feedback

hmm.. first impression is that I miss something... a border or something. But I do like the color combination, which matches the subject IMO.

I agree, the colour combo is good but I'm not overly keen on the buttons, although maybe if they all had a picture it would be better, and the main picture is really a waste of a page, especially if they want search engine rankings you need text on the first page.

Suits the subject well, although some of the graphics look a bit jagged. With the buttons, give them a solid fill slightly different to the background colour (maybe a light green or something) and they'll stand out, and won't look so jaggedy round the inside.

I agree with all the suggestions above. Fill those buttons with a different color than the background color, maybe a light green. Put an image in each one too.
The intro page looks nice but it would look better as the home page. Or keep it as is and have some actual greeting and a brief description of "why the hell am I looking at plants...whats bonsai"?

Other than that its nice.

Thanks heeps for the advice, I know its a little rough in places, I just wanted to do a quick prototype to see the reaction it got,I think the home page is all wrong too, if they like the design though I will re do the whole thing and tidy all the pictures up.

I like the colors that you have chosen.
I agree that the main picture is a waste of a page. And definatly not good for rankings. I also think the buttoms are too big, takes too much away from the heading.

Too many images, takes too long to load.

Don't think you need that BIG image in the middle.

COlor combo is great, think as though you've just landed on the site for the first time, how easy is it to find what you're looking for? without any text how will the search engines know what your site is about? you can find a great tutorial on this subject by going to 12 Quick Tips For Beginning Webmasters

Good Luck!

I like the idea behind the design but the images really are a problem, both in terms of search engines and download times.

IMO there is no need to have that massive picture on the first page of the site! It would be better for the visitor to find a nice bit of text about the company etc. than have to wait 5 minutes for an image - which they didn't ask for - to download.

OK I don't know what I was thinking pasting a giant poster on the first page, I guess I just wanted to fill a space, while thinking of something more worthwhile to put there. consider it gone!

Thanks for your help.

Webster,

You're doing the right by being open to constructive criticism, it's very important to your growth. Like most of our neighbors on this post said, you colors are good, if you have a problem with filling the page, think of content to put on the homepage before you go back to redesign, some good content would be featured bonzai articles, and links to bonzai information sites that don't directly sell bonzai, like maybe some sites that show you how to care for your tree amongst other things that your users will see as valuable information. Additionally, some of those sites you link to may be open to a request to exchange links, giving you some targeted advertising. By providing some content you can now fill your page, get some return links, and the search engines will rank your site higher because it provides educational resources.

Good Luck!