web site critique - please critique mine

Sorry, I forgot to link it for you.
I don't know how to though.**edit by JP Stones = just fixed it fo you**

Thanks dyc, I will get to work on it.
Also, thanks for letting me know about the linking.
creationwebdesigns.com

See the Forum Help link for how to link things.

As to your site:

- Doesn't work on 640x480. Just making sure you know this...

- Try centreing your text underneath your logo.

- Your logo is nice, but it cuts off a little too suddenly into the background. Try either blending it into the background a little bit more, or putting a border around it.

- Your bullets seem to have been designed for a white background, and they look pretty ugly. Get rid of the jagged white pixels around them.

- You have links to both Main Page and Home on your links bar at the bottom.

- You use an address @netscape.net, which really doesn't look very professional. You have a domain; I'm sure your web host will allow you to forward e-mail from it.

- I think that the logo should blend into the bg colour.
- I think your bullets were designed for a white bg.
- drop the buttons.
- setup a contact form a/o to the email link.
JP

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[red]The Next Step in Website Development [/red] - http://www.what-next.com
The Webmaster Promotion and Resource Center

Thanks for the suggestions and the link to your page. Great info there.

I am new at this and really appreciate all the info. What do you mean by 'setup a contact form a/o to the email link'?

Also, what program would be best to manipulate my logo and buttons? Paint Shop Pro? (I have windows 98 OS)

Again, thanks for your help.

Camyde

I think (???) JP means to create a form that people can fill in. You can make on in CGI/Perl. I like both Paint Shop Pro and Adobe Photoshop. I would choose between buttons or links, because your "main" links are down at the bottom of the page, and your less important buttons are at the top of the page.

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FireBurn Web Publishing - fireburn.com
[red]Low cost web design, graphic design, and more![/red]

Thanks Kidjustino for the input.

All of the suggestion were right on the money. I agree with everyone. I am working on making those changes.

I am really new to this web stuff. I barely know html. I have been using a translator program for my web page.

I am still overcoming a lot of its limitations. I don't know if this next comment is appropriate for this discussion, but we say it anyway.

Are there any source that were valuable to you people when you first started out. Would anyone be willing to point me in a good direction.

I have a huge learning curve to overcome, but I am following my dream. I know I will make it eventually.

In the meantime, I'm not quitting my day job.

I appreciate all the input. This is a very valuable resource to me.

Thanks,
Camyde

When I first started I used a WYSIWYG editor (What You See Is What You Get, like MS Frontpage or AOL press). I would create my page, then look at the html, and see if I could make it out. I know you won't believe me, but it becomes easy after awhile. Just keep reading and creating pages.

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FireBurn Web Publishing - fireburn.com
[red]Low cost web design, graphic design, and more![/red]

I believe you kidjustino. I know a little about html, I will keep hanging in there. Everyone starts out at the same place, knowing nothing. I just feel like a late bloomer. Thanks for the encouragement.
Camyde

1)I think the logo might either have to be redesigned...or you can try and blend it..
2)center the content of the page.
3)try using a different font type...i think ur using the default Times new Roman... maybe verdana or tahoma, or even arial.
4)make the links text at the bottom of your website a little smaller
5)rather set up a "Contact Us" page, and put the email address and a mail form /order form and things like that in there.

Camyde...you have access to alot of resources as i can see, and you need to just learn how to utilise them effectively, and you'll definitely be a success!...

later

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Bandit Creations Web design
bandit.nasha.com

I would just like to take a moment to thank the regular reviewers like dyc, kidjustino, bcwebdesign, megs etc (if I've missed anyone out I'm sorry, I'm mostly going on posts to this thread). You're input has proved valuable to many member websites and I sincerely thank you on the part of this community for your time.

Yep, that's right I'm in a charitable mood today (no not drunk! )
JP

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[red]The Next Step in Website Development [/red] - http://www.what-next.com
The Webmaster Promotion and Resource Center

Your Welcome! I like doin this kinda stuff.

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FireBurn Web Publishing - fireburn.com
[red]Low cost web design, graphic design, and more![/red]

oh yeah, I forgot cds and Jim Shilt - doh!
JP

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[red]The Next Step in Website Development [/red] - http://www.what-next.com
The Webmaster Promotion and Resource Center

I feel soooo loved. Well seriously, I do feel a lot more at ease with all of your help and acceptace for a newcomer like me. I have to admit, I was a little indimidated to put my page up because I am such a novice. I must add to JP's comment and say thanks for everyone's help. This is a really special community. I am glad to be a part of it.
Camyde

Hey camyde, as soon as you do some updating post again so we can discuss your progress. And please fell free to post reviews of other sites...
JP

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[red]The Next Step in Website Development [/red] - http://www.what-next.com
The Webmaster Promotion and Resource Center

Thanks JP, almost got offended, but then you added me in. I guess afterthought is better than nothing.

