Thank you, I'm downloading now, so will have a check. Cheers again!!
Anyone interested in what site is being talked about in this thread..it's
www.grapevine-design.org
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
NEWBIE SITE for Design Company
- Thread starter N16K NE
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Thank you, I'm downloading now, so will have a check. Cheers again!!
Anyone interested in what site is being talked about in this thread..it's
www.grapevine-design.org
I've had no luck with that download.
I regularly check for all software updates using the option in the Apple main menu. And nothing for iWeb has come up. When i "check for updates" whilst in iWeb it does say there is a newer version...available in iLife '08. In order to get iWeb 2...is the only way to purchase iLife '08?
Sorry if its a stupid question.
I regularly check for all software updates using the option in the Apple main menu. And nothing for iWeb has come up. When i "check for updates" whilst in iWeb it does say there is a newer version...available in iLife '08. In order to get iWeb 2...is the only way to purchase iLife '08?
Sorry if its a stupid question.
I'll go the other way from popular opinion. I rather enjoy the splash page- it really emphasizes your portfolio. the problem I see is that the splash page should lead to a site that's very unified with the splash page.
What you have now is really 2 designs, the first being a splash page, the second being all of the other pages.
Also, the logo is nice, but it needs tweaking. Maybe move the company name down so it doesn't interfere with the G so much?
I'm no pro at graphic design, but I think you could do a LOT better if you either a) hire a web designer b) learn HTML/CSS and do it yourself, or c) use even a template. iWeb and design company should not ever be in the same sentence. It's just the wrong tool for the job, much akin to using regular gas when you should use premium gas.. yeah it'll work, but at what cost?
What you have now is really 2 designs, the first being a splash page, the second being all of the other pages.
Also, the logo is nice, but it needs tweaking. Maybe move the company name down so it doesn't interfere with the G so much?
I'm no pro at graphic design, but I think you could do a LOT better if you either a) hire a web designer b) learn HTML/CSS and do it yourself, or c) use even a template. iWeb and design company should not ever be in the same sentence. It's just the wrong tool for the job, much akin to using regular gas when you should use premium gas.. yeah it'll work, but at what cost?
Nope, not a stupid question at all. It does sound like you have to pay for the upgrade after I did some more digging. I did find something of interest that may help you though. It's called iWebMore and accomplishes the "HTML Snippets" feature of iWeb 2. I've never used it so can't speak to how well it may work, but is something worth looking into so you can add other things to the site. I've kind of lost track of why we were looking for the iWeb 2 upgrade.
Got iLIFE '08! BUT...
www.grapevine-design.org
I got iLife '08 thru some searching and cheaper prices! HOWEVER, i have not changed my site much. all that i have changed are the images and put in AdSense on the contact page. Apart from that, i haven't done anything. I would like to do something to with the HTML snippet. However, i have not found any interesting, or useful HTML snippets around. any suggestions??
www.grapevine-design.org
I got iLife '08 thru some searching and cheaper prices! HOWEVER, i have not changed my site much. all that i have changed are the images and put in AdSense on the contact page. Apart from that, i haven't done anything. I would like to do something to with the HTML snippet. However, i have not found any interesting, or useful HTML snippets around. any suggestions??
No. Just please don't put adsense on your contact page.
You already have issues with people not thinking your design and site is professional. Your contact page shouldn't have ads. In fact, you're supposed to be a professional company - don't make potential clients feel like you're getting them to foot the bill for your site by having ads on it and getting them to click through.
That is something you should just absorb as a cost of doing business. It seems very unprofessional to have them, like your business isn't successful enough to cover $5 a month for hosting. And ads are just annoying - you don't need to go that route.
okay, can see where your coming from. Any suggestions as to what to use with the HTML snippet? Ive had a look at contact forms etc, but just not had any luck in any of the options for the HTML snippet function.....
any suggestions....anyone?
any suggestions....anyone?
im sorry but-
- placing the oversized logo (regardless of its snaaazzy reflection) in the middle of page, so that i have to scroll down before reaching any content = nono
- using rss feeds on nearly every page = why would i (the potential client) have ANY interest in keeping up regularly on pictures that you take for an estate agency?
