Website feedback revisited

So I got some great feedback last week, and made a bunch of changes. Another once-over would be appreciated. Thanks!

http://clickhappyphoto​.com

I suppose no news is good news.

After the redesign and SEO optimization, I'm listed high on bing and google for searches like richmond va newborn photography, etc. so I'm happy.

It is more colorful. Not sure I like the design though. I don't hate it, but it doesn't 'wow' me either. You're a photographer, right? Why no picture in your 'About" page? I used a picture in all of my pages (About Me, Links, Contact, Purchasing etc...).

Well, I'm actually a software developer that only dabbles in web design, so I'll take a 'don't hate it' as a compliment. I'm more concerned with function over form most days, and I will continue to tweak the design aspects. Good point about photos on all the pages.

Oh, I did check out your SEO article, and that was good stuff. Also, I followed a link and read about your accomplishments after all the surgeries, etc. Awesome attitude and glad you didn't let life's curve balls get in your way.

You sound like me. I know just enough HTML/CSS/MySQL to be dangerous!

I'm still grumpy....ask my wife and kids...LOL!

"Click Happy Photo is a full service Richmond, VA based photography company ..."

I'm surprised Mike didn't comment about this one. I will. My guess is people are looking for a *person* to take their photos, not so much a *company*. You don't mention your name anywhere on the site, that I could see. Why the anonymity? I can't imagine that's helping you.

Dave

Dave, there is a reason for the phrasing, and it is because I plan to hire local photogs (once verifying their capabilities) to cover the types of photography I don't want to do myself. You'll notice there's no mention of wedding photography, because I do this part-time and don't have an interest in doing weddings currently. I have a friend that does though, and he will be covering weddings for me should a request come in. I have a new version of the about page that is not published yet that contains my bio and will update the site soon. I will also be adding his work to the gallery, adding him to the about us page, etc.

Eventually, my idea is to have enough good part time photogs investing time in the 'company' to cover most photography niches. Maybe it works, maybe not. I just know that I can't jump into photography 100% and still provide for my family, even though I'd like to. I think there are enough part time 'pros' out there (people that do great work, but can't make it their 9-5) that this might work, as long as at the end of the day, the quality of their work is what brings folks to the site and schedules sessions. My end goal is to give each photog a profile section on the site that is rated by customers, and the best are promoted, the bad apples weeded out, etc. Again, none of this may pan out and in that case, I'll just rework it to be my personal site, and will tailor the text to match.

Makes sense.

Just a thought, and I realize you've spent far more time thinking about this than I have. Wouldn't it make sense then to advertise exactly what you're saying, and sort of rearrange some of you marketing "spiel" on the site to talk about how you have access to the best photographers in the area, you've verified their capabilities, you're a one-stop photo service (ok that sounds a bit dumb), etc? I'd think that would be a good thing to be marketing and that if you don't do this, you risk getting blasted with "bait and switch" feedback about how a customer thought he was hiring you, but someone else showed up for the shoot.

Just a thought.
Dave

Yes, that is a consideration, and it will be made clear who is actually being hired when booking a session. Once photogs have their own section on the site, it will be easier to make this point stand out. Until I have a larger photog base (than just myself and one other friend) it's a moot point. I'm hoping to attract photogs that are great at what they do, but don't have time to fiddle with setting up a site/attracting customers, etc. We'll see if it pans out.

This is probably a discussion for the 'business' section of the form though, but thanks for the input!

I would change the font on your links to be more matching to your logo. Pretty snappy logo, really plain and boring links. They don't fit with the overall feel of the homepage.

huntersdad wrote in post #12405377
I would change the font on your links to be more matching to your logo. Pretty snappy logo, really plain and boring links. They don't fit with the overall feel of the homepage.

Didn't think about that, but I agree. Thanks for the input.

huntersdad wrote in post #12405377
I would change the font on your links to be more matching to your logo. Pretty snappy logo, really plain and boring links. They don't fit with the overall feel of the homepage.

That's funny, because one of the things I don't care for is the logo (font)...LOL!

Hikin Mike wrote in post #12406612
That's funny, because one of the things I don't care for is the logo (font)...LOL!

Well, since it's his logo, I figure match it. However, it is a little busy for me but not my logo.

Following 'tracknut's' comments, maybe call it a 'Group' rather than company. Sounds a little more fitting.

I think the biggest issue here is using Wordpress. If this is going to be a really simple site (from what I can see, it is), then there's no need for the power of WP as a CMS behind it. It's just going to make it so much harder for you to design it more effectively because of the amount of things you need to customize etc etc.

Just go basic HTML/CSS and one of the MANY freely available jQuery galleries and you're set! That's what I'm doing, it's much simpler as long as you know your HTML/CSS well.