Website critique?

[audreylynn3]

I'm not sure if this is where this would go, but I'm looking for a bit of feedback on my first attempt at building a website.

Audrey Spear Photography

Any thoughts, comments, feedback is greatly appreciated!

[mandyatm]

I think maybe it should go in the "making money with photography" section? I like your slides, but I would suggest breaking up your portfolio into sections. People wanting baby pics may not want to look through the engagement/couples pictures. That's the only critique I really have.

[wmh318]

I agree with mandyatm about the portfolio section. I would use the rotating slides on the home page instead. At least that is how I have seen most photographer's websites here in Atlanta.

[statichash]

If you're going to create a web site for a business, you should consider having it built professionally. A web site is your opportunity to sell your clients on why they should select YOU as their photographer. Many of the free online tools throw in distracting elements to the web page that can detour prospective clients. Just my two cents.

[eNZee]

not bad at all
only comments i would say is i agree with splitting up your portfolio into sections as not everyone is interested in seeing baby pics if they are getting married.
another thing i find distracting is the background on the pricing page. and thirdly - the way your email is set up is throwing me off. if you can you should avoid using the @yahoo.com or @hotmail.com type of thing. to me it looks more professional is you have for example info@audreyspear.com or something along those lines

other than that its clean and not overwhelming

[audreylynn3]

Thanks for the ideas! I redesigned a few items, if anyone is interested in taking a second look, I'd really appreciate it.

[statichash]

The text (quotations that you use) that appears next to the images in each of the categories. The gray on black is a little hard on the eyes it's hard to read with the contrast. I would use a lighter font color that's closer to white.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by statichash

If you're going to create a web site for a business, you should consider having it built professionally. A web site is your opportunity to sell your clients on why they should select YOU as their photographer. Many of the free online tools throw in distracting elements to the web page that can detour prospective clients. Just my two cents.

Yes and no. You don't need to have the site professionally made, but you should have the site properly hosted (ie not on a free hosted like Wix) because most put their name and logo all over the place.

Originally Posted by statichash

The text (quotations that you use) that appears next to the images in each of the categories. The gray on black is a little hard on the eyes it's hard to read with the contrast. I would use a lighter font color that's closer to white.

Quite the opposite: I found it very easy to read. If anything the font was a bigger issue than colour. With the text the size it is, its not a problem. If you're going to complain about the text, it'd be the "Details" page: centre-aligned text is a no-no.

To the OP:
The site is great: its visually simple, showcases the images, etc etc. The big issue is the host. Get off Wix, get some good cheap hosting (it really isn't that expensive) and get a proper site made if you cant make it yourself.

As I mentioned, the Details page shouldnt have centre-aligned text. The front page shouldnt be as static as it is (even just a fade-in-fade-out of images would work).

Your pricing is also a bit lacking. The prices are fine, but you don't explain what the client gets in each package. It feels constricted by the layout, which isn't good.

An excellent start, but needs some changes.

[statichash]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

Yes and no. You don't need to have the site professionally made, but you should have the site properly hosted (ie not on a free hosted like Wix) because most put their name and logo all over the place.

My point exactly. The free sites add images and elements that can be a distraction. To a novice, building a website isn't easy.

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

Quite the opposite: I found it very easy to read. If anything the font was a bigger issue than colour. With the text the size it is, its not a problem. If you're going to complain about the text, it'd be the "Details" page: centre-aligned text is a no-no.

I took a second look and it appears that the OP lightened the font color since my last look - as it is now, it looks good. I'd also agree about the details page, the text would be presented better if it were left aligned.

[audreylynn3]

Thanks again, made some more changes. I'll be upgrading to Wix's premium site very soon (which takes away the ads) but I just wanted to get something started before going that route.

I appreciate all your time and thoughts.