NEW website update!

[bigbaby987]

Please give your critique.


www.BurnsideMedia.com (http://www.BurnsideMedia.com)

[WMDunkin]

not bad but I am not sure it would be worth the money. I mean they do only have a small powered by at the bottom.

[tracknut]

Looks pretty snazzy, I like it.

I notice your pages all state "(c) Photobiz" though you never mention them in your "about us" (like, why they own the copyrights on your photos). Perhaps this is why you're a Media *group*, but I'd think you might want to mention them.

I notice also that your HTML has no DOCTYPE, and has no meta tags for descriptions and keywords. A Flash site has enough trouble getting searched, you really need this text as a minimum to help get found with searches.

Dave

[bigbaby987]

yeah.. I know about the photobiz button. it's just the website template is copywritten by them not my photos.. not by any chance.. it's like when you go to some people's sites and they say "site designed by..... " same thing..

I can have it removed and will.. it cost money to actually do that though... but i'm going to to keep down confusion..

please don't get caught up in the button part.. i want your crit about the actual website..

thanks for your opinions so far.. you have confirmed what i was going to adjust..

[valentinephoto]

You had several spelling errors (the word "recieves" is spelled incorrectly over and over - it should be receives) and some grammical changes that should be made. I'm not expert, but here's what I can suggest. Take it with a grain of salt. Some of my changes/suggestions are made to keep the same flow of and style of descriptions (on your pricing page, for example).

I only reviewed your "Information" section. You should look over your pages and compare with what I suggested to really understand what/why I changed things around.

I'll post the corrections/my suggestions in red.

Under "About Us":
*(ranging from Kanye West and Alicia Keys to Dianna Ross and Patti Labell)

*So please take time and enjoy our website. Feel free to contact us anytime.


Under "Pricing":
*8 Hours of photography on your wedding day.

*You will receive a $100 credit to use towards prints or an album.

* 12 hours of photography on your wedding day
You will receive a $250 credit towards prints or an album.

*Includes everything in the Silver Package plus....
An additional $100 credit towards prints or an album ($350 credit total)
4 hours of photography for your engagement party
A "mini" site for you and your friends to enjoy the photos, and slideshows of your special day.

*Everything in the Gold Package plus.........
An additional $150 credit towards prints or an album. ($500 credit total)
DVD Slideshow
A premium, professionally designed wedding album
"Save the date" photoshoot
2 Hour bridal photoshoot before wedding day
1 Hour private photo viewing session
Free "Image Makers Club” card, which includes free sitting fees for life, plus you’ll receive top priority when scheduling a session. The “Image Makers Club” receives the inside track to special discounts and even photo trips!!!

*All weddings require a consultation and signed contract with deposit.

*Portraits:
$250 per two hour session
* Includes up to three outfit changes and web based proofing area (where you can purchase prints). Occasionally you may be asked to come in for a private photo viewing session.


I hope I can be of help, as that's exactly what I was trying to do. I do like the way your buttons are laid out (on the bottom) and how things pop up sideways. Makes it interesting.

[CanadianKitKat]

I tried to look but had to exit quickly due to the music. Music on websites makes me bonkers, a better bet is to add a button up front that allows viewers to turn it ON if they want it. Sorry I can't be of more help, but you should be aware that music on websites is a huge pet peave for a lot of people.

[bigbaby987]

Valentine!!!! Thank you so much!!!! That's exactly what I was looking for. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!!

KitKat..some people like the music some don't.. that's fine.. that may not be my client base.. please don't take that the wrong way at all..

[mr_e]

You'll alienate more people with the music turned on, than you would attract people because they like the music

Music is not a good idea on a medium as broad as the internet, especially when so many people prefer to listen to their own thing while on the computer, even if that own thing is silence

I would also ditch the Photobiz bit, your site is to promote yourself, not anyone else

[AdrianeCale]

It took a while to load for me. I don't know how good of an idea it is to have your calendar on there... doesn't look like you're very busy or maybe you haven't gotten to that point yet. I noticed you haven't done the links page, either.

I had my laptop on mute when I accessed the site, but music on ANY website annoys me! I'm sure yours is probably cool, but I don't want to hear it.


Anyway, that's just my opinion. My site has it's flaws too...

[valentinephoto]

You're very welcome! I didn't realize you had music on your site (I don't have my speakers hooked up right now) but I normally turn off music when I go to a site with music. If they don't give me the option, I have to turn off my speakers.

It can be annoying because when my son was smaller and he used to nap more, the music on a website would wake him up (he naps on the couch and my office is in the same room).

While music on some sites works, it would be nice if there was an on/off button for your guest to decide if they want to hear it. Also, if someone is at work and they go on your site they might automatically click off of it (or even at home) if they hear music. I don't think anyone is trying to say it's such an awful idea, I just think it's better if you give the option of turning the music on, rather than turning it off just to avoid losing potential website viewers.

[OdiN1701]

1 - Music. This is bad.

