www.e-hosting4less.com

mnich59 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-20-2003, 09:52 AM

Could you please goto my site http://e-hosting4less.com and give me your input. I also could use some direction on what to tweak for the search engines.
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Sualdam · #2 (**permalink**) 11-20-2003, 10:12 AM

The completely different design and colour scheme between the homepage and the other pages (I spotted at least two other designs plus the homepage) is REALLY off-putting.

Order gives a page not found error.

Some of the text is very large on an 800x600 display (on the Design page but also elsewhere).

The Flash (or, I guess Swish) banner on the Design page (please don't take offence) doesn't look professional because it uses basic colours (some of which are eye-burners :)), and some are hardly readable against the grey background. It is very 'raw' and rather jerky for a Flash animation.

I noticed one word where the font changes between serif and sans serif in that word - also on the Design page.

The thing is, all the relevant information is clearly presented and would look fine against a static site with a consistent design. There are just too many bells and whistles.

broadbandstore · #3 (**permalink**) 11-20-2003, 11:53 AM

Change the logo on your desin page to JPG format as the outer edges look rough. Jpg will give you a smoother transition.

tsindos · #4 (**permalink**) 11-20-2003, 12:00 PM

I have to agree with the others there. I work from a laptop with a TFT screen and the colors make reading text on the logo difficult (OK, I'm not 20-20 but I can see).
Also, the edges are rather tough.
Overall, the site is neat and well presented.
Good work.

shersleather · #5 (**permalink**) 11-20-2003, 12:43 PM

Hi,
I checked out your site. I found it to be nicely done. I am even considering becoming a customer. I have to check it out some more, though, first. :) But, overall I liked your site.

Sher

Paul Brin · #6 (**permalink**) 11-20-2003, 12:56 PM

The first thing I noticed was that it took two minutes to open the page on my dial-up! A lifetime when it comes to internet attention span.
The next thing I noticed was that the title for your home page was not the name of the web site. If I was to add it to my favorites list it wouldn't tell me who you are, plus it's too long and gets cut off. I did a search for you on Google and you're not ranked first because your name is not the tiltle. Your current title should be your meta description and even then maybe shortened up to one sentence. Your current meta description is way too long.
Lastly, I prefer liquid layouts that automatically resize so I don't have to keep scrolling back and forth to read a page.

MidnightWhispers · #7 (**permalink**) 11-20-2003, 01:00 PM

When I clicked on one of the websites in the profile selection, (cappuccinocountry.com) I found that the website itself states hosting and design is done by a completely different company. (Inter-linc.net)

You'll need to either get your client to exchange the design and hosting, or get that one completely off your list as it looks like you didn't even do that website. (I.E. Taking credit for someone else's work.) I understand at the top that it suggests that you outsource some of the time. It may be best that if you did outsource, you mention which part of the website you actually did outsource, and which part you've actually done yourself. It makes it easier for someone who was searching for a designer that fits their style to figure out what you actually did.

I think the front page is unique. The purple draws the reader toward that side of the screen, so it's good to put some good information in that purple. The unique design will help sell the design skills you are servicing.
Keep the design consistant though, like mentioned before.

All the different sizes and colors in the Veredana font on the resources page makes it disturbing to read. Try picking one size, and cut out the extra large fonts. Left or right side the text around the images, don't center the text.

Hope that helps!

brettgodfrey · #8 (**permalink**) 11-20-2003, 01:47 PM

I have to agree with the others regarding fonts and colours.

I would also like to add the following which will individually help in search engine rankings and added together could make a significant difference:

1. Include a DOCTYPE statement on your page and define the language.

2. The site does not meet section 508 or the W3C web accessibility guidelines. Add Alternative text to your images at a minimum. The navigation images need the alt text to reflect the button but your other images could include relevant keywords.

3. You may be using some irrelevant keywords. When looking for web designers/ hosters do they really search on "30 day guarantee" and "no set up fees"?

4. You seem to be using the same keywords, description and title for every page. This is not the best use of these tags. Why not make them relevant to the particular page i.e. Hosting Keywords Only on the hosting page, Design keywords on the design page etc.

5. Don't request index and follow on pages like "contact us"

6. PLEASE DROP THE HUNDREDS OF COOKIE REQUESTS

7. Review the search engine forum on this site. It has lots of help and advice.

Hope this is of some use.

Good luck

webgoddess · #9 (**permalink**) 11-20-2003, 02:51 PM

The opening page of your site may be impressive looking, but I would try to get the graphic text that's in the upper right hand corner into real text somehow. Alt tags are a solution, but if you want to get ranked in the search engines, those spiders can't read graphics! There are search engines that don't pay any attention to meta-tags, so don't think you're covered with just those.

I agree with a comment above that the title information should be reworked. I would also recommend changing your description meta-tag:

Discount web hosting: all packages e-commerce ready starting at $5.95, shopping cart included. No set up fees. Web design available.

Nobody searches for "web hosting for less", they would search for "discount web hosting".

My 2 cents!

paniza · #10 (**permalink**) 11-20-2003, 08:31 PM

looks good on my old monitor but the graphics are washed out on the lcd.

tigersigh · #11 (**permalink**) 11-21-2003, 06:23 AM

I have to agree with previous posts

Whilst I think the home page design is pretty damn decent, the sub pages are so different that they seem to be relating to a different product entirely.

Take your home page template, and use as the template for your entire site. Also, stick with one logo - you're branding to each and every visitor to your site - a strong, consistent logo will reinforce the message contained on yr web pages - the visitor should come away from yr site knowing EXACTLY what your company name is - and if they were to see your logo elsewhere, they should be able to relate your site directly to it - basic branding theory, but critical to your product.

Stick with that home page template thruout, and a single logo design (established on home page and carried on thruout) and you'll come out with a pretty impressive site.

Good luck!

Aidan

mnich59 · #12 (**permalink**) 11-21-2003, 09:00 AM

I forgot that and wasn't clear. I am the designer of interlinc.net and that was a site I designed. I do appreciate your input.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MidnightWhispers

When I clicked on one of the websites in the profile selection, (cappuccinocountry.com) I found that the website itself states hosting and design is done by a completely different company. (Inter-linc.net)

You'll need to either get your client to exchange the design and hosting, or get that one completely off your list as it looks like you didn't even do that website. (I.E. Taking credit for someone else's work.) I understand at the top that it suggests that you outsource some of the time. It may be best that if you did outsource, you mention which part of the website you actually did outsource, and which part you've actually done yourself. It makes it easier for someone who was searching for a designer that fits their style to figure out what you actually did.

I think the front page is unique. The purple draws the reader toward that side of the screen, so it's good to put some good information in that purple. The unique design will help sell the design skills you are servicing.
Keep the design consistant though, like mentioned before.

All the different sizes and colors in the Veredana font on the resources page makes it disturbing to read. Try picking one size, and cut out the extra large fonts. Left or right side the text around the images, don't center the text.

Hope that helps!