My new website....FEEDBACK PLEASE!!!!!

[k-style]

update!!!!

my site is up and running!....i been re-editing some work ive done in the past to display on my site and honestly im surprised at the amount of free work ive done in the past couple of years.

i wanna ask you guys to C&C on the not so obvious things like the fact that it is a flash site and tyhat it sucks....i think ive come to terms with that.....can you please C&C the pictures ive chosen and the way ive categorized them....i decided to keep the music on the page because afterall it is MY SITE and in all honestly is there to give people a feel for the type of person i am.....so it will stay.....i also kept the splash page because i plan on adding a second site fully HTML and link it from there.

PLEASE C&C IS WELCOME!

www.elkincardonaphotography.com

[korrektor]

you may want to post it in an appropriate section, but the website looks great!

[chrismavrick]

Honestly I really like it! I love the simplicity of the layout although I'm not crazy about the music, but that is just me. Did you build it yourself?

[k-style]

you may want to post it in an appropriate section, but the website looks great!


oh im sorry man, where should i have posted it?....

AND THANX!@@!!!:D

[k-style]

Honestly I really like it! I love the simplicity of the layout although I'm not crazy about the music, but that is just me. Did you build it yourself?

thank you!...im really having second thoughts about the music, you are the second person to sy its annoyingg....:o

i used bludomain.com....someone on here was kind enough to tell me about this site....you pretty much buy the template, host and domain and the rest is pretty simple....

you can choose from 50$, 100$, 400$ templates....i am sooo thankful to this user...ima send her a pm RITE NOW!

[ClickHappy]

I'm not a huge fan of Flash sites, or automatic music, just personal preference.

You do have a few links that don't seem to work. Ex: Nightclub link doesn't work from home page but does from other pages. Portrait > Family doesn't do anything.

Contact form has some text input boxes that need swapped. You should have also gotten a test message a few minutes ago.

I liked the showcase photos you display on the loop. Nice shots.

ETA: The more I click the less the menu seems to respond... I can't get back to the home or elkin pages at all now, etc.

[chrismavrick]

thank you!...im really having second thoughts about the music, you are the second person to sy its annoyingg....:o

i used bludomain.com....someone on here was kind enough to tell me about this site....you pretty much buy the template, host and domain and the rest is pretty simple....

you can choose from 50$, 100$, 400$ templates....i am sooo thankful to this user...ima send her a pm RITE NOW!

I don't think it is annoying but it is like what song do you use. It is a hard choice for you to make since you may have someone who hates a certain type of music (ie: older generations) who may not decide to use you just because of that. There are rude people out there like that. btw you have some very nice work!

[k-style]

I'm not a huge fan of Flash sites, or automatic music, just personal preference.

You do have a few links that don't seem to work. Ex: Nightclub link doesn't work from home page but does from other pages. Portrait > Family doesn't do anything.

Contact form has some text input boxes that need swapped. You should have also gotten a test message a few minutes ago.

I liked the showcase photos you display on the loop. Nice shots.

ETA: The more I click the less the menu seems to respond... I can't get back to the home or elkin pages at all now, etc.


yeah i know what you mean, i was having the same issues, maybe because i havent gone live.....wat i would do is reload the page and then it will be fine....i know what you mean about flash style pages though.....i had an html site before....it was simpler but it was far more limited, no slideshow and for some reason it was a pain in the assssss to update my page....eventually i gave up....

about the music....i think ill take it off then....reason why i posted it here before going live is because you guys are awesome at feedback and i need the fine tuning.

[Maureen Souza]

oh im sorry man, where should i have posted it?....

AND THANX!@@!!!:D
Moved to presentation. :D

[k-style]

Moved to presentation. :D


thank you Maureen!

hey i want a big avy like you...:o

[Hikin Mike]

You need a Title element, description and keyword metadata tags....you do want Google to find you right? Read this: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=472885

"Welcome to my webspace, if you are looking for an all around photographer then you have come to the right place." Who cares. I would remove that and put who you are, where you are located and what do you do. It's all about SEO. :D

"please disable any popup blockers" Nope, ain't gonna happen. ;)

And please, kill the music. I hate music almost as much as Flash websites. ;)

[MR do little]

Looks great.

[Jonta]

(Such a title, and you expect people to be gentle? Dream on.. ;)

1: I see the "f" of flash. I don't want to see it, because we're in the year 2009, and all modern browsers that support flash will tell you if your flashversion is not sufficient to view the page (And looky here (http://tech.slashdot.org/story/09/09/05/1157222/Mozilla-To-Protect-Adobe-Flash-Users?art_pos=6))
2: "please disable any popup blockers". Oh sure, I'll just go to tools -> settings -> pop-u... no wait. Won't.
3: Title. Yeah. Good for books, even more important for websites.
4: NO! I don't want to listen to your music. I'm listening to music. My music. Which is much better than your music.
5: Why do I, with the humongous screenresolution I currently use - 1920*1200 - get horizontal scroll?? I'll tell you: no reason at all. Your site would fit on 1024*768
6: Title fixed? Well, while you're fiddling around with the <head>-thingy, make us even more ecstatic by adding a favicon
7: I currently have 73 tabs. I don't need any more. But what happens when I click a link on your page? It opens number 74. Impolite to the highest degree.
8: I want to be able to click on Weddings, and not go to a subcategory
9: Something is moving on your website, and you're not showing me a good filmclip.
10: "Your name" etc -> "Name"

Best not put it up just yet.

