New site design :] CnC?

Need some suggestions for improvement on my website. Could you take a look and criticize it to death?

http://mgatesphoto.com

Knock me dead : )

I was all prepared to go no holds barred but tbh I quite like it, javascript instead of flash (take note ppl who think flash can't be replicated)

the lightbox you use resizes the pics to fit in my window which not all do, so that was a bonus, however it doesn't dim the background/rest of the site and so the pics blended in too much, especially given the really narrow border around the pictures

there is one sin with having all the pages loading up via javascript and that is that the whole site appears on the one url, users wouldn't be able to link to your gallery, or a specific gallery within that

http://css-tricks.com …ractices-dynamic-content/ this will explain that in more depth

note sure if google will likely index pages like http://mgatesphoto.com​/pages/portfolio.html but you can see what's happening if you go there

otherwise, simple clear consistent navigation and it all loads quickly enough and can fool people that it is a flash site from appearance

I like it too.. but the issue with using AJAX for content refreshes will cause some issues with Google SERPs.

If you can, try and have each image as it's own url. That's what I did with mine. You can actually bookmark any of the individual images. My site also works without javascript enabled, which is not utterly important, but it's nice if you can do it.

I like it too. The only thing you may want to do is do a little SEO, if your concerned about that. Take a look at my SEO link in my sig.

Unrelated question...is "Geczy" Polish?

Hikin Mike wrote in post #12117794
I like it too. The only thing you may want to do is do a little SEO, if your concerned about that. Take a look at my SEO link in my sig.

Unrelated question...is "Geczy" Polish?

There's a little bit of SEO already on my homepage, did you see that? It has some keywords and metadata up there : p

And Geczy is actually Hungarian : ) -- born and raised But very close guess!

Todd Lambert wrote in post #12117351
I like it too.. but the issue with using AJAX for content refreshes will cause some issues with Google SERPs.

If you can, try and have each image as it's own url. That's what I did with mine. You can actually bookmark any of the individual images. My site also works without javascript enabled, which is not utterly important, but it's nice if you can do it.

See #2 and #3 below : ) But in regards to having each image as it's own URL, this is already possible. Simply left click a photo, and then right click the image that popped up, and click "Copy image url" (command various amongst different browsers).

You're right about requiring javascript for my site to function, though. I will look into this as well. There must be a script out there that dynamically refreshes with javascript, and still accessible without.

Grumbledook wrote in post #12117297
I was all prepared to go no holds barred but tbh I quite like it, javascript instead of flash (take note ppl who think flash can't be replicated)

the lightbox you use resizes the pics to fit in my window which not all do, so that was a bonus, however it doesn't dim the background/rest of the site and so the pics blended in too much, especially given the really narrow border around the pictures

there is one sin with having all the pages loading up via javascript and that is that the whole site appears on the one url, users wouldn't be able to link to your gallery, or a specific gallery within that

http://css-tricks.com …ractices-dynamic-content/ this will explain that in more depth

note sure if google will likely index pages like http://mgatesphoto.com​/pages/portfolio.html but you can see what's happening if you go there

otherwise, simple clear consistent navigation and it all loads quickly enough and can fool people that it is a flash site from appearance

1. You suggested thicker borders around images in the lightbox and a darker backdrop. This is easily adjustable. In fact, I purposefully set the border to a thin pixel size, and made the background more transparent. But I see now where you're coming from, having a bolder separation from background and photo is a good idea. Thanks!

2. Google not being able to index the various pages correctly. This was also intentional, my robots.txt is even customized to reject all search engines from indexing /pages/ and /photos/ . I was getting upset that Google had some of my pages in search results, and I didn't want them there. So I took measures in my own hands : p

3. Having my site able to link back to specific galleries is something that's unfortunately not plausible with the current scripts I'm using to refresh pages dynamically. I would have to hunt for a new jquery script that has this option. ( Ajaxy is one )

Swift wrote in post #12119165
There's a little bit of SEO already on my homepage, did you see that? It has some keywords and metadata up there : p

And Geczy is actually Hungarian : ) -- born and raised But very close guess!

