Critique my site: benjacobsenphoto.com

I'm finally getting my website to where I want it. This is basically the fourth version of it (first it was a WP blog, then a G2 gallery, then back to WP, and now WP with a theme that actually looks halfway decent (IMHO of course!). I've always loved livebook/clickbooq sites, so my site is heavily influenced by that look.

www.benjacobsenphoto.c​om

1 item I'd LOVE to know if it's working for you or not, is the searchbox in the header. I've had issues with it dropping down into the body of the pages where it'll overlap images. I've fixed it twice now and haven't seen it in weeks but some friends mentioned it yesterday so I tweaked it again last night.

The other suggestion I've heard is for the slideshows. The main page and galleries are done using simple slideshows on nextgen galleries. You can click the pic to force it to load the next image, and you can use your <- and -> arrows but there are no thumbs. I'm searching for a good looking FREE flash option that'll give me better options (I'm looking at simpleviewer, galleryview [as next gen plugins] and FIAgallery specifically but none are perfect). If you have any suggestion that play nice with WP I'd love to hear them.

Thanks!

I like it ben. Its real clean and simple and the site doesn't take away from your photos. I did notice that it was loading slow. I'm not sure if your images haven't been optimized for web, or if its your host. I have a wordpress blog hosted at godaddy and mine was lagging BIG TIME because of a plug-in. You might want to try disabling any you have one at a time to see what the culprit is and look for a different plug-in that does the same thing.

Keep up the good work though!

the speed is due to the host. I've noticed it on ALL my sites with them today.

the pics are all 1000px wide max and saved for... So that's not it, and the plugin list is short and sweat. I'll have to see if I can speed anything up, but I'm fairly certain it's my host for some reason.

thanks for the compliments!

Looks great, clean and simple.

One area I did notice though is http://benjacobsenphot​o.com/testimonials/
The comment textarea overlaps the image. Do you have a static width on it or a percentage?
FF 3.5.5 in Linux

And on your other sites, you have image links to fb, flickr, etc... are you putting thoses into this site as well? Just being picky :P

What is with the tiny smilie face in the lower left corner?

Also, I'm not a big fan of using visitor comments as your testimonials; can you get them from paying clients instead?

I don't like the contact page. It kind of looks like you slapped it together in paint.

Not really a fan of your about page. I find the wording, abbreviations and general page to be a little unprofessional. Unless that's what you're going for.

http://gear.benjacobse​nphoto.com/2009/11/18/​new-gear-drobo/

I think you'll see the problem

(Although maybe I wasn't supposed to delve that deep into your site, it's still apart of it.)

Mocows wrote in post #9158925
One area I did notice though is http://benjacobsenphot​o.com/testimonials/
The comment textarea overlaps the image. Do you have a static width on it or a percentage?
FF 3.5.5 in Linux

And on your other sites, you have image links to fb, flickr, etc... are you putting thoses into this site as well? Just being picky :P

like the input box overlaps with the image at the bottom? Yeah, I know, it's designed that way. The blog comments uses the same box and it fits better there, I actually didn't mind it a tad wider?

the networking links might be added later, I just feel they're kinda tacky?

TheHoff wrote in post #9158968
What is with the tiny smilie face in the lower left corner?

Also, I'm not a big fan of using visitor comments as your testimonials; can you get them from paying clients instead?

smilie face in the lower left is because it's running WP-stats. In IE it can get MASSIVE though at times.

as for the comments, 5 of the 7 ARE from clients. I just used the other 2 to get it past the image in the background.

AmandaMarie wrote in post #9158977
I don't like the contact page. It kind of looks like you slapped it together in paint.

Not really a fan of your about page. I find the wording, abbreviations and general page to be a little unprofessional. Unless that's what you're going for.

what, the text? And what specifically don't you like about the about page? The only abbreviation is my state and that's only to keep that sections length down (to keep them even). And why would I be going for unprofessional?

Bobd314 wrote in post #9159892
http://gear.benjacobse​nphoto.com/2009/11/18/​new-gear-drobo/

I think you'll see the problem

(Although maybe I wasn't supposed to delve that deep into your site, it's still apart of it.)

yeah, took those comments out of the gallery... I'm testing a WP plugin for selling and that was my test mule gallery.

Thanks for the constructive criticism guys!

jacobsen1 wrote in post #9159987
what, the text? And what specifically don't you like about the about page? The only abbreviation is my state and that's only to keep that sections length down (to keep them even).

Another abbrev: "w/o"

I agree that the about page text is weak. It is too conversational and seems erratic, not professional. I'm not sure who you are marketing to exactly as you have such a wide range of shooting, but if you are dealing with corporate clients for architecture, etc, I would spend $100 and have a pro copywriter assist on that page. "Gear whore" and that bit doesn't have a place on a professional about page.

Now if this is just your fun site to display your work, who cares?

it's a bit of both, so for now it's all being done by me. I have a few architecture clients that are the architects themselves, not corporate. And yeah, I know what you mean, I'm trying to make it into a business, but of all of what I shoot (surfing, sailing, landscapes, travel, architectures and the people doing them) arch is about the only realistic shot at making money right now...

Thanks Hoff.

I hate splash pages but I would probably split the site up before they enter... "Architecture, commercial, editorial" and then all the rest. Or some intelligent split like that so the more professional info can go to one side and the rest on the other. Technically this isn't a splash page but a fork in the road intro.

One side of the business probably doesn't want to see the other side's photos and I think it makes the galleries stronger if they're not distracted by so many disparate topics. Whenever I see galleries with such a wide range it makes me feel like the shooter isn't focused or the business isn't serious (though I know you're a very good photographer, that is my brain's first assumption from seeing something so varied).

Nice, clean site, but it's a bit hard to see much of your work quickly. I'm not sure what the point of the website is though, it's not trying to see anything or prompt an action from anyone as far as I can see. My impression after looking at it is you're a guy who takes photos and wants people to see them.

If you're wanting to sell images, or your service, you'll have to make a site with that aim.

Well I like the clean feel of your site...however I do not like the search function...it is too big, I am not sure why you need one and as I am waiting for your homepage images to upload it is the first thing I see.

Your pictures are great...which is what is important!

tim wrote in post #9161003
Nice, clean site, but it's a bit hard to see much of your work quickly. I'm not sure what the point of the website is though, it's not trying to see anything or prompt an action from anyone as far as I can see. My impression after looking at it is you're a guy who takes photos and wants people to see them.

If you're wanting to sell images, or your service, you'll have to make a site with that aim.

Ayup, that is what I was trying to get across but didn't do so well at saying.

Ben,
What WP Theme are you using and who's your host?