- if you are a great fan of minimalist websites, please have a look at indexhibit.org - aside from learning very basics of php, you will likely have to purchase some cheap webhosting which allows you to run the php scripts... but i think it will give you the minimalist web presence you desire and in the next MR thread you will be asking for critiques on the content rather than the site.
- came to this thread a little late, but having learned that you had adsense on your contact page, then posted a 'critique my site' on MR... listing the address twice for people = shady practices to hype traffic and capitalize on the MR community for however many cents it's worth.
- placing the oversized logo (regardless of its snaaazzy reflection) in the middle of page, so that i have to scroll down before reaching any content = nono
- using rss feeds on nearly every page = why would i (the potential client) have ANY interest in keeping up regularly on pictures that you take for an estate agency?
- if you are a great fan of minimalist websites, please have a look at indexhibit.org - aside from learning very basics of php, you will likely have to purchase some cheap webhosting which allows you to run the php scripts... but i think it will give you the minimalist web presence you desire and in the next MR thread you will be asking for critiques on the content rather than the site.
- came to this thread a little late, but having learned that you had adsense on your contact page, then posted a 'critique my site' on MR... listing the address twice for people = shady practices to hype traffic and capitalize on the MR community for however many cents it's worth.
Didnt even cross my mind at all actually. I was doing it to increase traffic - yes - but for possible clients. Not for the AdSense. But everyone has their own opinion on why people do things i guess.
I had a look at the website, and i feel that there style is too basic, and far too minimalist. Thank you though, and i will take into consideration the over-sized logo on the welcome page. I guess cos i'm doing the website and viewing it on a bigger screen, didnt think about laptops. Thank you.
This is why i am asking the trust MR people! The border around the intro page.....hhm..quite like it. I've played around with a few different layouts for the intro page, and none really look that great. and the double border makes everything seem incased....i like it.
Maybe will have another go when i have some free time. I'm off on holiday now, but will have a play around with it when im back, and before off to uni.
Any more suggestions let me know!!
RE-Designed
Hey,
Taken quite a few points into consideration...
www.grapevine-design.org
let me know what you think now.
Hey,
Taken quite a few points into consideration...
www.grapevine-design.org
let me know what you think now.
I am really impressed once again how the OP has been man/woman enough to take all of this criticism. Well done. Current thoughts:
(1) I like the video, it adds a sense that you are a designer to the site but the file size is too large. Takes ages to download even on a fast broadband connection. Either I would have it as YouTube size or slightly smaller or I would have it a lighter more flash based presentation that consumes the whole screen and is an intro. (Either way you should be able to get file size much smaller.)
(2) Information on the top of the menu bar featuring clients should be a single page, no one likes opening new web pages to read a single sentence or paragraph. (I would be even tempted, though I know the OP is not keen, to have all this information on a more traditional two column page as the first page of the website - video in right column, header, menu, list of clients, etc.)
These are personal opinions feel free to ignore at will:
(3) not keen on the skip button - text is not centred when I view it and it is overkill to be honest; not keen on window surrounding the video either - perhaps someone knows of a convenient and stylish video player for websites - I'm not up on this.
(4) menu bar has clashes and could look more professional - also as per (2) all of the items with reference to clients could be amalgamated into one or put on front page.
(5) very personal: not keen on people re-using icons from Apple, e.g. the mail icons. They are very smart icons, don't get me wrong, but a design firm should work towards looking more bespoke and not borrowing or hinting at Apple - like "Built on a Mac" I think it can put across the wrong message.
Edit: Just checked back and really intrigued to see the site maintenance message up - looking forward to what you do next.
(1) I like the video, it adds a sense that you are a designer to the site but the file size is too large. Takes ages to download even on a fast broadband connection. Either I would have it as YouTube size or slightly smaller or I would have it a lighter more flash based presentation that consumes the whole screen and is an intro. (Either way you should be able to get file size much smaller.)
(2) Information on the top of the menu bar featuring clients should be a single page, no one likes opening new web pages to read a single sentence or paragraph. (I would be even tempted, though I know the OP is not keen, to have all this information on a more traditional two column page as the first page of the website - video in right column, header, menu, list of clients, etc.)
