New guy's first paid web site - Advice needed
Hi folks. I've been reading these posts lately with lots of interest and I thought I might as well let you all have a shot at mine. This is my first web site that I actually got paid for:
http://members.aol.com/baltbufsol/index.html
It was the first and last time I will be using frames. I wanted to try it to see if I could do it. And now I'm pretty much through with them. But I designed the logo and the entire site having little background in graphics. I just wanted to know what you think of it...how I might have improved it. But more importantly...I have an offer now to do a commercial site and I'm excited by the prospect. Guess I'm just looking for some design tips or direction. I'm doing this in addition to another full time profession(check my website below...my first foray into web design) and I was hoping for some feedback as to what kind of fees I should be asking for, design tips, etc.
My problem is that seeing how this is part time for me...I'm not only learning as I go, but the process is of course slower because I can't devote my time to it totally. (Although the more I do...the more I enjoy it.) Another question is: what's my next step from here? I'm trying to learn Javascript...a little CGI...but I don't even have a web host right now. There's so much to learn...it's kinda overwhelming. But I'll take any kind of advice or criticism. Because I'm really enjoying doing this.
Thanks in advance.
Tim Rutherford
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Tim Rutherford
http://members.aol.com/photogslou/index.html
Jim Shilt posted this at 03:45 — 18th June 1999.
They have: 268 posts
Joined: May 1999
Just a quick note.
I liked the overall layout of the site. I thought the top frame should have been smaller. It took to much space away from the rest of the page.
The colors work well with the site. Also don't forget navigation for the users that don't use graphics.
Other than that looks good.
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My goal in life is found in Phillipians 4:8-9
My goal in life is found in Phillipians 4:8-9
shoutingrock.org/troop214
Carolyn Jones posted this at 17:42 — 18th June 1999.
They have: 327 posts
Joined: Mar 1999
Hi Tim,
I think you have some great design things happening here, love your banner logo. I would lose one of the frames, put the buttons from the left frame onto the top one. The design on the background of the buttons interferes a little bit with the text. I would change the colors/design (less contrast) of the background image for more contrast between the text and background image.
Add a few more pixels of space between the text and the left bar on main page area, they are touching now and you have lots of extra white space on the right of that block.
There are a few posts somewhere in here on pricing (what to charge) here's one:
http://www.webmaster-forums.com/cgi-bin/bigtalker/discussion.cgi?forum=1...
I think you have great potential and paying clients already at that!!! Just keep pluggin along and keep coming back here for help when you need us
take care,
Carolyn
P.S. How heavy did you say that camera was???? KIDDING
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Carolyn Jones
icq# 5351437
Asymmetric, unique designs for contemporary minds
cds posted this at 19:34 — 18th June 1999.
They have: 359 posts
Joined: Mar 1999
Hi Tim,
Overall, very interesting site. Have a couple of suggestions though.
On the main page where you have the bulleted links, I would align them left so all the dots are in a row (column). Being centered looks disorganized. Address is fine centered.
Lose the frame borders...maybe it's a personal preference, but always thought that frame borders detracted from a site.
Last suggestion is an under the hood thing, but include a noframes tag on the index page. If for no other reason than to put a descriptive paragraph about the site for the search engines that don't read frames.
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Dan
http://cds-computers.com
Dan
Recycle Video Games Network
Stupidity killed the cat, curiosity was framed!
JP Stones posted this at 00:36 — 19th June 1999.
They have: 2,390 posts
Joined: Nov 1998
A few frame tips that apply here:
- use the scrolling="no" command for the top frame as it will get rid of the scoll bar that it useless here.
- use boderless (seamless frames) with the frameborder="0" command
- make them unreasibale with the resize="no" command.
JP
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The Webmaster Promotion and Resource Center.
http://www.what-next.com
jonesy posted this at 02:05 — 21st June 1999.
They have: 2 posts
Joined: May 1999
Tim,
Was just wondering, this site is on AOL, is it going to be a permanent site; If it is, I am going to add it to my directory. (military specific search engine and portal)
Thanks,
John
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the Op Center
http://www.military-net.com
Blur posted this at 00:38 — 22nd June 1999.
They have: 66 posts
Joined: May 1999
First, you need to ditch AOL
Just a personal pref
I like the overall layout of the site, the color scheme, etc, but I do have a few pointers:
-The left frame seems kinda of redundant, becasue the yellow table in the right frame seems to also be a nav bar. Maybe try to combien them?
-Definitly turn frame borders off.
-Shrink the top frame down. Users looking at the site in a lower resoloution or a smaller window will see mainly the top frame.
-Hmm, maybe you could ditch the frames, and replace them with tables? It seems like a major thing to do, but if you used CSS to link the 'frames' into tables 'cells' it would be fairly easy. I think this would look better.
Where should you go from here, you ask? Well, CSS, CGI, and Java are all good to know. Have a peek at http://www.hotwireded.com/webmonkey/ to learn a bit about each of those.
Good luck!
-Blur
(Edward Aronyk)
Ed Aronyk (Blur)
Divergent Digital Media
The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that, you've got it made.
Blur posted this at 18:41 — 22nd June 1999.
They have: 66 posts
Joined: May 1999
Whoops, sorry about that, I need to check these things more carefully
JP Stones posted this at 22:22 — 22nd June 1999.
They have: 2,390 posts
Joined: Nov 1998
Slight typo from Ed above should read:
http://www.hotwired.com/webmonkey/
Thank,
JP
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The Webmaster Promotion and Resource Center.
http://www.what-next.com
Photog posted this at 02:58 — 27th June 1999.
They have: 23 posts
Joined: May 1999
Just wanted to say thanks to all who critiqued my site. You're all absolutely right about all the frame probs. Particularly the top frame being too large. I have been to webmonkey many times and contine to try to learn there. Thanks again to all.
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Tim Rutherford
http://members.aol.com/photogslou/index.html
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