New Web Site

viper225 · #1 02-01-2007, 10:32 PM

Hello all experts,
Here is my new web site. Any, thoughts or ideas is greatly appreciated.
I have no hang-ups, so let me have it, it's OK. I want to make it better. I know the payment page is not working yet. Still ticking with it.

http://www.goldenhandscleaningservice.com/

beebrothers · #2 02-01-2007, 10:36 PM

very nice start
-home page isnt centered in browser
-about us isnt centered in browser
-contact page, the words top center "contact information" our lap paragraph
keep up the good work

Dori · #3 02-01-2007, 11:10 PM

I agree with Beebrothers....
Also on your Cleaning Services page some of the text as white back ground, change the background to no fill, it will look better.
Your maid illustration needs to be resized before you put it on your pages. I can tell you enlarged the artwork once you had it on your page. What I do with an illustration is save a small, medium and large version in whatever art program I am using and then depending on what size I need I insert that sized image. It really makes for much cleaner pages. You can also download pix resizer and it will help your photos load faster.
Good luck

wiggytuftuk · #4 02-01-2007, 11:27 PM

Hi,
I do agree that the title at top of page would look a lot nicer sitting on a plain white background but over all what a fantastic job you have done in putting together a great little site,well done.
regards

bill2006 · #5 02-02-2007, 02:33 AM

Ellot
Watch your spelling !
-Prefeessional .....& Professional
-Also that line overlaps the rest.

viper225 · #6 02-02-2007, 02:47 AM

Hi Bill,
I'm home now. please send me that link again for spell check so I can down load it.
Just finished downloading it, forget that.

Bill,
Can I spell check in bluevoda, if so how? anyone?

I also made some changes tonight and need some help. I want a back round color for the title to look the same as the menu bars on the left. Anyone know where I can get that?

Bethers · #7 02-02-2007, 03:02 AM

No, BV doesn't have spell check - but you can copy and paste your text into word and spell check - then make the corrections it show.

On your home page, you sub heading "Professional etc etc " is very hard for my eyes to read. I'd get that line - at that size font - into an easier to read font. It is readable for the header.

You also need to go back and put a short description of each page into the meta description. Right now - for the home page - your description is "This is my home page". Technically that's correct, but if anyone reads that, I don't think it's going to have them interested or tell them that this home page is for a cleaning service. This should be a short description of what each page is about.

While doing that - go back and make each title different - cuz each page is different. The title should be one for that specific page.

You also are going to want to think about the types you are using on the page and look to see if they are web friendly. If you want to keep your header font - you should make a header in an image. For the page, you don't want to use images, so you want a web friendly font (which means the font will be on all the computers). If someone now opens your website and doesn't have the font you used installed, it will change and your website will display completely differently on their computer. It might even be why some are seeing overlapping (which I haven't seen so far).

Overall, you've got a great start. Keep tweaking!

You've underlined some words and you don't want to do that on a website unless those words are links to another page. I tried to click them - and they don't go anywhere :(

Your font also changes sizes in the middle of a paragraph then goes back again. Look at the paragraph "Give yourself the gift of"

.

viper225 · #8 02-02-2007, 04:14 AM

Hello,
Thank you so very my, I appreciate it very, very much. I tweaked it up again. Please take a look and tell me what you think. Anyone and all opinion, please, again, I have no ego about listening to all of you ideas. It only better to improve what my goal is to do. "Get customers to come to my web site, and feel good about, that I did myself, first time ever.

Bethers · #9 02-02-2007, 04:25 AM

I can only say to read my post above yours - as I don't see any of those things done.

And you should feel good about it - you're doing a good job.

Lincslady · #10 02-02-2007, 09:21 AM

Hi Ellott

Theres a bit of overlapping going on, on my screen, your title "Golden Hands Cleaning" overhangs the line and the "Professional apartment house cleaning etc" overlaps the "gift certificate"...have you done this all in one text box?...maybe try 3 separate text boxes?..this is happening on every page.
I would also choose some different buttons I find those very hard on the eyes and difficult to read. your doing a great job .. keep tweaking ;o)

Lincslady · #11 02-02-2007, 09:39 AM

Oh dear .. I dont know whats going on with my font there lol

Sorry didnt mean to shout Ellot

viper225 · #12 02-02-2007, 10:39 PM

Hi All,
I don't know what I did wrong, but mess up everything. I'm going home now, and leaving from work. Can someone shoot me a font that will work for the title please. I'm looking at it here from my job, and see exactly what you are seeing, overlapping and too large, but at home, and other computers it is different, why is that?

