Website critique

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PhoenixUK

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51
Name
Daniel
Edit My Images
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Not really been a massive poster on here so far but I'm currently in the middle of changing careers and I've got some spare time on my hands to do a bit more with the photography which has been quietly ticking over in the background for the last 18 months.

I've had fair sucess so far but I'm still not getting as much contact from my website as I'd like. I know I need to push the advertising more and I'm working on that at the moment but I wouldn't mind some more seasoned photographers having a browse over my site and seeing if there's anything I can do to improve it.

The address is - www.phoenixphotographyuk.com

Cheers

Dan
 
Had a look and it's a nice looking site, but - it doesn't say what you do! On the front page there's only a slow loading gallery, which is repeated anyway in the gallery section.

I'd suggest that you change the front page to say exactly what you do, how long you've been doing it for, what you specialise in, etc. basically just what is it you're trying to sell - because at the moment I've been through all the pages and I'm still not sure.

People are impatient and want all the information up front, so they can decide if they're interested. If they are, they'll go on to look at your gallery, prices, guestbook, etc - but the front page needs to 1. catch their attention and 2. tell them what they need to know.

All in my opinion of course, and I'm definitely not a seasoned photographer - but I know what I like ;)
 
Hi. Sorry, I gave up waiting for the front page gallery to load. Otherwise, its just a blank page. Why is there a link on your main navigation to an external football site? Surely that belongs elsewhere on the site.
 
Photodiva said:
Hi. Sorry, I gave up waiting for the front page gallery to load. Otherwise, its just a blank page. Why is there a link on your main navigation to an external football site? Surely that belongs elsewhere on the site.
Click to expand...

Part of my deal with the club, I've been meaning to do a "links" page but not got round to it.

I'll definitely look in to changing the front page, I've never had a problem with loading speed but if it's causing an issue for people it clearly needs sorting.
 
Nice site, a few things i noticed.

Logo and Header need to be larger..
Add "about" page, (Brief paragraph about what you do and who you are).
Remove footy link and add "links" page

Mark :thumbs:
 
Had a look , for me your (1) header needs to be bigger (2) loose the slideshow om the front page ,use an image that grabs you and makes you want to see more (3) as the others have said tell them what you do (4) it loaded ok for me if a tad slow hope this helps yours GWH
 
Righty, I've dropped the slideshow and replaced it with my favourite image until I can do a proper frontpage with a bit of detail on it.

The footy link has gone in to a links page with a few other links I've been wanting to add for a while (other services I've had dealings with).

I've added a basic about page. It needs fleshing out some more but I'll work on it over the weekend.

I don't think I can change the header size, it's part of the site template and it's restricted to a specific size which I think I'm already at the limit of.

Cheers for the help so far guys, any further suggestions?
 
There's a few inconsistencies that need ironing out I think.

- The text on the front page looks a little fuzzy to me, which I assume is because it's an image that's been resized.
- "..feel free to contact us on the link above". Would be better if that could be a link itself, rather than pointing to somewhere else on the page; although I realise what's stopping you doing that.
- Had a quick look through your wedding portfolio and tbh I think you're hiding your better images:

#1 is ok, but perhaps a bit abstract for a first image.
#2 looks a bit underexposed, it's hard to see any detail on the dress and it looks a little like it's just been left there
#3 they're not looking at the camera, suggests you were 2nd tog
#4 photo of the back of someone's head. Think it could have been a good shot if the focus was the other way round
#5 eyes closed
#6 not bad, but again no eye contact
etc

For me you should be looking to start with photos like #'s 11, 12 and 13 which are a lot better imo! :) You really need to draw people in, otherwise they won't stick around.

I'd be wary of giving so much space to Eastwood Town FC as well. I don't know what deal you have with them, but if people suspect that your heart isn't fully into weddings/portraits, or that you may be tied into some deal with them that stops you attending elsewhere then, again, they may go elsewhere. Not saying you should get rid of it, rather that you have a sports gallery instead and a link to their site on the links page.

