First request for web site critique

[reader0428]

Amanda Faucett Photography

OK, I am ready to hear some c&c on my web site. This is a DIY template and I'm not completely in love with it, but it will do for the short term. Down the road I want to revamp it to have a look that's consistent with my logo (which I don't even have on the site, it looks cluttered when I add it) and other marketing materials. Don't have a blog yet either, lest you think I forgot a link to it. :)

As you look through, I'm wondering about a few specific things:
1. Is the text too wordy? Sometimes I can get long-winded.
2. Are the different black & white treatments (especially in the Babies gallery) problematic? I do different treatments for each client so all my b/w's are not consistent.
3. Are there any images that I should yank immediately?
4. What's your feeling about non-descriptive titles for galleries (like "love", etc. instead of just saying what it is). I've opted for plain but immediately recognizable for now.
5. Am i showing too many galleries? I only have 2 pregnancy shoots so I'm wondering if I should remove that. I'm trending more toward babies and children/families so perhaps I should dump the couples gallery too.
6. At the same time, should I separate babies and newborns?

I'd love to hear of any changes I should make now to improve the site, as well as big-picture things I should keep in mind when I get ready for the overhaul. Thanks in advance for any comments!

[WarrenG]

Amanda,

I think it looks pretty clean, and is easy to navigate. As far as the logo goes, you might consider putting a full opacity logo on the static image displayed when you enter your site? Text content seems ok with the exception of the pricing. You talk about price in 2 places, and you could turn people off with your "why pay more" title. I am not saying that the content is not good, just that the perception it leaves is that your pricing will be quite high. I thought this was the case and was really surprised when I read your "pricing" section, as I felt your pricing was rather inexpensive (point being, you never know how the client may perceive the cost / value of your service). I also think you should not describe or go through every detail in the pricing section, you want to give just enough information that it compels the client to want to call you, but not so much that they think they know everything and "price around" perhaps forgetting to call you. A captive client is where you can shine on the details of your service, and what makes you "the best" at what you do. You might consider slimming down your pricing session, and adding in the "why pay more" section there, perhaps reworded with something like "why custom photography seems to cost more than big box studios" or "Why photography seems so expensive" or something like this. The key is the word "seems" which is one of those trigger words that makes us second guess what we perceive Client: "so your saying it is not expensive?" You: "well Mrs. Jones, while it may seem expensive on the surface, let me explain the big differences in what I do compared to say CJ Nickle studios". Give the client some firm facts in your comparison as well all of the things you do that make the session a tremendous value.

I think non descriptive gallery titles are fine when they fit the style of the photographer and the pictures he or she takes. I use a few of them on my site, but I think it fits who I am... JMO

I will not speak to which photos should be up, or should not. I think that is a decision you need to make for yourself. Now as far as galleries go, you might pool your Maternity and Newborn gallery until you get some more images to make a complete gallery? Either way, I think your fine. There are lots of thoughts on this, but for me, as long as it is easy to navigate, I have no problem looking at the galleries.

Hope this ramble, err critique was helpful

W

[reader0428]

Thank you Warren, for taking the time to look at the site and offer your feedback. It is definitely helpful. I'll keep massaging the Pricing copy. I love your idea of using "seems". And you're right, my prices are not terribly high for custom photography...yet. :)

I guess what I was asking about the photos is, are there any that are obviously bad? I don't think so, but sometimes subjectivity can cloud one's judgment. :) And I think your idea of making a combination maternity/newborn gallery is a great one.

Thanks much!

[Owen Jr]

Very easy to navigate, which is a plus.

[Flea77]

Hey Amanda. Would love to comment on your website but since it uses flash I can't see it on this machine, or my iPad, or my iPhone. Hmmm, that sure seems like a lot of potential customer who can't see your site (hint hint), not to mention how that will mess with your SEO.

Allan

[reader0428]

Yes Allan, you're right. This site was created to fulfill an immediate need to (cheaply) showcase work and have a place to send potential clients and was never my long-term solution. It is a high priority for me to move off a Flash-based site. That is my plan for January, after the busy season and holidays. Just debating on whether to keep the Flash site and also get a Pro Photo Blog, or kill the Flash site alltogether and just move to a blogsite. I don't have a big budget for web design so whatever it is will need to be a template-style thing that I can customize.

[pookie]

Very nice. I like it.
Only thing I noticed is that I couldn't figure out where you are located at except for "within 30 miles of the 77377 zip code". I had to look it up. I would definitely put your city name, Tomball, or area like "Northwest Houston" somewhere because I do not know my neighboring cities' zip codes at all so seeing unfamiliar zip code doesn't do anything for me...