Then you need to read my SEO for the Photographer link in my sig then.


Ah...Hungarian! My mother's dad was 100% Hungarian.

I don`t like the photos popping up when you click on them. Also, on the about me page i don`t see the photo. nice backgroun

Swift wrote in post #12119165
You're right about requiring javascript for my site to function, though. I will look into this as well. There must be a script out there that dynamically refreshes with javascript, and still accessible without.

No entirely true, if you disable javascript, your site will still function somewhat, just not 100%. What ever loads in the main portion of the screen is its 'own url' kind of (e.g. http://mgatesphoto.com​/pages/portfolio.html). The issue being that the navigation is missing. Minus the robots.txt stuff you mentioned, search engines can crawl that.

Swift wrote in post #12119165
2. Google not being able to index the various pages correctly. This was also intentional, my robots.txt is even customized to reject all search engines from indexing /pages/ and /photos/ . I was getting upset that Google had some of my pages in search results, and I didn't want them there. So I took measures in my own hands : p

Why? Thats where your information is. Search engine robots dont know javascript so they will basically see your 'blank' homepage so you will not rank well. Remember you need to optimize every page, search engines rank urls not 'sites'. View source on your home page, a search engine robot will only see "home", "photos", "about", "contact", and "Copyright 2011 by mgatesphoto All Right Reserved.". Nothing that will help you out.

dix wrote in post #12156685
No entirely true, if you disable javascript, your site will still function somewhat, just not 100%. What ever loads in the main portion of the screen is its 'own url' kind of (e.g. http://mgatesphoto.com​/pages/portfolio.html). The issue being that the navigation is missing. Minus the robots.txt stuff you mentioned, search engines can crawl that.

Why? Thats where your information is. Search engine robots dont know javascript so they will basically see your 'blank' homepage so you will not rank well. Remember you need to optimize every page, search engines rank urls not 'sites'. View source on your home page, a search engine robot will only see "home", "photos", "about", "contact", and "Copyright 2011 by mgatesphoto All Right Reserved.". Nothing that will help you out.

You are correct, none of what I'm doing right now will help me out. However, I'm not trying to compete with other photographers. I'm not running a business or expecting revenue / traffic from being ranked on a search engine. This is just a place for myself to show off 'my stuff' for friends and family. Also a place where I host school related stuff -- in sub-directories

But I appreciate the concern ! I should have mentioned my lack of interest for SEO optimization in the OP.

And yes, my site will operate without javascript, but I'm looking to have it operate with the navigation and the css applied throughout the site, not just the homepage. If I apply it directly to each individual page, then I will achieve this effect, yes, but it will ruin the dynamic javascript experience for users with javascript 'enabled'

Swift wrote in post #12156776
And yes, my site will operate without javascript, but I'm looking to have it operate with the navigation and the css applied throughout the site, not just the homepage. If I apply it directly to each individual page, then I will achieve this effect, yes, but it will ruin the dynamic javascript experience for users with javascript 'enabled'

Does your host allow for dynamic scripts (eg. asp, php, asp.net etc)? If so that would be the best way. Otherwise, the link that Grumbledook posted would be a good view.

dix wrote in post #12157906
Does your host allow for dynamic scripts (eg. asp, php, asp.net etc)? If so that would be the best way. Otherwise, the link that Grumbledook posted would be a good view.

Of course it does, the contact page is PHP, for example. I've never looked at asp scripts though, I think asp is outdated, no? I like ajax & javascript

Your "about" page starts out confusing your visitor as to what your name is. I don't see the logic in rambling on about different names.

HappySnapper90 wrote in post #12179452
Your "about" page starts out confusing your visitor as to what your name is. I don't see the logic in rambling on about different names.

I'm not sure that logic even has to apply to an about me page lol

submit your website to ZA. and get a video critique

http://zackarias.com …aphy-critique-episode-14/

Swift wrote in post #12179605
I'm not sure that logic even has to apply to an about me page lol

I believe it does. If you start out by giving different names and confusing visitors as to who you are, they might think you are crazy and close the tab to your website.