Would love your opinions

theraven

theraven

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Name
Jenna
Edit My Images
Yes
Ok, so I have been putting together my website, and have done as much as I feel I can at the moment. Will be sorting the domain out soon and finalising it, but before I do, I would love your opinions!


This is my first website so be gentle!


http://goodwinjenna.wix.com/ravenphoto


Any tips?


Thanks in advance...


Jenna
 
Hi Jenna
My reaction is usually the same to such threads:

What's it for?
 
Phil V said:
Hi Jenna
My reaction is usually the same to such threads:

What's it for?
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Sorry, I should have explained myself!

I am starting to earn with my photography, portraits, pets and commissioned work mostly, so I want a place on the web that is more professional than Facebook etc, for people to see a few pieces of my work and have my contact details.
 
As per Phil whats it for?

If the answer to that question is to sell then you need to leave the .wix address behind, and the gmail account and buy a domain
 
As I say above, I will be purchasing the domain soon. The reason I have chosen wix is it transfers across perfectly and they have web support and stat tracking etc etc.
I thought long and hard about different sites, but Wix has exactly what I'm looking for.

The domain will follow, I just want to make sure the site is top notch before I do it.
 
The image display quality on Wix is pants. JPG artifacts all over the place. Images need to be a higher resolution but not so high the site takes ages to load.

You also need to check that wix sites load on tablets and mobiles ok too.

The image with the horse rider with the strange pink scarf makes a look like she's wearing prince charles ears. It's very distracting!

Some of the images are also soft and the dof a bit off eg side of one of the horse's heads is sharp but eye is soft. It doesn't quite work. Same with one of the models. The nearest eye is sharp, nose sharper then further eye is sharper. It is normally the other way round...focal point needs to be nearest eye or DOF needs to be a little deeper.

Others are bob on though so I'd exchange the weaker images with better ones as soon as you can :thumbs:
 
I'm not a professional (or even a good) photographer. But I am involved with an online business. And that website really is not great. I could give you a list of things which I would change. However I don't want to put you down. And the truth is, I'd probably just start from the beginning again. It's better than I could make a site, but I wouldn't make my own site if I was using it to pay the bills. Sorry.
 
Don't worry, you aren't going to offend me! I wouldn't ask for help other wise!

This isn't about the quality of the work, that will improve as I do.

I have been advised of using Wordpress to host, anyone had any experience of that?
 
Hi, I've had a quick look at your site and first of all I'd change from WIX.

There's a couple of other things that might be worth looking at, part of your copy on your about me page reads
:- "I am a quite well rounded photographer". (Not a good thing to say for an attractive lady) it can be taken two ways.

The other thing I noticed that on your portrait page there is no male content.
It might be a good idea to add some.

This is of coarse only my opinion, others probably think different. Hope this helps.
 
As already mentioned, Wix are pretty dire and the requirements you described can be provided by pretty much every other supplier out there so not a good reason to pick Wix.

The second image on your homepage is a wedding image yet you have no section for weddings.

Lots of pictures of horses on there which is understandable but there are too many for a balanced site, you need more examples of the other stuff you want to shoot.

The first landscape image on your homepage seems to load twice so you probably have it duplicated in your gallery.

Other projects seems to be a random set of images, some of which can be seen in other sections of the site.

Your social media icons on your contact page are pointing to wix pages rather than yours.

When using the contact form all I get is the following message. Error sending email, please try again later
 
Ok thanks guys, will get on that!

I haven't had the opportunity to upload all the photos I need yet, so that is a work in progress, as is my actual portfolio, so that will always be a work in progress!

Thank you for the tips on the error messages etc!

I'm going to have a look at hosting through Wordpress now.
 
Right quickly, as I have to go out and pick up a computer I brought on here.

1) Gmail email address, as others have said. Not great.
2) Both mobile and email address are tiny. Why should customers have to work hard to contact you?
3) Images arn't great quality. Not your fault, but you are selling photographic services. If your images look crap it reflects awfully on you!
4) Website is disjointed. The rolling images on the homepage just look like random pics you have taken. You need to be more specific. imo.
5) About me - sorry this is terrible. Not being a dick, but you don't come across as proffesional. Im not having a dig. Just trying to give honest feedback.
6) Portraits. So so sorry to say this. But I can't see one attractive person there... I know thats horrible but if I was a young girl I wouldnt want to look like any of them.
7) Landscapes look good. This is what you appear to have a tallent with. You arn't showing this off with your site.
8) "other projects" - if this is a site to make you money, then get rid of this. Customers do not want to be part of a project. They want a pro to offer a service. If you were massively established you might get away with this.
9) I don't get the "raven photography" bit. It's just my opinion but I'd think you were a bird photographer.

