Your Website - - Building a website - Page 3

Chance_1 · #31 11-29-2005, 04:55 PM

Hi Jill:

Congrats, you got your site up and running quite fast, so you are much better than me in that regard.

Further, I should note, that your site is not as plain jane beginner site, as most would believe. Because I was not able to find any source code for the pages you do have, which is to me is very clever and quite advanced in programming I might add.

I, must agree with Nancy, that eventually you would need to get a prof to do the site, if you are going to use it to generate dollars, else, the present site is sufficient as it is, provided it is fast despite its graphics. I must further say, that in support of Nancy, that it is far better to receive constructive criticism, than complements. I for one, would prefer that someone tell me, that my work stinks, if it does, than be told what a wonderful job I am doing. Having said that, I sure would like to know from Nancy, an example of a professionally designed site.

Somebody here mentioned, why gifs ? Gifs are needed if you plan to use transparent images in your site as overlaying other images. Jpeg's do not recognize a transparency. Why would you use an image with a transparency ? You might have a great background image in your site, and your want to have a daily variable foreground image, in which case, the foreground image would need a transparent background in order to see the main background image of the site, and in this case, you save the foreground image along with its transparency as a gif image. Recently, there have been some copyright issues with gif's being owned by compuserve, so many use png's to avoid any copyright hassles.

Good Luck.

Photo678 · #32 11-29-2005, 06:17 PM

only problem with pngs with transparency is that IE does not support transparency

NancyJ · #33 11-30-2005, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Further, I should note, that your site is not as plain jane beginner site, as most would believe. Because I was not able to find any source code for the pages you do have, which is to me is very clever and quite advanced in programming I might add.

not really... scroll down.

As for professionally designed websites.
check out www.stylegala.com - it lists some of the best websites around for good design.
or for a larger range of sites try http://www.cssbeauty.com/

Jill · #34 11-30-2005, 11:26 AM

I would be interested in your website to see as an example, instead of bragging and rudeness. I am sure you are very good at your job. But I am putting you on my blocked, this site has always been full of friendly folks with helpful well inteneded advice.

Photo678 · #35 11-30-2005, 12:05 PM

actually, the sites that stylegala has rated the highest are some of the blandest sites I have ever seen. They are just blogs with pretty pictures as headers and so forth.

None of those sites grabs my attention and none of what I have seen on there is easily distinguishable as to what the site is offering.

blahhhhh.

but yeah nancy, lets see your site?

one of my favorite sites that gets its point across yet keeps its design minimal is http://adzn.net/ as an aside, his photography is amazing

NancyJ · #36 11-30-2005, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Photo678

None of those sites grabs my attention and none of what I have seen on there is easily distinguishable as to what the site is offering.

Mostly they're not offering anything :p stylegala dont have many commerical sites. As I said, CssBeauty is better for variety.
on of my favorites is Joshua Ink. Its the first site in a long time thats really leapt out at me as being stunningly original.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Photo678

but yeah nancy, lets see your site?

ha ha, not a chance, I'm busy enough

I have several websites but my personal website I keep private and only show to potential clients.
I'm currently working on about 3 different personal projects as well as commercial work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Photo678

one of my favorite sites that gets its point across yet keeps its design minimal is http://adzn.net/ as an aside, his photography is amazing

And you call stylegala's sites bland

The design is non existant apart from the unnecessary flash navigation. There are numerous javascript errors and if thats what passes for amazing photography these days I should get out my old holiday snaps :p

If you want a site that looks good and is obvious what its offering look at :
http://www.tirolskaizba.sk/en/index.html
...I'm hungry now.
http://www.hartstrings.com/
Awful clothes, beautiful site
http://rose.clanretribution.net
Nice little personal site, a little graphics heavy but the text only version doesnt look bad either.
http://www.offtone.com/
Another fave of mine, not offering anything but some nice photos too

twinkissed · #37 11-30-2005, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NancyJ

If you want a site that looks good and is obvious what its offering look at :
http://www.tirolskaizba.sk/en/index.html

I agree NancyJ, that one jumped out at me as well. As for the site that adzn.net site, I got a page not found so.... I don't know what is happening there.

I think the biggest problem here is that you aren't being understood. I frankly like how blunt you are at times because you don't sugarcoat things. While it's great to hear "Oh wow your website looks great!" or "Lookin good", sometimes the smack you in the face comments are the ones that help the most. See my best friend is the same way, I mean sometimes I have to get out the saltshaker (if ya know what I mean) but if I overlook the wording she uses, she's usually right and if not 100% atleast it helps me see the right direction.

I believe that regardless of what a website is used for, the more professional looking, the better. Even if my website was going to be used to show people my work and not find clients from the web, I want it to look as professional as possible because I believe that it upsells or generates return business on a subconscience level.

cazubi · #38 11-30-2005, 02:49 PM

I have been following this thread because I have been thinking of getting a web site and there is a wealth of information here. Nancyj...you are straight and to the point, almost the "Simon Cowell" of Retouch Pro, but I thank you for all of the info that you have given on this subject. I would not even attempt to make a web page now. I do think that it is important to look as professional as you can afford too.

Cathy

Photo678 · #39 11-30-2005, 03:46 PM

ehhhhh adzn changed his site....oh well, pay no attention to me anyway.

but as far as http://www.tirolskaizba.sk/en/index.html goes.....its nice and all, but it has some weird thing where if you go to the gallery, click an image it opens a new window in the upper left, then the window pops into the middle of the screen....its kind of odd....and an eye sore to say the least.

and nancy, i'm not condemning you, im sort of agreeing with you more than anything. I'm just not a big fan of big flashy sites with lots of worthless graphics that hog the page.