This webcritique was brought to you by Jonta's realistic websitecritiques

(Probably have to make that thread where I try to comprehensively list websitemistakes and write all the bladibladiblah necessary for people on the internet so as to calm people who think I'm a jerk and so on and so on and I can't be arsed into doing so right now but one of these days aaaaarrgh, caaaaake!)

[MR do little]

Its kind of funny while the critique in it self might be valid to certain point, the manner its presented is not. (imo)

As for the "gurus" you do realize that everyone might not think of your websites as gods finest creation either.I Certainly dont. Couldnt care less if you do this for a living,dosent validate the attitude.

Jonta

Maybe you could provide us with some images that we could tear apart for you ?

Hikin Mike

Iv read in several threads that you hate flash, what exactly does it add ?

If i build a flash site, and want critique on it, simply stating you hate flash and that you think nothing of it just because of that doesnt help much now does it ?

Its like me visiting your site and tell you i hate landscape images, and that unless you have some portrait images you better shut down.

[Jonta]

MR do little: In very short: I have explained this before. Mainly; It's not personal. I can't be bothered to elaborate into all these niceties, so it may sound terse. Niceties aren't useful. "Beggers can't be choosers", meaning; we do this for free, in our own spare time. And I for one can't be bothered writing lots of niceties.

Again: One day I will write a kind of checklist with compehensive information that I will just link to, at the beginning of which there will, amongst other things, be a longer, and less terse than this one, explanation of, as you accurately phrase it "the manner of presentation".

Again: Not personal, just can't be arsed.

[mikekelley]

Its kind of funny while the critique in it self might be valid to certain point, the manner its presented is not. (imo)

As for the "gurus" you do realize that everyone might not think of your websites as gods finest creation either.I Certainly dont. Couldnt care less if you do this for a living,dosent validate the attitude.

Jonta

Maybe you could provide us with some images that we could tear apart for you ?

Hikin Mike

Iv read in several threads that you hate flash, what exactly does it add ?

If i build a flash site, and want critique on it, simply stating you hate flash and that you think nothing of it just because of that doesnt help much now does it ?

Its like me visiting your site and tell you i hate landscape images, and that unless you have some portrait images you better shut down.

Agreed on all counts.

Flash can be good, flash can be bad. When the flash element of a website WORKS, and doesn't detract from the viewer's experience, I see nothing wrong with it.

That being said, OP, you should lose the music and lose the landing page.

I'm also at work on a monitor with super low resolution and I'm having a hard time navigating around because the content seems like it's too big.

[MR do little]

MR do little: In very short: I have explained this before. Mainly; It's not personal. I can't be bothered to elaborate into all these niceties, so it may sound terse. Niceties aren't useful. "Beggers can't be choosers"

I never stated it was personal.

It just sound ignorant, especially when you state that you cant be bothered all the time.

meaning we do this for free, in our own spare time. And I for one can't be bothered writing lots of niceties.

And the rest of us dont ? :rolleyes:

Im not sure what it is that make you think of your self as exlusive, there is tons of working photographers giving advice to whomever asking, and this for free.



Again: One day I will write a kind of checklist with compehensive information that I will just link to, at the beginning of which there will, amongst other things, be a longer, and less terse than this one, explanation of, as you accurately phrase it "the manner of presentation".
There are plenty of people coming up with such list wich they think is the "guide" to follow, so dont feel any pressure.


Again: Not personal, just can't be arsed.

In your defense i credit that your modest age.

A word of advice though.

Next time you cant be "arsed" dont..., cause as a 18 year old you time is obviosuly very precious and the time you spend on typing all explanations/disclaimers as to why you cant be bothered or "arsed" could clearly be used for something better.

[Jonta]

I never stated it was personal.

It just sound ignorant, especially when you state that you cant be bothered all the time.Good. Just saying, because it seems a lot of people do take it personally. I know it can sound cold, but it's "just" (bearing in mind that what we do is influenced by so much) a statement of facts.And the rest of us dont ? :rolleyes:Yes, you do. Firstly; Different people feel different things, and are bothered by different things. I could probably find a lot of things that bother you by looking around your profile, and I could claim that lots of them don't bother me or any of the other sensible people out there.

Secondly, (and wow, I actually feel the need to write the following; I know a lot of people here will disagree with me on this) a great lot of what is written here (at least in number of posts) seems to be something along the lines of "Nice work. Love it :)", which makes you think about why it is even done.Im not sure what it is that make you think of your self as exlusive, there is tons of working photographers giving advice to whomever asking, and this for free.Now it seems that you have the wrong end of the stick, because I did not say that I was or felt exclusive. I know that there is already at least one other thread about exactly this sort of thing around, but that I don't control it.There are plenty of people coming up with such list wich they think is the "guide" to follow, so dont feel any pressure.I don't in the sense you seem to be implying it.In your defense i credit that your modest age.Please don't [probably insert appropriate smiley here because they seem to be all the rage this last decade or so, only I've only seen about three actually good ones]A word of advice though.

Next time you cant be "arsed" dont..., cause as a 18 year old you time is obviosuly very precious and the time you spend on typing all explanations/disclaimers as to why you cant be bothered or "arsed" could clearly be used for something better.Yes, I do think that my time could be better spent than writing things like this and similar things because people seem to feel lonely and angry and frustrated about the meaning of it all when I do.

Again it comes down to the fact that communication over the internet is not the same at all as communication in real life, and that there are differences between people.

