Need input on www.angelfiregetaway.com

timjpriebe's picture

He has: 2,667 posts

Joined: Dec 2004

Hey, all. I need some feedback on a site I just finished designing.

The url is angelfiregetaway.com/temp

That will be changed, of course, to angelfiregetaway.com once it's ready to go.

They have: 11 posts

Joined: Dec 2004

Simple and to the point, I like it.
The virtual Tour thing is cool and I know people appriciate that kind of viewing before they decide to rent!
The template looks somewhat dated but it does have a woodsy, camping, earthy feel to it. Updating the template look could catch the eye of more high dollar customers.

An email contact would be helpful on the Contact page. Many people may just want to email rather than make a long distance phone call.

Photos are great!

The ANGEL FIRE GETAWAY text could use a little more contrast so it stands out better.

Overall you got the idea. Showcase the property and not the website. Many people make a totally tricked out website and it overshadows the subject matter. So good job, you are showcasing the property as you should.

Goldmine Smiling

Greg K's picture

He has: 2,145 posts

Joined: Nov 2003

Hi, I also like the Virtual Tour and the phot gallery. The color scheme for the boder of the site and the color of the title just didn't agree with me. The title was hard to read, green on green...

I would add a little space between the menu and the main content, just a little.

On the home page, find a way to break the text up a little, that is a LOT of text all the same size in only two paragraphs. I feel like I'm coming to read a book, should have more the feel of a brochure.

And on the contact page, I would add a little more than a name and phone number.

Lastly, am I the only one who when I saw the URL thought it had soemthing to do with free web hosting?

-Greg

timjpriebe's picture

He has: 2,667 posts

Joined: Dec 2004

Thanks for the input, guys! You reaffirmed some things that I had in the back of my mind. I've tweaked the look slightly, so LMK if you like the changes, if you already looked at it.

I increased the contrast between the title and its background, and I also put a space between the menu and its content. On the front, I broke the text up a little.

Yeah, the client wanted only the phone number to be on the page for the house. Something about a sales technique...

Megan's picture

She has: 11,421 posts

Joined: Jun 1999

The first impression that I get from this site is that it feels really cramped. The title is much too large for the graphic area and the gold border seems like it should be larger. The font you've chosen there is also very dull. At least find something that's a little bit unique looking. Also use some CSS to spice up the navigation menu. It's pretty easy to add backgrounds and hovers with CSS and make a nice looking navbar.

I agree with Greg about the color scheme as well. It's sort of an odd combination... The lime green title is definitely not working for me.

I think you've done a good job of setting up the site. One problem though - I don't have quicktime installed here! And I really don't feel like installing it. I also expected the Gallery link to be static photos. It looks like it's the same thing as the virtual tour. People should have the option of viewing static photos without having to install a plugin.

Finally, I think the front page needs to a better job of explaining that this is a bed and breakfast. At first I didn't know what it was at all, I had to read (and I should have to read a whole paragraph to find out what a site is about). So maybe a subheading of some sort would work to set that out at the beginning. Actually, after reading all that front page text, it's not even clear that this is a bed and breakfast or if they're renting out the whole house or what.

You should also know that when using numbers in writing any number below nine should be written out in full (so two instead of 2). You can use numbers for anything above 10, except when starting a sentence.

I hope this doesn't sound too harsh Smiling

timjpriebe's picture

He has: 2,667 posts

Joined: Dec 2004

It doesn't sound harsh, as many of the things you mentioned were my client's decision. Smiling

As for the title color, it was initially darker when the other comments were made. I'd actually lightened it up and darkened the background picture a bit to get more contrast.

The gallery does have static pictures in it. If the client picks me up as the webmaster, I will add something to those pages to make that more obvious. Thanks for that suggestion, especially.

Any clue what is giving you the impression that the site is cramped? I'm not seeing anything personally.

I will pass on some of your suggestions to my client, and some others I will probably implement if she picks me up as the webmaster. The site has been approved by the client, so my work is done unless she uses us for ongoing webmastering.

He has: 5 posts

Joined: Nov 2004

Sounds like great place!
As per others ` would perhaps like to see a less dated look to the site ~ but as you say.. what the client wants the client gets! Cost's.. I couldnt see any costs listed... i it might be an idea - the internet is "instant".. you dont want to go emailing to ask a question that probably shoul dhave been answered on the site.
back to the 1st point - great place - I'd like to see an additional page devoted to scenic shots! let's see more of the place ~ Smiling -- or pehaps a slideshow?

heebiejeebieclu's picture

They have: 527 posts

Joined: Aug 2004

Like: Virtual tour
Hate: Orange colour down the sides

BREAKING NEWS:
www.angelfiregetaway.com/temp does not work any more

He has: 153 posts

Joined: Nov 2004

Hate: Most of it..

Sorry man it just looks real bad to me

not good gfx..ugly..

2/10

AyntRyte's picture

He has: 145 posts

Joined: Jun 2004

FYI: Not everyone uses white as their window background color. I use a light grey, as it is easier on my eyes. As you have no background color set for the boby or the center (content) cell, light grey is what I see in that cell's background.

\\// Robert

The grass is always greener on the other side -- but that's because they use more manure.

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