BrandBlast — Fri, 18 Apr 2003 15:28:49 +0000

Webster,

You're doing the right by being open to constructive criticism, it's very important to your growth. Like most of our neighbors on this post said, you colors are good, if you have a problem with filling the page, think of content to put on the homepage before you go back to redesign, some good content would be featured bonzai articles, and links to bonzai information sites that don't directly sell bonzai, like maybe some sites that show you how to care for your tree amongst other things that your users will see as valuable information. Additionally, some of those sites you link to may be open to a request to exchange links, giving you some targeted advertising. By providing some content you can now fill your page, get some return links, and the search engines will rank your site higher because it provides educational resources.

Good Luck!

webster — Fri, 18 Apr 2003 12:03:11 +0000

OK I don't know what I was thinking pasting a giant poster on the first page, I guess I just wanted to fill a space, while thinking of something more worthwhile to put there. consider it gone!

Thanks for your help.

JeevesBond — Thu, 17 Apr 2003 20:45:46 +0000

I like the idea behind the design but the images really are a problem, both in terms of search engines and download times.

IMO there is no need to have that massive picture on the first page of the site! It would be better for the visitor to find a nice bit of text about the company etc. than have to wait 5 minutes for an image - which they didn't ask for - to download.

main image is a go

BrandBlast — Thu, 17 Apr 2003 17:01:40 +0000

COlor combo is great, think as though you've just landed on the site for the first time, how easy is it to find what you're looking for? without any text how will the search engines know what your site is about? you can find a great tutorial on this subject by going to 12 Quick Tips For Beginning Webmasters

Good Luck!

Renegade — Thu, 10 Apr 2003 06:16:06 +0000

Too many images, takes too long to load.

Don't think you need that BIG image in the middle.

Thu, 10 Apr 2003 03:23:28 +0000

I like the colors that you have chosen.
I agree that the main picture is a waste of a page. And definatly not good for rankings. I also think the buttoms are too big, takes too much away from the heading.

thanks

webster — Thu, 10 Apr 2003 01:17:56 +0000

Thanks heeps for the advice, I know its a little rough in places, I just wanted to do a quick prototype to see the reaction it got,I think the home page is all wrong too, if they like the design though I will re do the whole thing and tidy all the pictures up.

Coog03 — Wed, 09 Apr 2003 20:56:33 +0000

I agree with all the suggestions above. Fill those buttons with a different color than the background color, maybe a light green. Put an image in each one too.
The intro page looks nice but it would look better as the home page. Or keep it as is and have some actual greeting and a brief description of "why the hell am I looking at plants...whats bonsai"?

Other than that its nice.

andy206uk — Wed, 09 Apr 2003 16:17:02 +0000

Suits the subject well, although some of the graphics look a bit jagged. With the buttons, give them a solid fill slightly different to the background colour (maybe a light green or something) and they'll stand out, and won't look so jaggedy round the inside.

The Webmistress — Wed, 09 Apr 2003 13:38:43 +0000

I agree, the colour combo is good but I'm not overly keen on the buttons, although maybe if they all had a picture it would be better, and the main picture is really a waste of a page, especially if they want search engine rankings you need text on the first page.