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smelltheglove

For reasons that will not be mentioned I needed to have my website online tomorrow. The loveley Nathan of Backyard Webdesign has been looking after me and being very patient with me trying to figure out how I want my page.

After notice that there may be some iterest in my site he agreed to put a consturction oage up at short notice, as in this morning I had no website and now I have something, a domain with a construction page. I am very very happy with the page, in the under constructionpart there will be text, there will be a packages page and each large picture will lead to a gallery and obviously a contact page.

I am so excited though being the childish mare that I am I want to share this with you all, and if anyone wants a professional web site done at good prices please contact this guy. We have already enrolled him to do hubbies band site we are so pleased with him.

www.rachelfoxphotography.com

jen_23

I only have two negative things to say. When the page is loading and I put my cursor over the top of the page on the loading part it says wEEdings, portaits etc... Obv just a typographical error nothing major.
The second though when I click on portrait, event etc I get the welcome page. I assume there is supposed to be examples?

This maybe just my computer acting up so I would check to see if anyone else is having this problem first.

your welcome page looks very well though

smelltheglove

Will look into first secong though, this is under construction, pictures will lead to galleries when finished.

Thanks, I like the layout, simple but still edgy.

soccerc

smelltheglove wrote: »

For reasons that will not be mentioned I needed to have my website online tomorrow.

Gardening? - The title says you do weeddings!

He's doing it using an apple iweb template

jen_23

Ah! okay thought it could be my comp as acting up lately:) I really like the layout as you said its edgy and modern.
Well done:D

obv the bottle of wine prevented me reading your original post in full sorry!!

MagicMarker

I assume you aren't office based, so I would definitely not have my home address up there, there's no reason for it to be there. That's just me though.

daycent

MagicMarker wrote: »

I assume you aren't office based, so I would definitely not have my home address up there, there's no reason for it to be there. That's just me though.

I agree. I would feel a bit strange about having my home address on a public site. You could always give your address privately if you're doing portraits at home, or whatever.

nilhg

daycent wrote: »

I agree. I would feel a bit strange about having my home address on a public site. You could always give your address privately if you're doing portraits at home, or whatever.

+1

sineadw

+2... I had a pretty scary online stalker incident a while back...

As for the site, its nice I'm not sure the font goes with the imagery though. The boxes at the top don't have enough vertical space to my eye, and the top left image's corners aren't rounded like the others.

Not that you asked for c&c

dakar

I like the design, very clean.

Oh yeah, +3

mikeanywhere

In a rush to have it on-line for you, he hasn't proofed it properly so get him to make the changes fairly quickly especially now that it is there for people to see.

smelltheglove

As a registered business you are supposed to make your registered address public this is why it is on there. I will check with the accountant and see if it needs to be on the website too, I know it does with all the headed papers etc.

sunny2004

smelltheglove wrote: »

As a registered business you are supposed to make your registered address public this is why it is on there. I will check with the accountant and see if it needs to be on the website too, I know it does with all the headed papers etc.

you dont need it and I would remove it instantly.
Now you have your full name and address and phone number and if you have facebook or some other site with your D.O.B. then you know where I am gonig with this..

the designer is using a gmail account ? has he got his own website ?

Thoie

smelltheglove wrote: »

As a registered business you are supposed to make your registered address public this is why it is on there. I will check with the accountant and see if it needs to be on the website too, I know it does with all the headed papers etc.

Putting it in small font on a footer in a less obvious font will suffice as well. Also if you're paying for the domain name, he should be able to set up a rachel (at!nospam) rachelfoxphotography.com email address for you as well - 5 would be a pretty common number of email addresses, so you could have rachel, enquiries, info if you wanted. A fairly common thing to do as well if you don't want your home address around the place is contact the CRO, change your registered address to a PO box or something, and use that instead.

Work out some short simple text to replace the Coming soon and the address when you go further so that there isn't a blank space left there when it's up and running (unless you want a blank space). Alternatively you could use that for a table of contents.

When you get on to the next step, remind the designer as well that you're required to provide image alt text for visually impaired users who may be using "readers". Choose your alt text carefully, as it can help with your SEO (search engine optimisation).

Anyway, enough of the tech talk - whee! Lovely looking site

zokrez

smelltheglove wrote: »

As a registered business you are supposed to make your registered address public this is why it is on there. I will check with the accountant and see if it needs to be on the website too, I know it does with all the headed papers etc.