These are personal opinions feel free to ignore at will:
(3) not keen on the skip button - text is not centred when I view it and it is overkill to be honest; not keen on window surrounding the video either - perhaps someone knows of a convenient and stylish video player for websites - I'm not up on this.
(4) menu bar has clashes and could look more professional - also as per (2) all of the items with reference to clients could be amalgamated into one or put on front page.
(5) very personal: not keen on people re-using icons from Apple, e.g. the mail icons. They are very smart icons, don't get me wrong, but a design firm should work towards looking more bespoke and not borrowing or hinting at Apple - like "Built on a Mac" I think it can put across the wrong message.
Edit: Just checked back and really intrigued to see the site maintenance message up - looking forward to what you do next.
This comment is a good one. I dont know how to save the file smaller without loosing the quality on the audio and visual aspects of the video. You mentioned having it "as YouTube size or slightly smaller" how would i go about this? Upload it to youtube, and embed it into iweb using the html snippet?
The maintenance page is indeed up, and I will be posting here with the new look.
Cheers for the comments MR people!
YouTube is one option but if you can search out a more bespoke option or have any software already that might do the job. Check this site out for conversion of video to FLV (Flash Video): http://www.ffmpegx.com/index.html
You will need to read the instructions on the site, but sounds like it might do the job.
Changed a lot. New layout etc. Have a look!!!
I like the intro page, and im afraid it's going to be staying. But thank you for your opinion.
All the other comments/suggestions I have thought about.
Have a look at my "new" site. Changed a lot from the suggestions from the guys here! So thanks to you!!!
http://www.grapevine-design.org
any other suggestions, apart from the intro page....let me know!! Always will to take comments and suggestions (as you can see from many changes)
Cheers guys!
I like the intro page, and im afraid it's going to be staying. But thank you for your opinion.
All the other comments/suggestions I have thought about.
Have a look at my "new" site. Changed a lot from the suggestions from the guys here! So thanks to you!!!
http://www.grapevine-design.org
any other suggestions, apart from the intro page....let me know!! Always will to take comments and suggestions (as you can see from many changes)
Cheers guys!
Its not an opinion, its a well researched fact a "welcome screen" is not in your best interest.
The center justified text...why? Its all over the place.
I think its just too white, its blinding.
The fonts and the buttons up top dont fit very well together, the lowered letters (like g) are merging into the strip below. the rounded button vs your use of rounded corners elsewhere dont match.
you have it set so that you cant simply cut n paste an URL from your site. its always the homepage. otherwise id also be able to tell you what pages are having issues. but, instead Ill just say the gallery navigator isnt working in FF3, the text and "next/prev" buttons are overlapping.
theres always too much space between your navigator and the stuff below it. the spacing overall is way too off.
i think it needs a new color scheme...
Taking all this into consideration (thakn you for your help) I have altered the text to no longer be centered. the text did seem too jagged. Thank you for that.
The gap between the navigator and the info has been made smaller. Thank you.
The colour scheme is going to remain the same however, because that is the logo scheme. As with the intro screen...going to stay there (as i said i like into screens)
thank you for your help tho!
I have some problems with all the run-on sentences on the welcome page.
The last one struck me as very bizarre: "Please do not hesitate to contact us, so that we can increase our portfolio, add you to our client list, and above all, cater to your needs and enhance your image in the market place."
People are going to read that in order. So their first impression is "Please contact us so that we can increase our portfolio." Their second impression is "Please contact us so that we can add you to our client list". "Why would I want to do that" they may be thinking.
Finally on the third one there finally is something for them in it "So we can cater to your needs...".
I know you have "above all" before the third one, but it really doesn't remove the backwards impression the first two points make.
I'd also get rid of the "& Pricing" from the Services & Pricing button since you don't have any pricing on that page.
Just my opinion - Greg
The last one struck me as very bizarre: "Please do not hesitate to contact us, so that we can increase our portfolio, add you to our client list, and above all, cater to your needs and enhance your image in the market place."
People are going to read that in order. So their first impression is "Please contact us so that we can increase our portfolio." Their second impression is "Please contact us so that we can add you to our client list". "Why would I want to do that" they may be thinking.
