dmwhipp — Fri, 11 May 2001 16:57:54 +0000

Site looks good to me. Clean, professional, easy to navigate. It is just the tiniest bit bland - maybe another graphic? I hate pop-ups too, but until your client pays for a host, what can you do? Definitely need a link back to the home page though. I like the bridge graphic - appropriate and attractive. You could make that image a link back to the homepage.
Deborah

TheGizmoid — Sun, 29 Apr 2001 22:39:59 +0000

I agree with the other points that have been made... good color, center the page, etc. Looks good in NS 4.5 at 800x600, loads fast on a dial-up.

I would take the text "Financial Operations Consulting Services Interim and Part-Time CFO's and Controllers (SanFransisco, CA)" and make it into a graphic using a larger, more interesting font and top align it so there's not an awkward gap at the top of the page. Plus, if you're going to right align it, I would also right align the links below for consistency.

Or perhaps take the Bridgeway LLC out of the bridge graphic and make it into a mirrored logo in the top left of the blue box and keep the "Financial Ops" and links right aligned in the same box. (Actually, I think I like this idea better than my first suggestion!)

Perhaps shrink the graphic a bit so it's taking up less vertical space. I really think the blue box needs more in it to fill it up.

On services.html, maybe have a small graphic bullet point for each item?

You have no meta tags.

Don't forget to take advantage of "alt" tags for your images. This is a good way to reinforce keywords at the site.

I'd add something somewhere about Bridgeway LLC. When was it formed, how long in business, how do you match someone to a client's needs, who are some of your clients, what are typical fees? Convince me why I should do business with this firm. Add a privacy statement.

On the "contact" page I'd spell out full names as well as giving the email addresses. The "principals" page mentions Becky and Lisa, but on the "contacts" page I have no idea who cfo@ or katy@ are. Also, 655 Montgomery Street, Suite [ awkward line break ] 800 on next line. Stretch the table width to avoid this break. (edit because the carets didn't show.)

The plural of CFO is CFOs, not CFO's. I realize this is a very nit picky thing, but for someone who considers themself an old school grammar geek, it's the absolutely first thing I noticed.

Overall, it's a pretty nice looking site and very appropriate for the business it's promoting.

The Webmistress — Thu, 26 Apr 2001 08:50:40 +0000

I don't think that the grey is too bad but if you centered everything else it would look better as you wouldn't have such a big block of it just at one side. I think that's what is making it look a bit bland at the moment. Plus I definately think you need some photographs or graphics as that will make the site more alive!

Fringey — Thu, 26 Apr 2001 04:15:46 +0000

Thanks everyone for your replies Yeah, i know tripod is bad for a professional website, that's just where i'm keeping it until my client gives me the info about her domain. I'd change the information, but i didn't write it. I took it directly off the current site, and will mention to my employer that she should use different tactics or whatnot. I don't like having black backgrounds on websites that sell a product. it makes it very gloomy and untrustworthy i think, would darkening the color of grey help? Thanks all, much appreciated.

Brooke — Wed, 25 Apr 2001 14:45:23 +0000

Okay - many of these are repeated so I will just bullet point them:

1. Center the website on the page

2. Have something at the bottom that closes the page

3. Get rid of the pop ups

4. Good colors - but I might consider changing the gray to something that is more of a contrast - like black. The gray really washes out the page to me.

5. I would work with the top blue square - it feels really empty to me.

Good job!

Brooke

Megan — Wed, 25 Apr 2001 14:35:04 +0000

Looks good! I like the colour scheme you've chosen - nice, clear and calm.... blue without being too ordinary looking. YOu might want to try centering the design on the page, instead of just having it flush against the left side. Also, put something at the bottom of the page to close off the design - a copyright statement under a hr would work. There should be a way to get back from the home page once you've left it.

A good trick for testing your design in different screen resolutions is to type the following into your browser's location bar:

javascript:resizeTo(800,600)

Make sure the "T" in "To" is upper case otherwise it won't work.

I disagree with TFE about the splash page - this is a business site, so your visitors will want to get to the info a soon as possible. I do agree with him about getting off tripod though.

I agree

The Webmistress — Wed, 25 Apr 2001 14:32:55 +0000

The pop up window is ~~VERY~~ annoying, especially where it opens on every page!

The site seems a little lopsided. I would center the main box with equal grey around it, as it looks like something else should be opening down the side in the grey area.

As you have used bold text for the headings I would not use bold for emphasis as this will confuse the eye, either leave as is or change the headings in some way, making them graphical text.

It does need something extra to give it that umph, I don't know perhaps a corporate looking photograph on each page???

Nice site though

TFE — Wed, 25 Apr 2001 14:13:13 +0000

Colors are good..maybe some more graphics or headings would help a bit. You need more content, the site seems bare. Construct a splash page ( first page ) with some flash and nice graphics then you'd be alright. Also, revise your copy, make it shorter and talk BENEFITS! In copy always talk BENEFITS. Talk about the reader and how he will profit from your services. Not about features. It's a hard fact but viewers don't care about you. It's all about them. Then you can place a link at the bottom of the page saying 'Read On..' where you can link to the features.

Some people will hate me for saying this but try bolding some positively enforced words.. Such as 'We can tap your business into the internet's rich resources to drastically increase your profits.' Try it, don't try it. I don't want to start an arguement about subliminals.

Please, whatever you do make sure you get off that host. Pop-ups can totally kill a site.

Thanks.