Website Overhaul

Disneyphile · 06-01-2008, 08:38 PM

Yes, it's very "under construction", but I've started the full revamp of my site.

The main site will be my overall studio offerings, with a link to a "sub" site for weddings and events. I decided that the types of services are different enough to warrant their own separate areas. And, a wedding services site should have a bit more romantic flair.

So far, I have the wedding site placeholder up, available at this link:

http://www.totaldynamicstudios.com/Events/Weddings.html

What do you think of the wedding site theme? I'd like to get a bit of feedback before I finish the other pages.

Fun fact: The graphics on the right of the main wedding page are photos of some of my mom's jewelry, slightly modified to blend with the color schemes. I figured it was a good way to incorporate her into my business.

Thanks!

CoasterMatt · 06-01-2008, 08:50 PM

Very nice

wendybeth · 06-01-2008, 08:52 PM

I like it- looks very nice!

Disneyphile · 06-01-2008, 08:55 PM

Thanks.

Oh, and I'd also like to proudly say that I created that background texture from scratch too.

(And the main site's BG also, but I don't have that uploaded yet.)

lashbear · 06-01-2008, 09:00 PM

I'll love it as soon as Gay Marriage is legal in Australia.

Jokes aside, very tasteful indeed.

Disneyphile · 06-01-2008, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lashbear

I'll love it as soon as Gay Marriage is legal in Australia.

Hey, if any same-sex couples on here have a formal photo of themselves that they'd like to contribute to my advertising, I'd really appreciate it!

I definitely want to show diversity.

Bornieo: Fully Loaded · 06-01-2008, 09:12 PM

I think its very classy. If anything, I think the little card sticking out is a bit repetative. I think without it, the page would be more open. If you get my meaning.

libraryvixen · 06-01-2008, 10:08 PM

The site is lovely! The colors on the site are classic

Alex · 06-01-2008, 10:26 PM

Visually, very nice. Practically, a few comments.

1. It seems to me that a "success" for this Web page is for it to result in a prospective client contacting you. Now, obviously that information will be on the Contact Us page. But, since that is the core purpose of this web site, I think that this information should be on the top page, maybe just an email address and phone number blended into the bottom of the fading space.

2. I've never shopped for a wedding videographer before but in trying to put on that hat, if I were searching the web looking for something, there'd be one key piece of information I'd be looking for as soon as possible when hitting a site: where are you located. I'm sure some people fly in someone from a great distance but I imagine most people are looking for someone local to their ceremony. Having to hunt for what I think is the key information just makes it more likely that I'll move on to the next hit in my search results.

3. I can look at that page and guess that you are offering wedding photography (my first guess) and/or videography services (do you do both, or just video)? But how are people finding your site in the first place? There is nothing on this page that would cause Google to send people to this page based on any likely search terms I can think of. Weddings, photography, videography, etc., are never mentioned. And what words are on the page are hidden inside graphic files where they will be invisible to search engines altogether.

All of the information I'm mentioning are things that I'm sure you intend to have on the inside pages. But while very attractive, this page is one that is really just an extra step between your customers and the information they will be looking for.

Hope that doesn't come off as harsh or nitpicky. Those are just the first thoughts I had when viewing the site as if I were at work critiquing one of our designers prototypes (our stuff tends to be more utilitarian/functional though so I may be using incorrect filters).

(And a really minor thing, but if you are allowed do so, you might want to put in place your own 404 page so that mistakes don't result in a corporate page for Mac instead of your own site).

Disneyphile · 06-01-2008, 10:48 PM

Nice feedback, Alex! Thanks!

It's only for videography, so I'll add something like, "Professional Videography Services for Southern California" somewhere on that main page. That will pick-up on search engines and also be more clear to the client. Excellent note!