Help.................

P.s be home by 6:30 eastern us time.

Bethers · #13 02-02-2007, 11:34 PM

AS I said before - you are not using a web friendly font - actually on any of the page. Please look at the following:
friendly fonts and use one of them for text on the page.

Then make an image header.

viper225 · #14 02-03-2007, 02:31 AM

Hello,
I'm trying to listen to all that great advice I'm getting. Please take a look and let me know if the font is OK now, thanks. I will make the changes for the all the other pages if the first one looks good.

Vasili · #15 02-03-2007, 03:09 AM

EL:

Try to focus on the basics, trying to get "perfect" there first.....

a. The alignment of your images in the top header is still off, and throws everything off to the eye (subconcious or not). Maybe you can establish a real header by using a "shape" as a line to act as a bottom border (remember to 'bring to front')?
b. The images themselves are of varying resolution, and do not "mate" well because of it when placed so close together like they are.
c. The images need to be properly "titled" so they add to relevance for the pages overall (be sure to not have any spaces or symbols in the titles, but underscores and simple "Key-wordish" type naming techniques: "golden_hand_cleaning_services_does_kitchens", for example, for the one pix showing a kitchen)
d. The "maid" image either has to be cleaned up or made to go away. It does not lend itself to contributing to anything professional. Surf until you can find a suitable substitute (non-graphic, use a photo?)
e. Navigation/Menu: reduce your wording in your buttons to one word each, not only to fit, but to clearly convey the "topic". If not this, then reduce font size significantly and use bold.
f. Your use of a different font with underlined to emphasize a point is shoddy: it is not acceptable use, as underlines normally indicate a link to a page or section that expands on the idea; and there are better means to indicate emphasis other than using a different font (makes it look quite school-ish).
g. Lose the bottom "email us" button......learn to rely on your Contact methodology: your intro text (content on your "index" page) should be shortened considerably, and you should consider writing in an "invitation" clearly....for a quote, an estimate, etc. but which would steer visitors to actually USE your Contact Us page/features..... (Additionally, this should force you to list only your local business number --one mind you-- and not 2....this makes visitors think you are unprofessional. If you list your cell to be sure callers get a hold of someone while you are out of the office, then list your cell number only, and make it the primary means to call your business. Maybe even list only the "office" number, but forward it to your cell?)

I think you get the idea.....the details matter a whole lot, and getting all tweaky trying to dutifully follow opinions on SEO or the rest at this juncture does not need to be your focus. (That can come later in your leisure, and according to the format, not people's opinion)

Your website needs to be tightly focused and *****ly presented if to build the confidence in your prospective clients.....if you hope to compel them to inquire. Getting it "Page Perfect" is the critical focus......

viper225 · #16 02-03-2007, 03:40 PM

Hello,
I have taken some of your advice and I'm still trying my best to improve my site.

1.Please tell me how too title my photos, I don't know how?

2.Would you(anyone) be able to shoot me a photo for the maid that is suitable.

3.More advice please.......

One question, I tried doing a seach in google and it dosent' come up. What do I have to do to make it apear? I typed the whole name, and nothing?

Debi · #17 02-03-2007, 08:06 PM

http://creative.gettyimages.com/sour...selImageType=7

See if anything on this link will work for you!
Debi

Debi · #18 02-03-2007, 08:19 PM

Viper, you will need learn about keywords and search engine optimization in order to get your site picked up on the search engines. I would take Vasili's advice first, and get your site ready. Then in the forum you will find lots of advice about Search Engine Optimization by typing SEO into the Search field at the top of these pages.
What do you mean by "title your photos"? If you are talking about Alt Tags that are hidden behind the photos, and if you have added your photos using the image button, then double click on the image, and type a description into the alternative text line. This describes your photo to anyone who is visually impaired, or has chosen not to load photos. It's a good thing to do!
Debi

Bethers · #19 02-03-2007, 08:38 PM

Vasili was talking about the image names - not the alt tag - but they need the alt tag, too.

