I'm in the process of putting together a small business site for my freelance programming and computer help business. I also plan on offering software that I have made for download. It is open source free software and visitors will have the option to donate via paypal if they like the software. It is still in the process of being built. I was hoping some of you guys could at least check it out and provide some feedback about what works well and what should be different/needs improvement.

The link to the site is here.

Thanks in advance

Awful, just awful.

1. You need to have you own domain name. Surf to GoDaddy.com and spend the $10 USD. I can not emphasize this enough. No one will do business with a computer guy who is not smart enough to have his own domain.

2. Looks like a cheap template design. If you can't design, then steal one. Better yet, ask a friend who can design to help you.

3. Your text is depressing, not uplifting. Re-write.

4. There is no contact us data: physical, postal, telephone, fax, email. Just a form.

5. The color scheme is boring. Shades of gray. Reminds of the paint color rules from the Homeowners Association.

__________________
Dave Barnes
+1.303.744.9024
http://www.marketingtactics.com
sitting in my basement with my iMac

Here's what I *do* like:

The font is large enough to read easily.
There is a picture of a person on the first half of the screen.

However, that said, I echo Dave's comments *and* I have to say I was completely confused about what you do. I assumed before reading that you do computer repair ... most people's computer needs are for repair and installation of PCs and networks ... but if I read long enough I find that it's programming ... make your services clear from the very first word, please.

And I do see that you have contact info (street address, anyway,) at the bottom of the page, but it should be on the contact page as well (forms do NOT always work) and your phone # should be prominent. I, for one, often want to talk to someone immediately. I want what I want and I want it now. And I am not alone. ;D

Do get your own domain. Do get a professional looking design. And do demonstrate what you can do with specifics ...
i.e. don't tell me you can do a database, give me a list of exactly what you've done and for whom.

References? Testimonials? Other clients?

Best wishes, and see you on the next go round?

Cheers, MJ

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M.-J. Taylor
SEO Web Design by Cyber Key Search Smart Design® SEO Copywriter & Traveling Vacation Gypsy

Thanks guys for the tips. I wanted to get an initial presence and I was thinking it was kind of lacking. I have gone out and gotten a web domain through godaddy. I have limited web design experience and so I have gone on the net to find templates as references at least.

Thanks again and keep it coming.

Don't use a temple. Your website will look like 5000 others that use that template.
Find a website that you like and STEAL the design.
There are tools (I use SiteSucker) that will let you download the entire public portion of a website. Do that and then make modifications to suit your needs.

For example, steal this We Help You Deliver Great Marketing Programs - MarketingTactics
or this PacketMotion - Because Inside Threats Require Real-time Control
or this Optimize heterogeneous file storage environments and reduce costs - Attune Systems
or this Peak Data - storage experts delivering cost-effective solutions to enterprises.

You also need to have a logo. Just having text won't hack it.

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Dave Barnes
+1.303.744.9024
http://www.marketingtactics.com
sitting in my basement with my iMac

Dave,

Can you recommend a site sucker type program that works for Windows? I dont have a Mac.

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Greg Artim
www.ihatethislemon.com