You're welcome Camyde, glad to help. As I mentioned in the email i sent you, for a first attempt, is very good and you definetly have a future in web designing.

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Dan
http://cds-computers.com

How could I possibly have forgotten you, I my bow my head in shame...
JP

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[red]The Next Step in Website Development [/red] - http://www.what-next.com
The Webmaster Promotion and Resource Center

Thanks everyone for the great support. As soon as I am ready, I will submit my new and improve web site. I have gotten a lot of good advice and a greatly appreciated offer to help. I must get busy now. Wish me patience. *lol*
Camyde

Hi Camyde, or is that your real name?

Just a couple of thoughts that hadn't been hit by the others here.

Try to edit down your comments. I know you have a lot to say but on the web short gets results.

On one page you state that you will do changes and updates at no charge. Big mistake. I have had several clients (most really) who spend more time with changes and updates than getting the site to work in the first place.

The overall look and feel of the site is really good. Keep up the great work.

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My goal in life is found in Phillipians 4:8-9

Hi, Jim
No, camyde is not my real name. My name is Camille. So much for the anonimity. *lol* Well, maybe it is a bit wordy. I will see about edititing. As for the make changes at no extra charge. I have a special translator. According to the company that made it, HB Solutions out of Utah,it is really good and top secret stuff. Well, basically, I am a reseller for them. I have the ability to show my clients how to go into the page and make the changes themselves. I will make sure I can do this.
Well since we are on the subject of prices. What is the going rate, approximately for changes? I will think and pray about making that change. Thanks for your comments. I appreciate the concern about making too many changes. This is probably not a good thing, but I am still in the process of finalizing my pricing. Any pricing input would be Great!

p.s. still working on the design changes.

Camille (aka Camyde)

I would like to know more about the "translator." Is it a WYSIWYG editor like MS Frontpage? The going price is either "5 updates per month for $xxx" or per hour. Big design firms who have a "known" name can charge alot, but small design companies charge a good price. Check around and see what you come up with.

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FireBurn Web Publishing - fireburn.com
[red]Low cost web design, graphic design, and more![/red]

OK, about the translator. It is a WYSIWIG. It has 3 sections. Admin, construction, promotion.

Admin lets me view web page, retrieve orders (if I sold something), view counters, view my email list,

construction tools I can edit globa info (background color, header and footer info-my logo and for more info (footer stuff). this part is what i am having problems with changing. I need to adjust the for more info part and they (the programmers for the company HB solutions does not know how to) I also build my page. Will explain later. Compile my calendar, mailing list, bulletin board, and find a location.

Building my page - I can select several different items to include like a title, text, graphic and text, a bulleted list. I can add my own links in html to the text feature. This is not a template program. I am able to customize, per say, as much as my imagination will let me. Well, my imagination works better than the program. It does not have a specific name (the program) the company has gone to great links to only let people who buy the program know about it.

Well, I am using this, but would like to supplement it with html, and ftp. I am not sure how to make these two (program and ftp) work together. I am going to get in touch with support at hb solutions and find out how. Myron, the support guy. is very helpful to me and tells me how to manipulate the program. I just don't think the for more info. is able to be manipulated at this time. I think they are working on it. I don't know. I don't like how it looks though.

The phone is in red and needs to be blue. Also the font size definetely needs to be changed.

The promotion part lets me submitt my pages to search engines and has a link exchange function. I sends and email and asks if they would like to exchange links. It keeps track of how much time has gone by. after a week it sends another email. all automatically. I have not used this part yet, but will let you know how it turns out.

The rest is easy to use. It does have limitations though. I am planning on using this for the rest. because I will also host other sites. through hbsolutions. I have 11 other websites waiting to be rented.

I thought it was a good deal. I am a reseller. It works for now, since I am so new at the whole business.

Well, what do you think? If you would like more clarification, i'm glad to. I can't send you to the page. You have to have a password to get into the system. I would show you if you were standing next to me. Sorry, i would like you to see, because i probably didn't do it justice by explaining it.

Camille (aka camyde)

Just keep in mind that making changes to web sites is how design firms build a recurring or is it residual income. Maybe I'm a control freak, but about the only thing I allow a client to update themselves is database info.

You're forgiven JP. You sure you weren't drinking and just had a memory lapse?

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Dan
http://cds-computers.com

It's sounds pretty cool, and very usefull. I don't get why they don't publisize the program more? Anyway, it probably costs an arm and a leg also (although, i could probably make one since i know vb really well).

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FireBurn Web Publishing - fireburn.com
[red]Low cost web design, graphic design, and more![/red]

Kidjustino,

that is why they don't want anyone else to know. They want the program all to themselves. *lol* You probably could make a program just like it.

Camille