The Company Pictures

mtheory · #1 (**permalink**) 12-21-2007, 01:29 PM

Looking for input on a work in progress.

The Company Pictures

Dubbya · #2 (**permalink**) 12-21-2007, 04:17 PM

Right off the hop, you'll need to fix the pop up window off the home page.

It doesn't work in FireFox without enabling pop ups.

iany · #3 (**permalink**) 12-21-2007, 05:25 PM

Very clever, but I shudder to think how long this would take to load on a non broadband link. Haven't a scoobie what the site is about (partly because i cannot read the text - way too small on 1024x768 so what is it like on higher res monitors).

The site breaks all rules on accessibility and of course, starts with a popup - back to drawing board completely methinks.

mtheory · #4 (**permalink**) 12-21-2007, 06:50 PM

Flash, broadband, big screens and dynamic content are becoming the new standard. At least in this case where the target demographic is the film industry.

There's no way I could do this client justice with a site made for dial-up and 15" monitors.

I can see the popup as an issue but the more innovative remedy would be to put a simple link on the index page for people who don't want to evperience the site full screen rather than eliminaate that feature(full screen) to accomodate accessability.

Know your target audience - design for your target - marketing 101

sparky · #5 (**permalink**) 12-21-2007, 09:16 PM

Yes the pop ups have to go from the main page. Other than that the changing pictures in the center of the apple were changing so fast I could not see what they were of and found it impossible to change one picture at a time by moving my mouse over it.
Also the slide nav bar is hidden on the left. I could not even tell it was there until I got trapped on a page and just started moving my mouse around.

I'm not a big fan of %100 flash sites, but I do like the layout of yours and also like the changeable backgrounds. The navigation of the site needs some attention. All in all I came away with the nice layout, hard to nav feeling, but also wonder how you are going to add accessibility to the site and also make it mobile / lower bandwidth friendly.
Maybe a html version with limited flash, not sure.

Also I was really unsure on what the page was about or for until I read the "about page", once I found it.

iany · #6 (**permalink**) 12-22-2007, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtheory

Flash, broadband, big screens and dynamic content are becoming the new standard. At least in this case where the target demographic is the film industry.

Interesting point of view. I understand that there are uses for large Flash sites - not sure that I would agree that they are becoming a new standard.

Quote:

There's no way I could do this client justice with a site made for dial-up and 15" monitors.

And to hell with the rest of us. That's not a good marketing Mantra.

No matter the size of your monitor the text is way too small.

Quote:

I can see the popup as an issue but the more innovative remedy would be to put a simple link on the index page for people who don't want to evperience the site full screen rather than eliminaate that feature(full screen) to accomodate accessability.

Missing the point here. Nothing to do with accessibility it is the fact that you are using a popup. Vista will bin altogether. Why have it as popup? The full screen argument doesn't wear. Most web users don't appreciate not having control of the browsing experience

Quote:

Know your target audience - design for your target - marketing 101

If you don't like criticism (and the guys here are all very constructive and knowledgeable) then don't put your site up for review. You are clearly of the view that we don't understand your market.

davebarnes · #7 (**permalink**) 12-22-2007, 10:47 AM

I don't like unrequested popup windows.
Because I was reviewing this website I "allowed popups from..."
Now, I am very angry.
A huge, annoying popup that took up almost all of my 24-inch monitor.

You need to spend some time (about a month of visits) at Web Pages That Suck learn usability and good web design by looking at bad web design -- The Dailey Sucker to learn about good design and about not pissing off your visitors.

iany · #8 (**permalink**) 12-22-2007, 11:38 AM

Sounds as if Dave has said it all!!!!!

mtheory · #9 (**permalink**) 12-22-2007, 04:35 PM

My most sucessful sites always got a rise from the traditionalists and rule makers/followers.

I take in many of the over analytical-architectural concerns and weigh each accessability and usability obstical with the need for the end product being unique, with a high energy level and a more memorable over the top experience.

Feedback has been very positive from the target demographic. (Creative professionals)

Thank you all for taking the time to look and critique. So far th concerns seem to be of the web builder "Pet Peeve" type.

iany · #10 (**permalink**) 12-22-2007, 05:45 PM

Clearly you believe that your site is the mutts nuts So why did you bother asking for our opinion then?

The main concern from the contributors is that it is not cross browsers compliant.

If your response is to rubbish the comments, please don't waste our time again

sparky · #11 (**permalink**) 12-22-2007, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtheory

Thank you all for taking the time to look and critique. So far th concerns seem to be of the web builder "Pet Peeve" type.

With this statement I take it you're the site owner.... and concerns and input being negative or positive do not bother you because it is the fault of the web builder..

This is cool you can buy a site based on looks, but do you buy a car only on its looks or do you go by safety reports, engine size, amount of room etc. This is also like buying a computer by price alone. Sure an E-machine is small and looks pretty, but it is not functional for everyone.