No you are fine you don't on the website. If someone has an interest they can contact you via website. It is very easy to get more info from your registered business name anyhow :rolleyes: One doesn't have to go to facebook to get more info, look at your own boards profile.

There are 3 different fonts used. Maybe use the same font on the left as on the photos on the right. Post in web section for further critique.

kensutz

You have yourself listed to do a lot of events. The thing is, if you're asked to cover a specific event, do you have the equipment necessary?

Ricky91t

kensutz wrote: »

You have yourself listed to do a lot of events. The thing is, if you're asked to cover a specific event, do you have the equipment necessary?

I see no list of events??

PixelTrawler

Its very very slow to load...

Theres also something weird happening where a pause occurs for a few seconds after the images load... like a script of some kind.

Ask him what does the onPageLoad javascript call do on page load - i think thats the culprit

Design is nice enough, he has used a div based layout but unusually theres a lot of style tags in each div element as well as referring to a css class which seems a bit weird

Why is that important - bloats the xhtml and is harder to maintain.

Ok, I just ran a test on your page, there is something seriously amiss here.
Its reporting a size of 681Kbytes

Your images are over 500K of this - which is insane - anyone on a slow line is screwed - even on a BB line you can tell its slow - people wont view slow sites... Theres also 150K of javascript - on a page like this what could it be possibly be for.

This is the worst optimized page I have ever come across - I would seriously question the developers abilities (sorry to be harsh)

The template is nice but the images have to be drastically reduced and the script too.

On a dial up line it would currently take 2:20mins to load the page, and on a 2 Meg BB line about 8secs

Users typically tolerate no more then 4 and as this is a business website it has to load fast.

kensutz

Ricky91t wrote: »

I see no list of events??

Look at the top of the page :rolleyes: Weddings, Sports, Portraits, Music, Products.

Ricky91t

kensutz wrote: »

Look at the top of the page :rolleyes: Weddings, Sports, Portraits, Music, Products.

Oh yeah!:rolleyes:
Missed that,

Maybe it would be best to focus on two or three main things at the top,as sports is a huge area and you've covered boxing well,but it's totally different for rugby or soccer..

AnimalRights

kensutz wrote: »

Look at the top of the page :rolleyes: Weddings, Sports, Portraits, Music, Products.

I don't see any of this?
I see this page when I link onto the original link.
http://www.rachelfoxphotography.com/Welcome.html
There are 4 large boxes with a picture in each, Portraits Wedding Events More...

RoryW

http://www.mop.ie/dynamic/files/International%20Business%20Group%20Ezine%20-%20Changes%20to%20Irish%20Company%20Particulars%20Disclosure%20Requirements%20Website%20and%20Electronic%20Communications%20May%202007.pdf

http://www.odce.ie/GetAttachment.aspx?id=31c7d728-b0d5-4b0f-bd13-b493529ec8bb

Disclosure requirements for businesses - but seems to just apply to companies though

AnCatDubh

Well done Rachel - The next step taken in going full time at it. You seem to be progressing very nicely - one step at a time. As for the site I like the overall aesthetics of it. Nice bright pictures on a plain dark background. Sure there's a bit of work to go on it but you did indicate that it was a 'domain parked page'.

While i kinda agree about the personal address which I see you've removed, it is one of those fears that people will have but it may never happen - could be completely irrational - This from someone who's never had any trouble of the sort that you might worry about. What's the crime rate in the larger area of where you live? Have you a rottweiler at the gates? Does the hubby own a machete and machine gun (ridiculous rhetorical questions btw) A risk analysis would say whether its something to worry about or not. Even if you don't worry about it, something could happen but if the address isn't there at all, something could also happen for other reasons. All that stuff is built on fear. Sometimes real - Sinead's experience of an online stalker shows that it can happen. I think its terrible that you can't live without worrying about that kinda stuff and until our societal system of dealing with people that stray from what is acceptable behavior is appropriate to the age that we live in you may be best taking as much care as possible with personal identities. Hope that hasn't compounded any fears that you'd have by the way.

