11

Originally posted by chesire:

Header reduced.

Header looks great in IE7, although maybe put a tiny bit more space between it and the nav bar. Doesn't look right in FF2 however.

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

03/28/2008 04:21:43 PM · #12

Pricing format changed. ff2 Firefox? Maybe something in the CS I'll have to download yet another browser lol.

oOWonderBreadOo

Canon EOS-5D

03/28/2008 07:31:49 PM · #13

I was a little confused by the two names for your studio, at first I thought you were selling a print product or something?

In your select category under browse, if there is nothing in that category you should really take it out of the selection.

you might think about a picture of you in the about us page! :0)

I'm not so sure about your opening image, your model has a not so sure look on her face! But what you should have up there is more of what you want to do. If you want to do more budoir, keep it up! More kids? put a kid image up.

Overall, the site is simple and easy to navigate! Try to add more work as you get it and you'll do great! :0)

03/28/2008 11:38:10 PM · #14

ok....

Header works in Firefox!
Pricing restructured for readability
Empty Categories removed
Picture of me. blech, but we'll see I actually am in there somewhere :)
The picture on the front will be changing on a regular basis, it's just the latest of whatever we've been doing.

Will be adding more pictures... Another Boudoir shoot and a maternity shoot on Sunday.

03/29/2008 08:05:04 AM · #15

Thank you

oOWonderBreadOo,

bfox2,

mpeters, and

cpanaioti. I think I addressed everything you guys saw. Any other suggestions?

Message edited by author 2008-03-29 08:05:23.

03/29/2008 09:13:19 AM · #16

Awesome, looks good.

Is the logo fairly established already? I like the site's color scheme and it seems like the logo has a lot of color compared to everything else.

Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO M.Zuiko

03/29/2008 09:26:21 AM · #17

For now it is. We bought an existing studio (D-Image). As we go forward, that entity will be going away to be come what we originally planned (Studio Ches). So our Signs and lots of other things match the D-Image logo but it's being phased out slowly.

Brad

Olympus OM-D E-M1

03/29/2008 10:57:39 AM · #18

A couple things I noticed.
1) The image on the home page is going to have mixed appeal depending on the visitor. I would suggest, if you can, to use this one, mainly for the awww factor in it.
2) One the Services Page, in the Boudoir Bellas section, I see an odd character in the apostrophe in the word You're It looks like a black background diamond with a question mark. (Firefox browser)
3) On the pricing page and other pages as well, periods & commas are hit & miss, like in the Basic Sessions section, the only line with a period after it is the 5th line. Also noticed it in other sections. Add to all lines or remove from all lines for uniformity.
4) On the Services Page the hyperlink to the Seniors section should be underlined or in a different color perhaps. It is very difficult to see and frankly didn't notice it at first.
5) One the Seniors Page, the first line All Senior packages are available with either a basic or Artist session. suggest a capital B in the word Basic.
6) The very last line, For Specialty papers or canvas pricing please discuss with an associate or your photographer.
add a comma after the word pricing.
7) On the Current Specials page, at the bottom is We spend a minimum of two hours with you which gives us limited availability. So get your appointments in early while we still have space. May I suggest: We spend a minimum of two hours with you, giving us limited availability, and suggest making your appointments early while we still have space.
(I know, nit picky me)

Site loads fast on DSL, looks good at 1280x1024 screen resolution using Firefox.

Message edited by author 2008-03-29 11:42:13.

03/29/2008 11:25:33 AM · #19

Thank you

Brad

1) Changed. It should change on a regular basis, but since no one really likes my poor model :) (she was rather terrified, even though it was her request!) The one you chose is my daughter :) I try very hard NOT to overwhelm my sites with her, because I love every picture I take of her.
2) Made You're You are... better anyway.
3) Fixed on the Pricing page, did not correct all the . and , issues on services (I'm waiting on my mate for actual "blurbage")
4) Had a lot of issues with the CSS for this... Reversed the Link and hover, should be easier to see now.
5) Fixed
6) Fixed
7) Reworded. (I do NOT do words! Pictures are ok. Numbers are great. Code, well I dream in Code. Words however are my downfall. Changed :) )

Message edited by author 2008-03-29 11:31:15.

03/29/2008 11:37:10 AM · #20

I made a comment in the comment field, you can disregard it as I was just curious what would happen. Do you really want the 'comment' part as an option? It seems like a 'contact us' or 'testimonials' page would be a better solution.

ETA: I see, it's part of the gallery functionality. Still not sure if it's necessary on a 'commercial' kind of site unless you were to do private galleries for customers.

Message edited by author 2008-03-29 11:38:41.