Opinions needed on website - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

06/22/2006 06:47:47 PM · #1

I have a website for my budding photography business and I am just wondering if anyone would be willing to take a look at it and give me some constructive critiques? I have had several leads from a third party and have sent them to my website...but have never heard back from them. So I am thinking maybe a redesign is on order...

keelingclassicphotography.com

If anyone has a few moments to offer some advice I would appreciate it!

Thanks
Carisa

love

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

06/22/2006 06:51:51 PM · #2

Initial reaction: font is WAY too big..scale everything down. Less is more in web in my humble opinion.

#2: you need more images..less wording

Message edited by author 2006-06-22 18:52:42.

renefunk

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

06/22/2006 06:57:35 PM · #3

try to pp more your image, they area little washed, try to get more contrast with levels

TechnoShroom

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

06/22/2006 07:00:41 PM · #4

First impressions....

Too wide. I usually don't have the browser full screen and really prefer sites that are either fixed at a smaller size or even better not fixed at all so the text flows with the window.

Too wordy. There's a whole lot of text on the first page that should probably be tucked away in a bio if you really want it. The bits about galleries constantly changing and online proofs could be cut all together.

Text should be text. Wanting a certain font is natural but text should be text and not an image. It's limiting but less annoying. If it were text it could be resized to what people are comfortable with, flow with the window size, not prevent visually impaired people from accessing, etc.

It's BIG. Everything is taking up far too much space. Small and compact is my personal preference.

The code needs some cleaning. I would suggest notepad for creating the site instead of an office application.

Colors are nice. When you get the links connected repost and we'll have a look at the rest of your site.

06/22/2006 07:13:49 PM · #5

Wow...you guys are great! And so fast too! I really appreciate the comments...this is my first crack at a web site and as you already know I am a bit windy! I am thinking of changing it to something very simple and classy. Black background with mostly images, MUCH less wording.

How do you regulate which size the page comes out?

TechnoShroom---I thought all of my text was just text? Also...could you be more specific about cleaning the code? I have no idea what you mean...LOL I am very much in the dark about this web page stuff....

Does anyone have suggestions for an easier program? I used Frontpage to make this. Or should I just pay someone else to design a page for me? I don't have a lot of disposable income to put into that though...

Last Q...what are the opinions of flash sites?

06/22/2006 07:18:14 PM · #6

Originally posted by carisakD70:

Does anyone have suggestions for an easier program? I used Frontpage to make this. Or should I just pay someone else to design a page for me? I don't have a lot of disposable income to put into that though...

I use Frontpage and then clean up the code if I can, and if not I send it to a friend to do. Maybe someone would be willing to accept a lower payment for just this?

edit: as for "cleaning the code" it's been my experience that when I design in Frontpage, it puts a lot of unnecessary and sometimes improper stuff in the html. What I get my friend to help me with is making this into what is a proper and a much better format.

edit again:
Example of the text thing: This is a paragraph on your site - it's a picture (gif), not actual text. What you should do is just type that out instead of having a picture there.

Message edited by author 2006-06-22 19:25:30.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

06/22/2006 07:29:05 PM · #7

Okay, I'm actually working right now on seeing what I can do for you.

TechnoShroom

Canon EOS-30D

06/22/2006 07:31:05 PM · #8

Originally posted by carisakD70:

How do you regulate which size the page comes out?

TechnoShroom---I thought all of my text was just text? Also...could you be more specific about cleaning the code? I have no idea what you mean...LOL I am very much in the dark about this web page stuff....

Does anyone have suggestions for an easier program? I used Frontpage to make this. Or should I just pay someone else to design a page for me? I don't have a lot of disposable income to put into that though...

Last Q...what are the opinions of flash sites?

Nope, your text is not text but a big image of text or more precisely it is if the person viewing your site is not using a Microsoft product.

For example... image005.gif.

Since the text is being turned into images for non-MS browsers it's also why I thought you hadn't finished linking up any other pages.

This is the basic problem with a lot of Microsoft products. They put in a lot of code specific to their products and hose usability for everyone else. That's not to say you can't use them. Frontpage can work but you have to set up the product properly (check your page options under tools) and delve into the source to get good results. By far the easiest program to use is a text editor but it also requires the most knowledge. After you create a page you'll always want to validate it at the W3C website to ensure that it at least modestly meets standards.

Flash sites, don't like them. Primarily because people don't take the time and put in the effort to make them work correctly. However, they can be, well, quite flashy. If you're unsure about web technologies though it's best to stick to HTML. Much easier to get the hang of.

06/22/2006 07:39:28 PM · #9

Sending you an email now. What I have, the code isn't cleaned up but everything is in better shape at least.

06/22/2006 10:28:54 PM · #10

Thank you so much for all of the assistance! You guys are amazing! klstover...didn't get that email...

06/23/2006 12:01:47 AM · #11

Hm, okay, I used the email in your profile. PM me a different email address maybe?