...for this. http://www.etenerife.com He suggested a while ago I should ask for a review sooo... A bit of background. I know the site looks like a dog´s breakfast. Since I started it I´ve never had the time to focus on it. I´ve always been running about working on other projects for other people to pay the rent. Plus I have as much design ability as an ant has fins. But ... the site does okay in the serps, it brings in AS and advertising. It could do better. I have convinced myself that it is time to draw a line in the sand. I don´t want to take on any more work for other people. I want to maximise revenue from this site. That means making it look more professional and finding rev streams as yet untapped. (this part by pm if you prefer) I like my home-made logo but it has been said that it is not very clear - any suggestions there? What would you do with the look of the site? It was built in FP with no template so how would you go about making the changes (without losing serps?). Be gentle.
A few ideas Replace the logo with a non embossed/shadowed version - the logo should be made from vector graphics so it is scalable (if you want to put it on Posters/ letterheads/ business cards etc) usually with 1/2/3 complimentary colour combinations. This can also reduce print costs. How well will your logo work etched on glass ? is always a good question. Take a look at any professional logo - Nike logo isnt a trainer, audi is not a car - suggestion of a concept/emotion etc is better. Red, blue and yellow in this form are not complimentary, Logo does not have to match the site + vice versa. Nav background stands out more than content. Left nav is actually hard to read on the yellow. Golden triangle not utilized well - visitors usually look top left first. Consider black main text not blue. Red + yellow are natures warning colours - use them carefully. Top nav should have greater impact, also it is difficult to see a 'direction' on the site - where should I go first? Page names should take a logical structure - for SEO and users - /restaurants/, /bars/ or even /bars-in-tenerife/los-cristianos.htm - not /barslos.htm Nav should be uniform where possible - moving left nav and replacing with AS may get you clicks but it is not good for the visitor. Keep navigation consistant sitewide where possible. All comments expressed are opinion only As for losing serps. be careful before you do anything. Find the main traffic drivers and pay attention to those first, build the new site before removing the old. switch over the home, use 301 redirects to the new pages, take the old down. - that what I did, I lost a few minor ones but held most.
A few web site errors in the validator: http://validator.w3.org/check?uri=http://www.etenerife.com/ Also I can't see the third blue box in the center.
Not just being nice cuz I like you, but I genuinely think it looks good. Nice layout, simple & attractive design, easy to use, Pictures...it's all gravy, baby.
Design Agent - wow thanks for taking the time. Great input. NFD - I know it doesn´t validate and I know it should. That is definately something I will work to fix. Mella - thank you, sweetie. You´ve no idea how many times I´ve been told that the site sucks - but hey, it pays the rent, right?
I told you your sites were nice when I seen them, Google has a very simple home page that works, that is the most important thing, folks that are willing to interact with your pages.
Site is ranked nicely. However your traffic of late appears to be down. The look of your site isn't bad, but I can pick anything apart. Is FP your preferred editor? Do you use Fireworks and DW MX? The reason I ask is I have found some really nice templates in Fireworks and DW...if you are looking for a face lift. Other than that you seem to have a handle on the SEO side. I have yet to meet a web developer that understands design and SEO. I always seem to find one or the other. So maybe your thought around working from a template is the easy way to go for you. It really depends HOW FAR you want to go. I for example, am pretty good with the wizzy wig programs but really suck when it comes time for sql, php, flash, coding, etc. But I do have a basic understanding. If I dream up something that I cannot do within the realm of my skillset I bring in outside programmers to assist in acheiving the big picture. Rotsa Ruck PS if you are using Macromedia products and can't find the templates...let me know and I'll give you the location. They're kinda hidden
Hi Homer, Thanks for taking the time. You´re using Alexa? I had the Alexa toolbar on until I changed to FF. I think it is too easy to manipulate Alexa and not for the first time I see that when I take off the toolbar myself, my rankings on Alexa go South. I basically ignore Alexa now. Unique visitors seem to be fairly steady over the last quarter. FP is definately not my preferred editor, it was just my first editor. Any new sites I do are done in DW. What on earth is a wizzy wig programme. I know wysiwyg ... oh I get it but I do not have the money to pay for a programmer and I am afraid of paying for something that I don´t understand anyway. I wouldn´t know how to seo for it while I am confident in seoÃng plain html. Thank you too to AC and ST. Any other input is very welcome especially if anyone has any thought on increasing revenue....
You could use mambo - I have been plugging it recently, but only because it has meant I dont have to do much actual site build now. It plugs straight in and I cant see any real problems with it so far - my first site with it is already ranking well, its customizable and FREE.
Hello e10: I have tried this site before http://www.webscapestudio.com/. Edit: AWESOME Try 30 day free trial. Probably one of the coolest design web design systems I've ever seen. Lots of easy to use bells and whistles.
e10, actually I'd say your website is anything but 'dogs breakfast' ive spent quite a bit of time looking for information on Tenerife, and have your site bookmarked, and you have one of my rants on there .. the only suggestion I would make is make it feel more of a holiday website.. also think about a logo design, I can suggest Mark (www.eagleimagery.com) who did the work on my logo and website graphics. Nice site. Darren p.s. just launched new travel forum, feel free to join and get involved.. might bring a few visitors your way when it gets up and running properly!