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06/02/2006 04:58:53 PM · #1 |
Welp, I took the plunge about two weeks ago and started a part-time photography business. It's a strictly location based business where I bring the studio to my clients.
After two weeks, the website is finally complete (I designed and created every part of it myself), though I still need to add more pics to the portfolio section and clean up some of the pages.
//www.kgportraits.com - all feedback is appreciated.
In the two opening weeks I grossed about $350-400 off three clients. Though I'm kinda in a limbo for the moment I have a couple more scheduled.
Message edited by author 2006-06-02 17:00:59. |
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06/02/2006 05:10:44 PM · #2 |
I think you could try making the look of different sections consistent through out the site. The homepage is quite wide and I think the title graphic is too big.
You could decide on a size for your portfolio section and contain the rest of the website inside it (inside a table or layer).
The text on Services page can be seperated and put in to seperate columns. It would be easier to read if you kept the lines to around 8 words.
Things move around too much. Users can enjoy the site better if they can relax and click through. When users are asked to move the mouse too much, they lose interest.
Message edited by author 2006-06-02 17:13:31. |
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06/02/2006 05:17:31 PM · #3 |
I would change out the middle image on the home page. You almost have a red-eye thing going on there.
The portfolio section has no way of returning to the home page or to a contact page, not that I could see anyway.
Your portfolio should blow people away. I suggest you spend a lot of time on that part.
Good luck!
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06/02/2006 05:25:46 PM · #4 |
Great images and clean site although as stated by someone else the page goes way to wide.
The picture of the dog spun me out though....as you can see!!
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06/02/2006 05:53:30 PM · #5 |
^^^
Beatiful pitty! Lol...are they brothers? |
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06/02/2006 05:57:24 PM · #6 |
About the portfolio everyone...that flash portfolio is made using a template and the template prevents you from putting anything else on the page...no tables, text, links, nothing.
If people can't figure out to hit back on their browser to return to the home page then they shouldn't be on the internet anyway.
About the portfolio, yes I'm still building it.
About the page being wide, I don't understand? It's simply just uses the whole frame? I have a wide screen monitor, are you guys viewing on a 4:3? I haven't viewed it on 4:3...is it making you scroll right?
I am going to eventually put the text on the info pages into columns I just haven't found a style that I like yet. I wanted to get the basic info across though.
I like the main page the way it is because it uses the whole page without making people scroll...the middle image may get changed if a better kid pictures comes around - i don't have many vertical kid pictures in my portfolio right now.
Anyway, keep the comments coming, some of these things I will start working on. |
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06/02/2006 06:02:00 PM · #7 |
Thanks...my staffy is actually a female...lol!!
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06/02/2006 06:08:09 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by specialk0783:
About the portfolio everyone...that flash portfolio is made using a template and the template prevents you from putting anything else on the page...no tables, text, links, nothing.
If people can't figure out to hit back on their browser to return to the home page then they shouldn't be on the internet anyway.
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(laughing at myself) Well, okay, I didn't even think of that. Instead, I closed the browser. Wonder how many others will do the same? (it's scary because every time a potential customer simply closes the browser, chances are good that you've lost him)
For what it's worth, I've been actively using the internet since around 1994. So why I didn't even think about the back button, I don't know. (basically, I'm saying, you had better expect that if there's one like me out there, there's bound to be many more - as evidenced by the comments in this thread)
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06/02/2006 06:14:54 PM · #9 |
^^
Ok, with that said, what is your suggestion. The flash template won't let me put anything else on that page... |
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06/02/2006 06:17:03 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by dwterry:
Originally posted by specialk0783:
About the portfolio everyone...that flash portfolio is made using a template and the template prevents you from putting anything else on the page...no tables, text, links, nothing.
If people can't figure out to hit back on their browser to return to the home page then they shouldn't be on the internet anyway.
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(laughing at myself) Well, okay, I didn't even think of that. Instead, I closed the browser. Wonder how many others will do the same? (it's scary because every time a potential customer simply closes the browser, chances are good that you've lost him)
For what it's worth, I've been actively using the internet since around 1994. So why I didn't even think about the back button, I don't know. (basically, I'm saying, you had better expect that if there's one like me out there, there's bound to be many more - as evidenced by the comments in this thread) |
I did the same thing.. I tried the back arrow in the lower corner and it started scrolling back through the pictures I'd viewed so I just closed the browser.
Just like your theory was "If people can't figure out to hit back on their browser to return to the home page then they shouldn't be on the internet anyway", a potential customer's theory might be "If he can't even put a link back to the homepage so I can see the rates then I don't want to deal with him". I'd make it as simple as possible for your viewers.
