G'day from "downunder"

Ok I'm game, I have been recieving webpronews longer than I have been a member and have read some great information.

I KNOW that there is work needed on my site - www.misterballoons.com.au - but I thought rather than go ahead and try to do it on my own, I would ask for your valuable input before I do a whole lot of work that may be either, not needed, or just plain WRONG.

I don't use any HTML editors, I just enjoy doing it all by hand on 'notepad' [just a bit geeky I know].

I will of course be more than pleased to recieve your input, and will have a look at any site you wish me to in return. Also wishing to exchange links with appropriate sites, ie family orientated, entertainers, Aussie sites, and more.

So OK lay it on me, be cruel if you have to, my skins thick.

Cheers ..... Dave

__________________
David Pearson
www.misterballoons.com.au
www.greenlivingaustralia.com.au

Tested in IE6 56k modem 800x600. Opening page loads nice and fast but might be nice if the Enter link changed colour when the mouse is passed over it. Main page graphics are a little slow to load. Yellow background is a little overpowering. Menu might look better without the border. Otherwise, a good solid design. Good luck with it.

Nick

As a fellow entertainer (see http://www.magicofkingman.com )
I think it is well done for the subject matter. I agree that the yellow is very overpowering. You might be better off with a white background and lots of color through graphics and images. The images seem to be a bit low in quality. You should replace those with some high quality shots.
The info is great and laid out nice. One question I have, what the heck is a "Spruiker"?

Your entry page has a few coding errors like unclosed tags, improper nesting, tags omitted, etc..
You need to fix those when you get a chance.
Your main page after entering the site has over 300 coding errors. It causes havoc in different browsers. Again, most of them are improper nesting and tags omitted.
Try running your pages through a validator. Can make a big difference.

For search engines;
1) Your Title is too long and may be cut short or not included in some search engines.
You are using 105 characters when the maximum is only 100.

2) Your Description is too long and may be cut short or not included in some search engines.
You are using 366 characters when the maximum is only 250.

Hope some of this helps.

__________________
Kingman
When a man's fight begins within himself, then he is worth something


BIZMOX Systems
...Ahead of the curve

http://www.bizmox-systems.com

Thanks 'kingman' and 'nickc' for the input

I have 'started' to validate the pages although I am far from complete and some of the validation 'errors' I just don't understand, such as

what is wrong with good old

and <UL> ???? HELP

I have changed the "enter" link on the front page as suggested by 'nickc' and have removed yellow background from one page just to see what you think.

The low quality of the images is purely an attempt to get a fast load time, as although there is a high internet access rate in Australia (my target market of course) the take up rate for broadband is still low over here.

There is a hint for everyone, we Aussies are still mainly using "dial-up". In the "bush" broadband is not even an option.

More work to be done so EVERYONE please feel free to help out with your opinions.

Now for my entertaining friend "Kingman" the answer to your ultimate question
A "Spruiker" is someone who promotes retail bargains via a loud voice or microphone, it is actually a 'cockney' word used by the "barrow boys" in the London markets. The term is well known in the UK and, of course, Australia.

I have put a link to Kingman's site on my site by way of saying thanks for the input, if you can see your way clear to recipricate that would be great, maybe under the heading "Balloon" Magic. Either way the link will at least stay there until google has had a good look.

Cheers .... Dave

__________________
David Pearson
www.misterballoons.com.au
www.greenlivingaustralia.com.au