Site Critique

[scootermcq]

Well, I might as well throw it out there for some abuse & feedback.....

I am pretty much at the point where I would like to see what people feel about my website. Currently I know the portrait page is a little skinny, as I have focused on Weddings this summer, but I am working with a MU artist in a few weeks, so I should be able to bump that up some. There are a couple things that I am not thrilled with, but have not figured out how to change, as I am working with a template and have not done any development previously.

Please give her a looksee and tell me what you think...

Captures by McQuillin

[Jim Poor]

Well, you lost me as soon as you started dissing the new photographers to the market in your about page.

Negative campaigns almost always backfire. You can reword it in such a way that it shows your experience, attention to detail, etc, all without putting down anyone else (even ambiguously).

We may rant against some of the very same things in other venues, but the about page on your website is not the place.

Keep it positive.

[scootermcq]

Good Feedback.... Thanks Jim..

[prince]

The look & feel of the website is good.. it still lack a little oomph but am sure you'll find a way to tweak and it will bulk up once you have good content and work added..

I am a web designer so will comment more on the layout and placement rather than content

What works
Simple clean look
Easy navigation
Few menu items
Clear readable text

The Co. log and name are way too small
"This site is protected by..." is not placed correctly" It appears way on the left, outside the website borders
About page has blank space next to the photo. Wrap the text around your photo.
Home page is little too busy for me
Font type and size should be consistent across the site. Look at About page and Investment page.

[funcrunch]

Just a couple of quick notes; I'm working on a redesign for my own site this week.

- You spelled "Altar" wrong in the caption on one of your rotating home page photos, which is quite jarring.

- The pricing page really should be text rather than an image. As an image you can't select, copy or paste the text, and it's not findable by search engines.

Best of luck - Julie

[scootermcq]

Originally Posted by prince

The Co. log and name are way too small
"This site is protected by..." is not placed correctly" It appears way on the left, outside the website borders
About page has blank space next to the photo. Wrap the text around your photo.
Home page is little too busy for me
Font type and size should be consistent across the site. Look at About page and Investment page.

Thanks, you are such a prince. Totally missed the font bit, fixed that.... Wrap was not working and that was one of the things that po'd me. Since you mentioned it, I spent some time and found a work around. Axed the protected by, who needs it. Logo I am screwed with, because I am limited to that size (another thing I was not thrilled with). I cleaned up the home page a bit, removed the quote and testimonial.... little more stream lined.

Originally Posted by funcrunch

Just a couple of quick notes; I'm working on a redesign for my own site this week.

- You spelled "Altar" wrong in the caption on one of your rotating home page photos, which is quite jarring.

- The pricing page really should be text rather than an image. As an image you can't select, copy or paste the text, and it's not findable by search engines.

Best of luck - Julie

God bless you for catching Altar Is my face red! I agree with pricing, but I am stuck with using an image, as the template just blows for formatting the text and the pages looks like butt

[faeriegodess612]

I noticed that theres a web hosting name attached to your websites address. Have you thought about purchasing your own domain either thru them if possible? Or, as much as a pain I know it would be to switch, thru another that offers the purchase of a domain. I once checked out Weebly.com I had a lil website for a bit, but decided to post some things on DeviantArt instead and deleted it. (I'm still amateur, and dont do portraiture.) Maybe find another website that doesnt have the requirements that you dont like about this one. I think, I'm not sure here, but when something is your own domain dont you have more freedom to do with your webpage what you want?

[scootermcq]

faeiregoess612.... I agree I will be moving to a different host. It is not a big deal for me to move the existing site to a paid host, as it is not their template. The site was built on a word press template. My plan was to work on it and get it up and running on a free site and then move to one without their name in the domain. My time frame to move it will be in the new year so that I am on my own domain for the busy booking time in Jan & Feb. I will leave this address as a redirect to the new address for anyone who already has this one.

[prince]

No problem. I am glad I was helpful. Some wordpress templates do offer customizing your logo or banner.. Unless you really really want this template, you might wanna check out some or may be find some help of web design forums.

I'd highly recommend that your company name/logo be very visible on your site.

[scootermcq]

Originally Posted by prince

No problem. I am glad I was helpful. Some wordpress templates do offer customizing your logo or banner.. Unless you really really want this template, you might wanna check out some or may be find some help of web design forums.

I'd highly recommend that your company name/logo be very visible on your site.

Hey Prince.... good suggestion..... I went to the forums and found a work around in the editor. I will make the logo look better when I get home and have some real software to work with, but I was able to change the logo size from 180p to 350p and this does look a bunch better. Thanks for the suggestion.....