Your reply is my visitors think it looks good and they think it is cool and build for your visitors. Yes that is very important, and I do not think there are a lot of people who know films and videos like you do or even know your clients like you do. But they do know what works and what doesn't when it comes to the web.
Your clients know films and videos. Maybe they do not know the web. Maybe they do not know about browser compatibility. Maybe that's why you asked here....

With that I must say yes your site looks good and I'm sorry you do not get from everyone "man your site looks good, the best I have seen". I'm sorry you got the truth....

Wish you well I'm done here

mtheory · #12 (**permalink**) 12-22-2007, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iany

Clearly you believe that your site is the mutts nuts So why did you bother asking for our opinion then?

The main concern from the contributors is that it is not cross browsers compliant.

If your response is to rubbish the comments, please don't waste our time again

The biggest problem seems to be with the pop up. For which I proposed a simple remedy that gives the most options. Afer more testing we may or may not add an additional link to the index page to click if the popup is blocked. So far it doesn't seem to be an issue with our target demographic.

I know there are many knowlegable people in this forum and have received very good advice in the past. I fail to see te degree of offense you've taken with this issue.

Of course I feel the site is good as I spent a lot of time and effort researching and designing it. To answer Sparky, I am the designer not the owner.

I had a similar experience with critique of another "breaking the rule" web site a couple years ago. The site has performed exceptionally well for the client and narry a negative comment on usability from his clients.

Connecticut Portraits and Weddings - Scandinavian Photography - Chester, CT

davebarnes · #13 (**permalink**) 12-22-2007, 09:59 PM

mtheoryit,

Why do you feel compelled to make a popup window that much larger than necessary? For example, Connecticut Portraits and Weddings - Scandinavian Photography - Chester, CT

Your image in the popup window is approximately 10 inches x 6 inches, yet you create a new window that occupies my entire screen.

1. Why a popup NEW window? Why not just replace the existing window?
2. Why so large? Why not just large enough?

I would be a lot less annoyed.

,dave

P.S. I would change the font color in <div align="center"><font color="#000000">Scandinavian Photography ... photographers and wedding photojournalist.</font> </div> to something that is not EXACTLY the same color as the background.

mtheory · #14 (**permalink**) 12-23-2007, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davebarnes

mtheoryit,

Why do you feel compelled to make a popup window that much larger than necessary? For example, Connecticut Portraits and Weddings - Scandinavian Photography - Chester, CT

Your image in the popup window is approximately 10 inches x 6 inches, yet you create a new window that occupies my entire screen.

1. Why a popup NEW window? Why not just replace the existing window?
2. Why so large? Why not just large enough?

I would be a lot less annoyed.

,dave

Thanks Dave,

A wonderfully perfect example of a constructive site review. You point out a problem AND propose a solution. A very logical one at that. Definately thought provoking.

I think that's the whole idea of "Site Review", to have others proficient in the field HELP with the process. That's what makes a community like WebProWorld such a tremendous asset.

I think we've touched upon a discussion of usability and design philosophy that sould have a thread of it's own.

Now the nitty gritty.

The reason we opted for the full screen is to minimize distraction and show the work(art) the way it is meant to be presented, on a full canvas. The full screen says "we've got your attention, now see what we've got".

I am well aware that this approach is by no means appropriate for all sites and to the casual browser may be offputting. But to the bride looking for a wedding photographer, we've got her hooked.

This concept is also evident in the way this same person(the photographer I design the site for) markets the work after the wedding or portrait session. Traditionally a book of proof prints is given to the client. Instead of just giving them a proof book., he has them over to his gallery where he presents the photographs with an lcd projector on a twelve foot screen. Needless to say, print sales went through the roof.

Again, Dave, thanks for the constructive review.

-Mark

kevsta · #15 (**permalink**) 12-23-2007, 09:22 AM

would we assume you're optimising The Company Pictures site mainly for the macintosh (safari) brigade?

the photography site didn't clearly show the menu bars at the bottom of my firefox browser leaving me irritated that i'd waited for the thing to load and appeared to have nowhere to go.

it wasnt until i tried it in IE7 at slightly different browser dimensions that i saw the way in, and i'm a relatively savvy web user in comparison to the general public. if this site has a high bounce rate this could be a reason why?

otherwise I like the look and feel both of them -apart from also personally disliking the over-large popups but that's probably more us control freaks than jo bloggs & wife who dont even know what a pop up is.

do you know how the photography one ranks in the engines and what kind of conversion rates they get?

mtheory · #16 (**permalink**) 12-23-2007, 10:08 AM

Photography site loads ok in Firefox for me.

The photography site ranks #1 at Google for "ct portrait photography" and "connecticut portrait photography". Exactly the aspect of his business we are pushing.

We are also starting to see traffic from more creative search marketing like the Connecticut Photographers Google Mapplet

Personalize Google Maps