9 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
9 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

honest thoughts please...

by brit16
7 replies
  • WEB DESIGN
    • |
I am in the process of designing my first website (for someone else). I am not a web designer at all...I only started my own blog about a year ago, and have no other experience.

My hair dresser recently opened her own shop and I was able to offer her a really reasonable price to design her a website. I feel a little in over my head and would like some feedback. Thanks in advance!!

A few questions:
1. What background should be used with this header? The colors to me are a bit of an odd combination and I am having a hard time knowing what looks ok. (the header is her logo....can't be changed.)

2. Is there any key things I am leaving out of the website? It is obviously not finished, but you can tell where I am going with each page.

3. Any other general advice / observation are appreciated.

www.salonchicandboutique.com is the site I am referring to.
#honest #thoughts
  • Profile picture of the author webpeon
    Im no designer but for what its worth...

    try a different background color for the menu, something around the #ECAF1E area and maybe a more textured body background in the same colour would fit better..

    I would personally put information like, location (maybe even incorporate a google map for the location), hours, contact details, testimonials in a separate column down the righthand side so this this way the important stuff is on every page

    good luck, well done for your first time
    Signature
    Web 2 Mobile
    The Future of The Web
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6333784].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author benjigbird
      Originally Posted by webpeon View Post

      Im no designer but for what its worth...

      try a different background color for the menu, something around the #ECAF1E area and maybe a more textured body background in the same colour would fit better..

      I would personally put information like, location (maybe even incorporate a google map for the location), hours, contact details, testimonials in a separate column down the righthand side so this this way the important stuff is on every page

      good luck, well done for your first time
      I agree the menu background color needs refreshing. Im not sure about the main background for the page, normally i am not much of a fan of red but it matches your logo/header so it doesnt look that out of place on your site.
      Signature

      CLICK HERE --> WSO: GUARANTEED GOOGLE 1ST PAGE RANKINGS!!! <-- CLICK HERE

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6334909].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Ed Brown
    actually, i ran a diagnosis on the site and it looks better than a lot of the pro's in here asking for reviews. So don't take this criticism too hard, it's not meant to be degrading, but with these tips you can fix some of the stuff and have it just right:

    1) the site title is too long. Try to keep it around 70 characters. Currently, it's 175.
    2) your meta description, on the other hand, is too short, only 55 characters but could be up to 160 characters, optimally
    3) you only have 2 keywords, and they are awfully long. Try to add more keywords and shorten each phrase down a bit, maybe 3-4 words per keyword phrase max
    4) install an sitemap.xml file (simple plug in download)

    5) this isn't part of the diagnosis but I didn't see a contact page. You should stick one in there someplace. If you're using a non premium theme simply download 'contact form 7' plugin and use the shortcode on a new page. Whala, instant contact page.

    That's it. Believe it or not, 90% of the sites I diagnose are in way worse shape than yours, and many of those are put together by "hot shot" web design firms.

    From a pure design perspective I really love the colors and especially the header ... it looks very spicy and festive. And those ladies are pretty too, so .. score!

    great job man.
    Signature
    Affordable Small Business Web Design & SEO by
    - City Publishing Groupâ„¢     -
    We Create. Quality.
    (I don't revisit topics I comment on. I offer my opinion and move on.
    If you'd like to discuss something further simply PM or email me.)
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6333792].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author brit16
      Originally Posted by Ed Brown View Post

      1) the site title is too long. Try to keep it around 70 characters. Currently, it's 175.
      2) your meta description, on the other hand, is too short, only 55 characters but could be up to 160 characters, optimally
      3) you only have 2 keywords, and they are awfully long. Try to add more keywords and shorten each phrase down a bit, maybe 3-4 words per keyword phrase max
      4) install an sitemap.xml file (simple plug in download)

      5) this isn't part of the diagnosis but I didn't see a contact page. You should stick one in there someplace. If you're using a non premium theme simply download 'contact form 7' plugin and use the shortcode on a new page. Whala, instant contact page.

      That's it. Believe it or not, 90% of the sites I diagnose are in way worse shape than yours, and many of those are put together by "hot shot" web design firms.

      From a pure design perspective I really love the colors and especially the header ... it looks very spicy and festive. And those ladies are pretty too, so .. score!

      great job man.
      Thanks so much for the kind words and the suggestions. I really thought everyone would come back extremely critical! As for the title...the title is the name of her salon, so I don't think it can really be changed. I agree that the meta description should be longer, and that I need to focus some on keywords. I really have not even gotten to anything like that yet...was really just trying to get it to look right and then go from there.

      Thanks for mentioning the contact page...you are right that I need to add that in.
      Signature

      New to IM, any honest advice appreciated!

      My blog (first IM project!).....IVF Success Stories

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6338223].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author brit16
        Oh, I will also look into the recommendation for the menu background color, thanks!

        I do plan on adding pics of hairstyles they have done, but those I have to get from the salon owner. Getting what I need from her has proven to be relatively difficult! .

        Thanks again everyone! Any other suggestions???
        Signature

        New to IM, any honest advice appreciated!

        My blog (first IM project!).....IVF Success Stories

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6338228].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Ed Brown
    i hate to double post, but i wanted to include that you should also keyword anchor your own link back to YOUR homepage in the footer, ie, web design by your company.. Go into the editor, footer.php and set up your outbound link. I give customers the option on allowing me to leave my link, or paying an extra $50 for me to remove it. But that link is a backlink goldmine ... the more sites you build the more backlinks you build. The more you promote their site, the more valuable those backlinks become. Win win. They don't want your link? Fifty bucks ... lol
    Signature
    Affordable Small Business Web Design & SEO by
    - City Publishing Groupâ„¢     -
    We Create. Quality.
    (I don't revisit topics I comment on. I offer my opinion and move on.
    If you'd like to discuss something further simply PM or email me.)
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6333820].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author samuraisam
    Hey just some advice if you were in the customers shoes.

    1. Attention- call out the customers and tell them why they should go there to have their hair done. This is part of copywriting and connecting with the customer. Remember for every feature you list also list how the customer will benefit.

    2. Have some photos or a portfolio of hair designs that they have done. This builds credibility. Especially since hairdressing is such a visual element I feel its lacking. Remember customers don't care how flashy the website is they care about how well their hair is going to get cut.

    3. The phone number is too ambiguous, you need a stronger call to action. The phone number should be very easily noticed include words like "call us now"

    4. Try including testimonial on the home page, back to the proof and credibility bit.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6335358].message }}

Trending Topics