"Please sir, can I have some more?" comments....

ServissTrans · #1 (**permalink**) 12-09-2005, 09:17 PM

I posted once several months ago for review and got some very good advice. I've tweaked and revamped, and I am ready to ask again.

Please note: It's only a wee little website without much traffic yet. (Amateur grown with a free program.) It was suggested last time that I hire a real designer. Eventually I may, but in the meantime it is rather fun to try to make something from nothing.

That being said, I'd love any comments/suggestions.

Thanks in advance!

Lyssa

http://www.ServissTranscription.com

ireneherz · #2 (**permalink**) 12-10-2005, 01:11 PM

well, yes, it looks a bit amateurish, but the navigation is clear and the information is good. I think it would look better if you closed up all the spaces in the "High Standards" paragraph on the home page.

Can you change the background color of the caduceus? Cyan clashes with the red you've chosen.

The google ads on the bottom of the page are all for your competitors. Are you sure you want to do that? I think it detracts from the message.

Also, you misspelled "Career" on the button "Career Ops".

ServissTrans · #3 (**permalink**) 12-10-2005, 09:15 PM

Irene,

I appreciate the feedback very much. Thanks for the typo catch especially. Unbelievably stupid error I let get through!!! Incredible.

I'll change the teal on the caduceus. Reds and greens are complimentary colors, and on my screen looks like a teal/burgundy. Excellent to know it's not coming through well elsewhere. I'll go for something more innocuous, like a gray.

I've made the other changes you suggested, as well. As for the Google ads, they are generally schools and companies selling equipment. I will pay close attention to that though, thank you.

Again, thank you so much for your terrific pointers. Very much appreciated!

SnerdeyWebs · #4 (**permalink**) 12-10-2005, 11:55 PM

In regards to the site looking amature-ish. I have to agree and sales will be null.

I have a suggestion. You have great content / service it just needs to be packaged like a pro.

Try our Medical Page here.

I can't tell you how many times we've changed our website. But, once you make it right and sales are happening. DON'T CHANGE TOO MUCH! Keep the theme.. but you need a theme 1st =)

Not bad for self made - but, for less than 60 bucks or so you can make it rock!

Good Luck!

ServissTrans · #5 (**permalink**) 12-11-2005, 01:01 AM

Snerdy (May I call you Snerdy?),

In between your posting and Irene's I changed the template a bit. Republished the site, then noticed your note. I don't think it is quite as bad now but obviously still amateurish. Groan - I hate failure!

Also, I just noticed I'm back to the color combo Irene warned against. Apparently I have teal issues.

I've glanced at your site and it's pretty obvious I've been on the wrong track. Thanks for the option! I will look through your templates more closely. Definitely affordable - I've just been avoiding admitting defeat.

I guess it's a good thing the site doesn't get much traffic yet! Can't chase away too many potential clients if they aren't there looking. Thank Goodness for direct mail.

I have to admit - I have webdesigner envy!!

Thanks again for the input!!!

SnerdeyWebs · #6 (**permalink**) 12-11-2005, 01:56 AM

Anytime and don't be too hard on yourself. You have a service you offer and you don't have to be a designer too!

Thanks and the templates really give a site a boost in looks and professionalism.

Never give up =)

ServissTrans · #7 (**permalink**) 12-11-2005, 02:24 AM

:) Thanks!!!

ADAM Web Design · #8 (**permalink**) 12-11-2005, 12:58 PM

I personally don't have that much of a problem with your layout. Sure, it's not polished and template-esque, but that can actually work to your advantage. It means that whoever worked on it obviously put some time and effort into it vs. just spending money, and that shows.

The things I'd change in your layout:

1) Move your logo to the top left corner and shrink it down. On 800x600, the position of your logo creates a horizontal scrollbar. Maybe put the logo and slogan on one line and the keyboard pic on a second.

2) Don't mix text fonts. Either go serif or sans-serif, but don't use both (unless you use sans-serif for headers and serif for body copy...that usually looks okay.) Also, try to pick one or two fonts and stick with them.

3) For the love of God, lose the Google AdSense. Why send a potential customer away from your site for the chump change you'll pick up from an AdSense clickthrough? This will cost you money, no question about it.

4) Whoooooooooooo aaaaaaaaaaaare you? Who-ooh! Who-ooh! You need an About Us page. Let people know who you are as a person and/or company. It's hard to buy services from Anne Onymus.

5) Your Yahoo! Site Builder is creating bloated code that slows down load times and may cause problems with search engines. Hand-code your site. The results are always much better in the end.

6) Look at some padding for the white areas. Sometimes your text butts up against the edge of these areas.

7) You've got decent copy. It's pretty clear and concise. I get it. Try not to mess with it too much.

ServissTrans · #9 (**permalink**) 12-11-2005, 02:55 PM

Adam,

Thanks so much! Terrific advice! I am still debating about scrapping the whole thing and going with a pro template, but would like to work on it a bit more. The changes you suggested definitely helped! It is starting to look cleaner.

I changed the logo to top left, and moved the keyboard image. Changed the fonts to one type and "de-butted" the text. I've also released much of the AdSense except off the career and links pages.

An About Us page will be next.

As for writing my own code, that will take some time. I'll need to learn more before I tackle much of that but definitely something to move towards ASAP.

Thanks again so very much. What a difference! This has been so very helpful!!

Lyssa