Thoughts on my site, please

Discussion in 'Websites' started by qscomputing, Nov 30, 2004.

  1. anton-io!

    anton-io! Active Member

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    #21
    QS Computers ... Nav bar definetly needs work. Try to keep the fonts consistent in size. Blue and red can be a bit tricky to work with.

    If you do plan on diving in to Photoshop, might want to try

    http://www.good-tutorials.com

    (great place for nav bars, layout and other Photoshop tricks, plus alot of them show good step by step instructions(

    http://www.thewebmachine.com

    (simple tutorials for Photoshop)

    Hope this helps!
     
    anton-io!, Dec 11, 2004 IP
  2. kc3

    kc3 Peon

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    #22
    For URL redirection you should use a service like www.v27.net. There are other url redirection services listed at www.freeurls.v27.net though I suggest registering a domain name on GoDaddy.com and using URL forwarding, it's only $9.00 a year and makes a website look a LOT more professional. I suggest learning some on web design. When I first started my website sucked and it was kind of disapointing when people talked bad about it, lol, but I used it as motivation to learn more. I suggest making the left menu's text a lot smaller, use white text on a blue background maybe. I think all the text sizes need to be smaller though. That's a couple of changes to consider.
     
    kc3, Dec 20, 2004 IP
  3. Design1

    Design1 Active Member

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    #23
    Perhaps you would be interested in a web template.. We have some free ones at Templates Resource .. also a large variety of not free ones as well. We currently have a deal where you can get a free web template if you post a message in our forum, you can check that out on our specials page.

    Other than your design, I think you definitely have the right idea of creating a nice website! Your layout is good, people can easily find what they are looking for without getting lost. You also have your site validated for html and css, which is a great start!

    I would also recommend purchasing a domain name instead of using one provided by a web host.. It makes your link easier to remember and look more professional.

    Best of luck!
     
    Design1, Dec 20, 2004 IP
  4. kc3

    kc3 Peon

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    #24
    You could also try a portal system like phpNuke or Mambo.
     
    kc3, Dec 20, 2004 IP
  5. qscomputing

    qscomputing Peon

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    #25
    I've created a new navigation bar (see the URI below), and now I'm looking for feedback on it and also some help creating a new logo.

    @kc3: My host lets me have a free .co.uk domain as part of the package. Is this worth using or should I pay for a .com - bear in mind that my business is based in the UK. Even if I use this, however, I will need to have the redirect to http://cgi.qscomputing.plus.com in place, so that I can use PHP!

    @Design1: I don't really want to use a template: I want to feel that my finished site is my work (with a little help if required!), and a template won't provide me with that. But it's nice to get some positive feedback about my site!

    Anyway, the URI for my new navbar is http://cgi.qscomputing.plus.com/newdesign
     
    qscomputing, Jan 2, 2005 IP
  6. Servetraffic

    Servetraffic Peon

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    #26
    Hey, looks pretty good to me, somewhat shorter now that it is tightened up but you could always throw a banner at the bottom to fill in space. :)
     
    Servetraffic, Jan 2, 2005 IP
  7. qscomputing

    qscomputing Peon

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    #27
    Thanks Servetraffic!

    I have decided to go for a primarily blue colour scheme on my site. I have picked out three blues (#000099, #0000FF, #6699FF) that I'm going to use, and I'm now looking into creating a professional looking logo for my business and site that uses those three colours. I'm looking for something that's simple and professional. Can anybody help? I've got Paint Shop Pro 5 and The GIMP 2, but not Photoshop.

    Thanks in anticipation for any help,
    - QS Computing.
     
    qscomputing, Jan 3, 2005 IP
  8. MELLA

    MELLA Peon

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    #28
    Im No Expert - But I Think It Looks Good! It's Simple And Easy To Navigate, Even An Idiot Could Do It. So Your Broadening Your Target Market.


    Better Than Some People Could Do. Keep Up The Good Work
     
    MELLA, Jan 3, 2005 IP
  9. kc3

    kc3 Peon

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    #29
    If you're based in the UK I guess a .co.uk is good, though I still like a .com better because I think it looks more professional and more "national". Though either one would realy work good. Though either one is better than a sub-domain name. You can get good domain name forwarding from many services, I suggest www.godaddy.com, if you're web host allows you to use the free domain name, than use it. Though if it doesn't work, I'd just go register a forward or change hosts.

    lol, if you change hosts check out FindMyWebHost.org

    Edit: Oh, and I like the new design for the nav menu.
     
    kc3, Jan 3, 2005 IP
  10. qscomputing

    qscomputing Peon

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    #30
    I have uploaded a totally new design for my site - please comment.
     
    qscomputing, Mar 13, 2005 IP
  11. J.D.

    J.D. Peon

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    #31
    You seem to require JS to enter the website (with JS disabled I'm getting a warning screen). Simple websites like this one should work equally well with or without JS.

    J.D.
     
    J.D., Mar 13, 2005 IP
  12. J.D.

    J.D. Peon

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    #32
    On the design side of things,

    * make sure the content is at least of a certain height - collapsing the content area never looks nice

    * top left area looks too big and scrunched up at the same time (e.g. Home should not enter the H1 area); Try playing with the logo size, menu font size and with how steep your white/blue curve is

    * I would shift the Linux box down and reduced it in size - that is, if you need it

    * Don't use links like "click here to open..." (a few useful tips on this: http://www.w3.org/QA/Tips/noClickHere).

    * use & in HTML links, not just & (e.g. file.ext?n=v&n=v)

    J.D.
     
    J.D., Mar 13, 2005 IP
  13. qscomputing

    qscomputing Peon

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    #33
    Do I take it you're not a big fan of Free Software? I'm a Linux user and proud of it. OK, maybe it's not placed in the best way - I'll take a look at it.

    I'm aware of what the W3C says on "click here" links - I thought I'd removed them. Could you link to examples of this and the other problems, because I'm not sure where you mean (except the &/& problem: I'm aware of that).

    JS is the only way I can see that I can implement the redirect into my site. It's unfortunate that I have to have a redirect at all, but as previouisly mentioned I have to have it. All I can serve from the server at www.qs... is basic HTML: no PHP etc.
     
    qscomputing, Mar 13, 2005 IP
  14. kc3

    kc3 Peon

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    #34
    I was going to suggest this, I think it's the main problem with the design. Though it is better than the original.
     
    kc3, Mar 13, 2005 IP
  15. J.D.

    J.D. Peon

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    #35
    I am, but it doesn't mean that I would stick this oversized box where people expect to find a navigation menu (it looks like it bubbled up and pushed your menu through the roof, taking its place). This box will serve its purpose equally well at the bottom of the page.

    hireus.php

    J.D.
     
    J.D., Mar 13, 2005 IP
  16. qscomputing

    qscomputing Peon

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    #36
    Fair enough - I'll have a look at the design and see if I can improve it. But is the basic idea good - is it just a case of needing a few tweaks?
     
    qscomputing, Mar 14, 2005 IP