2 - Load times. Horrible.

I had to wait for the web interface to load, then I had to wait for it to "load images". If I was a customer, I would have closed the site and looked for someone else to do business with.

I would really just go with HTML and ditch flash. It would load 100 times faster, get your image and name on the screen quicker.

If you want music, do it on a gallery page with a slideshow or something - at least then it is expected.

[bigbaby987]

Let me ask you guys.. ALL of the top 10 wedding photographer have music on their sites. What makes it any different.

The photobiz button was addressed, but thanks anyways. I will be getting rid of it. I actually don't like Pictage (one extremely good lab) just because they won't get rid of their branding off of my proofing area. I'm in talks with other labs with have agreed to get rid of this to make sure it's about my product and ultimately my brand.

Not really worried about load times that much. In my opinion, it's not that bad. 10-12 sec. has been my load up time. But it would be nice to at least get a splash page going with the company name branded the minute you hit the page..


The music does have an on/off switch by the way.

I do like the music in the galleries area. May just do that.

I honestly don't want my site to be stale and like "everyone else's." Just a bunch of pictures lined up in a row is super boring. Make it pop is the key. Maybe no music on the main page, but you can guarentee that there will be music on the site with the option to turn it off.

Creating a brand is what my site is all about. I am a marketing profesisonal for some of the largest companies in New York City, national advisor for others, and have other national clients. Not to mention an almost full time photographer. Just need to take the plunge really. So I have an idea of what I want. I'm a creative guy. Details is not necessarily my forte, but I can brand the heck out of something. And that's what I'm doing.
That's just not me.

I'm actually going to add video and more to the site very soon, and continue to get it to grow.

I hope you understand that I want my site to be an experience, not just a bunch of great photos. ANYONE can do that. The purple cow gets the attention.

[bigbaby987]

Adriane, as far as the calendar goes, I just put this site up. I am extremely busy. I have 2 weddings this week. Another engagement shoot next week. Then the last part of next week, I'm flying out of town to have a meeting to be an official photographer for a major communications company (one of those companies that's has a tv network with only 3 letters in it's name). Then I have another wedding the minute I get off the plane next Saturday. The following week I have to do headshots some major entertainers. I could fill out the calendar all day, but it's really meant for the potetial client to fill it out and I'll be notified to see if my calendar is clear. You do bring a good idea to put my scheduled events on the calendar and let people fill out the remaiding dates. But please don't insult me by saying I'm not busy. Get the point??

[bigbaby987]

I definitely appreciate all opinions, and I totally will take them to heart. Please don't take any of my responses the wrong way. As, artist Erykah Badu put it, I'm an artist and I do get a little sensitive about my stuff. (she said it a little more street if you understand)

But thank you again. I will definitely take them to heart. And I still welcome your comments.

Thanks,
Ben

[OdiN1701]

There is no reason you have to use flash in order to not have a stale site.

[bigbaby987]

I don't like html. Never have. Just my taste. I appreciate where you're coming from, but again, look at the top photograhpers. The majority of them have flash sites. Html is like: **click** boring, **click** boring, **click** boring. That's just the way I see it.

[OdiN1701]

I'd rather have a very fast loading site which is responsive.

Now, I do have a flash gallery. But the pages with my main information - home page, contact, etc. are HTML.

[CanadianKitKat]

Why ask for a critique if you're going to get all defensive and basically tell us we're all wrong? I think everyone was being pretty honest, no one trashed your site at all. If you just wanted to be told how wonderful it is then don't request a critique.

[bigbaby987]

Granted, maybe I did get a tad defensive. I always came back to my senses and realized that I asked for your critiques. So I'll say it again. Thanks. I'm not here to impress other photographers with my website. But I do appreciate your opinions. Whether I like them or not. Plus, I never said you were wrong either. What I did say is that our taste may be different. I appreciate everyone here. Maybe I just see things differently.

[mr_e]

Just because the top photogs have flash based sites with music playing doesn't mean people wouldn't like them better without flash and music. For all we know they could be losing customers because of their website, but how would we ever know.

You say you want to be different and that html is boring, go take a look around at other photog's websites because there are a LOT that use flash, usually a template design too (and usually by BluDomain).

There are also plenty of HTML sites around that aren't boring, you just have to know what you're doing, more so than flash in my opinion, it's almost too easy to (usually) hire someone to make you a flash site and just forget about it than it is to learn (or hire someone) to create a fully functioning html site. A nice bit of ajax can really spiffy things up too.

You ask us all about your website and we all tell you music is bad, and flash is overdone, because so many other websites posted around potn are flash based websites with music that nobody wants to hear, and we've all told them the same thing, we can't force you to do anything, but it's come up so many times and everybody who starts out with web design usually has the same preference, flash and music.

Music will force more people to close your site that it will cause people to stay, every single site I've visited that plays music (aside from ones on here people want feedback on) I close immediately, because I don't wanna hear it or deal with trying to turn it off, and there will be another site probably just as good out there that won't play music.

