Hey, everyone! I have finished "phase one" of building my website and want to know what you think. By "phase one" I mean that the links work (I think), the text is in the right spot (I think), and the images are displaying properly (I think)! Please let me know what you think and any suggestions you have for improvement. My goal with this site is to display my images in a simple and easy to navigate format. I know many of you have beautiful sites and any input would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks for taking the time to look
Anne
www.anneruskphotography.com
Hi Anne - Congratulations on getting your first site up. I really like the clean, simple look and your logo. I know pretty much nothing about web design, so my thoughts are based only on my initial impressions.
In terms of the navigation, you could add the "Grace in Nature" information to the "About" section - about you and then about your approach to photography. Since most people are going to want to see your work first and foremost, so you might want to have the galleries listed as the first item in the navigation bar. Finally, the text in front of the scrolling images on the homepage seems to be capturing the number of photos and dropping that information at the end of the text (for example: Oceanscapes 5 Photos Desertscapes 3 Photos). I think I would prefer the intro without that additional information. Okay, one more thing... Is there a way to make the slideshow images larger (when you go to the thumbnails and select "show as slideshow)?
Otherwise, this seems like a great start and I really look forward to seeing more of your work (the moodiness of Oceanside Sea Stacks is wonderful, btw!).
I viewed your new site in Firefox 4 (my new favorite browser) at 1680x1050 resolution. And it looks great!
The design is beautiful, simple and clean. Excellent!! I like the description "cards" on the home page, but they switch a little too fast for me. More time should be allowed to read each card and a slower transition would add to the elegance of the home page. Be sure to view your home page on screens with smaller resolution. Some of your content may fall below "the fold" at lower resolutions, requiring your user to scroll down. This website can help you test. At least you'll know how your site looks on different monitors. The gallery menus currently provide quick and simple navigation (very important). Be mindful of these navigation goals as you scale with more and more categories and images. There's a little glitch when you select "Landscapes". There's a pretty big gap between the description and the first thumb for the subcategories. But that's really the only problem I saw. Fantastic start!!
Thanks so much, Sarah! I am working with a template that isn't allowing me to get rid of having 3 things displayed at the bottom so that is the only reason I separated out the Grace in Nature portion. If I put anything down there with an image, the display is really goofy. I'm trying to figure out what else I can have down there!
Good idea about having the Galleries first. I have to work on that since the template automatically puts things in alphabetical order. I have been working on getting rid of that additional information on the slider screen for the galleries. It's a persistent little bugger! My thought is to add more text to push it out of the way (simply spacing down doesn't move it at all...).
I just realized I never tried out the slideshow! I have no idea why those pics are so much smaller than the actual images! I'll work on it!
Thanks so much for your help. It's a process, for sure!
Thanks for that test site, Scott! My monitor at work is small and horrible, but I hate waiting until I get to work to test it out, then try to remember the issues when I get home (or email myself multiple screen shots!).
I was wondering about the scrolling speed. I'll slow it down.
As for the gap, I forgot to move that back. I was working on trying to get the description to not show the data on the cards. That issue is making me a little crazy!
Thanks!
Hi Anne - For the page ordering, have you tried the "order" under the "page attributes" section (click on a page - section on the right)? I have always been able to get pages in the order I want using that part of Wordpress. Also, in the Wordpress dashboard for the template you are using (left hand sidebar menu - appearance > theme > theme options), you should be able to select pages to hide from the top navigation. If you hid the page from the navigation, it would allow you to leave it in the bottom section but it would not show up in the navigation bar.
I use a similar theme for my business site so I have figured out some of these little bugs. If you have any specific questions, just send me an email and I could see if I can help you out.
Phase One looks great so far. It has a very graceful ( ) Home page. The images you chose to highlight that page are perfect for it. Everything is very intuitive and clean.
A couple of minor issues:
In the text field that states, "My photography is...", there's a button at the end that states 'Read More'. When I click on it, there is no more to read...just the exact same statement as on the Home page.
As a one time proofreader, my default mode is to search for spelling and grammar issues first. I'm pleased to report only a few minor errors:
"Individually, they are unique worlds into themselves.". might read better using the word 'unto'.
On the 'About' page:
"There a blurry snapshots of every major event..." should read "There are...".
When I click on the 'Read More' button at your 'blog, "Start a website..." should read 'Starting'.
Honestly, those are such minor nits, but I just want your site to be perfect-o! You would be surprised at the number of more professionally created websites I see that are chockful of errors.
...and with the feedback from the others, you are well on your way to a premiere gallery site.