Oh yeah - one other thing. You can get Google to manage your email domain of rachaelfoxphotography.com - you already own the domain so you can do it for free. You basically get Gmail personalised for your domain. No one ever outwardly knows that it is google that's doing it for you. If interested then Google Apps is what you need to check out. Again, its FREE with their standard edition which gives you up to 200 user accounts for free. You can opt for a premier service if you want guaranteed service level agreements, uptimes, etc... Oh, by the way, there is loads more that comes with it - lots of the google stuff that you've come to know in the consumer world except on an enterprise platform. You've nothing really to lose - it's FREE for the standard level. I've done a few domains with them at this stage and I think in the small to medium enterprise world that there is nothing like it from what i've seen that gives value for the buck (hey wait, yes its FREE - did i mention that? )

Anyhow back on topic, I take joy in seeing you advance in this area - well done.

EDIT: Actually, the info is at the above link - the sign up is found here where it compares the premium edition. You can start with the standard and then if you need additional guaranteed uptimes etc.., you can move over to premier edition.

Cabaal

already mentioned, you have a nice domain name and you've paid the money yet your using a gmail address? imho free webmail account looks unprofessional, setup info@yourdomain.com or something, looks alot better then you@gmail.com

smelltheglove

Ok guys thanks for the advice. Obviously I will not be using a gmail account on this but as it was a rush set up it needed to go up as I did not have the @rachelfo...../ set up. Anyway that will be done soon.

The coming soon replaced body text which was already set, the page is almost done as is the rest of the site. My street address is gone but number is staying after all I'm offering a service that people will need to speak to me for so my number needs to be up there.

I appreciate all the input, the designer is new to the game to but I think he has done a great job and took al my requests into consideration, simple yet still modern.

I will have to speak to him regards upload time but I'm not sure if that is his end or the host as he designed the page and I sourced the host.

PixelTrawler

Hi Rachel

Its the designer who has responsibility here. Tell him to work with this tool until he gets the entire page size down to about 80Kb (they say 50 is the optimial but if he can get it to 80 it should be fine.)

Its currently at over 680Kb

A) get rid of the javascript - theres nothing there that needs it (any rollovers if required can be done in css - much lighter)
b) images need to be drastically reduced in download size

Oh and while I'm at it

- there are no alt / title tags on the images
- as a business website you need a privacy statement and/or terms and conditions of use

kjt

smelltheglove wrote: »

I will have to speak to him regards upload time but I'm not sure if that is his end or the host as he designed the page and I sourced the host.

That's deffo his job, send him over the host info and he should upload everything.

If you have any problems or need it done, let me know Rachel

DeVore

Nice site Rachel. I used to run a web design company so this is my bread and butter but I wouldnt C&C a site before its finished, just two things I noticed.

1. Fonts, pick one and use it as you have 3-4 different ones and that is giving the site a disjointedness that (when used with a simple clean style) can be mis-interpreted as childish or amateur.

2. I cant believe I'm so anal I noticed this: Of the fours pictures, the top right and both on the bottom have rounded corners while the top left has pointed ones.

DeV.

Ricky91t

Err,My posts??
Where did they go?
I know the last wasn't really on topid but it was replying to someone..
I made another post to animalrights and thats gone ?!?

Sleepy

DeVore wrote: »

2. I cant believe I'm so anal I noticed this: Of the fours pictures, the top right and both on the bottom have rounded corners while the top left has pointed ones.

At least I'm in good company in being so anal...

Nice layout but if (as someone above has said) this is a known template, I hope you're not paying too much for it as the execution is quite amateur. It's probably not that important for most of your target market but personally I'd notice the level of site and take a very good look at your portfolio to ensure that your photography was at a higher level than the web design (which in your case might be a good way of getting the business... )

AnCatDubh

Ricky91t wrote: »

Err,My posts??
Where did they go?
I know the last wasn't really on topid but it was replying to someone..
I made another post to animalrights and thats gone ?!?

Your last post on this thread was removed - Didn't have a problem with your post but with another post that was quoted which has also been removed and that left your post kinda orphaned so it was just a tidy up. Not sure about the AR one.

Phototoxin

AnCatDubh wrote: »

Your last post on this thread was removed - Didn't have a problem with your post but with another post that was quoted which has also been removed and that left your post kinda orphaned so it was just a tidy up. Not sure about the AR one.

Sorry about that AnCatDubh & OP (& other freaked out people.) I wasn't thinking straight while trying to be helpful.
People have already pointed out the pointy corners thing and the non working links and the address/phone numbers thing.