I hate scrolling, hahah...i know it sounds silly, but I get annoyed when i have to scroll unless its an article i am reading or something similar to that.

instead of talking about what is good, as it all is just a matter of personal opinion, how about examples of bad.

this site is fairly poorly thrown together, it's much better than it used to be, but still just a big eyesore imho...www.butterflyalphabet.com.

but again, i will say that i agree with you that there is a ton of puke out there....so weeeeeeeeee

NancyJ · #40 11-30-2005, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Photo678

ehhhhh adzn changed his site....oh well, pay no attention to me anyway.

but as far as http://www.tirolskaizba.sk/en/index.html goes.....its nice and all, but it has some weird thing where if you go to the gallery, click an image it opens a new window in the upper left, then the window pops into the middle of the screen....its kind of odd....and an eye sore to say the least.

Thats just a bit of javascript to center the popup, its easily disabled.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Photo678

and nancy, i'm not condemning you, im sort of agreeing with you more than anything. I'm just not a big fan of big flashy sites with lots of worthless graphics that hog the page.

Me neither, but you said the other sites were bland :p Just no pleasing some people

Quote:

Originally Posted by Photo678

instead of talking about what is good, as it all is just a matter of personal opinion, how about examples of bad.

this site is fairly poorly thrown together, it's much better than it used to be, but still just a big eyesore imho...www.butterflyalphabet.com.

You want bad... look at any site on http://www.webpagesthatsuck.com/

http://www.bbhq.com/ is a good one hehe

AlMillstein · #41 11-30-2005, 04:12 PM

My first visit to this forum; I like it. How do you get designated as a senior member?

I'm 84. Will that do it?

Al

NancyJ · #42 11-30-2005, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cazubi

I have been following this thread because I have been thinking of getting a web site and there is a wealth of information here. Nancyj...you are straight and to the point, almost the "Simon Cowell" of Retouch Pro, but I thank you for all of the info that you have given on this subject. I would not even attempt to make a web page now. I do think that it is important to look as professional as you can afford too.

Cathy

I know I probably speak my mind more than most people who like me too

But I guess thats just the way I was made.

Websites dont have to be expensive to be good, there are many ways to get a really good website on the cheap.

#1 never go to an agency - seriously, they are a complete waste of money. The first agency I ever worked for charged £60-65 an hour, the people doing the work were paid £6-10 an hour. The rest of the money went on swish offices, project managers, secretaries and company directors.
Freelancers are the way to go. Just choose wisely and never pay up front. The cheapest quote isnt necessarily the best.
#2 If you REALLY cant afford a professional to do it, you're not out of options, there are tons of sites selling templates eg. http://www.templatemonster.com/categ...t-photography/ you have to traul through quite a lot to get find non-flash sites but there are some nice designs. They're not going to be unique to you so try to find ones with low download rates. You can get a template for $30-70, you have to do a lot of the work yourself but it should at least look good.
#3 students/graduates. Now is a great time of year to prey on desperate graduate students. I dont know if the US is anything like the UK but these days most degrees are worthless, for some reason the government wants everyone to have a degree, meaning the dole queues are full of graduates and plumber and electricians are raking in 6 figure salaries and picking and choosing the jobs they want to take. If you've got no experience then you need portfolio, so July - December is a great time to look for someone who will do the job on the cheap just to pad out their portfolio. Currently students will also be having to find clients for their final projects.

NancyJ · #43 11-30-2005, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlMillstein@com

My first visit to this forum; I like it. How do you get designated as a senior member?

I'm 84. Will that do it?

Al

I'm glad it doesnt work that way else I'd probably be a junior member for a very long time.

Senior members have over a certain number of posts - not sure of the exact number.

NancyJ · #44 11-30-2005, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinkissed

I think the biggest problem here is that you aren't being understood. I frankly like how blunt you are at times because you don't sugarcoat things. While it's great to hear "Oh wow your website looks great!" or "Lookin good", sometimes the smack you in the face comments are the ones that help the most. See my best friend is the same way, I mean sometimes I have to get out the saltshaker (if ya know what I mean) but if I overlook the wording she uses, she's usually right and if not 100% atleast it helps me see the right direction.

Eloquence is not my strong suit (only got a B in english language

) it all sounds fine in my head but somehow it never comes out that way when its written down.

If some of the guys on this site really believe everything they post I'd love to spend a day in their heads, I love to know what its like to think everything is wonderful :/ Just for one day, not be the bitter old cynic that I am

I come here because I like helping people and I like the challenges and occasionaly I learn a new trick or two. I also think every forum needs someone like me

I speak my mind and I dont care if people think I'm horrid because of it. But some days place feels like a remedial art class, where no matter what you did its ok - like that simpsons episode where Homer gets a job working for a supervillain and bart gets put in the remedial class and he doesnt get in trouble at school anymore cos its impossible to get in trouble in his class. They play musical chairs but theres always a chair for everybody.

I'm not trying to be insulting, everyone is built differently, some people do see the good in everything. I'm just not one of them.

cazubi · #45 11-30-2005, 05:21 PM

Thanks NancyJ for the tips. The student/graduate one sounds promising. I am a professional artist, as well as a budding digital artist. Critiques are very hard sometimes because we put a lot of ourselves into our creations, but they are important as learning tools. Many times things are pointed out to me that I just was not aware of or didn't see. I usually weigh the comments and decide if I agree or disagree. Many times valid points have helped me acheive better art.

Cathy