Your images are much better off having a name that reflects what the image is.

The alt tag should do similar, but can use spaces, etc. The alt tag appears when images cannot (for example blind readers and when a computer has images turned off) and it also appears when you hover your mouse over the image.

viper225 · #20 02-03-2007, 10:47 PM

Beth,
Please give me an example, and how to do it of the first pic please.

Vasili · #21 02-04-2007, 01:31 AM

From the beginning....

Simply go into yout BV>Images folder and right-click on each image individually to "Rename" them.....accordingly( the kitchen pix, the refrigerator, etc. Also, run them through the VodaHost pix resizer to reduce the file size.....if the images stored in your BV Images folder are a different size than what is actually on your pages now (due to the fact you obviously manipulated the sizes freehand in BV), take this opportunity to use the resizer to also make into the proper size required so as not to distort the images as well.
Re-Load them onto your page via BV with the new "titles" and re-save the page. Then, re-publish.

Go back through the list I mentioned above to do the basics first, then you can address the ALT tags on images and the other "finer points" you will need to explore before you can even hope to get the results you are reaching for....

viper225 · #22 02-04-2007, 04:47 AM

Hello,
OK, I went back and hopefully made the changes you had suggested correct. Please take a look and let me know if this is what you meant, thanks. I only did the first page (index-home). If this is correct, I will make the changes for all. Just ran it threw spell check and republished.

Vasili · #23 02-04-2007, 08:38 AM

Much better.

You did great "titleing" and cleaning up your pictures, but (you are not going to like this) you need to do it one more time: this time, use the underscore instead of spaces .....as to change "goldenhand the kitchen" (which appears to the SE's as "goldenhand%the%kitchen" --spaces filled with a symbol, which wrecks the whole intent) to "goldenhand_the_kitchen".....see the difference?

Your new "header" topper does wonders, and if you centered/spaced your logo text a bit more evenly, I think it finishes it off quite right.

Give your page a bit of a margin along the bottom....if your phone number and the "email" button (is that still there?) is say on line 640, go into Page Properties and make your page 750 tall.....it allows visitors the opportunity to see everything without feeling confined....

One more thing...about your Content, and you mentioning your cell phone hours: that information is best left out, and replaced with someting like "We Offer Customer Service 24/7"...or something similar. That way, if you are going to list your "office" phone number and have it forward to your cell, it does not matter how you answer, just that you do in fact answer as you offered, right?? Promote one number, centralize (anyway you can) your contact info, and fulfill your offers/promises.....always. Simpler, easier to manage, and more memorable/reliable for clients.

and on you go....

viper225 · #24 02-04-2007, 04:54 PM

Hi,
I made the changes to the titles with the underscores, and remove the information you mentioned. I also centered it better, the title index. How is it now?

P.s. I only did the first page.

CarbonTerry · #25 02-04-2007, 08:12 PM

"Getting in contact with us is very simple thing to do. You can call us, or send us an e-mail and we would be getting back to you within 24hrs no later. Most of our clients we have are collected from our regular customers who either use our services, or have done so before."

This is a very hard to understand paragraph. On the page you give 2 ways to contact you and then you tell the customer it is simple to do and then repeat the 2 ways to contact you.
If you promise to contact within 24hrs there is no need to say "no later". There is no need to tell a prospective customer how you acquire your clientele.
I would seriously consider deleting this whole para.
You email links to a non golden/whatever email. I would be very cautious about this fact were I in need of a service like yours.
Go to your Control Panel and establish an email info@whatever.com and then forward it to the email that you currently have listed.

viper225 · #26 02-05-2007, 07:16 PM

Hello,
OK, I see, and made again all the numerous changes needed. Please hit me again with all your professional advice and take a look at my site. I know, I'm like a fly that won't go away, my apologies, but I can see this takes hours and hours to get it right I realize now.

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