Input on new splash page

[csa]

[Hikin' Mike]

I don't like Splash pages...it's a wasted click and I generally leave.

If you insist on using one, this one is too busy. I can hardly see your name through the 'swirlies'.

[Cajungaltx]

Charlotte -
Based on your current 'first page' - I'd say it's a great improvement.

I have to agree with Mike though - it's a bit 'busy'... but it's not as busy as your current home page - so I'd probably say go for it. PROVIDED that it's not just a 'click to enter' kind of page - but that if I click on 'bridal' - i go to bridal... or kids, I go to kids...

that kind of thing.

Make sense?

[JohnT]

I hate to be the third bummer because you're probably pretty excited about the new design, but I'm not a fan of splash pages either for the reason Mike has already mentioned. And, yes, this one is way too busy.

[CaroleHayes]

So, is it a splash page, or is it a home page that will have clickable links?

I definitely think it looks better than your current home page, and if you drop the opacity—even just 20% or so—on the swirly background, I don't think it will be too busy at all.

Very nice! : )

[csa]

thanks, guys. I'll work on it.

[Hikin' Mike]

If by "Splash Page" you mean, no text and just a "Enter Here" or clickable photos, I think you need to re-think that. You need to think about SEO. Your current home page is a better page than your "new" Splash Page.

[csa]

I'm attempting to go from a FrontPage site to a flash template. The template comes with a splash page entry with no option for clickable links other than enter and blog. My goal is to change my target audience from high school kids to young women as I attempt to break into the wedding market without losing my current work. I've looked at probably 40 or so established Dallas sites in preparation for that change. Almost all had a splash page as the first way to attract their audience in or not. My current index page was the first step in transition and an attempt to raise my Google ranking until I reconfigured with imbedded metadata. I had hoped for more constructive criticisim than "too busy" and "I hate splash pages." Thank you, Carole. I did drop the opacity on the backdrop layer, and it was an improvement. My background is print media, so I approached it as a page design. Other than the background, what could I consider changing to help achieve my goals?

[CaroleHayes]

You're welcome! : )

Do you have a blog? If not, you may want to start one.... They're supposed to help a lot with the google rankings, and it will give your splash page a reason for existing, other than to annoy those who hate them.

ETA: I really do think it looks nice (especially if you've dropped that opacity!). I love the pics you've chosen, I like the framing of them, and the mixture of fonts. If you're going to have a splash page, I think it's a nice one. : )

[Hikin' Mike]

I think you're going to loose some ranking once Google indexes your new flash site.

It's also hard to give a critique when all I see is just a picture of a proposed web design. You need to see it "live".

Looking at your current metadata, it still needs some work. IMO the title "Henley Photography" tells me nothing. If your market is "Dallas/ft worth wedding photographers", then your title tag should say "Dallas Fort Worth Wedding Photography" as a home page. Also, you have no Description or Keyword metadata. Add those and your PR should rise. ;)

[csa]

Thank you. It is a learning experience. I'm still working on the whole concept of web design.

[Hikin' Mike]

No problem. The more I learn about SEO, web design etc...the more I realize, I have a lot more to learn about SEO and web design!