AnimalRights

....

smelltheglove

Thanks Devore, Yeah I chose Bernhart as my font for all my work unfortunately havent been able to source it as a watermark yet so I aim for it to be on everything, I reckon though I may use Bernhart for all titles and a more average font for text and sub headers etc as I dont find it to be a good font to use in a paragraph, just more a header. The rounded corners I think it may just be this one as I dont recall seeing that in the sample, obviously wont take long to fix.

smelltheglove

Phototoxin we all do things in the middle of the night that we regret under the influence.... ah sure no offence taken.

TPD

I dont know if this has been mentioned, but the blue box seems a pixel or two higher than the white box, and the orange a pixel or two higher than the green. While it would most likely go unnoticed, I cant take my eyes away from it now :P.

I think the designers link would look better if it was aligned with your text, and maybe in a smaller rounded box like your pictures.

As already stated, the top left box's picture isnt rounded, and on the top right box, top left corner, there seems to be a sharp corner poking through the curve.

Thats all I can see that is wrong with it, and apart from that it is a nice layout, looks easy to use etc. Am I allowed to ask how much you've been charged for it?

smelltheglove

I havent been charged as it is the designers first go, it was on offer on adverts services but considering it is his first time I think he he was great at putting my ideas into it.

Phototoxin

Phototoxin we all do things in the middle of the night that we regret under the influence.... ah sure no offence taken.

I dont drink.. I was hypoglycemic.. it actually appears the same oddly enough but alcohol is the last thing I need [alcohol compound insulin absorption leading to even lower blood sugar!]

smelltheglove

So you get drunk for free?????

Kidding no I'm not taking the p, seriously completely forgiveable.

Thoie

Phototoxin wrote: »

I dont drink.. I was hypoglycemic.. it actually appears the same oddly enough but alcohol is the last thing I need [alcohol compound insulin absorption leading to even lower blood sugar!]

And it's great fun explaining to bouncers that the last thing you need is to be fecked onto the street, and that a nice glass of water and a bottle of lucozade would be much better when all you can say is

"shma, luch, shade, wija wija, shma"

Phototoxin

I've not gone out clubbling since... i never used to drink anyway.. but now if i was dancing and went hypo.. everyone would assume I'm p*ssed and that would be dangerous

dinneenp

I haven't read all the previous threads so could be repeating
(you could edit your initianl post with any feedback in bulletpoints so people don't have to read three pages....)

Only the words are clickable (portraits etc)- the whole pic should be.
You have no link to 'about me' from homepage.
Get rid of backyardwebdesign- you're paying them to create your site, not adverstise their business. It has no place on your homepage!
Agree- don't need home address OR mobile or your name (for 2nd time on homepage). Any contact info should be on 'about me' page.

smelltheglove

Thanks dineep, taken on board, it is still a construction page so contact page will hold the telephone number etc, obviously as a business the telephone number is needed for people to contact me though.

Deliverance XXV

Personally I think the weakest part of the page are the weak fonts used on the left.
Changing the font would make a massive difference. I made a quick mockup of the page, I hope you dont mind.
If you think I overstep the boundaries let me know and I'll take the photo down.

Here is the original screenshot of your page for comparison

Here is the mock up.

I deliberately left the space underneath your name so you could stick in a icon of sorts. You have a great surname so that could be used for an catchy image for your business.

Apart from the common issues spoken of above I would also like the mention the need for a dedicated 'contact me' page where you can stick in your contact details and your designer can implement a contact me web form.

Hope this helps.
James.

smelltheglove

Thanks James, the blank space you have left is filled with text in the final web page, it was replaced with under construction just for the purpose of getting it up quick. The web address was to appear in a paper hence the rush.

The name, actually, since I was recently married I kinda had to use my married name but I thought my maiden name worked real well too, Harte, I had a invitation business set up before and it suited so well as it was weddings and the name was harte occasions. The bernhart font was my choice as I like the font, it doesnt stand out quite so much here as it does on all the other stationary etc so I may reconsider after looking at yours but I'm not sure yet.

The final page has a gallery, packages and contact section so all that area is covered, I like the way you have it at the bottom there with colours like the squares, it really fits in.

I actually asked the designer to put his name there as he designed it for free so he may as well get some advertisement out of it.

jubi lee

I like James' Mock up I have to say. The font on the left is much nicer and has more impact. overall look of the page is nice as long as all the niggly graphics are fixed.

plus as some have said I'd reduce the number of areas you cover and specialise in one or 2. you will still get people calling you for all sorts of work.

This is just a personal opinion but generally you can tell who are new to the biz by looking at what they say they cover. more often than not, those that list every area under the sun are new....(not all but a lot!)