Flash on the other hand, is un-indexable by search engines and will only make it harder for you to get listed.

Anyway, I know it sounds like I'm ranting, but I don't mean to be, you have really nice photos, and I hope you do well :D

[bigbaby987]

Mr_e, I dig your opinion and I'll take yours and everyone else's advice and turn off the music in the beginning. I'm not trying to start any bad blood over music on a website. It's just that you get the vibe that. As soon as people go to your site it's like "EWWWWW!!" You have music on your site!! Oh my!!! That's cool and all, but there's an entire website past the music, and you addressed that along with Valentine and that's what I'm looking for. I want a photographer's opinion. You may not want this photo or your page could be tightened up here or there. I didn't feel like people actually went through the site too much. Or they were so put off by it, the site just offended them and didn't really give it a real go through.

Thanks, and I'll turn it off to see how I like it.

[Steeltowndubber]

On your "Who we are page" there is an error in the last sentence. You have a double "F" in the word "feel".

[Mark1]

After reading this I get the impression you are looking for affirmation, not advice. It seems you turn down every bit you have been given.

Ill throw in mine anyway....

I will agree with the mustc. Simply because you are assuming EVERYBODY likes the song as much as you do. To avoid loseing anybody put in a switch to turn it off. Loseing even 1 client would be worth giving them the option.

It does load slow. Remember not everybody had DSL or better. I have worked places that still have dial up.

The layout once up is great.

Try to get email with your site. Gmail is not a great idea for a business.

I might lose the name dropping on the Who we are page. They will hire you for what you can do....not who you have done it for.

In the galery popup... re order the choices... Jam..Models... Other.. Other should allways be a last choice.

Drop the calender. Sure it is nice,but People will move on if they see the date filled. You need a better stratagey. You need contact before they move on. --same reason most used cars dont have the price in the window-- It may take only a simple suggestion and they may reschedule for you.... if you can talk to them. Also are you really going to keep it up to date daily? hourly? I will guarentee it will last about a week then you will drop it anyway.

Ill stop here.

[AdrianeCale]

Geez! You obviously didn't read what I said to begin with. I said it "looks like your not busy." I could care less what your schedule is, I'm just saying that to a customer, it doesn't make you look very good. I don't know you from Adam, and I wasn't trying to be mean. I also said it seemed like you hadn't gotten to that point, as the links page wasn't done yet either!

I didn't mean to "insult" you. But the calendar just doesn't seem smart. If you're too busy now to fill it out, then how are you going to keep it up to date?

Again, I'm NOT trying to be mean, and never intended to be. You asked for opinions, and I gave mine. I just think that page could be used for something better than a calendar.

[bigbaby987]

Alright. Thanks very much. If you notice I have taken the music off. And I'm taking other suggestions. Adriane, I apologize if I took your critique the wrong way. I should have been a bit more professional about it. It was my error. Please forgive me sensitivity, and being a bit of a jerk. Thanks again.

Mark, the site does have email to it. I just haven't had a chance to get it up yet. I have been ridiculously busy, and I haven't done a release for it yet. But, thanks for your suggestions. They are noted. I have to see if I can reorder the galleries. I would hate to rebuild them. That would be annoying. I have to say that I'm not looking for affirmation per se. I'm looking for exactly what you gave me.


Thank you again. If I offended anyone at any time please forgive my ignorance.

Thanks,
Ben

[Mark1]

I dont think we took offense. But you should have qualified a bit better. A lot of what was suggested. got a rather blunt "Im working on it" We know what you mean now. But emotion and inflection cant be typed. There are only the words.

Any way let us know when the next revision is done!

[CanadianKitKat]

Since you said the music on the home page was gone I went back and had a real look. Your work is really great :D I like the selection of images you have up, shows a lot of creativity.

[bigbaby987]

Thanks Kat. I really appreciate that. I realize that I can't invoke my tastes on everyone. I preach this everyday as a marketing exec and had to come to that realization myself.

[Mark1]

The hardist thing to overcome when working on a personal project, is yourself!

I think this point is especialy true with photographers. Because we all started with taking shots of family and friends. Its so easy to love any shot of your kids, no matter how bad the image really is. We over look the technical short-comings of the image And just think its a great shot for WHO is on the image, not from the quality of the image. So we get all pumped up and think "I take a ton of great pictures, Ill go pro" Then cant understand why nobody will hire them.

Its the same principal with all personal projects. Personal websites too. We put so much of ourselves into it, people have to love it. But very often we put so much of ourselves that it can actually turn people away.

[aram535]

My first impressions:

- Flash is taking too long too load. First the out-er than the in-er "images", and I have a 30Mb pipe.

- Its a bit hard to read the sideways menus, specially gray on orange. After a bit I got used to it, but you might want to use a different color.

- Your quotes are turning into question marks. I only noted this in the pricing page, but could be elsewhere as well.