www.bellesphotography.com

[HotHolly]

I just updated my website and would like some opinions. Please be honest.

Should I change the home page to flash? There are a lot of dial up people around here (rural peeps still cant get DSL or satellite) so I wanted to keep the site primarily html. I think its feeling kind of hokey right now.

Right side bar isnt showing. I so totally stink at tables.

And keep in mind that I stink at this. Help help help.

Grazi!

[Supermanny]

Hey Holly

I like that your website is very functional. I loads fast and I can navigate through it quickly.

I find that more people have problems viewing a site because of their screen resolution (lots of people with 800x600 out there) than because they don’t have flash. But if you want to make sure your site works for folks that don’t have flash, you can always make your site check the visitor’s capabilities and decide whether to show them either an html version or flash version of your site. Plus your gallery, which is what I consider the most important part of a photographer’s website, is already flash.

On the front page, I noticed that you have a table width set to "102%". That may be why I have to scroll sideways to read your phone number on the bottom right.

[HotHolly]

Thanks Manny. Does it bug you that the home page, gallery, and the rest of the site don't have identical page formats?

[smoothassilk]

I like your web site, loads fast and easy to move around. I kind of like it that every page is different. Every page has a wedding atmosphere, I would take it that is what you feel you are best at, a wedding photographer. If that is not the case, then one of those page should show some of your other work when it opens.

[HotHolly]

Thanks Mark. We realized several months ago that brides were hiring us for our bridals. So, yes, we decided to make the site entirely wedding/ bridals/ engagement only. I was thinking about buying a template from Blu or someone.

I think the one I made has that home-made (in a bad way) feel. Kind of like someone who is learning how to sew, using staples and glue instead of the sewing machine. Ya know - it just doesnt look quite right. Anyone else getting that? You are all way too nice! ;o)

[Supermanny]

Originally Posted by HotHolly

Thanks Manny. Does it bug you that the home page, gallery, and the rest of the site don't have identical page formats?

Yes it does. Well, specifically I don't like (1) that the top nav menu jumps up and down as you go through the first three page links, and (2) that your logo is on every page but it's missing on the gallery page. That may be the most important page for your logo to be to help viewers associate the photos with your brand/identity.

[HotHolly]

Thanks! Decided to buy a template. I would so rather be doing something else and this is too important to have any issues. Hopefully I won't mess up the template. lol. Wish me luck!

[wondershots]

Originally Posted by HotHolly

Thanks! Decided to buy a template. I would so rather be doing something else and this is too important to have any issues. Hopefully I won't mess up the template. lol. Wish me luck!

Good luck with the template. Let us know when it's finished and how easy (or hard) the process was.

-Jim

[HotHolly]

Originally Posted by wondershots

Good luck with the template. Let us know when it's finished and how easy (or hard) the process was.

-Jim

So far, not so good. Bought the template a few nights ago. Seems to be the usual glitches. But I will so let you know when its up. To not have to worry about the website formatting is SOOOOO worth paying for!

[ambidawn]

Which template did you decide to go with? I too was thinking about switching to a template with Blu

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by HotHolly

Thanks Manny. Does it bug you that the home page, gallery, and the rest of the site don't have identical page formats?

I used to design web sites for a living, and a common look throughout a site gives continuity. So, yes, identical page format is a "rule" of good web design.