www.gardenserenity.com

sjcook · #1 (**permalink**) 11-11-2003, 08:54 PM

I'm a newcomer to this site and an amateur. Created this website about 4 years ago using Front Page Express. More recently, I've acquired a basic knowledge of HTML and revamped the pages using only HTML code in a word document. Also, tried creating frames.
Would appreciate a review and constructive criticism or advice on improving the site. Will reciprocate.

webweaver · #2 (**permalink**) 11-11-2003, 10:35 PM

Like the topic and content of the site. Definitely something that you can do well with in search engines.

I did note a few issues and problem images.
First, the top frame scrolls, you may want to increase the top frame so it doesn't have a scroll bar. I would say that you may really not need to have your site in frames, as it would be just as easy to incorporate all the information in the frames on one page, which also would be better for the search engines. I am just not a really big frames advocate if it's not necessary. I would though maybe consider taking out the borders and margins on the frameset code, that way, you could get the effect of everything being on the same page rather than broken up by the frame default borders. I would suggest moving the GuestMap button over below your navigation on the left side. It is distracting there at the top and just doesn't really seem to help your scrolling issue. Just some thoughts about the frame issue.

Images for the Black Walnut Tree and Part 4 under planning a garden landscape has an image that isn't displaying. I would check the <img> tag to make sure the image file name is exact I think the black walnut has a file name/spacing issue. The new.gif file is being referenced for the planning page, but not displaying so I would check to be sure that file got uploaded.

I would say maybe your next step would be to experiment with some graphics, maybe come up with a nice heading graphic, and possibly some watermark type of background to add some depth and interest. Experiment with different backgrounds for each frame. It needs a little visual kick, so use your imagination! Thats the fun part of design!

Good luck! Hope that was of some help? :)

info202 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-12-2003, 09:41 AM

Your site has a good topic, but it is lacking in something..it is very bland... and needs some adjustments.
1. you black walnut photo is not available.
2. you need a great logo...which should be on every page of your sige.
3. you really need to get rid of those frames... you have no content that search engines can read...if you do the site frameless, be sure to take your guestbook and put it on the bottom of your page.. use the top of the page for logo and site title
4. When you have a page that is only 1-2 paragraphs long, you do not need "return to top"
5. you should use a more readable font... this text is difficult to read .. try Verdana
6. on the Ask Us page, you should use bookmarks for your questions that are linked to your answers.. this way, your visitor can differentiate between questions and answers and does not have to scroll to find their question.
7. Your backgrounds are not consistent... your frame is one color and then up pops a cloud background.. makes the site look amateurish.
Sorry if I sound critical, but your site needs some spicing up... start by getting rid of the frames, finding a better background..using a different font...

LiviLou · #4 (**permalink**) 11-12-2003, 10:02 AM

I agree about your site being bland, but it's a good start.

I'm as new to this as you are so I can understand how you feel. You should have seen the first pages I put out for my site, it was pitiful! You did a better job on the first try than I did. (If you want to see what I mean, go to google and type in onepageatatime. You'll find it there.)

The best advice I can offer is listen to what the pros are telling you and play around with your pages and different programs to find one that does what you want. I'm using dreamweaver right now, and I've found it very easy to use.

One thing that has helped me is downloading a page from a site I like and see how they did what they did. I've learned alot that way.

sjcook · #5 (**permalink**) 11-17-2003, 02:50 PM

Hi:
Thanks for your critique of my website. Have noted the areas of concern and will be working on improvements. I did move the guestmap, as you suggested and experimented with a few backgrounds, etc.

In reviewing your website, Staleyconcerns, I liked the images on the index page, but found it took a long time to load the page. But perhaps that is only my browser (IE 6).

sjcook

Quote:

Originally Posted by webweaver

Like the topic and content of the site. Definitely something that you can do well with in search engines.

I did note a few issues and problem images.
First, the top frame scrolls, you may want to increase the top frame so it doesn't have a scroll bar. I would say that you may really not need to have your site in frames, as it would be just as easy to incorporate all the information in the frames on one page, which also would be better for the search engines. I am just not a really big frames advocate if it's not necessary. I would though maybe consider taking out the borders and margins on the frameset code, that way, you could get the effect of everything being on the same page rather than broken up by the frame default borders. I would suggest moving the GuestMap button over below your navigation on the left side. It is distracting there at the top and just doesn't really seem to help your scrolling issue. Just some thoughts about the frame issue.

Images for the Black Walnut Tree and Part 4 under planning a garden landscape has an image that isn't displaying. I would check the <img> tag to make sure the image file name is exact I think the black walnut has a file name/spacing issue. The new.gif file is being referenced for the planning page, but not displaying so I would check to be sure that file got uploaded.

I would say maybe your next step would be to experiment with some graphics, maybe come up with a nice heading graphic, and possibly some watermark type of background to add some depth and interest. Experiment with different backgrounds for each frame. It needs a little visual kick, so use your imagination! Thats the fun part of design!

Good luck! Hope that was of some help? :)

sjcook · #6 (**permalink**) 11-17-2003, 03:07 PM

Thank you for your critique. Will have to work on my site. With respect to number 7, I have experimented with different backgrounds. But find that it takes time to load the background images which I find distracting at first. Or is it just my browser? Will need to spend more time reviewing the points you mentioned.

sjcook

Quote:

Originally Posted by info202

Your site has a good topic, but it is lacking in something..it is very bland... and needs some adjustments.
1. you black walnut photo is not available.
2. you need a great logo...which should be on every page of your sige.
3. you really need to get rid of those frames... you have no content that search engines can read...if you do the site frameless, be sure to take your guestbook and put it on the bottom of your page.. use the top of the page for logo and site title
4. When you have a page that is only 1-2 paragraphs long, you do not need "return to top"
5. you should use a more readable font... this text is difficult to read .. try Verdana
6. on the Ask Us page, you should use bookmarks for your questions that are linked to your answers.. this way, your visitor can differentiate between questions and answers and does not have to scroll to find their question.
7. Your backgrounds are not consistent... your frame is one color and then up pops a cloud background.. makes the site look amateurish.
Sorry if I sound critical, but your site needs some spicing up... start by getting rid of the frames, finding a better background..using a different font...

sjcook · #7 (**permalink**) 11-17-2003, 03:16 PM

Thanks for your critique! As a newby, I need to spend some time reviewing the points raised by the pros and see how I can really improve the site.

sjcook

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImaDunce

I agree about your site being bland, but it's a good start.

I'm as new to this as you are so I can understand how you feel. You should have seen the first pages I put out for my site, it was pitiful! You did a better job on the first try than I did. (If you want to see what I mean, go to google and type in onepageatatime. You'll find it there.)

The best advice I can offer is listen to what the pros are telling you and play around with your pages and different programs to find one that does what you want. I'm using dreamweaver right now, and I've found it very easy to use.

One thing that has helped me is downloading a page from a site I like and see how they did what they did. I've learned alot that way.