As for the front page width, it looks fine on the monitor on my desktop, but on my little laptop monitor I have to scroll to view the entire title. |
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06/02/2006 06:34:25 PM · #11 |
I might suggest that you remove some of the color from the middle front page image, it is a fine picture, but it does not flow with the other two pictures, because of the high color. Make sense?
Pics do not center under the title, with a small browser window where you have to scroll left and right, don't know if you can fix that.
The portfolio pics are very nice, great start for your venture.
Maya
p.s. info pages are well laid out, answering many of the questions that your cust is going to have.
Message edited by author 2006-06-02 18:36:50. |
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06/02/2006 06:43:48 PM · #12 |
Cool website ;)
Best of luck to you :)
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06/02/2006 06:49:40 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by kteach:
Originally posted by dwterry:
Originally posted by specialk0783:
About the portfolio everyone...that flash portfolio is made using a template and the template prevents you from putting anything else on the page...no tables, text, links, nothing.
If people can't figure out to hit back on their browser to return to the home page then they shouldn't be on the internet anyway.
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(laughing at myself) Well, okay, I didn't even think of that. Instead, I closed the browser. Wonder how many others will do the same? (it's scary because every time a potential customer simply closes the browser, chances are good that you've lost him)
For what it's worth, I've been actively using the internet since around 1994. So why I didn't even think about the back button, I don't know. (basically, I'm saying, you had better expect that if there's one like me out there, there's bound to be many more - as evidenced by the comments in this thread) |
I did the same thing.. I tried the back arrow in the lower corner and it started scrolling back through the pictures I'd viewed so I just closed the browser.
Just like your theory was "If people can't figure out to hit back on their browser to return to the home page then they shouldn't be on the internet anyway", a potential customer's theory might be "If he can't even put a link back to the homepage so I can see the rates then I don't want to deal with him". I'd make it as simple as possible for your viewers.
As for the front page width, it looks fine on the monitor on my desktop, but on my little laptop monitor I have to scroll to view the entire title. |
You could try putting the portfolio in a frame set or in iframe. That way the navigation would stay put and the portfolio could do its thing.
Just a suggestion. |
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06/28/2006 11:35:20 AM · #14 |
Not a horrible site but overall looks amateur.
The services page is probably the worst.
The tables on the subsequent pages from the services page are dull and look generated by front page or a word doc saved as html.
I don't like the fonts either.
You also state "The remaining $200 is due after your last session." on the babyfirst year session booking page. The cost for that package is $199.
This doesn't make any sense.
I could go on and on.
Cute site though. |
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06/28/2006 12:29:58 PM · #15 |
why do you charge to edit the photos,
are you going to print a photo that is underexposed and let your client show it as your work to all of their friends,
maybe i read it wrong but thats what it seems to me,
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06/28/2006 12:38:34 PM · #16 |
It's a nice simple site.
I don't like the text used though.
The portfolio took a while to load, and wasn't very easy to navigate, i wuld scrap it and try a different one.
Just on a side note, i'm not sure this is the right atitude;
Originally posted by specialk0783:
If people can't figure out to hit back on their browser to return to the home page then they shouldn't be on the internet anyway.
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06/28/2006 12:39:38 PM · #17 |
I'm going to chime in here also. Honestly your website will be your first "face" for a lot of your prospective clients. I am in the same position you are in and about to embark on a part-time hopefully soon-to-be full time photography career. I have been spending A LOT of time on my website. I am completely re-working my exisiting site and making it flow better, have a simpler feel, be easier to navigate and overall 'flow' better. This is not an easy thing to accomplish. There is a lot that goes in to web design that many people do not realize. Many things have been listed in this thread. The best site is the one that you don't really notice the navigation because it is so intuitive. Also there needs to be a sense of cohesiveness to the site. Fonts need to match, colors, layouts, etc.
Please do not take this the wrong way, but honestly I feel you need a complete overhaul on your site. It is lacking in many critical areas of good site design and layout. If you are not comfortable doing this yourself, you may want to hire a professional to do it for you. I think you have an good eye and will be successful at your business, but if your public image is lacking, you may never get the opportunity. This is not meant to be harsh, just realistic. Please do not be offended, my comments are meant to be constructive in nature. Just remember.... You never get a second chance to make a first impression. This is very very very true in the online world.
Edit to add
Flash is way to overdone IMHO. My current site is 100% flash and I'm getting ready to change all of that. Don't get me wrong, it's a great little application when used properly, but honestly I think people get too hung up on the "flashyness" of the program and end up doing more harm than good. I personally do not like your portfolio viewer for the simple fact that if you hover over an image it moves all of the other images around. If you move to another image, the one you just hovered resizes and you end up having to move again to hover over the image. Far too much mouse moving IMHO... Remember people don't want to have to move around too much on a site (as stated earlier).
