New Website

I like it. There's only 2 things i would change. 1. the links at the top are blue but the home one isnt. i'd change it so they are all either blue or white. I would go for white personally. 2. The picture at the top - i should think its only fuzzy because its been stretched. 3. Terms and Conditions. I think they'd look better all one color (black) and possibly a slightly bigger font For me it portrays a very simple yet efficent and effective company. Your message says you dont need gimmicks to sell and be sucessful. I think it looks fantastic! Best of Luck! Rachael www.Inspireduk.net
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www.rpevents.co.uk - New site is LIVE!!!
www.craftybytes.co.uk

Hi Geoff, Your site has been optimised for 1024 X 768 resolution screens, i would persoanlly recommend to reduce this down to 800 X 600 as most users are not capable of seeing the whole page and a horizontal scrolling is needed for viewing !!!!. Secondly, there is a bar beind your navigation on top panel which is grey !!! and your nav is red, you dont need to do this just remove it. And thirdly i would recommend to change the colour of the links on the top nav bar, they are not visible, go for something bright, light grey or white perhaps!!! to give a contrast. Hope this help [], 360modena

Rachel Thanks for your kind remarks - and help elsewhere! It's much appreciated. The links at the top are normally blue - they only turn white for the page you're on. I might look for another picture - but I quite like the "businesslike" appearance.

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[i]Originally posted by rachael[/i] [br]I like it. There's only 2 things i would change. 1. the links at the top are blue but the home one isnt. i'd change it so they are all either blue or white. I would go for white personally. 2. The picture at the top - i should think its only fuzzy because its been stretched. 3. Terms and Conditions. I think they'd look better all one color (black) and possibly a slightly bigger font For me it portrays a very simple yet efficent and effective company. Your message says you dont need gimmicks to sell and be sucessful. I think it looks fantastic! Best of Luck! Rachael www.Inspireduk.net

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some sites you may be interested in: www.sxc.hu and photos.com you can get free photos and get business ones there!! www.Inspireduk.net
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www.rpevents.co.uk - New site is LIVE!!!
www.craftybytes.co.uk

Hi Geoff There's a typo on the homepage - '...provide it's customers...' - shouldn't be an apostrophe there. The contact details bottom left are veerrry small on my screen - might be worth putting them up front, a bit larger and somewhere at the top of the page. I would agree with the comment that the top nav links be in one colour for both unvisited and visited, otherwise it looks a bit odd to have half in blue half in black. I'm not sure that they are enticing (the 'click me' factor?) Personally I find it painful to read blue on red, but that might just be my age [] And that T&C page has to be the scariest I've ever seen! Well done, though - looks solid, and easy to get around and see what it is you're selling. best of luck with it Robin http://robinhoughton.com http://marketingkarma.co.uk
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Eggbox: Cracking Online Marketing
http://www.eggboxmarketing.co.uk

Thanks to all who took the trouble. Geoff
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Geoff Westgarth
Practical Business
Tel 01489 786602
email: geoffwestgarth@practical-business.co.uk
Web: www.practical-business.co.uk
Web: www.attitudepromotions.co.uk

1. Does it look professional? I think it does, yes. 2. What other image does it portray? Small firm, new to the web. 3. Do you like it? Yes, but blue link text on red background is hard to read, especially with the size of the text. Photo doesn't seem to relate to your industry/products. 4. Any other comments? Horizontal scrolling is a problem though as I believe 50% of users are still on a smaller screen. It needs a logo design, and I'm not sure the top photo should be on every single page, it seems to have taken the place of a logo/company brand. Regards Amanda
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Regards

Amanda


Truly Ace Graphic Design Blog


Logo Design I Web Design I Print Design

I would say that the important thing is the products. To that end having a back-slapping "About Us" section as the 'second' page seems strange and, dare I say, a little vain. More pictures of what you offer and perhaps a catalogue on there would be helpful (this could be developed into an on-line shop facility?) The site would be helped by the resolution optimisation (as outlined below) being changed also. It feelsd a little claustrophobic too and I'm unsure whether that is because of wordiness or the colours. However, (and you may not believe me because of the above!) it is a fairly fresh-looking site. Good luck! PS Robin - I have to admit that I too am a grumbler about misplaced apostrophes!!
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Marketeer
marketeer@lycos.co.uk

Rubbish. I don't like it. Doesn't look Professional. Sorry to be harsh!

Of course you're entitled to your opinion. But, it is a shame that such harsh criticism is made by someone who hides behind total anonymity. I comfort myself by noting that your opinion seems to be in the minority. Geoff

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[i]Originally posted by bd937347[/i] [br]Rubbish. I don't like it. Doesn't look Professional. Sorry to be harsh!

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[i]Originally posted by bd937347[/i] [br]Rubbish. I don't like it. Doesn't look Professional. Sorry to be harsh!

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Hi Geoff, I would have to agree with most of the comments on the site - the site is fresh and not so cluttered. In answer to yuour questions: 1. Yes it does look professional 2. Clean and Business targeted 3. In general, yes I do As for any other comments I believe a lot has been suggested as for minor changes, e.g. - Blue navigation links on red background that turn white when on that page and brown when visited is not so easy on the eyes. Why not have the navigation text in black - with the link turning to white once you are on that page - with no additional colour for visited links ? - Image sizes and clarity. I have noticed that your image file size are quite large, and the clarity is a little fuzzy. This could take a while to display on a normal dial-up internet connection. The clearer and crisp your images are the more professional a business and website will appear. Also try using image software to optimise the images a little. - Have to agree with the screen size, redcuce to either 800 x 600 maximum (otherwise visitors with this browser will have to scroll across) or set the page to 100% width - to cater for all size browsers. - If you are looking for very low cost 'business portaying' stock images you could check out http://www.istockphoto.com/file_search.php?action=file&text=business Other than that a nice site and good luck with everything ! Regards, Dean C2 Web Design http://www.c2webdesign.co.uk

I have to agree about that 'rubbish' comment - if you are going to tell someone their site is as bad as 'rubbish' - and don't say anything to explain why you think this - then your comment isn't constructive, it's just rude really. Regards Amanda
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Regards

Amanda


Truly Ace Graphic Design Blog


Logo Design I Web Design I Print Design

Hello Geoff, Simply work on the image on the homepage, change the link color or the top nav background color, edit the terms and conditions page and focus on getting clients to your site. I believe that majority of responses on this post thus far agree up to this point. About whether people like the site or not, it does not really matter as long as your customers can find what they think you have after getting them to your site. Google seems to be heavy in traffic yet the design isn't what most people will say is beautiful but the site is very effective. Some say my website www.lagosestores.com isn't beautiful (I did the design myself without any computer training from anywhere or anybody whatsoever), I agree but won't change it because the site brings in cash, my clients are happy with their websites and that's the bottom line of every business - to make money unless you are into some sort of charity. All the best. Take every criticism serious be it negative or positive because some people won't just say something negative just to make you feel good which isn't the best anyway. Afam http://www.lagosestores.com Just for the Nigerian business owner
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Afam Nnaji
Just Web Services.
http://www.justwebservices.com">href="http://www.justwebservices.com">http://www.justwebservices.com

I have read all the posts about this site and if you put all the suggestions together they basically say to change everything on the site. In other words it's rubbish. I am sorry that it wasn't the word you wantd to hear, but that's what I think. If you read my post on the thread about the online furniture and accessories store - Black Orchid, you will see that I am very positive about it. I just don't think non designers should be playing around with website design. When was the last time Richard Branson designed a Virgin website? And as for those who advertise themselves as website designers, I think you should take a long hard look at your portfolios and decide whether you have the abilities to be doing it either.