[MR do little]

Good. Just saying, because it seems a lot of people do take it personally. I know it can sound cold, but it's "just" (bearing in mind that what we do is influenced by so much) a statement of facts.Yes, you do. Firstly; Different people feel different things, and are bothered by different things. I could probably find a lot of things that bother you by looking around your profile, and I could claim that lots of them don't bother me or any of the other sensible people out there.

It doesnt sound cold, it just sound stupid that you spend time on something you wont be arsed or bothered with in the first place.

You seem have missed something, critique is welcome and valid since it was asked for. The way you present it was just sloppy, and since you wont be bothered or arsed i have a hard time understaning why you still do it in the first place.


Secondly, (and wow, I actually feel the need to write the following; I know a lot of people here will disagree with me on this) a great lot of what is written here (at least in number of posts) seems to be something along the lines of "Nice work. Love it :)", which makes you think about why it is even done.

While i cant speak for others, i simply stated what i though of it, it looks good, its really noting that bothers me on the site. Critique includes both negative and positive.



Now it seems that you have the wrong end of the stick, because I did not say that I was or felt exclusive.

Actually your argument was

meaning we do this for free, in our own spare time. And I for one can't be bothered writing lots of niceties.

Again there are plenty of people who share their knowledge/opinion on this board and noone is getting paid doing so, regardless of topic. Thats was my point, so im not sure why you think its such a BIG effort to type down a little list that takes a few minutes.

Since you said we, i assumed you meant those of you who more then laymens knowledge regarding the subject.


I know that there is already at least one other thread about exactly this sort of thing around, but that I don't control it. Never said you did, what i meant there is a few people already have links to lists wich they think is "crucial" when it comes to webdesign.


I don't in the sense you seem to be implying it. Thats good.


Please don't [probably insert appropriate smiley here because they seem to be all the rage this last decade or so, only I've only seen about three actually good ones] Ok then i wont...


Yes, I do think that my time could be better spent than writing things like this and similar things because people seem to feel lonely and angry and frustrated about the meaning of it all when I do.

I think you overestimate your impact, but yea it would most likely be good idea to hold off until you can be bothered and have the time.


Again it comes down to the fact that communication over the internet is not the same at all as communication in real life, and that there are differences between people.

No doubt

[k-style]

hey can i butt in?....i did away with the music and the splash page....music still available but not in auto play and i took the slideshow pics off and resized them myself, hopefully this will speed up the process.
Although i knew flash was going to be a pain in the ass, i like the way it displays my work and it was cheap, i mean only 200$ for a website?...which pretty much a 3 year old can design?
before i purchased this i went through countless launched sites and they all had no problems loading or lagging, they seem to be working fine....layout was neat and simple and easy to navigate, so i took the plunge and personally im happy with the end result, i posted it here to obtain whatever C&C i could get to fine tune it, and that is exactly what im doing, Ive always appreciated C&C good or bad....bad is actually better because it makes you strive for better, however IMO there is a way to present negative C&C without looking like a complete douchebag, thanx for the feedback though, seriously.

[sf1]

ok I been going at this for 3 days now....and i just sent in my request to make it go live,,,,could you guys please give me some feedback on it....before i make it go live?....:oops:

http://174.123.211.202/~elk/

PLEASE BE GENTLE....


BTW BLUDOMAIN ROCKSSSS!

K-Style,

The site loads fast enough and overall layout is great. I knew it was a bludomain site immediately - cause I'm probably buying one as well. Some of the submenus do not work (probably might not have any pics in them?). Love the contacts and calendar pages - one of the things that attract me to bludomain sites. You do need more pics in all categories, at least 6 - 10 for each submenu.

As for flash and music - to each their own - I personally like them. Is your music better than mine? Who cares? If it adds to the site, leave it. As it stands now, its off, but the links are still there and I can see them (now thats annoying, cause I want to hear it). I don't design websites, some do, good for them. Am I going to learn, no way - too much other stuff to do.

[k-style]

K-Style,

The site loads fast enough and overall layout is great. I knew it was a bludomain site immediately - cause I'm probably buying one as well. Some of the submenus do not work (probably might not have any pics in them?). Love the contacts and calendar pages - one of the things that attract me to bludomain sites. You do need more pics in all categories, at least 6 - 10 for each submenu.

As for flash and music - to each their own - I personally like them. Is your music better than mine? Who cares? If it adds to the site, leave it. As it stands now, its off, but the links are still there and I can see them (now thats annoying, cause I want to hear it). I don't design websites, some do, good for them. Am I going to learn, no way - too much other stuff to do.


thank you!, if you are thinking about bludomain, id back up your decision...there website layouts are wonderful!....im a simple guy and this specific layout is exactly what i envisioned in my mind! without having to dish out 1000$+ on a web designer, whom will design a site to his liking and not mines....at least here i had full control of everything....however i would tell you this.....bludomain support system needs improvement, they should have a hotline listed, so that when you are having an issue you donot have to submit a claim ticket and wait over 36 hours for a reply....only downfall.

i took the music off auto play, however it should still be there if you click on the jukebox icon.....i myself thought it added some personality to the site, but i didnt post on here for people to agree with my choices, but to point out what can be fixed, and more than one has pointed out the music, so i took the autoplay off...:oops:

as far as flash?...it can be a pain, but i love it....once again...im no web designer, i barely have time for my photography...lol...im a healthcare profesional who works 12, 18 and 24 hour shifts regularly....lol

[k-style]

btw the only link not working that ive noticed is the "family" link.....only when you dont go straight to it once you go in.....strange, ill be submitting my ticket asap about this issue.

