Please Critique My Writing Website

by kea55

Posted: 14 years ago 19 replies

INTERNET MARKETING

Hi guys can you look at my site for me? I asked people to critique last night but I didn't get much response. Some people say the black background is hard to read, but I simply am in love with the look of it. what do you guys think, should I try to change the css style sheet to see if i can make the background white? I don't think that will look as appealing though. Any other comments you have would also be much appreciated.

Content Writing Services

#critique #website #writing

OleTom 14 years ago

You asked for this First off it's a nice layout BUT that black makes it hard to read some of the text.

I had to look twice to see the search box.

My opinion is make it lighter
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miker 14 years ago

I think your web site theme more suitable for web design niche. The heading is too big and catchy thus potentially confusing your visitor whether you do design or writing.
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- slowrider 14 years ago
  
  lol First impression - reminded me of the free websites many guinea pig breeders use. I should explain that I breed guinea pigs (for real) and show them. Many of the breeders I know use that exact same template for their free sites to promote their caviaries. Sorry. I had to snicker. No offense. Just was the first thing that came to my mind.
  
  And yes, the black is way to hard on us old people's eyes.
  
  Thanks
  
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Super Affiliate 14 years ago

I agree with many of the warriors above. It's just too dark. And it's not very personal. I would very much like to see your pic if possible and your some kind of credentials if I'm going to order anything from you. Also the price is WAY too expensive compared to what other warriors offer here.

My 2 cents...

Joe
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gfsocial 14 years ago

What everyone else said....

maybe have a look at some of these instead.. Shoot for Professional and clean and open.. not dark and spooky.. but light and happy

20 free Wordpress Themes for Authors | Byzantine Roads- For Your Writing Journey
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- tpw 14 years ago
  
  We have a long list of raving clients from all parts of the world.
  
  This should link to a testimonials page.
  
  You need either testimonials or samples, and sometimes both to close the sale.
  
  I would put testimonials up front.
  
  On samples, maybe put those behind a email subscription so that the samples are not visible to Google and so that you can have a list of potential clients to speak to each month.
  
  p.s. I am in agreement with everyone else about getting rid of the white on black. Right or wrong, most people expect we writers to setup black on white, because that is the way newspapers and magazines set up.
  
  Thanks
  
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  Heuristic 14 years ago
  
  Also, not a fan of the white print on black background, but it comes down to personal choice, I guess.
  
  Your prices are very reasonable, in my opinion. It is the very least I'd expect to pay for a well written article. $12 an article and $10 in bulk is more than fair. I wouldn't lower your prices - in fact, I'd think about raising them as you get more experience and rep here.
  
  Oh, and personally, I would add more writing samples, in some of the popular niches if you can (weight loss, relationships, etc).
  
  Thanks
  
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Kim Standerline 14 years ago

I think the overall view is to get rid of the black on white Kea

Cheers
Kim
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Don Schenk 14 years ago

Kea, the italic font is also more difficult to read than a regular font.

David Ogilvy writing in "Ogilvy On Advertising" talks about italics being harder to read and also talks about reverse type (white on black) being hard to read.

He even suggests to newspaper/magazine advertisers writing an editorial Ad where the newspaper (or magazine) requires the word "advertisement" at the top of the Ad, to typeset that word in reverse italics so readers won't see it.

:-Don
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DogScout 14 years ago

In addition to guinea pigs, bands and game sites like the white text on black, but for 99% of business sites, it is just not accepted.
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Mangozoom 14 years ago

I like the basic look of your site but would do this

1) Include an opt in offer ... building a list is so important.
2) This could be part of the opt in but have an outstanding offer that apears in the fold.

Hope it works for you.

John
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- Oosha 14 years ago
  
  Black is just not the color - not for a writer. Using a white background makes the words more legible while giving your site a professional look.
  
  All your testimonials are from DP. This doesn't in anyway substantiate your claim of having "raving customers from all over the world." I suggest you ask your clients if they would be willing to give their website names, so you can use them instead.
  
  Your "About" page should contain information about you. Your visitors will want to know who you are.
  
  Your site lists a host of writing services. You might want to have separate pages for each type of writing you do and include samples.
  
  There's so much more you can do, but I suggest you start with changing the color.
  
  Best,
  
  Usha
  
  Thanks
  
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InternetSuccess001 14 years ago

Hi,

1. It is pretty dark. However -- if you want to stick with the dark background (for the 'coolness' factor) -- then make your testimonials white text. Grey text on black is difficult to read. You have a lot of 'dark colors' on dark, so you will need to lighten them up (i.e., the dark blue, dark grey, etc).

2. You should make the text/article boxes have a 'lighter' grey (just ever so slight) so it sticks out/stands out from the rest of the webpage. Right now there is just too much 'black'.

3. Obviously you need to finish your website. In the 'about us' section you still have a link to 'listmywebsite.com'.

4. Write original work. For the sample you provide, it looks like you simply "borrowed" the entire article from and old page here (no longer on this page, but was in a cached copy):
https://www.voxel.net/products-services/voxservers

People like original work, not copied from other sources. So you should provide your own writing sample.
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John Romaine 14 years ago

Perhaps Im mistaken, but is this just an attempt to get indexed quickly within Google on a particular keyword?
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socialbookmark 14 years ago

In my opinios you should change your websites design. It looks un professonal for visitors and they can't trust your services. Its just my idea.
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russells 14 years ago

Ok, from a buyer who actually orders articles nearly daily, here's what my initial reactions were:

1) Too dark, lighten the mood. I found it hard to read the text and got restless quite quickly.

2) I wanted to see a pic of you on the 'About' page with some info about you, your work and what you stand for.

3) I wanted to see some samples of LIVE articles on the web.

4) Your prices are reasonable but I wanted to see some more offers and incentives - remember it;s all about setting yourself apart from the others.

5) HINT - build a list by offering a bundle of PLR articles in exchange for email addresses. BOOM, you've got a list of article buyers that you can email at any time with special offers to fill your order book.

Just my 2 cents, but as it stands I wouldn't feel totally comfortable ordering form this site. I like to see sites clean, light and friendly. This just looks a little too 'teenage gamer'.

No offence meant, just constructive critique.

Hope that helps!

~Russ :-)
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- JohnMcCabe 14 years ago
  
  From the feedback you've gotten so far, I guess you just have to ask yourself -
  
  "Do I want a website I love the look of, or do I want a website that makes sales?"
  
  Even worse than the white on black text is the charcoal on black for your testimonials - I almost missed them completely.
  
  I agree you need more samples than one blogger article. Russ's idea of using a PLR sample pack as the premium for an opt-in is excellent.
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
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  jvjoe 14 years ago
  
  You have gotten the best critique you need here, I urge You take the advise here.
  
  Thanks
  
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skibbz 14 years ago

it looks good to me but i think you need a better headline name..something more catchy. i like the colours
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