I have just finished my own website: I would appreciate your input. Thanks.
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site review
- Thread starter jazz88
- Start date
IE6
I like the colour scheme.
Your 'helpful tips' wrap making them untidy.
I was expecting your, 'If you need a website' to take me somewhere.
I haven't done a full tour but the first impression is very good.
Keith
I like the colour scheme.
Your 'helpful tips' wrap making them untidy.
I was expecting your, 'If you need a website' to take me somewhere.
I haven't done a full tour but the first impression is very good.
Keith
- Thread starter
- #3
Thanks Keith for your response. I agree that I "if you need a website" should lead somewhere. Thanks for pointing that out. I'll try to figure out what to do about it.
Hi
Just a thought. I was first attracted by the Helpfull tips list, and noticed the proper site navigation menu on the top only later. Although I entered the site with the "what can jazz88 do" question in mind, looking for portfolio, services, about et cetera.
I know, was only my reaction, but maybe should be better to emphasize abit the navigation menu.
Feherke.
Just a thought. I was first attracted by the Helpfull tips list, and noticed the proper site navigation menu on the top only later. Although I entered the site with the "what can jazz88 do" question in mind, looking for portfolio, services, about et cetera.
I know, was only my reaction, but maybe should be better to emphasize abit the navigation menu.
Feherke.
I guess you're a morning person then. Not a full review, but a few impressions (insert Airplane quote here)...
There are several rectangular areas on your screen which enclose a link, where only the text is clickable. For example, the top menu and the portfolio box. This page - - makes the point that it's better to make the clickable area cover the whole box, for better usability. If you made the whole of that black portfolio box a link, and gave it some hover property, you probably wouldn't need to say (rather lamely) "click here".
I think you need to think more carefully about the people that you want visiting your website, and target its content more directly at them. Your key audience is, I guess, "people looking for a web designer and considering hiring YOU". So give them what they need/want, and cut out what they don't. Don't tell them "how to choose a web designer", tell them why they should choose you. A potential client will want to know (for example)...
[ul][li]What work you've already done (which you've got covered)[/li]
[li]How he/she goes about hiring you - the stages that will be involved in developing the site[/li]
[li]Some rough idea how much it will cost[/li]
[/ul]
Sometimes it can help to put together "personas" - character sketches of imaginary potential customers - and then consider what content will fulfill their requirements.
Look around for a good reseller setup, so that you can offer hosting and domain registration yourself. Tech-savvy customers may prefer to do one or both themselves, but there'll be others that would rather pay you for an all-inclusive service.
-- Chris Hunt
Webmaster & Tragedian
Extra Connections Ltd
There are several rectangular areas on your screen which enclose a link, where only the text is clickable. For example, the top menu and the portfolio box. This page - - makes the point that it's better to make the clickable area cover the whole box, for better usability. If you made the whole of that black portfolio box a link, and gave it some hover property, you probably wouldn't need to say (rather lamely) "click here".
British satirical mag Private Eye has a regular column called pseuds' corner and you're dangerously close to finding yourself in it with this sort of stuff. Sorry, but I found myself, ahem,
I think you need to think more carefully about the people that you want visiting your website, and target its content more directly at them. Your key audience is, I guess, "people looking for a web designer and considering hiring YOU". So give them what they need/want, and cut out what they don't. Don't tell them "how to choose a web designer", tell them why they should choose you. A potential client will want to know (for example)...
[ul][li]What work you've already done (which you've got covered)[/li]
[li]How he/she goes about hiring you - the stages that will be involved in developing the site[/li]
[li]Some rough idea how much it will cost[/li]
[/ul]
Sometimes it can help to put together "personas" - character sketches of imaginary potential customers - and then consider what content will fulfill their requirements.
Look around for a good reseller setup, so that you can offer hosting and domain registration yourself. Tech-savvy customers may prefer to do one or both themselves, but there'll be others that would rather pay you for an all-inclusive service.
-- Chris Hunt
Webmaster & Tragedian
Extra Connections Ltd
I Love it!
Your use of colour and your photoshop work is excellent. I had no problems with your navigation at the top right of the page. It seems clear and well designed.
I agree with audiopro about the wraping of the helpful hints. I think that small subtle bullet points may give it a more ordered look.
I've read Chris's comments about your use of language and I'm in two minds about them.
Web design is clearly your passion, and letting your potential clients know this will be very appealing to many of them. My first impression from your website would be that the site you would design for me would be a labour of love rather a contractual chore followed by a pay cheque.
I think Chris may have a point with some of the phrases that you've used though. A little too esoteric perhaps. Despite this it does, as I said above, communicate the way you feel about your work and it would be a shame to lose that.
If I wasn't a web designer myself I'd hire you in a heart beat.
Your use of colour and your photoshop work is excellent. I had no problems with your navigation at the top right of the page. It seems clear and well designed.
I agree with audiopro about the wraping of the helpful hints. I think that small subtle bullet points may give it a more ordered look.
I've read Chris's comments about your use of language and I'm in two minds about them.
Web design is clearly your passion, and letting your potential clients know this will be very appealing to many of them. My first impression from your website would be that the site you would design for me would be a labour of love rather a contractual chore followed by a pay cheque.
I think Chris may have a point with some of the phrases that you've used though. A little too esoteric perhaps. Despite this it does, as I said above, communicate the way you feel about your work and it would be a shame to lose that.
If I wasn't a web designer myself I'd hire you in a heart beat.
- Thread starter
- #8
That's some emotional response. Thanks! I actually agree with everything you all pointed out. As for the text, look on the bright side: it's pleasantly short 
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