[Jonta]

It doesnt sound cold, it just sound stupid that you spend time on something you wont be arsed or bothered with in the first place.Hm, I think you might have misunderstood me on what I can and can't be bothered to do.

For instance: I'll be more than happy to pluck about websites and find the rooms for improvement. Giving sources for the conventions I often cite is also something I am absolutely willing to do. I want knowledge about how to make good websites (bloody hell, just listen to how this sounds) to reach as many as possible. If someone would want me to review their website after having tried to fix it for the fiftieth time, I will in all likelihood do so. I will discuss it with third parties if I'm unsure about something.

What I won't do is waste my time on packing the whole knowledge into lots of sugar so that it seems like I'm an eternal source of comfort and knowledge and teaching and guidance.

And yes, I know that I probably sound more terse than most (well if he knows, why not do something about it (yes, going to start that list today)), and what is partly the reason is probably that I do this a lot, and am quite familiar with the conventions I cite.You seem have missed something, critique is welcome and valid since it was asked for. The way you present it was just sloppy, and since you wont be bothered or arsed i have a hard time understaning why you still do it in the first place.It's the sugarpacking I can't be bothered about, not the conveying of knowledge or opinion.Critique includes both negative and positive.I could quote a lot of positive comments and rephrase them and stuff. But that doesn't improve the site. I'm still of the opinion that it sounds at least a little chilly.Again there are plenty of people who share their knowledge/opinion on this board and noone is getting paid doing so, regardless of topic. Thats was my point, so im not sure why you think its such a BIG effort to type down a little list that takes a few minutes.And like I said; we are different, we percieve things differently, and we do different things.Since you said we, i assumed you meant those of you who more then laymens knowledge regarding the subject.No, I meant all of us. Me, Hikin Mike, and also you. All of us who devote part of our time to improve people's websites with the critiques. Often one can see a lot of effort being put into them. Amongst others Hikin Mike and Faolan do this.Never said you did, what i meant there is a few people already have links to lists wich they think is "crucial" when it comes to webdesign.Ah, well my list will hopefully be more comprehensive than the most crucial things. Basically, I want it to explain things well, while still being longer than your typical list of seven bullettpoints.Ok then i wont...Thankyou. You shouldn't try to excuse me on such things, but take my post at facevalue. What if an eightyseven-year-old woman had written this? Would you say she was maybe a little senile? Just not in so many words, but kind of implying it by giving her a verbal soft patting on the shoulder?

This is probably also partly me wanting to be taken seriously. One of the worst feelings are beliefs, knowledge and opinion being dismissed by someone "superior", done with a light chuckle. You've been there. I've been there. Hikin Mike has been there. Everyone has.I think you overestimate your impact, but yea it would most likely be good idea to hold off until you can be bothered and have the time.It would please me quite a lot if I didn't have the impact I sometimes get the impression I have. But no, I won't hold off doing this until I can be bothered to pack stuff into sugar. What I do helps people, and it can help me in remaining aware of what makes a good website, and what makes a bad one.No doubtAwootey. hey can i butt in?....i did away with the music and the splash page....music still available but not in auto play and i took the slideshow pics off and resized them myself, hopefully this will speed up the process.Goody, I've already posted a pretty solid resource on music on websites. I'll include it in the list. I'd forgotten about the splashpage actually. Bob forbid that I ever get used to them :rolleyes:
only 200$ for a website?...which pretty much a 3 year old can design?Haven't seen your previous website, but I'm a perfectionist. To put it like this; when I finally design my website, I'll probably take three to six months to finish it. It's better for you to take pictures, which is something you enjoy more.i posted it here to obtain whatever C&C i could get to fine tune it, and that is exactly what im doing, Ive always appreciated C&C good or bad....bad is actually better because it makes you strive for better, however IMO there is a way to present negative C&C without looking like a complete douchebag, thanx for the feedback though, seriously.Ah, this is part of what makes this worthwhile. Critique being appreciated with more than just "Thanks, I'll look into it :D".

I got some friends of mine to read through it, and (well, they are my friends) they did think what I had written was pretty sharp, but that I seemed to be in a bad mood at the time. Actually, that is probably pretty true. Firstly, there is a person I miss (hm, that's probably more a sadness part).

And secondly: I very often see very little being changed on the sites I critique, others too of course, but I know my own cases best. Even if I've provided lots of resources and reasons as to why they should do it differently, they can't be bothered.

In a way, I can understand the people who pour lots and lots of sweetness into their reviews, and fit in something about the header being just a tiny bit tall (900 pixels isn't that much, is it?), and it containing both a lensflare and a viewcounter, which are a tiny tiny bit oldfashioned. Just look a the reactions I'm getting here.

Oh yes; one of my friends commented that the menubuttons were annoyingly unresponsive (I just put that down to it being slow due to the fact that it's a flashpage).

Hey, maybe that'll be my new approach as to remain in the forum-members' good books; I'll just say this was the opinion of friends of mine.

