Commercial Mistake! Please read..

Marc Sanders · #1 07-05-2006, 10:37 PM

- Fake It Bikini Store

I made a mistake - and would like to warn others of our dilemma.
I would serously like as many peoples opinion of the web site above bearing in mind my first web site with BLUE (WEBGODS) VODA below...

The site above has been created by a professional company for a price.

VodaHost · #2 07-05-2006, 11:34 PM

I do not understand the topic of your thread or what your
exact question is. Please re-state.

Marc Sanders · #3 07-05-2006, 11:42 PM

Initially before descovering Voda Host I had little option but to pay a commercial company to design a web page - they have just yesterday delivered the first draught of the page...

I feel quite let down and bemused by their efforts and really would like a second opinion on their efforts before I ask the Guys that work with me for the Royal Marine Commando's to mount a full scale attack on their hinies!!!

VodaHost · #4 07-05-2006, 11:44 PM

Ahhhh OK

choco777 · #5 07-05-2006, 11:55 PM

I guess this is what you want to know....your's is much better. The american flag should be turned around with the union to the left. The Fake Bikini does that mean knock off or??? just wondering. The images loaded a little slow but maybe that was just my anticipation. Did u waste your money.................well

davidundalicia · #6 07-06-2006, 12:10 AM

Sorry marc but you made a mistake.

My 14 year old could have done better, pic sizes kbytes to big, cannot read
top and bottom writing with those colours and the text is to small...

I could go on but I think that you have already made up your mind.

You build it, yours is so much better.

Lincslady · #7 07-06-2006, 05:51 AM

Hi Marc,

Sorry to disagree with everyone but I kinda like it, its neat and tidy and i like the layout ...yes there are lots of mistakes..blurred font, to small print and for a proffesional to have a big sideways scroll like that is not very proffesional....but..its only a first draft...and thats the time you tell them what you like and what you dont like about the page and they go away and fix it.....now if it came back to me like that as a finished product ...I would have the same reaction as you and be very dissapointed ...but its only a ..first draft....

Girlonthehill · #8 07-06-2006, 06:21 AM

Sorry, Lincsy, but I'm with the crowd. For a 'professional' job, I think it sucks. Very unprofessional. Parade ground for the designers, me thinks. As you're the customer you can get them to make changes, can't you, Marc? Your's is much better.

Dream Lady · #9 07-06-2006, 06:22 AM

Marc: I think it has it's good points, but also it's bad. Now if I were to choose between theirs and yours....YOURS wins hands down. The big thing I don't like about your paid for site, is the blurred text and the color to boot makes it even worse. If they are professionals I would have a problem with paying for it. But I do like the layout. Good Luck with what you decide!

Lincslady · #10 07-06-2006, 06:49 AM

Its a first draft folks! lol

Would you have an architect bring you his first draft/idea for your new house and expect them to be right? ...Of course not...you would study it and then tell him what it is you want changing...he goes away, makes the changes etc etc ....Think i'm on my own here lol ...I just think your being a bit hard on the designer.....if it was the finished product i would agree with you all ...but its a first draft! lol

Dream Lady · #11 07-06-2006, 07:50 AM

Hey Linda: You make a good point, however....I have a hard time believing that if someone hired, lets say, YOU, to design their website, I bet even for the 1st draft you would do your absolute best before letting the client have a peek, right? I know I would. In fact, I would try and do the final draft, but call it a first draft...if you know what I mean, especially if I was trying to impress a new client. Don't get me wrong, I have one foot on either side here, because I do like the site, it's just that I would have expected more from a paid professional. Yes, give me the draft and let me as the client decide to make changes to the content, but the basic design of the entire site?? But then again, I've been known to expect to much, that's what my hubby tells me. lol....

choco777 · #12 07-06-2006, 08:01 AM

Isn't he saying that the site is paid for. Then that is hardly a draft. Building designs once paid for are considered a done deal, no? Send your comrades at work and talk to them. And then DIYS.

Marc Sanders · #13 07-06-2006, 10:13 AM

The site is indeed already paid for - back in March - it's taken them this long to get this far - Think I will have to go with 'Getting my money back!'

Even if it was a draft, this is supposed to be a professional company who's sole trade is web site design!

It wouldn't be so bad if they had actually read my spec and indeed placed the logo supplied to them on the page...

I simply asked for them to model it on my site and that of the parent company UjENA.com - I defy anyone to see a resemblance?

limebrook1 · #14 07-06-2006, 02:30 PM

I'm with the majority. If you paid for this in March I can't see what took them so long to turn this around? On the basis I knock up the basic shape of a site in an evening or so, surely 'professionals' can do this a lot quicker?

Perhaps the lessons are:

1. Have a go at doing it yourself using BV. It is easier than you think
2. If you do want a professional to do it, ask to see a sample of their work first.
3. Agree a timescale for delivery of the first draft, with perhaps a small payment only be paid on delivery, not commission.
4. Only pay the full amount when they deliver the completed product.

I know someone who signed up to BV and bought a template. He hasn't progressed his site for months as once he thought about content he had a difficulty matching what he wanted to do into the template he had bought!

Much more flexible to do it all yourself - and one hell of a lot more fun!

We all live and learn!

Marc Sanders · #15 07-06-2006, 03:43 PM

Appreciate the comments - Thankyou, just confirming my horrors Lol!

I initially signed up to edirectory - this was before Voda host was an itch I had to scratch! Didn't want to name and shame - but there it is!

REally love web designing since....

Vasili · #16 07-06-2006, 08:56 PM

I too, Marc, think you can do better on your own....either in BV8 or Soho/OSC.

The minimal costs to have a template customized ($45-200) still blow me away, as I too have been "victimized" by so-called professionals that I have paid many thousands of dollars to in the past......

What you have done earlier has more character that the 'cookie-cutter' **** we always seem to have delivered to us, and if you want to simply have a BV8 front-end linked up to either a Soho or OSC back end cart to maintain some of that singularly refined website image you have done, or commit fully to a customized cart here at VH, I think you will be better off in the long run.
I am going through the same ordeal, even now initiating a Soho site to get the hang of cart design and upkeep before starting 2 OSC ventures. I have to keep reminding myself that once it is up, it is nothing to keep it running clean and crisp! The learning curve is about the same as for BV8, so for me, it was an easy trade off with regard for personal time for future efficiency and profitability.
I say, "Keep it in the family," or stick with the proven leaders, our trusted Provider VodaHost!!

(I am still paying off a "webmaster" for his pathetic work on other sites, so I share a sense of indignation!)