Message edited by author 2006-06-28 12:44:53.
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06/28/2006 01:04:47 PM · #18 |
Hmm...this seems irrelevant...the site can't be easier to use IMO, i've been designing sites for years.
Can anyone really point out a specific part of the site that does not work right? Or is confusing? Or is amateur?
I feel the site looks very clean and professional. |
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06/28/2006 01:28:43 PM · #19 |
| I think they just did, Im just not sure you're willing to take their comments in a constructive way. |
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06/28/2006 01:32:24 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by brimac:
I think they just did, Im just not sure you're willing to take their comments in a constructive way. |
I don't feel like they come from a logical standpoint...and I have no idea what they're knowledge of website design entails. A lot of things on websites look good, and work like crap...a lot of things work great and look like crap...I feel my site works great and looks good also.
They can say "the flash loaded slow on my 56k AOL gold connection, change it!" - thats not going to make me change it.
They can say "i dont like the font" - thats not going to make me change it. People look for information access and the ability to have a process streamlined without it being too complicated...I feel thats what my website accomplishes.
So I asked people for specifics...what specifically, besides little stuff that doesn't matter like fonts and tables...do you think doesn't work well on my site?
Let's see what they say...something really constructive...not something that is merely makeup. |
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06/28/2006 01:34:19 PM · #21 |
| I personally haven't found that your responses to the feedback you've asked for in this thread and others to be especially motivational as far as giving more feedback is concerned. If you truly want people's opinions, you might want to reconsider how you respond to them or people will just stop answering you at all. |
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06/28/2006 01:40:43 PM · #22 |
Originally posted by mk:
I personally haven't found that your responses to the feedback you've asked for in this thread and others to be especially motivational as far as giving more feedback is concerned. If you truly want people's opinions, you might want to reconsider how you respond to them or people will just stop answering you at all. |
This is true...it just seems that many of the comments have been very trivial and were made because they did a quick run through and really didnt pay very good attention to what was happening on the site or really how it worked...
to be more clear, their opinions didn't seem well thought out.
Example:
"Please do not take this the wrong way, but honestly I feel you need a complete overhaul on your site. It is lacking in many critical areas of good site design and layout. If you are not comfortable doing this yourself, you may want to hire a professional to do it for you. I think you have an good eye and will be successful at your business, but if your public image is lacking, you may never get the opportunity. This is not meant to be harsh, just realistic. Please do not be offended, my comments are meant to be constructive in nature. Just remember.... You never get a second chance to make a first impression. This is very very very true in the online world."
This is saying a lot without really saying anything. This person failed to point out what parts of the site are lacking in design and layout...can they give me a hint? Do they really think a complete overhaul is necessary? Thats a little bit over the top in my opinion...it basically shows a lack of knowledge in website design if you ask me.
Message edited by author 2006-06-28 13:44:12. |
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06/28/2006 01:42:14 PM · #23 |
special,
i would appreciate it if you didnt email me, and just post what you have to say in the forums,
what i said about charging for editing was my opinion, and yes its YOUR buisness, people run their buisness in their own ways,
me, no i dont charge to edit photos, 1. because i want my work to be complete and my clients happy,
2. because that work is going to be shown to family and friends, and if its jacked up because the person didnt want to pay for editing then they will see that as my work and i wouldnt get any more buisness.
its like buying a hot dog then charging for katsup and mustard,
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06/28/2006 01:46:35 PM · #24 |
Originally posted by TroyMosley:
special,
i would appreciate it if you didnt email me, and just post what you have to say in the forums,
what i said about charging for editing was my opinion, and yes its YOUR buisness, people run their buisness in their own ways,
me, no i dont charge to edit photos, 1. because i want my work to be complete and my clients happy,
2. because that work is going to be shown to family and friends, and if its jacked up because the person didnt want to pay for editing then they will see that as my work and i wouldnt get any more buisness.
its like buying a hot dog then charging for katsup and mustard, |
I wanted to get your comments clear before I went posting all over the forums.
But again, you failed to read and understand the situation.
I DO NOT GIVE PEOPLE PHOTOS ON CD OR PRINT UNLESS THEY ARE PROCESSED FIRST. You are staying on this point of "you give them unedited photos and they show it off as your work and its sub par"......NO, thats not how it works.
If you don't want to be emailed, take your email off your profile. |
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06/28/2006 01:53:11 PM · #25 |
| Please keep it civil, people. No personal attacks. |
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