[k-style]

like i said already, you critique, i make changes....thats the way ive taught myself photography, thru listening to those who have been doing this for a while....and the same applies to this web designing deal....so i appreciate the C&C
however there are certain things you can critique which i CANNOT change, simply because i have no control over it, the buttons being unresponsive at times?...well that is not my fault, it is a flash page after-all....ill place a disclaimer on my splash page to warn the viewer and guide him/her on what to do in order to view my site....maybe that'll work...who knows. Can i change the fact that is a flash page?...NO...its too late, its purchased and designed at a low cost...you get what you pay for and im pretty happy with it for now, you cant judge me on your standards, its like me judging a person who just picked up a DSLR and snapped a shot on how their horizon lines are not straight, or how their composition is off, or how their ISO was set too high....they probably wont understand my critique to begin with, so if im gonna offer my critique good or bad, i would do so nicely, after all its not their fault their image is not up to PAR with mines.

If i came in here as if i was a web designer and i was showcasing my best work and then you come accross my half-assed site, then i would understand why you should come off the way you did, but no, i came in here accepting the fact that im a noob and asking you to be GENTLE....lol, but for some reason your read the word GENTLE and thought "Im gonna make him suffer!....because thats my thing and im the almighty web designer....lol"

funny thing is your initial post didnt bother me at all....it was very constructive in a very "a-hole" way, but constructive nonetheless....and this is something ive come to terms with since i decided to teach myself photography....some people will be nice, some will not, all will help you get better.

[Hikin Mike]

Its kind of funny while the critique in it self might be valid to certain point, the manner its presented is not. (imo)

As for the "gurus" you do realize that everyone might not think of your websites as gods finest creation either.I Certainly dont. Couldnt care less if you do this for a living,dosent validate the attitude.

Jonta

Maybe you could provide us with some images that we could tear apart for you ?

Hikin Mike

Iv read in several threads that you hate flash, what exactly does it add ?

If i build a flash site, and want critique on it, simply stating you hate flash and that you think nothing of it just because of that doesnt help much now does it ?

Its like me visiting your site and tell you i hate landscape images, and that unless you have some portrait images you better shut down.

I never said I was a guru. I don't design websites. I just know enough CSS/HTML/PHP/MySql to be dangerous.

I have an opinion, as everybody else. My opinion...I hate Flash Websites. I don't care for thee flashy bells and whistles. If you like it...great. I don't.

I'm not even going to comment about your last line. It has nothing to do with the images. I comment about the website, like navigation, SEO etc. I don't comment about the images nor the text. :D

[Hikin Mike]

k-style-

If you are concerned about Google and other search engines, you need to at least add three things:

<title></title>
<meta name="description" content="">
<meta name="keywords" content="">

Whether you use Flash or not is your choice. Without any content (text), Google and other search engines will likely not find you. If you choose to use Flash, then at least fill in those three tags. :D

BTW, PM me if you need help with that....:D

[MR do little]

I have an opinion, as everybody else. My opinion...I hate Flash Websites. I don't care for thee flashy bells and whistles. If you like it...great. I don't.

Just because you have a opinion dosent mean you have to give it, especially when it serves no purpose.



I'm not even going to comment about your last line. It has nothing to do with the images. I comment about the website, like navigation, SEO etc. I don't comment about the images nor the text. :D

No diffrence at all,you comment on a aspect that isnt likely to change once the website is done.
Cheerios!

[ClickHappy]

k-style-

If you are concerned about Google and other search engines, you need to at least add three things:

<title></title>
<meta name="description" content="">
<meta name="keywords" content="">

Whether you use Flash or not is your choice. Without any content (text), Google and other search engines will likely not find you. If you choose to use Flash, then at least fill in those three tags. :D

BTW, PM me if you need help with that....:D

Most search engines are relying less and less on meta tags these days and more on actual page content. So, while still necessary, meta tags won't help your site out like in the past. This is the main reason I don't use Flash. Search engines are getting better at indexing Flash content, but you're still fighting a large uphill battle against those sites that use plain (X)HTML.

Since 95% of Flash "features" can be done in JS/XHTML, I don't see the need to use it. Especially when most of the sites I see (here at least) are using flash to get an image gallery. There are plenty of absolutely stunning JS/XHTML image galleries out there to choose from.

Since we're talking google listing tips, be sure you're in the google business directory as when people search google maps your business and site will show up on the map.

[k-style]

ok my site went live earlier than expected, however the guys at bludomain made an error and mispelled my domain name!....i wrote back to them and now im waiting on a response....it is possible to get this fixed correct?....:confused::cry:

[ClickHappy]

If they registered the wrong name they will have to go and register the correct one, assuming it is available. Not sure if they register it for you or you register it and tell them what it is.

If it's the latter, it should be a quick fix. If you mean they just misspelled it in the template somewhere, that should be quick and easy to fix.

[k-style]

If they registered the wrong name they will have to go and register the correct one, assuming it is available. Not sure if they register it for you or you register it and tell them what it is.

If it's the latter, it should be a quick fix. If you mean they just misspelled it in the template somewhere, that should be quick and easy to fix.


well once i finished designing i had to send in a request to go live....in this request form i put in the domain i wanted.....then i got an email from them with all the admin info and ip address and my domain name and thats when i noticed the error, as of now my site is live if you type in

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

however the correct spelling is elkincardonaphotography.com ....they missed one letter.

I wrote them an email, telling them to get this changed, i went into my request receipt and it was their error because i spelled it correctly.

[sf1]

Site looks good, loads fast....still think you need some more shots to "finish" it off.

