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[FranknDiane]

I am sure I need help! I was making slide shows for fun, and decided that I enjoy doing it so much,that I'd try to make a few dollars doing something I liked. So I got a website up and running, but I am totally self taught and I am sure I have made a lot of errors. I am a total amateur and would really like a few pointers and HELP! I'm so Glad I stumbled onto this forum. Already I've gotten some good points!Thanks (I tried to put my site in here, but was told I had to have at least 10 posts first.) Sorry if I broke the rules

[amichalski]

Hi there!

I took a look at the Home and Sample pages of your site. I like your concept, and I do believe there are people who would love to use a service like yours. In my opinion, you should really emphasize the possibility of using your slide shows as graduation and birthday keepsakes. (I would say weddings, too, but the truth is many wedding photographers offer similar services, in video form, as part of their packages now, and frankly, I wonder whether the wedding market isn't getting saturated.)

I am not a Web designer, so I won't attempt to do any critique in that area. But here are a few suggestions I would make based on my "gut reaction" as a rabid proofreader as well as a consumer.

--The Web address that appears at the top of each page is redundant. (Anyone who came to the site already knows its address--or can just look at the URL bar if unsure.) I would suggest eliminating it.
--Consider justifying your text to left instead of center. Reserve center justification for really important text; using it all the time, it loses its eye-catching impact.
--Near the top of the Sample page, I would suggest changing the text "*Sample" to "View samples." for two reasons: the * suggests there is a footnote somewhere, and there isn't; and it's a clickable link, so tell me why I should click it.
--On your nav buttons, can you make the text wrap so that you can insert a space between the words on the "Privacy Policy" button, and so the first and last letters of "Restored Photos" don't fade into the background?
--On Home page, eliminate the periods and commas after the first few starred list items next to the champagne glass image.
--Sometimes "slide shows" appears as two words, and sometimes it appears without the space. Choose one option (personally I prefer two words), and use it consistently throughout the site.
--On Home page, the sentence beginning "You can enjoy..." needs to end with "your family" instead of "family." (Just a parallel-structure nit-pick...I warned you, I'm an avid proofreader. )
--At top of Sample page, you have two links to Media Player, one right after the other. Eliminate one.
--On Sample page, some of the image captions are clickable, and some are not. Make them all one way or the other.
--On Sample page, eliminate the underlining on the statement beginning "Notice as you watch...." (Web users expect underlined words to be links.)
--I would also suggest rephrasing that entire statement to something shorter, maybe along the lines of "Transitions and special effects [Effects, not Affects, by the way] make your slide show exciting!"
--"Internet" should always be capitalized. Also change the comma after "Internet" to a semicolon.
--On your contact form, the field labels are apparently the same color as the background, so they don't show up.

I hope all this is at least a little helpful and not overwhelming. I'd be happy to talk to you about the other pages of your site also if you contact me off-list.

I think you're onto a good idea with your slide show concept!

[FranknDiane]

Thank you so much for all your great tips! With the help of a very patient member from the group, I've been working on an entirely new page. But I am going to keep those tips high on my list!!! Thank you again for taking the time to reply to me!

[amichalski]

Hi again, Diane!

Wow, you and Taaz have been hard at work!

I love the new look of the Home page. It has a very professional look. You know, I wasn't particularly bothered by the black background on the original version, but having now seen the new colors, I do find it easier on the eyes.

Once again, I spent my majority of review time on the Home page. This time, I printed your new Home page, marked it with my suggestions, and scanned and attached the result. This is much simpler to follow than the list of proofreading comments I offered last time.

Beyond the Home page, I didn't take the time to do proofing, but I would offer a few general suggestions and readability comments.
--I LOVE the new sidebar on the right. Keep that for sure!
--I'm no expert at this, but I hope the Web designers out there will jump in and clarify. My understanding is that using a mailto: link instead of simply stating your e-mail address results in less spam in your inbox. Therefore, I suggest changing that on all pages of your site. (But even if it doesn't make any difference in spam, you might consider it since visitors can contact you in one quick click instead of a cut-and-paste operation.)
--I make this annoying typing mistake all the time, too! Double-check all instances of the words "form" and "from" throughout the site. (On the Home page by the credit card link, I'm not sure whether it was a typo or intentional, could go either way.)
--Remember that people read Web pages much more quickly and impatiently than they do printed text. Wherever possible, think SHORT. Cut out phrases that are repetitious or are wordy.
--On Pricing page, the "*Prices subject to change..." footnote is hard to find because it appears at the bottom of the right column. Change that statement to a no-columns format at bottom of page, where people normally look for footnotes.
--On Planning Instruction page, switch to left-justified text which is easier to read. Also consider using <ol> tags (or whatever has replaced them if they're deprecated now..begging for expert help again!) instead of hand-numbering your lists. That way the list items will automatically number and space themselves evenly, one more picky format detail you don't have to worry about checking yourself!
--On Restored Photos page, consider moving the text to one side so that the first two Before and After pairs appear right next to each other, where their differences are more obvious.
--The About Our Promise page repeats what's already on Home. Consider deleting it altogether.

You have made so much progress already. I look forward to seeing your final product. Be sure to let us all know when you are finished!

[FranknDiane]

Thank you so much for all your suggestions.I can't believe all I've learned already from this forum. My business is off to a great start, thanks to the help and patience of everyone here! Thanks again!