My website

I created my web site using webstarts.com for hosting and the online editor. I have found it to be easy, simple editing. Any suggestions? http://www.jaysphoto.c​om

it's kinda lacking in content... some organization of the pictures would be nice... separate galleries for separate ideas.... I'd make it not an advertisement for Facebook... the navigation doesn't really fit well... and the Christmas Card Sale Icon is a bit tacky..

Jay, I like your site. Awesome bio. I like the simplicity of your site. There's not a lot there to get lost in; it's pretty to the point. I like that. Plus you have your prices there. I thing it's important to make sure your prices are very clear to understand, your's seem to be pretty clear. BTW I'm a pastor and photographer too. I've been a Pastor for 25+ years and photographer for around 22 years.

Thanks for the input guys! As far as content, I tried to include enough without being to cluttered of a site. The facebook logo might be a little bit big, but considering in the past year I have had about an 60% business increase due to facebook, I don't mind the logo on there. The Christmas Card Sale link was a quick fix due to people wanting to know about our sale. I agree it looks kinda tacky, just not sure what else to put on there right now.

va_rider wrote in post #11250244
separate galleries for separate ideas

If you looked at my customer galleries page you would find that. The homepage is merely a slide show of samples of the different work I do.

You asked for a critique of YOUR website.... the customer gallery links to an outside website... also, you're using your customer gallery like a portfolio.... you website as is has no portfolio.... I'd consider adding a portfolio on the site... I didn't bother clicking on Customer Galleries because that typically refers to password protected collections for customers... not for people wanting to see your work.

What kind of photography do you do? List that on your bio and especially on your home page <title> element (tag). Read my SEO for the Photographer link below.

Hikin Mike wrote in post #11253768
Read my SEO for the Photographer link below.

Thanks...that was very informative information!

Ok...I have made some changes: Decreased the facebook logo size, changed the link for Christmas Card Sale, changed title on page, added a few keywords, added types of portraits to Bio.
As far a a portfolio goes, I have been using Zenfolio as a portfolio as well as place for customers to order prints. I was using the slideshow on the main page as an example of my work instead of a portfolio. Is this bad?

jmalonear wrote in post #11254356
Ok...I have made some changes: Decreased the facebook logo size, changed the link for Christmas Card Sale, changed title on page, added a few keywords, added types of portraits to Bio.
As far a a portfolio goes, I have been using Zenfolio as a portfolio as well as place for customers to order prints. I was using the slideshow on the main page as an example of my work instead of a portfolio. Is this bad?

I tend to agree with va_rider. It's not bad that you use zenfolio for your client sales but I think why you may want a portfolio on your main site is folks that are not customers yet. A website is a marketing tool. It wasn't obvious on my visit where i would see your best work. Since I'm not your customer yet it wasn't obvious to click a client gallery.

Ok...so instead of referring to it as Customer Galleries, could I just call the link "Galleries" or "Portfolio" If I create another page, it will change my menu and put the new page underneath all of the others in the menu, (create a second line) which I think will not look good. So if I created a special portfolio page, I wouldn't have a good menu spot for it. Does this make sense?

Here are my thoughts... customer galleries should be just that... customer galleries.

This is how I deal with customer galleries: I build Shockwave Galleries for each customer. I then send a link to the gallery to the customer. I see many photogs post a "Customer Gallery" that contains a bunch of password protected links. Why? So people can see how many customers you have? By making a flash gallery for each one, they are given a sampling of pictures that they cannot click on to download... there is no metadata that will show up on search engines... and there's no "Customer Gallery" page with 6 links making it look like you have no customers... or 70 links making a ton of clutter...

My recommendation would be to choose a few pictures from each of your current sections on smugmug that you'd like to showcase. Maybe 12-18 pictures from each section (Senior Portraits, Kid Portraits, Family Portraits, Engagement Sessions, Etc.) and create a Portfolio.

va_rider wrote in post #11255881
My recommendation would be to choose a few pictures from each of your current sections on smugmug that you'd like to showcase. Maybe 12-18 pictures from each section (Senior Portraits, Kid Portraits, Family Portraits, Engagement Sessions, Etc.) and create a Portfolio.

Thanks....I see the point there. One question. On my home page there is a slideshow that auto plays random images, that I have chosen to play. I can create one that just includes Seniors, one for Children, etc. I can also add controls so they can go through the images one at a time. Would that be sufficient for a portfolio? If so should I have one link for a portfolio page then have separate links for each category?

This is what I am talking about: I could replace the "Customer Galleries" on my menu with "Portfolio" and this would be the portfolio page.
I have 2 different types of portfolios, one on kids, and on seniors. Which one is best?
http://www.jaysphoto.c​om/portfolio.html

The good-
The photos are great
The timing of the slidshow works well

The (needs revision)-
*The background is very unappealing to me.
*Your grid is absent/uneven/not integrated with all your elements on the home page.
*Consider changing about us and contact us to just about and contact- your not a corporation.
*Hierarchy of tool bar has no attention.