Finally on the third one there finally is something for them in it "So we can cater to your needs...".
I know you have "above all" before the third one, but it really doesn't remove the backwards impression the first two points make.
I'd also get rid of the "& Pricing" from the Services & Pricing button since you don't have any pricing on that page.
Just my opinion - Greg
Some feedback for you:
1. I'm glad you are not listing 'website design' as one of your services because you still have a ways to go to learn good, usable site design. As mentioned by many people, the welcome screen should go. It serves no purpose at all. One thing you have to understand that is a VITAL part of website design is usability. It's just as important if not more important than the actual design itself. There is no 'use' for the welcome screen and to top it off you have no clear call to action to 'enter' the rest of the site. I would not be surprised if people just saw the welcome screen and never went beyond that thinking this is just a placeholder site that has no content.
2. Logo - your company is called Grapevine Design ... cool ... so you put a leaf in your logo to I guess represent leaves on a grapevine ... one small ... well I actually think big problem .. it's not a grape leaf!!! not even close. You must agree that for someone who lists their #1 service as logo design this is a huge blunder. To top it off the font used and the way it's used is quite hard to read. So between not being able to read 'grapevine' and not actually having a grapeleaf represented I think all this makes the logo very weak. Not a good sales tool for someone selling logo design services.
There are other valid points mentioned by others, I thought I would just address the two that really stood out the most to me.
I know some of the feedback you're getting may be negative, but you have to realize you're new at this and the only way to learn and improve is to take feedback from others that have more experience than you and really listen to it and take to heart. It's the best way to grow and learn. It's tough for the ego but great for your future growth.
1. I'm glad you are not listing 'website design' as one of your services because you still have a ways to go to learn good, usable site design. As mentioned by many people, the welcome screen should go. It serves no purpose at all. One thing you have to understand that is a VITAL part of website design is usability. It's just as important if not more important than the actual design itself. There is no 'use' for the welcome screen and to top it off you have no clear call to action to 'enter' the rest of the site. I would not be surprised if people just saw the welcome screen and never went beyond that thinking this is just a placeholder site that has no content.
2. Logo - your company is called Grapevine Design ... cool ... so you put a leaf in your logo to I guess represent leaves on a grapevine ... one small ... well I actually think big problem .. it's not a grape leaf!!! not even close. You must agree that for someone who lists their #1 service as logo design this is a huge blunder. To top it off the font used and the way it's used is quite hard to read. So between not being able to read 'grapevine' and not actually having a grapeleaf represented I think all this makes the logo very weak. Not a good sales tool for someone selling logo design services.
There are other valid points mentioned by others, I thought I would just address the two that really stood out the most to me.
I know some of the feedback you're getting may be negative, but you have to realize you're new at this and the only way to learn and improve is to take feedback from others that have more experience than you and really listen to it and take to heart. It's the best way to grow and learn. It's tough for the ego but great for your future growth.
As perviously mentioned a few times, the welcome screen i like, and i feel that it adds a sense of welcome. And, i am appreciative of your feedback, however the welcome screen is something that I think adds a unique touch to it. I have played around with many ideas of having a way of representing that you have to click on the logo to enable you to progress through the site.
all of which spoil the minimalist, elegant look I am trying for.
The logo. I agree that the font needs to be separate from the "leaf-G" however I have not had a chance to change anything as yet.
Whilst reading your comments about not taking anything to heart.. I'm guessing that you haven't been looking at this thread for long...because i have adapted, and changed a lot of my site. All the comments that I felt added value to the site I am trying to create...I have taken into consideration, and on many occasions I have changed aspects of my site.
thank you for your feedback.
Just an idea for this. You could use some JavaScript in which after 3 to 5 seconds at the welcome page it automatically links through to the main site. You'd still have the click for people hurrying through and also for people without JavaScript. Just an idea. It wouldn't take much JavaScript to do this and I'll help if you'd like to try it. Actually, there's also a way to redirect with the a meta tag that doesn't require JavaScript.
it is really basic and has no code,i suggest you go hire a web programmer, you be surprised what one can do with php, CSS, and ajax and it would make the site 10x better, this site looks like it is stuck in 2000