I Would like a little Website Critique
Dec 10, 2011 17:34:23 #
Folks, I do photography on a mostly part time basis now even though I made my living at it for many years a while ago. It was mostly in the film days, but anyway if any of you have a few minutes would you jump over and look at my website and let me know what you feel are the good points (if any) and the bad points (be gentle!) I have not updated it for a good while and I really need to add new images and get rid of many others. I just would like your initial feeling as you look around. Is it too busy? Too wordy? Bad Images? Too many products? What do you think?
Here's my website...www.digicorpimages.ifp3.com Thanks for any help or ideas.
Here's my website...www.digicorpimages.ifp3.com Thanks for any help or ideas.
Dec 10, 2011 17:47:16 #
I took a brief look around, John - it's not bad, but I really don't like Flash websites in general - there just too much going on, and it breaks browsers too easily. Once I found your drop-down up on the upper left,it was fairly easy to navigate, and your color options are ok. I'm a BIG believer in simplicity and ease of use, and compared to some photographer web sites I've seen, yours is much better.
(I taught web design, usability, and programming for over 17 years, and have published articles on interface design and that kind of junk, so I DO have a bit of a grounding in it. )
(I taught web design, usability, and programming for over 17 years, and have published articles on interface design and that kind of junk, so I DO have a bit of a grounding in it. )
Dec 10, 2011 17:52:26 #
JimH wrote:
I took a brief look around, John - it's not bad, b... (show quote)
Thanks Jim that's the kind of input I'm looking for. Its good sound advice. I have always questioned the "Flash" website effectiveness, but some really like it. I'm not completely convinced that I want to stay with it??? Thanks again.
Dec 10, 2011 18:02:05 #
You're quite welcome-my big thing about websites is you have to imagine the user is 6 years old. If he gets lost or confused, CLICK. He's gone. If he can't find what he wants in about 30 seconds MAX, CLICK. He's gone. Also, I always stressed to my students, NEVER SEND YOUR VIEWER SOMEPLACE ELSE ONCE THEY HIT YOUR SITE. On a few of your links in the scrolling window, the link opened an entirely new page in Chrome. And there was no way to get from THAT page back to the original page.
If you look at wildly successful sites that get millions of hits every day, you'll see that their basic construction is very similar, regardless of what mechanisms they use (Flash, HTML5, JSP or whatnot) Look at AMAZON, for example. No matter what you buy there, or where you go, that top banner is ALWAYS visible, and you can always get back "Home" in about two clicks maximum. Look at CNN - Even though there's a lot of crap going on there, that top menu bar is ALWAYS visible, and everything opens up below it. It's virtually impossible to get lost on CNN.
One of the hardest things to do when programming (and make no mistake, web design is programming) is being able to DUMB YOURSELF DOWN so that the site is easy to navigate. Too often, programmers figure everybody looking at their page (or using their program) is as smart as they are. Big Mistake.
If you look at wildly successful sites that get millions of hits every day, you'll see that their basic construction is very similar, regardless of what mechanisms they use (Flash, HTML5, JSP or whatnot) Look at AMAZON, for example. No matter what you buy there, or where you go, that top banner is ALWAYS visible, and you can always get back "Home" in about two clicks maximum. Look at CNN - Even though there's a lot of crap going on there, that top menu bar is ALWAYS visible, and everything opens up below it. It's virtually impossible to get lost on CNN.
One of the hardest things to do when programming (and make no mistake, web design is programming) is being able to DUMB YOURSELF DOWN so that the site is easy to navigate. Too often, programmers figure everybody looking at their page (or using their program) is as smart as they are. Big Mistake.
Dec 10, 2011 22:15:49 #
JimH wrote:
You're quite welcome-my big thing about websites i... (show quote)
Ha! lol Who would have thunk it? We try so hard to learn everything in our craft just so we can keep people with the attention span of a six year old! The sad thing is....I know you're right Jim. Thanks again for another round of sound advice and valid points. Even though my website needs a good over-haul with fresh stuff (most of it has been there for a while...uh a good while; gulp!) I think I get to wound up in explanations and descriptions when less could be better. Now all I need is about one week to do what I need to do...bummer! I really think it needs to be more focused. Thanks.
PS Do you recommend any website host?
Dec 10, 2011 22:26:24 #
I went over and took a look.....overall the site looks great ! I also am not crazy about flash. I've built websites for clients and found most visitors really didn't like Flash, only the developer did....me !!! I would like the site a lot better if a drop down menu was easier to find like Jim said ! All in all, it's a lot nicer and less cluttered than most of the photography sites I've looked at !!! Good work !
Dec 10, 2011 22:31:44 #
Dec 10, 2011 22:34:47 #
Hi, after the slow flash opener we end up on a page with repeating images. I do not like the info box covering up 1/3 of you images. Let the Art speak for itself. The left hand vertical text is difficult to read, and I think the red spiral background is taking up to much valuable space for no reason. Like Jim says, simple is the best. I would look at successful pro sites and take notes.
Keep up the good work! And it is cool you ask for honest critique, not many can take that first step!
Keep up the good work! And it is cool you ask for honest critique, not many can take that first step!
johnnyg67 wrote:
Folks, I do photography on a mostly part time basi... (show quote)
Dec 10, 2011 22:37:26 #
nyweb2001 wrote:
I went over and took a look.....overall the site looks great ! I also am not crazy about flash. I've built websites for clients and found most visitors really didn't like Flash, only the developer did....me !!! I would like the site a lot better if a drop down menu was easier to find like Jim said ! All in all, it's a lot nicer and less cluttered than most of the photography sites I've looked at !!! Good work !
Thanks Pete, I appreciate the input. Do you recommend any other website host that are reasonable or even free? I do like the ease of use that the ifp3 sites offer and the price is good too. Also I did not mention that one of the main things I use it for is to provide a secure place for my customers to view and order prints. So, it is not used much as a way to draw in customers, but to make viewing their images easy for them. However I would like for it to attract customers 24/7 too though.
Dec 10, 2011 22:42:29 #
randymoe wrote:
Hi, after the slow flash opener we end up on a pag... (show quote)
Randy, I get your point and to be honest the drop down info has always been one of the things that has bothered me. I'm looking for a great hosting site that is easy to use and inexpensive (Not asking much huh? :-) Thanks for your help.
Dec 10, 2011 22:45:32 #
To be honest with you, it's been so long I can't remember who I used ! I'm sure there's a million new ones now ! The only thing I remember is I used to use "Cute FTP" to upload....I always wondered why they would use that name !!
Dec 10, 2011 22:49:50 #
Dec 10, 2011 22:55:47 #
This a young friends hobby website. If you click the bottom link for the host you may get some ideas.
http://starliteanalog.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=209
http://starliteanalog.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=209
Dec 10, 2011 22:59:02 #
nyweb2001 wrote:
To be honest with you, it's been so long I can't remember who I used ! I'm sure there's a million new ones now ! The only thing I remember is I used to use "Cute FTP" to upload....I always wondered why they would use that name !!
Ha! Cute name huh? Ok thanks I have researched some, but I don't want to pay a fortune to look good and not make it back in returns. I even use YOLA websites some (the free ones) and they are so easy to drag and drop anything you need, but I'm not sure if the are the image I want for my main site???
Dec 10, 2011 23:01:19 #
randymoe wrote:
This a young friends hobby website. If you click the bottom link for the host you may get some ideas.
http://starliteanalog.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=209
http://starliteanalog.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=209
Interesting site Randy. I'll look at it a little closer after while. Thanks
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