At a quick glance the wedding packages page looks neat and well presented. The links page is ok, although I would try and include a Facebook and Twitter icon as they are instantly recognisable to most people. I'd perhaps split the page into links in the interest of your own business (Facebook, Twitter) in one part and links to associated businesses in another part.

Contact page seems functional and easy to use.

Guestbook. Not convinced by this one. Unless it's full to the brim with comments, personally I wouldn't use it. It gives an indication of just how busy you are.

I like the layout and you're definitely along the right lines, just needs a few tweaks. :)
Hope this helps - some of it is subjective, so you can ignore me if you like. :D
 
Hi Dan,
had a very quick look thru and a few points from me:
On your wedding package page - apostophes and " marks have changed to ? symbols. (on my screen anyway!)
Your contacts page is sketchy. You have what looks like a postal address, but it has no street, no, or postcode.
Theres also no phone number listed.
You say that the customer can view their photographs and order online, but I see no e-commerce or any other way/instructions on how to order. Is this something you're working on??
The photos in the galleries look a little noisy/fuzzy to me. If its a show gallery you must use your very best!!
Webby
 
webbEvents said:
On your wedding package page - apostophes and " marks have changed to ? symbols. (on my screen anyway!)
Your contacts page is sketchy. You have what looks like a postal address, but it has no street, no, or postcode.
Theres also no phone number listed.
You say that the customer can view their photographs and order online, but I see no e-commerce or any other way/instructions on how to order. Is this something you're working on??
The photos in the galleries look a little noisy/fuzzy to me. If its a show gallery you must use your very best!!
Webby
Click to expand...

Cheers for spotting the ?'s, it's doing it on mine too so I'll look in to that

Good point on the contact page. I'll add a phone number in but my exact postal address isn't listed as I don't see the need. I've got no studio or shop so it seems pointless just listing my home address.

The photos can be viewed once I give out a separate link and password, every customer gets their own section away from the main site.

I'll look in to the quality of photos as well. I have a feeling some have been uploaded at full res and others are compressed and if so I'll re-upload them all uncompressed.

IanFlaherty said:
- The text on the front page looks a little fuzzy to me, which I assume is because it's an image that's been resized.
- "..feel free to contact us on the link above". Would be better if that could be a link itself, rather than pointing to somewhere else on the page; although I realise what's stopping you doing that.
- Had a quick look through your wedding portfolio and tbh I think you're hiding your better images

I'd be wary of giving so much space to Eastwood Town FC as well. I don't know what deal you have with them, but if people suspect that your heart isn't fully into weddings/portraits, or that you may be tied into some deal with them that stops you attending elsewhere then, again, they may go elsewhere. Not saying you should get rid of it, rather that you have a sports gallery instead and a link to their site on the links page.

At a quick glance the wedding packages page looks neat and well presented. The links page is ok, although I would try and include a Facebook and Twitter icon as they are instantly recognisable to most people. I'd perhaps split the page into links in the interest of your own business (Facebook, Twitter) in one part and links to associated businesses in another part.

Guestbook. Not convinced by this one. Unless it's full to the brim with comments, personally I wouldn't use it. It gives an indication of just how busy you are.
Click to expand...

I've noticed to text on the front page too. I don't think I used a high enough dpi (did it around midnight last night so I wasn't paying enough attention!). I'll get changed later today.

I've moved the wedding gallery shots around a bit to get the better ones in first.

I'm Eastwood's team photographer so the gallery could do with staying as is, might try to change it to Sports instead of ETFC as suggested though.

Any idea how I can get the Facebook and Twitter logos as links?

Guestbook's gone until I can get more people to agree to sign it. Had loads say they will but it never seems to happen and I agree it looks bad only having one comment!


Cheers for all your help so far guys, I think it's looking a lot better than it was last week :D
 
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