More redesigning............please critique

[anne54]

At first I did not want to use many graphics on my site in the interest of faster loading. Now I have decided that I MUST add graphic embellishments to make folks take it more seriously and want to look at the content.

Please just critque the overall look of the page and the graphics--all the text is going to change.



http://www.stamphistory.net/allpics


Thanks

Anne



[Edited on 7-1-2003 by anne54]

[grooovylim]

i like your works...i am sure many people in the cafe will agree with me.

As for your updated webpage design, it is an improvement from your last one. But maybe u can try adding some thumbnails of the pictures that you are posting. That will give the end user what images is expected to be seen.

maybe you can have a more distinctive bold header for every section of your image gallery. This will set it apart from other contents and not make it look sorta bland.

Just my opinions....but i have to say your skill in creating unique textures never fail to awe me:)

[anne54]

Thank you very much Groovy; I do appreciate your taking the time to look and for your comments. I agree with the bolding. I still have a long way to go.

As for the textures, that was my specialty for 10 years and it's one of the few things I am really experienced at doing.

Thanks again
Anne

[mduncan62]

I really like the new look. The first image on load really draws the eye and sparks interest to look at the rest of the site. Good work

[Tigerman]

Try adding height and width tags to your HTML for any graphics you use ......one of the most annoying things on any website is when the content is constantly shifting and adjusting as graphics download.

The page is far too long also.....each link should really open on a separate page ....nice use of colour scheme though - hope I didn't sound too harsh.

[anne54]

Not too harsh at all tigerman. That's the sort of feedback I want.

Anne

[anne54]

I made some more changes so I need feedback again

Thanks

Anne

[scottperezfox]

I think this site has some good content but its poorly organized. When I first arrived, I didnt even know to scroll down, I was trying to click stuff for a good 15 seconds before I realized it wasnt a splash page. Perhaps a navigation menu and multiple pages will be the solution.

Information has to presented clearly or else no one will even try to read or download from you. I read recently you only have 7 seconds to hold the attention of the average net surfer. If they cant find what they are looking for right away, they will just go back.

[anne54]

Thanks Scott, that's a very good tip.

But I have wondered about splash pages with the search engines. There are no keywords really on a splash page, although I do have meta tags.
Will I get any search engine hits, without keywords in text?

Anne






[Edited on 7-1-2003 by anne54]

[possum]

I think the same: artworks are great but the site needs better navigation.
I was searching for the enter-button, too.
You combine content with navigation, that makes me leave the site (scroll phobia? ;).
I my opinion good (web)design means you only have to look at it and you will understand how it works (without reading anything).
And Scott, 7 seconds sound realistic for the average, in my case that wouldn't be more than 3 seconds.

[anne54]

I wonder if I really want visitors whose attention span is only 7 or 3 seconds. Maybe they can just go elsewhere.

Tons of sites don't have splash pages, and you just have to scroll on down. I really haven't heard of anyone developing "scrollers wrist" yet.

The cafe doesn't have a splash page.

There are still a few people around who can read and want explanations. There are actually sites on the internet whose main purpose is to convey information.
Those sites are almost ALL text with maybe a few small illustrations, and no splash pages.

Heck I'm going to leave it all one one page until the time is right for me to break it up.

Your comments and opinions are appreciated, though.

Thanks

Anne

[FrostedWeb]

That is a awesome lion kicken the snakes butt. Heres my full report. This always takes ages, but here it is:

1.Where u have the info for like contact me and all that, I dont think its needed that much, you should try to not make your site so long. It looks good though.

2. I like how the links take you to the text area, very nice technique.

3.It looks very nice, good job adding paypal and everything, I would sign up but I dont have the cash right now, I am saving all my money for the 8th grade trip to chicago:D nice work and keep it up...

=brian=

[possum]

Don't get me wrong, I like the look of your site and sites with much text don't scare me.
A Book has many (smaller) pages, an ancient scroll is one long page. Most of the people get used to like the advantages of books.
Your site looks like such an ancient scroll with antique looking artworks, I like that.
But you were talking of search engine hits so I thought you were looking for many vistors, and many of them won't like the ancient times like I do :)

It depends on the person what you can see/do/think in 3 or 7 seconds...

[Edited on 16-1-2003 by possum]

[loiosh]

I really like your site. I love the gold buttons, makes me want to change my site's designs all around, or maybe have a different look to the different areas in my site. The main page took a little while to load for the first time, but a lot of the graphics websites I visit take a while, and I didn't think that your's took too long at all. Navigation in the rest of the site is pretty smooth, the pages loaded very quickly. When you're ready, if you are going to have a gif for linking from other sites, I'd like to add your's to the link section of my website, as I'm going to have a resource section for people who photograph and do graphics work with animals.

[Edited on 16-1-2003 by loiosh]

[anne54]

Thanks frosted, possum, and loiosh for the encouraging words.

Loiosh, I have tons of animal pics; domestic like horses, wildlife, and pets
if you need any of those kinds of pictures.
Send me an email if interested; and sure I would love a link.

Anne