[Jonta]

ill place a disclaimer on my splash page to warn the viewer and guide him/her on what to do in order to view my site....maybe that'll work...who knowsI thought you were getting rid of the splashpageCan i change the fact that is a flash page?Either making or getting someone to make a textpage in addition to it. Look at J.K. Rowling's page for example. Even I could make a textpage like that. Your website isn't only visited by your intended audience, but also by people who might direct friends of theirs, who _are_ in the intended audience, to your siteyou cant judge me on your standards, its like me judging a person who just picked up a DSLR and snapped a shot on how their horizon lines are not straight, or how their composition is off, or how their ISO was set too high....they probably wont understand my critique to begin with, so if im gonna offer my critique good or bad, i would do so nicely, after all its not their fault their image is not up to PAR with mines. If i came in here as if i was a web designer and i was showcasing my best work and then you come accross my half-assed site, then i would understand why you should come off the way you did, but no, i came in here accepting the fact that im a noobFirst off, I don't even have a website. No, scratch that; I am not a webdesigner. I just know about conventions and stuff because I have read Joel Spolsky's "User Interface Design for Programmers (http://www.joelonsoftware.com/uibook/fog0000000249.html)" (online article) and Steve Krug's "Don't make me think (http://www.sensible.com/)" (book). Secondly, I don't take anything except the website into account in my critiques.asking you to be GENTLE....lol, but for some reason your read the word GENTLE and thought "Im gonna make him suffer!....because thats my thing and im the almighty web designer....lol"(You may scratch your "lol"s at once btw). No, I do not set out to do this. But I must admit that the title's thread was offputting (not just me, friend of mine agrees. Go easy on the exclamationmarks ;) )funny thing is your initial post didnt bother me at all....it was very constructive in a very "a-hole" way, but constructive nonetheless....and this is something ive come to terms with since i decided to teach myself photography....some people will be nice, some will not, all will help you get better.Thankyou. Again it seems I must clarify that my goal is not to show superiority (which I do not have, knowing only the smallest amount of HTML). And yes, you are right; my goal is not to be nice. Just because you have a opinion dosent mean you have to give it, especially when it serves no purpose.I agree with you on the point of just giving an opinion based on what seems like nothing is uncalled for. There are of course reasons for Hikin Mike disliking flashsites, but I expect he has gotten tired of repeating them.No diffrence at all,you comment on a aspect that isnt likely to change once the website is done.
Cheerios!Can be used for future reference.

[ClickHappy]

well once i finished designing i had to send in a request to go live....in this request form i put in the domain i wanted.....then i got an email from them with all the admin info and ip address and my domain name and thats when i noticed the error, as of now my site is live if you type in

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

however the correct spelling is elkincardonaphotography.com ....they missed one letter.

I wrote them an email, telling them to get this changed, i went into my request receipt and it was their error because i spelled it correctly.


Then you'll have to wait for them to register the correct name. I just checked at godaddy and the name is available, so it's just a matter of them registering the correct one.

Alternatively, you can register it yourself (if you do it before they get around to it) so there's no issue of who owns it later if you decide to change hosts, and then all you need to do is place bludomain's nameservers in the registrar's config settings.

Finally, I don't post the name of a domain I want before I have purchased it. There are some people that would try to make some quick cash by buying it and reselling it to you...at a significant markup.

Hope they get it sorted out soon and good luck with the site!

[k-style]

update!!!!

my site is up and running!....i been re-editing some work ive done in the past to display on my site and honestly im surprised at the amount of free work ive done in the past couple of years.

i wanna ask you guys to C&C on the not so obvious things like the fact that it is a flash site and tyhat it sucks....i think ive come to terms with that.....can you please C&C the pictures ive chosen and the way ive categorized them....i decided to keep the music on the page because afterall it is MY SITE and in all honestly is there to give people a feel for the type of person i am.....so it will stay.....i also kept the splash page because i plan on adding a second site fully HTML and link it from there.

PLEASE C&C IS WELCOME!

www.elkincardonaphotography.com

[Jonta]

1: Right, you still have a splashpage... why? Do you actively want to hinder people from getting to your site? This raises suspicions on the quality of the site.
2: Yes, it's "YOUR SITE", you're allowed to put anything you want there, from gif-animated teddybears, to gigabytesized hardcore porn accompanied by the worst countrymusic to date. But who's going to use your site? You? No, your users. And a lot of your users listen to music while browsing the web, and don't want to hear your music butting in, especially not a completely different style at the wrong volume. The probability of this case being pretty high.
3: No. Link to the html-page from your flash-homepage if you're so intent on keeping it.
4: Nope, still not going to disable any popup-blockers. What do you think I am? Stupid? Easy to fool? Someone who really really really wants to visit your site, no matter what? (hm, I think the last one is the case for a huge number of sites)
5: Opening a new tab (as if I haven't got enough already) is frustrating enough, but a new window? *clickaway*

Oops, supposed to review site. Ah well.
6: Wanted to continue writing, but I'm listening to really cool music, and suddenly yours popped up and ruined the day.

Just accept the bitter fact that webdesign is hard, because you can't do as you want, and are restricted by stupid users using outdated technology.