Sorry I can't spend longer ripping your site to bits. I know I come across as a prick saying all that, but it's honest. Your landscaped are good. Focus on what you do best.

ALSO - copy this guys site http://boycalledben.co.uk/ or at least have a look at it. It's clear, well laid out and is enjoyable to look at. It draws you in and makes you want to have a look around.
 
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Also have a look at 500px. With the awesome you can have a domain hosted in their portfolio system.

There's also smugmug as well.

I'd also think about branding. I'd drop the surname and become Jenna at Raven Photography. Raven has multiple meanings so is quite good but when mixed with a full name it seems more clumsy and less mysterious.
 
supersammy said:
ALSO - copy this guys site http://boycalledben.co.uk/ or at least have a look at it. It's clear, well laid out and is enjoyable to look at. It draws you in and makes you want to have a look around.
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I would not call that a particularly great example, not going to critique it because the owner hasn't shared it but it has quite a few issues.
 
Wedding-Photos said:
I would not call that a particularly great example, not going to critique it because the owner hasn't shared it but it has quite a few issues.
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It's a matter of opinion. But I really like it. I'm not saying its perfect but it's fresh. I only had a quick look and I think it's a bloody good template. That said its only what I think which counts for sod all.
 
theraven said:
Ok thanks guys, will get on that!

I haven't had the opportunity to upload all the photos I need yet, so that is a work in progress, as is my actual portfolio, so that will always be a work in progress!

Thank you for the tips on the error messages etc!

I'm going to have a look at hosting through Wordpress now.
Click to expand...

You don't want hosting through Wordpress, you want a wordpress site.

Slow down, read, plan and think. Like all IT projects, you can waste a lot of effort by measuring once (the old engineering adage holds true - measure once - cut twice, measure twice - cut once).

It's easy to get caught in the moment and rush headlong into a boatload of decisions you'll have to fix later.

If you're looking for work from your site your priorities are:
  • Get customers to find the site (good SEO)
  • Wow them with a great looking site (branding, photo's, narrative)
  • Get them to book (create calls to action)

The current site does none of the above, I hope that helps.
 
Phil V said:
You don't want hosting through Wordpress, you want a wordpress site.

Slow down, read, plan and think. Like all IT projects, you can waste a lot of effort by measuring once (the old engineering adage holds true - measure once - cut twice, measure twice - cut once).

It's easy to get caught in the moment and rush headlong into a boatload of decisions you'll have to fix later.

If you're looking for work from your site your priorities are:
  • Get customers to find the site (good SEO)
  • Wow them with a great looking site (branding, photo's, narrative)
  • Get them to book (create calls to action)

The current site does none of the above, I hope that helps.
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It really does thank you, this is why I have posted, I want it perfect before I part with any money.

I am in talks with a chap from Purple Port who owns a hosting site, I already have a Wordpress blog with lots of traffic, so he is advising me or what best to do.

I will probably use his site for hosting, the prices are average and there is lots of support on offer. They will even create the website and merge with the blog for a one off fee. But I think I will try myself first.

What would you suggest in regards to getting people to book?
 
As well as web stuff you need to look at marketing stuff.

Many photographers websites are simply 'this is what we do'

It's your most expensive marketing and it should be saying 'buy this awesome stuff now!'

It's not easy and mines far from perfect, but I have made a start.
 
As with everything in life.......

KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid)

You've got elements which work well and you've elements which don't, just don't be tempted toward overly glossy, overly complex or flash based websites, which might make people instantly think "wow!!", but ultimately see them leaving feeling annoyed with the complexity of the navigation. I get the feeling some of the above posters (no offence like) would happily direct you toward this approach.

I think the personal approach (about) is quite endearing, but will it be suitable for your targeted customer base?
If it were me I'd probably change the "selfie" for a silhouette of me at work against a sunset (but then unlike you, i'm an ugly SOB) :p

The solution is simple, take a look about the interweb, find people doing similar stuff, take the elements that work, drop those that don't.
 
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Hi,

I'd agree with most of the comments above but you've already accepted most of these such as get a domain name and professional e-mail address etc. I'd seriously think about moving to a wordpress based site when you move from wix.

I'd lose a few of the weak images, landscapes are strong, some of the equestrian and portraits are weak. I'd re-write the bio/about, you don't get a second chance to make a first impression as they say.

