New Website - Feedback Welcome

Question: Do younger buyers, such as yours, give a darn about your BLOG? If so, then leave the intro page as-is. Not sure? Drop it.

Your about page is not a sales pitch. If I got there, I was probably going to buy. Just tell me who you are there, what you have is on the edge of hard-sell. BTW, you don't need to, because the work you have there is just impressive outright.

BTW, slow loads on the SWF pages.

Otherwise, nice layout, very clean, very pro.

hortonsl62 wrote in post #4230147
Question: Do younger buyers, such as yours, give a darn about your BLOG? If so, then leave the intro page as-is. Not sure? Drop it.

If you aint blogging then your losing out big time tbh, its definitely made a very positive difference to our business this year.

Blogging also helps a lot with SEO. At first it sounds a little weird but if done right your blog is updated frequently daily/weekly. Part of SEO is fresh content and blogging is an easy way to do that, including content as well as keyword hits and samples of your work not featured on the site, you get a feel for each individual shoot instead of the selected shoots put on the site. Everyone browsing a site expects the main web site to feature the best of the best photos. The blog lets you get a more personal look at the photographer as it will feature sessions shoots and possibly some non-business shoots as well. Mike Larson's blog is a prime example of this. He'll feature some of his work but also a lot of personal stories about the places he's traveling to for his photography giving you a better insight into the person.

And Bryan, I'll be getting you a critique when I'm done having a mini sleep from night shift.

Bryan --- Looking at this from the outside. First I think it is good. But a few things not sure the picture you use on the front is one that people who do not know you will take as someone serious. Second I think you might want to raise your prices a bit or offer more than your basic price.
You will be booked on perception. And honestly they will not hesitate with price once they are sold on YOU.

Thanks guys for the feedback!

General consensus:

- Change my photo
- Update the About page
- Reorder photos/rechoose photos for the home page

I'm working on this now. Will let you guys know when it's updated.

Thanks again!

IJust had a look, I agree with that.....it looks good though overall

bcap wrote in post #4231980
Thanks guys for the feedback!

General consensus:

- Change my photo
- Update the About page
- Reorder photos/rechoose photos for the home page

I'm working on this now. Will let you guys know when it's updated.

Thanks again!

Sorry, I'm late. I just read your "About" section...it doesn't talk about YOU really at all. I think it would be good for people to get to know who you are in that section.

Hey Bryan, I generally like the layout of the site. Upon a quick surf of your site, things I didn't like about it were:

1.) The entrance splash. I don't really think a link to your blog is needed, since you already have it as a link on your website. Get people to your site initially... I personally hate splashes unless they are completely necessary.

2.) I found the gallery a bit confusing at first. I actually thought that you only had the the six visible thumbnails available, until I waited for the slide show to complete, then it went on to more. I personally didn't like the gallery layout.

3.) Your about section should really be about you. Potential clients viewing your site for the first time are not going to know anything about you. I think clients like to know a little bit about your "personal" side. I think what you currently have is a bit too "salesman pitch'ish."

4.) I also never liked the slide show, or music on the front page (maybe 1 or 2 photos to catch peoples interest.) As it's been stated before, thats what the gallery/portfolio is for.

5.) On my work computer, which is cable and pretty up to date, running XP, launching times for every page took some time. On my home PC, which is pretty fast, launching times for each page took about 5-10 seconds. People might be tempted to head back to the google search results if things are taking too long... and know-a-days, 10 seconds could be too long for some to wait for a web page to load.

All in all, I do like aspects of the scheme, and really dig your new logo. I would do things a bit different... but different strokes for different folks. I'm definitely not saying that what you have won't work, just giving my opinion on what I personally would have done differently. I'm sure whatever you end up with will work fine... you have a wonderful talent; and in my neck of the woods, word of mouth is the prime advertiser, not websites... your photos will sell.

Good job!

"About" page version 1:

After getting involved with portraiture and wedding photography, I discovered a love for photographing people. The art of uniquely interpreting and capturing emotions, character and love lead me to full time wedding and portrait photography.

I am truly blessed, having the opportunity to connect with some of the greatest people. As a photographer, it is extremely important for me that I develop a strong connection and an open relationship with my clients. It not only allows for better photographs, but, I like to walk away from every photo shoot, excited, knowing that my new friends are going to be ecstatic with their photos.

It's incredible how such a timeless artform is able to draw an emotion from each viewer. It is this emotion that I long for in my photographs.

Now guys, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. A lot of the layout things, I cannot change. Like I said, it is a professionally designed template, and, things like NOT having a slideshow on the home page, just aren't possible.

bcap wrote in post #4232102
Now guys, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. A lot of the layout things, I cannot change. Like I said, it is a professionally designed template, and, things like NOT having a slideshow on the home page, just aren't possible.

Can't you just talk with Blu support and tell them the changes you'd like to make? Those minor changes don't seem unreasonable.

Also, what about just putting one image in the homepage "slideshow"? Would that work for the intensive purpose of having a static image?

Also is the reason for the image loading delay because you are running on your own hosting service? or are you running on theirs?

bcap wrote in post #4232102
Now guys, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. A lot of the layout things, I cannot change. Like I said, it is a professionally designed template, and, things like NOT having a slideshow on the home page, just aren't possible.

I think its the right thing to have a slideshow of images on your first page anyway, people have come to see your images first and foremost so showing them some straight away is the right thing to do imo, thats what will get them hooked. A quick look through the inspiration list thread at all the photographers sites listed there and its hard to fine one that doesnt have an image slideshow as their first main page.

Banbert wrote in post #4232413
I think its the right thing to have a slideshow of images on your first page anyway, people have come to see your images first and foremost so showing them some straight away is the right thing to do imo, thats what will get them hooked. A quick look through the inspiration list thread at all the photographers sites listed there and its hard to fine one that doesnt have an image slideshow as their first main page.

Good point Banbert! Thanks

nikonthree wrote in post #4232344
Can't you just talk with Blu support and tell them the changes you'd like to make? Those minor changes don't seem unreasonable.

No, you can't do that...what you see is what you get.

jessiper wrote in post #4232509
No, you can't do that...what you see is what you get.

Well thats pretty unfortunate from a consumer/support standpoint. Especially when their motto is "Fully editable flash websites for the creative professional"

But I guess if you are aware of this fact from the beginning then its not an issue