I just started a business and a related website...I need some true critique and suggestion....?
453596
I hate to say it, but your friends are right. The name of a company is part of the overall branding and the first thing I thought was, "It sounds like an online dating service".  It needs to go.\n\nI agree with the comment above on the website.  It seems v. busy and my eye can't focus on the information.  Make the background simple, but it doesn't have to be white.\n\nTry and minimize on the scrolling and information on the website.  You should try and hyperlink the information to a pop-up window. Especially on the services page. If you do link the information then it is easier for the client to find the information that they need without having to scroll and search for it.\n\nYou're logo should be bigger than your computer icon at the top of the page. You want them to remember the name of the company rather than the computer monitor.\n\nPersonally, I don't care for the double toolbar (one along the left and one along the top) I think of a way to consolidate them, again, it looks busy. I actually didn't notice the toolbar along the top until i started scanning the page. \n\nThink about what makes your tech company different than the other ones. What makes you special? Why would I pick your company over another? What services do you offer that your competitors don't?
784103
Hey I am just starting to work with web design but people tell me that I'm really good\na website i just designed: http://paramusrunning.bravehost.com\n\nSince I'm new at this i wouldn't charge a lot.\nContact me if you want to know more about my services.
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get in contact with new small businesses in your area and see if they need someone to design their website.. charge them a certain amount per hour you spend working (but dont slack off.. give them their money's worth), and from there they will reccomend you to other people
410369
There are lots of great tools out there that are helpful, including sites that offer templates and help you get started. I have been impressed with the tools and service of GoDaddy (www.godaddy.com). If you'd like to learn more about the process, consider buying this book, which outlines the process, step-by-step: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764507206/103-0552344-8898226?v=glance&n=283155\n\nHere's some tips from http://website-design.mcdar.net/\n\nSo you want to build a website here I will explain some simple but also key aspects that are commonly taken in to consideration when a website developer creates a website.\n\n1) Website Design - The website design must be neat meaning that everything looks like where it is meant to be (nothing out of place or out of proportion). Also your sites design is related to the topic of your website e.g. your site is about flowers then your design must have flowers.\n\n2) Site Navigation - Visitors must be able to get where they want to go without going through a maze a good way of putting it if you can get there in 3 clicks it should be fine. Also it helps when search engine spiders go through your site since it makes it easy for the spiders to index the site.\n\n3) Domain Name - Domain name is important since it is one of the first thing that your visitors will see. Your domain should relate to your site topic or business name. Length of the domain usually 6-8 characters is a good length and easy for visitors to type.\n\n4) Scroll Bars - don't make your website pages too long so your visitors have to scroll for hours it is also a good option to just create another page and don't make people scroll side to side.\n5) Returning Visitors - make your visitors return to your site by adding one or all to your site:\n\n- Email Newsletter (Ezine)\n- Community Forums\n- Online Tools\n- Online Games\n- Useful Content\n- Competitions and Prizes\n- and so on\n\n5) Website Logo - Make your logo unique and brandable so that people will remember your logo and then will remember your site and products.\n\nThese are some simple points that you may take into consideration when you build your website if you need some further assistance have a look at your competitors website and see what they have done. Remember what you put in is what you get out of your website and on that note GOOD LUCK and enjoy the whole process of building your very own virtual property.\n\n\nAll that said, if you'd like something simple and quick, here's the company that made my website, and they charged me less than $300. I knew nothing about doing it, but it came out great and they guided me every step of the way: www.wordtechs.com.\n\n\nGood luck with your new venture!\n~Tia~
1164158
I can do this for you. My company does small business web design. I can do it for $150 and everything is included. I can have the site with a domain set up in 2 days for you & your group. Please let me know if interested. I can be reached at thepixelboutique@msn.com \n\nThanks, Krysti
671698
To give you an honest critique on the FLASH version:\n\nThe format is cool but not very explanitory. What is the purpose of this site? Portfolio? Advertisement? \n\nThe navigation through the site leaves you a bit wandering. Perhaps you could add a few more levels that will steer you in a specific direction. \n\nAlso your images are a bit small when viewed in a high resolution monitor. You should keep the size images that you have for thumbnails while adding the ability to zoom.\n\nAlso you should reccommend BOTH versions to a new visitor to learn about your business otherwise if a new visitor only picks the FLASH version he/she would be missing out on a ton of information.\n\nJust my observations. But overall I would give it a 8 out of 10 with adding the improvements you could push it into the 10 range.....Good Luck!
1064130
it really isn't bad, but it isn't good\n\n1. what program are you using\n      - Yahoo has a great sitebuilding program for free to customers\n2. change you background\n\n3. make it more user friendly\n      - make it so that if someone who doesn't really know how to use the internet can use your website\n      - make things clear and easy to read & understand\n4. update your info\n5. tell you karate parents (all students parents) to check the website frequently\n6. if you really want a lot of people, advertise a little with google or yahoo
305127
The best advice I can give you about a retail site is second-hand, and I can't remember where I heard it, but it was like this:\n\n"Amazon.com spends millions of dollars researching how people buy online. If they don't do it, you shouldn't, either."\n\nIn your case, a look at eBay would also be a good idea.\n\nSpecifically, to your site:\n\nIt's fairly boxy, so look to incorporate more curved lines and white space between elements.\n\nIt's difficult to figure out what to do. Provide instructions.\n\nThe movement and pulsing logo are distracting.\n\nA lot of space up top is wasted by your banner, a search box that doesn't tell me how to use it, a welcome message that's fairly pointless, etc.\n\nThe color scheme and typography don't seem to have a common theme.\n\nI also believe in "less is more." You're overwhelming me with things to look at, click on, etc., and again, there's no instructions anywhere, and the site itself is not intuitive.
12281
if the site is for a small business you should check out http://www.merchantcircle.com\n\nTheir whole purpose is to empower the "little guy".  They offer tools to help grow your business and send traffic your way.\n\ncheck them out.  They're new and free so it's not going to hurt.
137720
Not bad for a first attempt.\n\nDo a search for similar sites and get an idea of what your competition is doing.
825098
There is no perfect answer.  A rule of thumb is that more frequently updated your website the more it will be appreciated by search engines and your visitors.\n\nSo post news about your business or to your sector, highlight sales and promotions, and even better, start a blog.
496687
Looks good.\n\nPerhaps you can do more paper based marketing to shopping mall area and etc.
1049315
Is it really not working or are you just wanting visitors ????\n\nIf it is the latter then why not just ask people what they think of your site ?   You might get some useful feedback.
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Bluehound, since you're new, I'll go easy on you....\n\nNO ADVERTISING OF SERVICES OR MARKETING ON THE SITE. Big No No, so don't do it. If you'd like to offer free advice to others who are looking for help in the area of graphics, then great.\n\nBut stop marketing yourself here.  Dig into your pockets, get your own site and market your wares THERE.
535889
Hi Smiling_raj_ If you need help with building your own website to promote your brands, here is a great tool you can use. If you can watch a video and click on your mouse your away. Great software at a great price. Checkit out it costs nothing to look
116066
invest in a wysiwyg(what you see is what you get) editor like front page or another one that is much better than front page, i cant think of what its called right now.  and it guides and shows you what your site will look like.
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