Andrew Zimm's Web Design

I am sitting here trying to figure out how to put in words my first impression. I think it is a good start, but needs work.

Keep in mind here, I am not a fan of a ton of wasted space, which I get on your site. Huge margins, double space lines, big empty header. Ok. I just resized my window down to 800x600. It wasn't as bad. I would recommend keeping the main content area locked in at a certain with. Full screen for me makes very long lines that are only about 2 lines long.

The links are too light colored, have them little darker maybe.

Yes the tagline was annoying, I had followed your link before completely reading your posting here, so I came across it on my own. It wasted my time trying to figure out if there was something more to it than just a hover text.

The about me page has the title "What I Offer", not "About Me". I do like that you point out on your site that you are still learning, which lets the potential client know up front. So many people in your position just advertise like they know everything. Had I know this when first going to your site, I may not of had a hard time describing my first impression, as I was expecting a site like that.

I would give a little less information about what happened to the old site. The way it is worded now tells me you have no back up of the work you do. In any type of design area, it is good practice to have backups. (Especially handy if you find out you don't like the way you are going and want to fall back to where you started playing). From a business standpoint, this would make me wonder.

The title "What I Offer" to me at quick glance doesn't fit in your menu. With the font you use, the I looks like the vertical lines you are using to separate the menu items, and at first glance, my eye sees "What" and "Offer" as two different menu items, and the I looks more look like a separator.

I was wondering where you get that XHTML is "much more widely accepted" than HTML? Accepted by who/what?

The Portfolio, YES CHANGE THAT. Oh man that was extremely annoying. I move the mouse over a thumbnail and they all jump down off the bottom of the screen. Way too jumpy.

Lastly, the netfirms advertisements, yes, as soon as you can, get rid of those. They say "hobbiest".

Again, I think it is a good start, and am glad to see you are upfront with people about your skills. If it wasn't for this, I would say another thing that bothered me about the site was the lack of contact info. IMO, a new "commercial" site that I am not familiar with the company already will not get my business unless I can get some clue to who they are/where they are at.

I hope this info helps.

-Greg

Wow, I appreciate your review. Some of my comments on what you said.

The reason I went to a fluid width design was because on my last web design I had fixed widths and everybody said that it was too constraining and it looked bad on higher screen resolutions. I did the double-spacing on the text so that it would take up more space.

I had a feeling that the links were too light, but I wanted a second opinion. I'm going to try to get them closer to the color of the background. I also fixed the mixed up titles on the about page. I know why it did that but I'm sure you really wouldn't care because it's meaningless. I'll try to change "What I Offer" to something without the word "I" in it.

The portfolio page wasn't really something I planned on keeping. It was merely an experiment to see how it would work because I just started learning JavaScript (I know, where have I been?). I removed a lot of the information about my old website and simply left it at what is happening with the current one.

Thanks again for your comments.

The image in the logo, is that a rose? if so should use a real one (blurred along the stem then clear flower).

I find the || confusing, especually with the I in the links.

I think you are cutting yourself short when you say you are still learning ... (mainly on what i do page), to know it all and be good at it all you'd be a god, many web designers can't do graphics, many graphics people can't code ... It's good your not saying your a seasoned pro but in some cases I'm sure you'd contract some stuff out if it was over your head.
To me the site is to personal for a professional site, but in saying that the site is in your name. Tell them what they need to know and don't offer more information on request, especially the "if it's not to personal" bit) you want to put across life is great and full of happy fairies ... saying your over weight, have a sick dog, goldfish died ... throws on the negative. Make them want to sign you up, things like "I will work with you so it's want you want" (even though they may want crap, saying it gives the impression you are helpful, know best and best of all know what your talking about. Ok you mention some of this in the order page.

I don't think the 'Order' keyword is suitable, makes it sound like they can 'order' a ready made website, when you know it's usually all made to order. you could probably use a contact form.
A lot of clients may never of had a web page before so wouldn't know what they want, don't give them options like "tell me what you want", "think about the layout, colours .." that's your job, offer suggestions on the site, such as domain registration (even if it's just help on doing it), web hosting (again even if only help doing it), layouts, if for a business usually evolve from a letterhead or business card (style and colour), SE submission - basically everything they need from woah to go.

good luck

You also need to fill up that space on the header on the right, it's too blank:)

I think it is a good start, but I cannot see it pulling in any clients who require a web site in its present state and form. It does need a bit of work i'm afraid.

First things first: Get rid of that image rolloever script that automatically resizes the images to show a full preview. Its not a pleasant effect. (portfolio). Additionally on the portfolio, it would be a good idea to list some information about each of the sites so that people can visit them and you can show off what you have done

Secondly I would reccommend putting some more content on the site. There isn't very much to read at present and you need to clearly define your terms and conditions, and if you are after work you need to be a registered company/self employed.

Apart from those two things tho I think you are well on your way Only suggestion I can make is to reduce the line spacing on the content text. Its a bit far apart and a little straining on the eyes i find.

Good luck with the venture tho and keep up the good work Practice makes perfect!

Thank you for all of your comments. I truly appreciate it. I've gotten enough critiques now though, so I removed the link.

Your welcome:)