[k-style]

1: Right, you still have a splashpage... why? Do you actively want to hinder people from getting to your site? This raises suspicions on the quality of the site.
2: Yes, it's "YOUR SITE", you're allowed to put anything you want there, from gif-animated teddybears, to gigabytesized hardcore porn accompanied by the worst countrymusic to date. But who's going to use your site? You? No, your users. And a lot of your users listen to music while browsing the web, and don't want to hear your music butting in, especially not a completely different style at the wrong volume. The probability of this case being pretty high.
3: No. Link to the html-page from your flash-homepage if you're so intent on keeping it.
4: Nope, still not going to disable any popup-blockers. What do you think I am? Stupid? Easy to fool? Someone who really really really wants to visit your site, no matter what? (hm, I think the last one is the case for a huge number of sites)
5: Opening a new tab (as if I haven't got enough already) is frustrating enough, but a new window? *clickaway*

Oops, supposed to review site. Ah well.
6: Wanted to continue writing, but I'm listening to really cool music, and suddenly yours popped up and ruined the day.

Just accept the bitter fact that webdesign is hard, because you can't do as you want, and are restricted by stupid users using outdated technology.

Thank you for wasting your time repeating what you already said in the previous page....NEXT.:arrow:

oh and i never said web design was easy.

[evilryu530]

ok here i go:

your website is very nice. attractive looking.

CONS: the magnifying menu is old, played out, annoying, crap.
Way too much music. Just pick one song that is neutral, that will work as just background music instead of a different song for each section. I get it. I think it's annoying. People won't stay long enough on one section to hear 30 seconds of each song so why bother.

the rest looks good!

[S.Horton]

Three things.

First, when I click on what appears to be a menu item, I think I should be viewing your work on that subject.

Second, although I'm not a photog professionally, I don't think posting your calendar is a good idea. At least for the moment, you look like you have no work.

Finally, mute the music.

The objective of a website is to get the person to pick up the phone. I think your site is good for that overall.

[Hikin Mike]

Only slightly better the last time I saw this site. You finally have some content on your home page and a good title element (tag), so that's good. Unfortunately I left because I don't care for music on a website.

[ClickHappy]

Second, although I'm not a photog professionally, I don't think posting your calendar is a good idea. At least for the moment, you look like you have no work.

I've noticed that on a couple photography sites I've visited. Don't add a schedule until you're so booked that people will actually need to plan ahead to get you. Displaying an empty calendar makes it look like your work isn't in demand.

I won't bother adding anything else, as the OP has his vision set and is unwilling to take the good advice that has already been offered here.

My guess is in 6 months when he realizes he isn't getting much exposure/sales from the site he will come back to this thread and implement a few of the suggestions. :)

[Todd Lambert]

Well, I think most of the issues that I'd raise, have already been raised.

I'll fall in with the rest and say to lose the flash. It does nothing for the end user, does lots of things to hurt you(too many reasons to go into here, but SERPS, maintenance are the main ones).

I know that you've already invested in this route and the chances of you ditching the flash are probably close to none, so some would argue that why would we even bother to "waste" time by mentioning this? Well, the reason is that others who are pondering their own websites or soon to come website, might read this and hopefully learn that Flash does not help.

I've been on the web for a very long time, I've been a web developer since 1998 professionally. I remember arguments against Netscape and Mozilla... which were actually the bad guys at one point.

Next came the crusade to get rid of Internet Explorer. The battle that Mozilla(Firefox didn't exist yet) had in front of them was almost impossible. It was said that IE was just too entrenched and that we'd never see it go down. It wasn't worth the time to even try.

But, web developers stood fast, acted on the behalf of Mozilla and then Firefox, and pushed... really hard. They kept pushing.

Eventually people caught on and FF started to gain ground. Now it is getting pretty close to being nearly 50% depending on the stats you look at.

Same thing is happening with Flash. We're pushing very hard for a reason.

[njmac7777]

i didn't even look at your page for 30 seconds. i looked around for a mute button and couldn't find it. the only way to shut off that awful song was to bail on your site. if you are trying to get jobs from people, rather than just show your personality on the web, you need to assume that nearly every art director is going to have the same reaction as me.

[k-style]

Is not that I don't take advise....I do and as a result I will stick to one song....however for those who have different musical taste there is always a mute button in your monitor...when Ive visited other website I'm actually bored by the lack of music....I feel music and photography go well together...that's my opinion and there are people that will agree and people who won't.... Can't please everyone.
As far asthe calendar I agree and I will take it down asap.

And for the last time....LOL...the fact that the site is flash based is beyond my control....money was already invested and wether it was a bad idea or not I'm gonna use it....at least to have some sort of work display besides flickr.

Thank you for your C&C and please don't assume I'm not one to take all types of criticism that helps....however I won't sit here and do everything everyone on here says....you might hate the music, someone else might hate the fact that the site has none...if you feel you are wasting your time critiquing my work....with all due respect don't comment.

[Omlyn]

I was able to mute the music using the area on the lower right of the page. I like the site as a place to poke around and explore. Not sure how I would like it if I was in a hurry.

[MLphoto]

what host are you using, is it all HTML? looks good... i want to make a site but I have little skill on that stuff.

[k-style]

what host are you using, is it all HTML? looks good... i want to make a site but I have little skill on that stuff.

no its actually all flash....im really content with my site and i like yourself lack alot of web designing knowledge, if i could do it all over id go with an html based site....i learned a littel too late that HTML is much better specially for SEO...

if you go to BLUDOMAIN.COM they have tons of layouts and actually their BETSY layout has an HTML and a flash template.

thank you for visiting.

[zucchini]

It looks great!

[k-style]

thank you Zucchini!

[k-style]

added more work....ill be adding an HTML extension shortly, with no music and devoted to child/maternity photography only....stay tuned!

[PaQ_16]

Kolombian site looks awesome bro, I seriously need to pm and talk about me opening up my own website.

