Recently updated marketing site looking for critiques

lamico · #1 (**permalink**) 07-24-2006, 10:22 PM

We recently updated our design and nav. We are a multimedia marketing company doing a lot in video and CD presentations. We've also had some good success in natural search optimization. Site is www.lamanagementco.com Lou Amico

vwebworld · #2 (**permalink**) 07-25-2006, 02:10 AM

Good site.

When browsing your site... the url switched to
...sitewizard.biz...

You might want to add alt image tags to some (or all)
of your images. At least the header image.

Also, I noticed you internet marketing packages mentioned
"Monthly Submission of main URL to Yahoo, Google &
MSN Search Engines". My understanding is that such
submissions/resubmissions are not effective maybe
even considered spamming???

Better is link building.

~Roland

lamico · #3 (**permalink**) 07-25-2006, 11:27 AM

Roland,

Thanks for the feed back. The url change is because we are on a template site. Happens on some pages.

Same reason no alt tags for pics.

Regarding internet marketing we have revamped the program just not posted. All good advice.

Thanks again,
Lou Amico
Video and Multimedia Marketing, Charlotte NC

Just4YouDesigns · #4 (**permalink**) 07-25-2006, 04:24 PM

Wonderful rich colors! I like the layout of the site - there seemed to be a nice balance, it was pleasing to the eye... Be careful not to overwhelm the viewer - the background is a little busy! Perhaps a solid background instead of the blue swirly things in the back! Also, I wasn't quite sure what your logo was... It is interesting, but I'm not sure if it fits the content!

Keep up the good work!

davidtislini · #5 (**permalink**) 07-25-2006, 05:00 PM

Nice Looking Site. Very professional.

A few comments. In Firefox I had a problem with the text in the right navigation, running over into the graphic.

I find the navigation backgrounds distracting. They tend to obscure the text. Might make sense to simplify the backgrounds.

The site is very graphic intensive which does make it a little slow to load.

Maybe eliminate the graphics on the left and right of the navigation bars and replace them by white space and reduce your top banner accordingly. This will help the ey to focus on the main text in the middle of the page.

Your fonts are inconsistent. It's best to choose 2 fonts and stick to them. I use Tahoma for Headlines and Verdana for main text. But maybe another combination works well for you. It looks like you are mixing Verdana and Arial, probably best to stick with the Arial in this case.

But otherwise a very professional site, one I think would get people interested in approaching the company for production work.

Regards

David Tislini

noel_x99 · #6 (**permalink**) 07-27-2006, 11:29 AM

I agree with the font problem. You seem to have text in Arial and links in a different font, Verdana or Tahoma.

I read somewhere that Arial and Times were designed for print and they are not as readable on the screen as font's designed specifcially for the screen.

Verdana and Tahoma are better sans-serif fonts and Georgia is a better serif font for screen. These fonts are a bit wider and spaced differently. I feel a huge difference when I read screen text in Verdana over screen text in Arial.

Tamaloo · #7 (**permalink**) 07-31-2006, 03:54 AM

Nice looking site Lou and nice language. I was a little confused by the two menus though. The horizontal menu made perfect sense but I was puzzled by the additions on the vertical menu.

Maybe you'd be better off having a sub-menu for the About Us section and include within that, your pages for Enhanced CD, Free Communication Analysis, Make-A-Wish etc.

Good luck in any event.

MikeinFlorida · #8 (**permalink**) 07-31-2006, 11:51 AM

Lou from a graphic point of view your site is beautiful, but it sure seems to have its issues. Check it's url at sitereportcard.com and it does not show up as a valid url. That's the start. There are other issues mentioned above of course. But I'd urge you to get away from a full template site as a design company and do your own thing to take it a step above the competition in this highly competitive world on the web. Good luck with it!

greeneagle · #9 (**permalink**) 07-31-2006, 02:02 PM

I couldn't get the featured video to play.

Ken

Tamaloo · #10 (**permalink**) 07-31-2006, 02:38 PM

Ken

That's a pity as it's very inspiring. I tried to play it, nothing happened; I forgot about it and moved on elsewhere. Some while later I heard voices coming through the head-set on my desk, and clicked back to the video which had loaded and was playing. It's a good fundraiser and quite powerful.

lamico · #11 (**permalink**) 07-31-2006, 10:10 PM

Your feedback has been great. We are working on the font issue. The admin for the template defaults between Times Roman and Arial. Regarding the navigation comments I have already made changes based on your feedback. I guess I look at it too much. I appreciate the extra set of eyes and varing tastes.

Regarding the videos they are all wmv files that need to download. Most are 2 to 5 minutes long (3mb to 13mb) I'm not happy with the download times but I don't want to crush the video quality just for quicker download time.

I have been looking at streaming flash video options and just haven't found the best solution for the amount of videos we have and my "budget". Any suggestions are appreciated.

Lou Amico
Video and Multimedia Production, Charlotte, NC

Huw_Hopkin · #12 (**permalink**) 08-01-2006, 08:30 AM

Hi,

I'm going to stick to visual comments. Nice site and very clear to read.

I find for a company specializing in video I'd like to learn a little more about what you do in 3 easy pictures rather than words. It seems a bit text heavy and I was a bit distracted by reading all the text.

It would also be good to have a slightly stronger visuals as well since the look you've used is quite corporate.