Website up and working...needs critiques

[bast3200bc]

Hi all!
I've finally finished my website today with alot of problems from Time Warner internet cutting in and out. lol I need someone to take a look around and see if it's orderly and nice enough. And no I will not add flash or anything fancy. I just needed a simple informative site offering my services. If anything needs to be added or taken out, please suggest it.

I had to get this set up ASAP cause I'm starting to get wedding inquires. And yes I price high as I was taught to do here on the board. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

www.michellebphotography.com

Michelle

[KenJulio]

IMO, the contrast in the blue background and white text hurts my eyes. It immediately turned me away. Again, just my opinion.

It appears the text is in bold? If so, nix it.
The visited link color is too close to your background color, blue v light blue
Spell check needs to be used, even though you're in a hurry, misspellings could turn away business.

[bast3200bc]

Do you have suggestions on color scheme and text colors. I'm not a web builder so I'm kinda on a learning curve.

[KenJulio]

This may come across a bit harsh which I dont mean it to be.

First, start with the simple changes, remove the bold tag
Second, change the font color and background color. I'd suggest something warm, the white on blue is harsh
Third, spell check :)
Fourth, if it doesn't feel right for you, I'd suggest viewing other's website, even if it has flash, look at the color scheme and the font used. Get ideas from their sites and work it in.

Keep in mind, all sites are the same, they all lead to more information, the more successful ones are the ones which are easy to navigate and read.

[CaptainTom]

Get your English teacher at school to proof read your text and get the tenses and parts of speech correct.

[thehatguy]

Proofread.

[bast3200bc]

Okay thanks. Proof reading is already started and color schemes are being tested. I appreciated the feedback.

@CapTom - Grammar teacher is on the phone ready to go!! lol My husband proofread my website and told me the same thing you did. :)

[bast3200bc]

Colors are redone...most spelling and grammar fixed. I'm having problems formatting the text. Dreamweaver looks one way and when uploaded it looks another way. I'm still working on it.

[thehatguy]

One other thing you might think about changing is "Photo Album."
I think "Gallery" is more suitable for a professional.

John

[tukaniray]

Could you upload a bit larger photos?? Something within 700x700 pixels or 640x640 pixels. Having those sizes will also probably help the quality of your photos, making them easier to see.

Can you squeeze in the text also? I feel like I was reading a Tennis Match. Far left of screen to far right. Try to condense some of it towards the center of the web screen.

Overall, I think you are heading in the right direction. Sooner or later, you will get it together in a good way for you and your future clients.

-Ray-

[bast3200bc]

@John GREAT IDEA!! I don't know what I was thinking when I named it Photo Album

@Ray I can see where you are coming from. Unfortunately those photos are full size when you click on the thumbnails. The originals were accidentally destroyed and so were the backups. When I get newer photos I am going to replace them and they will be way better quality. Also, it's Angelfire's program I can't seem to adjust anything on it and I don't have the money right now to invest in SmugMug or other great galleries.

I just now got done with the text. I've been fighting with Dreamweaver all week with the text. It looks the way I want it on the program, but once uploaded it looks completely different.

Guess I'm just not much of a web designer!

[csa]

Michelle,
Congrats on starting your business. I don't want to come across as rude, but as a potential photo client, I would expect to see less text and pictures sooner, maybe even just a single image on your front page. You might build your text into links and consider tightening with fewer words as well. I understand your frustration with working with Dreamweaver.

[bast3200bc]

Thank you everyone for all of your help. I don't need anymore. lol That was not intended to be a rude comment as I know you took the time to look at my site. And I am truly honored that a group such as this has been so helpful.

I really am trying hard and doing different styles. I am struggling with this. I lost my complete portfolio in an accident a while back so I don't have much to build from and I am working on that. I'm having internet connection problems and a whole host of other problems so what you are really seeing is just a mess. Please don't look at it because ya'll just laugh at me. You are not getting a true representation of what I am trying to do since I am constantly uploading and changing things. I have all the ideas I need and really do appreciate all of your help. I have just now completely ruined my site by trying Frontpage because it halfway uploaded then stopped. So now I have to start from scratch and it's going to take me another week to recover.

And NONE of you have been rude. I am a BFA and can handle the critiques since I dealt with them so much in class. Everyone of you have been truly amazing at helping someone who would someday possibly be your competition. And that alone speaks highly of your character. Thank you!

[dbphotos]

Not to beat a dead horse but more proof reading is still needed.

i.e. "Thank you taking the time" should be "Thank you for taking the time"

For search engine optimization (SEO) I would reword your information on the front page to include specifics on your type of photography, your location, etc. Something like "San Antonio, Texas, portrait photographer", etc.

You are headed in the right direction.

[FireHeart Photography]

I think if you are a photographer you need to highlight your photos - 1x1 inch photos are not large enough to view and look unprofessional. If you highest range is 6K for a wedding with all due respect - you need to look like you get 6k for your weddings and right now I think you site lacks that - look at other photogs who charge 6K and I think you will see a distint difference.