[k-style]

Kolombian site looks awesome bro, I seriously need to pm and talk about me opening up my own website.


iss peeps?....???

hit me up ill guide you thru it....just have at least 215$ ready

[PaQ_16]

Yessir I am apart of the Iss crew lol....

[S.Horton]

Looks better now.

If you're covering a geography specifically, consider buying another name like mylocationwhatever.com

[Nyobie]

The site definitely looks professional though the suggestions many have offered are a few of the things I also noticed would be personal preferences on my part.

I look for sites that load quickly, have an appealing and professional looking layout and have content (in your case, enough images) to give me confident in the business. If you have more work you can add, doing so wouldn't be a bad thing. There is a tab to the right that maybe could be moved to the left as more of a left to right eye-scan since the eye catches what's on the left first. I forgot which tab name it was but it's the one on the far right.

You're well on your way to a great site!!

[LMGP1]

I like your site, I also use blu domain and for the most part I like it much better than the html site I previously had. It is easy once you get the hang of it. The fact of your music not appealing to everyone is that you are not going to satisfy everyone so if you like it you should continue to use it.
I personally like flash sites for photography sites. They may not be useful for every type of website or business but it works well for photography.

[k-style]

S.Horton: i was thinking of doing so, im gonna go with child/maternity photography and i will devote a new page, which would be fully HTML and ill link it from my splash page, just waiting to get more images added to my vault....thank you.

Nyobie: it might of been the "featured" tab....i will take your advice as i didnt realize the fact that the tabs to your left are the first your eyes scan.....makes lots of sense....thank you for the feedback! and i will definately be adding more images!

LMGP1: i also had a previous site, it was also flash though, but hated it!....and somehow that domain still active and want to unregister it because when my name is googled that other site is the first that pops up....IMO Bludoman is amazing!....cool and hip layouts and once you get the hang of it it is sooooo easy to customize, no need to edit html content, risking crashing your site....which template are you using....i couldnt view your site...

:-(

[S.Horton]

I was thinking more of just grabbing the domain names, have them redirect to your site.

Then find your local community pages, post the right name on each.

[k-style]

I was thinking more of just grabbing the domain names, have them redirect to your site.

Then find your local community pages, post the right name on each.

i kinddaa get what you are saying....but im still a little lost, keep in mind im new to this domain hosting talk...:o

[LMGP1]

LMGP1: i also had a previous site, it was also flash though, but hated it!....and somehow that domain still active and want to unregister it because when my name is googled that other site is the first that pops up....IMO Bludoman is amazing!....cool and hip layouts and once you get the hang of it it is sooooo easy to customize, no need to edit html content, risking crashing your site....which template are you using....i couldnt view your site...

:-(
I am using Sofie. A newer site. are you saying you couldnt follow the link to the site from this forum. I am afraid I am having problems with some of the issues on this forum. Im normally not so dumb haha. I cant figure out how to post an image either. HMM frustrating.

Hey is your domain still paid for on the other site? If you own it you can transfer it to blu as a second domain, if not you could either purchase it or just let it expire. they recycle them fairly quickly once they have expired. I dont know if that helps but I was having some of the same problems myself when I transferred to blu domain

[k-style]

I am using Sofie. A newer site. are you saying you couldnt follow the link to the site from this forum. I am afraid I am having problems with some of the issues on this forum. Im normally not so dumb haha. I cant figure out how to post an image either. HMM frustrating.

Hey is your domain still paid for on the other site? If you own it you can transfer it to blu as a second domain, if not you could either purchase it or just let it expire. they recycle them fairly quickly once they have expired. I dont know if that helps but I was having some of the same problems myself when I transferred to blu domain


i think ima let it expire....lol

i wanted to use Sofie....their preview with the dogs is freaking adorableeeeee!!!....instead i went with Finley and I love it...only suggestion i have for blu is having a testimonials option, that would be sweet.

and i cant access your site because its flash and the admins at work dont want us installing a flash player on the computers....i cant even view my own site....smh...lol

[ClickHappy]

If you own a domain that already gets good search result placement, I'd keep it and simply redirect it to your current site. For ~$10/yr it would be good investment to hang on to it if it drives traffic to your site.

There are several ways to do this and it takes no more than 5 minutes to implement. PM or email me if you want some help. (This is bnkrazy from earlier in the thread...I had my name changed to our business name the other day)

[k-style]

took the music off autoplay and changed up the splash images.

:-)

[benny g]

good job man... looks tidy.

hope it works well for you.

benny

[kingwee]

The fashion button doesn't work. Confused me for a minute.

[Nyobie]

Wow, it's been a couple weeks since I've visited your web site and I can see you've made many changes. The site is awesome!! Great job!! You've got quite an artistic eye too. Nice work!

[SanDiegoPhotographer]

I like your night club photos

[k-style]

got my business cards in the mail!!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/4046748703_786b2718b9_b.jpg

[canaday413]

Hi! I am setting up my Bludomain site right now thanks to you!! I love it and I love yours! My question is...how did you get your music to play. It shows that it's playing on my site but i can't hear anything. The volumn, etc., is up. LOL! And also..did you get an email address with the host? Thanks!!!!!!!!

[k-style]

once you go live, ull be able to set up ur email address....the music youd have to set up thru your control volume...you probably have the autostart off.....check it.

glad i inspired you to get one...they are sooo easy to use!

[k-style]

site updated....im debating wether i should purchase an html extension strictly for newborn, maternity and children's photography?....