06-01-2008, 08:38 PM	#1
Disneyphile SQUIRREL! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: On the curbside. Posts: 5,098	Website Overhaul Yes, it's very "under construction", but I've started the full revamp of my site. The main site will be my overall studio offerings, with a link to a "sub" site for weddings and events. I decided that the types of services are different enough to warrant their own separate areas. And, a wedding services site should have a bit more romantic flair. So far, I have the wedding site placeholder up, available at this link: http://www.totaldynamicstudios.com/Events/Weddings.html What do you think of the wedding site theme? I'd like to get a bit of feedback before I finish the other pages. Fun fact: The graphics on the right of the main wedding page are photos of some of my mom's jewelry, slightly modified to blend with the color schemes. I figured it was a good way to incorporate her into my business. Thanks! Last edited by Disneyphile : 06-01-2008 at 08:44 PM.
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06-01-2008, 08:50 PM	#2
CoasterMatt BRAAAAAAAINS! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: One Step Beyond... Posts: 8,802	Very nice __________________ Do you like my photography? Visit photosbymatt.tumblr.com to purchase prints!
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06-01-2008, 08:52 PM	#3
wendybeth Nevermind Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,847	I like it- looks very nice! __________________
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06-01-2008, 08:55 PM	#4
Disneyphile SQUIRREL! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: On the curbside. Posts: 5,098	Thanks. Oh, and I'd also like to proudly say that I created that background texture from scratch too. (And the main site's BG also, but I don't have that uploaded yet.)
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06-01-2008, 09:00 PM	#5
lashbear SwishBuckling Bear Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In Isolation :) Posts: 6,597	I'll love it as soon as Gay Marriage is legal in Australia. Jokes aside, very tasteful indeed. __________________ *I Heart* my Husband - I can't think of anyone I'd rather be in isolation with.**
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06-01-2008, 09:12 PM	#7
Bornieo: Fully Loaded Lego Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Disneyland, USA Posts: 3,704	I think its very classy. If anything, I think the little card sticking out is a bit repetative. I think without it, the page would be more open. If you get my meaning.
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06-01-2008, 10:08 PM	#8
libraryvixen is part of the resistance Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: up North Posts: 963	The site is lovely! The colors on the site are classic __________________ Yes, I'm still alive!
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06-01-2008, 10:26 PM	#9
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Visually, very nice. Practically, a few comments. 1. It seems to me that a "success" for this Web page is for it to result in a prospective client contacting you. Now, obviously that information will be on the Contact Us page. But, since that is the core purpose of this web site, I think that this information should be on the top page, maybe just an email address and phone number blended into the bottom of the fading space. 2. I've never shopped for a wedding videographer before but in trying to put on that hat, if I were searching the web looking for something, there'd be one key piece of information I'd be looking for as soon as possible when hitting a site: where are you located. I'm sure some people fly in someone from a great distance but I imagine most people are looking for someone local to their ceremony. Having to hunt for what I think is the key information just makes it more likely that I'll move on to the next hit in my search results. 3. I can look at that page and guess that you are offering wedding photography (my first guess) and/or videography services (do you do both, or just video)? But how are people finding your site in the first place? There is nothing on this page that would cause Google to send people to this page based on any likely search terms I can think of. Weddings, photography, videography, etc., are never mentioned. And what words are on the page are hidden inside graphic files where they will be invisible to search engines altogether. All of the information I'm mentioning are things that I'm sure you intend to have on the inside pages. But while very attractive, this page is one that is really just an extra step between your customers and the information they will be looking for. Hope that doesn't come off as harsh or nitpicky. Those are just the first thoughts I had when viewing the site as if I were at work critiquing one of our designers prototypes (our stuff tends to be more utilitarian/functional though so I may be using incorrect filters). (And a really minor thing, but if you are allowed do so, you might want to put in place your own 404 page so that mistakes don't result in a corporate page for Mac instead of your own site).
	Submit to Quotes

06-01-2008, 10:48 PM	#10
Disneyphile SQUIRREL! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: On the curbside. Posts: 5,098	Nice feedback, Alex! Thanks! It's only for videography, so I'll add something like, "Professional Videography Services for Southern California" somewhere on that main page. That will pick-up on search engines and also be more clear to the client. Excellent note!
	Submit to Quotes