DP Please Review my Site

Hi all,

On the suggestion of Sarahk, I am submitting my site for Review. I would like to get some feedback on it. So if I need to make changes, I can get to it as soon as possible.

Thanks ahead of time.

 

I'm sorry, I should of stated that a link to it is in my Signature. But here is the link to it.

What is it? Antiques and Collectibles

 

I gotta agree. First thing that happened is the page came up full screen in bold text that the contrast played with my eyes. I sat back in my chair about 3 feet. (no kidding!)

Then as I tried to get focused and take it in and began reading, about 15 to 20 seconds went by, suddenly the page shrunk and a navbar appeared on the right.

I'm on a 3MB connection, that is unacceptable.

The green is a bit much, so is the huge bold text that is in poor contrast.

Take my advice, I think you're targeting the 40 something and up crowd, we can't see man, tone it down.

 

ok, thanks for your input. I will look into Reducing the Graphics of the site and changing the color scheme. I am on a cable connection, I guess thats why it not that slow for me.

 

You've got about 150 KB in 30-40 images. Consider using a couple of images for background and output button text in HTML.

I also think your thumbnails are dark and hard to look at. You need to make them much lighter and if possible without background.

J.D.

 

Thanks J.D, That is what I was planning on doing.

On the Thumbnails are you talking about the Item photos or the ones in the Special Services sections, or Both?

 

Thank you, ViciousSummer

I will look into replaceing the photos with new ones on lighter backgrounds.

 

Try to make out a cool design. I can help you there, if you wish (and if u pay. lol). any way nice concept.

 

We sell Daylight Lamps for this purpose. I'm sure you can get them in the US as well. They output light of 99.8 on the colour rendering index meaning nearly the same waves as natural daylight. Colours and texture etc. really come to live in thosel ighting conditions. Bulbs and tubes cost about 30-60 bucks.

Not just great for stock pics; they also create a lot healthier office environment. Downside (for some, I don't mind) is that you'll find yourself working from 9am to 10pm because you don't notice it's getting dark outside. So... Disclaimer: I can not be held responsible for increased revenue and profit due to extended working hours and increased efficiency (less falling asleep) because of this advice.

 

Make or steal? That's the question...

 

Make them.

Thats the only choice.

 

Thanks, cobra for the offer. Im sure I can make up some Graphics that will be good.

 

Thanks everyone for you input, I have made most changes that you guys have said that I should. I still went with a dark background in some ways it is still the same but I did cut the Bright green out on 90% of the site, I still have a little work to go. I will be updating with new Thumbnails for products but that will take a bit longer to do.

The website should load faster now, although it may move slow sometime as there is a link from another site that like to load slow, I think I will have to remove it but I will do it a bit later.

I have not touched my Forum yet but it will also be changed in the near future.

Check it out now, see what you think, but remember I am still working on it.

 

Ah, much better without the bright green. Still might need a bit of work, but you're getting there.
And, the site loads pretty fast for me.

Good luck.

 

Thanks bustour,

good to hear it is loading faster for at least one person. I am going to be working on it for the rest of the evening, I will be sorting out the bugs on things that have already been changed before I get to the other things I haven't touched on yet.

Please feel free to tell me anything you see that might be wrong, thats why I am doing this.

 

I may be the only one thinking it, but I personally do not like the top of your pages too much. I hate having to scroll down to see pictures.
I think the text font should be smaller.
Text is very good with the search engines but I think to the human eye it would be more pleasing and teasing to have some cool pics showing from the moment visitors come to your site.

Mike