Hi: I really would appreciate some comments on a site I just made using dreamweaver. This is the first time I have used dreamweaver. It is a simple site, thankfully, and I was paid for it too - more thankfully. Location: http://www.donatrainville.com . Thanks.

Doug

<edited to comply with forum rule #1 - ghstdrgns>

First problem that I noticed is that you used absolute positioning for your <div>s for text and not for your flash center image. This allows the flash to overlap the right text when the browser window is opened wider than you designed it for.

I realize it's a simple site- almost an electronic business card as opposed to a full web site, but I'd still make the navigation a little more obvious. I guess just because I expect navigation when I'm on the web rather than finding the links embedded in text. That said, I did find may way back from the testimonial page easily.

Aesthetics- I think the colors are a bit jarring, but that's really up to client preference. I'd consider either toning down the brightness overall, or at least ditching the bright blue behind the top logo. And the slanted writing is kind of hard to read. If you wanted to make it look 'techie' have you ever seen fonts like 'Electric Hermes' that look computer generated but are easy to read?

You didn't title the page- you'll probably want to do that for SEO.

I would also suggest making your site design contact info a little smaller and less prominent. You're giving yourself the same billing as the web site owner's content and that's confusing. (As well as somewhat unprofessional since s/he paid you for the site.) You might be better served to create a small logo for yourself 50x50px or less that incorporates "site designed by" and a link to your web site or email. That keeps it more discrete and makes you look more professional.

Darn- that sounds harsh. Hope it helps though!

As a visitor I want it to be very clear what the site is about and how it can help me.

I would consider altering the image, moving it to the side and diminishing its size.

The heading at the top is a bit blurred, not so clear. A few too many colors. I prefer a uniform color style and then a stand out color for something I really want seen.

Overall I like the spacing and I think the blue and yellow are great color choices.

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Jason M. Rigler
Structured Settlements / Web Marketing / Settlement Factors

I got this message when I clicked on your link:
"The server is temporarily unable to service your request due to the site owner reaching his/her bandwidth limit. Please try again later."

I don't know how many visitors you have had and/or how much bandwidth you have... but I would look into this... if you have not had a tremendous number of visitors, then you obviously need a LOT more bandwidth.... visitors getting that message will more than likely never come back... it's just too easy to go elsewhere.

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Mary Ann
Affordable Websites Designed - www.m-goret.com

Same here. I got a 509 "Bandwidth Limit Exceeded" message :(

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PAUL - SkyRocket Design Co
web design sydney northern beaches

your site does not view completely in 800X600, which approx 50% of internet surfers are using... having to scroll to the side to view the entire site is frustrating and people will more than like go elsewhere, which does not bode well for your client.

I think your flash logo would be better placed on the top of the site, to the left and make your banner a bit smaller (to accommodate both the logo and the banner).

I don't care for the colors you used... the blue is too bright and with the yellow text, it is harsh...

You should also have much more text... explain all the services in detail.. perhaps some pricing... hours of availability and go into detail about what comprises electronic waste... sometimes, people just need a bit more info... (not to say they are stupid, but just not knowledgable.)

I checked your source code (I wondered why your site was listed as "untitled" ... you absolutely need meta tags.... your site is titled "untitled"... you need a good title tag (using your primary
keyword(s), of which you have none. Your title tag should be between 7-14 words (use all 14)... you also need a description tag (between 12 to 14 words), and keyword(s) tag.. (up to 48 words). Your keywords should be used in the body of the text and I would suggest phrases rather than single words... as most people search by using 2-3 word phrases (I know I do)...
Apparently Google doesn't rely on meta tags, considerng only content... but other search engines still use meta tags for your placement.

Hope this helps... good Luck!

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Mary Ann
Affordable Websites Designed - www.m-goret.com

Theres not really alot I can add that hasn't been said already. I also feel you need to address the colour scheme, it's just a bit to garish. I think you also need to further describe what the service does and how it's customers will benefit.

The flash logo is a bit large for my liking. Maybe shrink the size of the arrows and enlarge to items within them.

Keep going though as you will get there in the end, with a site that you can be truly hapy with.

Good luck

David.

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Who paid you?

The colour is horrible, and looks like a Ceefax screen, the graphics are very blocky and dated looking.

A tip for flash...if you have something flying off the screen in a tween it is a good idea to have the end tween at 0% alpha other wise it looks like it just gets cut off and is not part of the whole site but an obvious 'add in'

Thanks

Dan

Cubid Imagery

www.cubid.co.uk