I'd also seriously consider the diy website route, the danger is that it looks diy. Your a good photographer but website design, hosting, maintenance, security, seo?? You wouldn't expect (normally!) people to hire a website designer to take photographs??

CHeers,

Kenny
 
Ok so, I've took a lot on board and moved over to Wordpress, I have also incorporated my blog into the site.

http://ravenphotographyuk.wordpress.com/

Not 100% on the theme but that is simple and this is the best I've found that I like so far, clean and simple.

Not as much functionality as I would like yet but that will come when I move over to Wordpress.org and am hosted and have the domain.

So, what do you think, better, worse? Anything I can improve upon?
 
.
EDIT: should read the full post before I comment. Your site will look much better once self hosted, the options are endless.

Don't know about other people but the images are taking ages to load for me. Most aren't loading at all. What size images did you upload?
 
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dankellys said:
.
EDIT: should read the full post before I comment. Your site will look much better once self hosted, the options are endless.

Don't know about other people but the images are taking ages to load for me. Most aren't loading at all. What size images did you upload?
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They are small to medium, it takes ages to load because it isn't hosted.

This is what I mean by over look a few things, these will be sorted when it is hosted on a decent server.
 
theraven said:
They are small to medium, it takes ages to load because it isn't hosted.

This is what I mean by over look a few things, these will be sorted when it is hosted on a decent server.
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Think your probably right, although my connection may have something to do with it too.

As for the overall look, I think your on the right track, i personally think clean and simple works best for photography websites, the aim being to showcase your work, not a load of fancy website features. However, at the minute is has more of a 'blog look' about it rather than looking like a website, but I think that is just the nature of a wordpress.com site, its targeted towards bloggers. This is something that will easily be sorted once it is self hosted, and has things like a logo etc on there.
 
dankellys said:
Think your probably right, although my connection may have something to do with it too.

As for the overall look, I think your on the right track, i personally think clean and simple works best for photography websites, the aim being to showcase your work, not a load of fancy website features. However, at the minute is has more of a 'blog look' about it rather than looking like a website, but I think that is just the nature of a wordpress.com site, its targeted towards bloggers. This is something that will easily be sorted once it is self hosted, and has things like a logo etc on there.
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Yes, it is too difficult to get my logo on there, it just displays it as a picture :cuckoo: so think this will have to wait until it is hosted. :bat:

Glad I'm on the right track anyways!
 
'... Although, my other passion is the...'

On your homepage the word 'Although' is superfluous (and there shouldn't be a comma after it).

It should read:

'My other passions are the heritage of my hometown, Stoke on Trent, and the landscapes around us.'

I've been known to be a proofreader in a former life.
 
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kendo1 said:
'... Although, my other passion is the...'

On your homepage the word 'Although' is superfluous (and there shouldn't be a comma after it).

It should read:

'My other passions are the heritage of my hometown, Stoke on Trent, and the landscapes around us.'

I've been known to be a proofreader in a former life.
Click to expand...

Great tip thank you! :thumbs:
 
Still not correct!

You have two passions! Plural, therefore '...passions are...' not 'passion is'.
 
Everything else looks okay, pictures load instantly for me.
 
I think the thing we come back to is what the site is for , if its supposed to be about promoting your commercial services then the intro on the home page is terrible

If i'm hiring you to do a commercial commission, then I don't care about your passion for the history of stoke , or photographing landscapes - I want to know what you shoot commercially and what you've done

so i'd drop all the waffle about as you'll discover perusing blah and just say "Raven photography specialises in x, y, and z "
 
Agree with the above. The home page copy could be a lot tighter - I would delete redundant phrases like 'As you will discover whilst perusing my site', 'I look forward to meeting you', and 'feel free to join me on Facebook/Twitter etc'
 
Joeturner11 said:
Have a look at Clickpic they are well known for hosting brill sites for photographers at cheap prices have a look at my website here (created with them) http://joeturnerphotography.co.uk/
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With the greatest of respect Joe, you have some nice images in your portfolio (no idea about the weddings I'm on an iPad :shake:), but Clickpic sites are consistently awful. They look feel and cost about 10 years ago.

Check out the first page of Google for 'Photographer your town' and compare the sites to Clickpic. If nothing else it'll teach you why you're not on the first page ;)(didn't check, I have no need to, I would bet this years salary on it).

As has been said to Jenna, work out what the site is supposed to be doing, then write it to do that. For instance, is the fact you're a Nikon Professional User of any relevance to anyone other than you?
 
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