It was a great pleasure meeting you in Moab, Anne. Should you venture down this way again, please don't hesitate to contact me!
I agree with the other folks that this is a really superb design.
I second the feedback on rearranging the links at the top and I recommend putting the "Contact" link up there as well. It's OK to have it both places since the one on the bottom is definitely below the fold even at higher resolutions and on big screens.
There is a flash that occurs when the home graphic and main content box switch between "Landscape" and "Flowers" which should be resolved. I suggest, as Scott did, slowing down the transition but also smoothing it out with a more prominent fade-in effect (it looks like the fade-in is there, just needs to be a bit slower on the intro side, I think).
I'd also be tempted move the search box somewhere else since it's seems a bit cozy with and is more prominent than the navigation bar items. Not sure what a better place might be. Maybe high and right?
Lastly, and you probably thought of this already, swap out the "?page_id=85" stuff for more SEO friendly URLs like "/Desert-Landscapes" and/or "/flowers/daffodils". The former version will likely be more effective but please study up on it so you have an understanding of how to get your site to come up in search results.
Hi Anne, sorry for the slow response on this one, but it has been a busy week since I have been back. I think you got some great feedback above.
Overall I really love the simple look and feel. I went with a similar concept on my website. My only nit with the main layout, which you may not be able to do anything about, is the section at the bottom of the home page. I always try to keep my site navigation simple. Go to one location to find content and move around. This section at the bottom to me is just a bit distracting from the main content and navigation of the site. Again, you may be stuck with this in your template, but if you do have an option to just turn it off, then I would and see what it looks like to you.
I would also definitely recommend moving Contact up to the menus at the top. That is a very important link and you want it to always be available, no matter where you are in the pages. Again, a consistent navigation for the win! =)
Hope this helps a little. Great stuff and your well on your way to a great site.
Posted by Anne K. Rusk on May 16, 2011 at 10:18 PM
Thanks Jeff and Koveh! I will add the contacts back to the top! I don't yet know how to change to ending of the pages. Something to do in the next phase! I was considering getting rid of the bottom, but I'm not sure. I appreciate you both taking the time to check it out!
Discussion
9 repliesThanks for taking the time to look
Anne
www.anneruskphotography.com
In terms of the navigation, you could add the "Grace in Nature" information to the "About" section - about you and then about your approach to photography. Since most people are going to want to see your work first and foremost, so you might want to have the galleries listed as the first item in the navigation bar. Finally, the text in front of the scrolling images on the homepage seems to be capturing the number of photos and dropping that information at the end of the text (for example: Oceanscapes 5 Photos Desertscapes 3 Photos). I think I would prefer the intro without that additional information. Okay, one more thing... Is there a way to make the slideshow images larger (when you go to the thumbnails and select "show as slideshow)?
Otherwise, this seems like a great start and I really look forward to seeing more of your work (the moodiness of Oceanside Sea Stacks is wonderful, btw!).
The design is beautiful, simple and clean. Excellent!! I like the description "cards" on the home page, but they switch a little too fast for me. More time should be allowed to read each card and a slower transition would add to the elegance of the home page. Be sure to view your home page on screens with smaller resolution. Some of your content may fall below "the fold" at lower resolutions, requiring your user to scroll down. This website can help you test. At least you'll know how your site looks on different monitors. The gallery menus currently provide quick and simple navigation (very important). Be mindful of these navigation goals as you scale with more and more categories and images. There's a little glitch when you select "Landscapes". There's a pretty big gap between the description and the first thumb for the subcategories. But that's really the only problem I saw. Fantastic start!!
Good idea about having the Galleries first. I have to work on that since the template automatically puts things in alphabetical order. I have been working on getting rid of that additional information on the slider screen for the galleries. It's a persistent little bugger! My thought is to add more text to push it out of the way (simply spacing down doesn't move it at all...).
I just realized I never tried out the slideshow! I have no idea why those pics are so much smaller than the actual images! I'll work on it!
Thanks so much for your help. It's a process, for sure!
I was wondering about the scrolling speed. I'll slow it down.
As for the gap, I forgot to move that back. I was working on trying to get the description to not show the data on the cards. That issue is making me a little crazy!
Thanks!
I use a similar theme for my business site so I have figured out some of these little bugs. If you have any specific questions, just send me an email and I could see if I can help you out.
A couple of minor issues:
In the text field that states, "My photography is...", there's a button at the end that states 'Read More'. When I click on it, there is no more to read...just the exact same statement as on the Home page.
As a one time proofreader, my default mode is to search for spelling and grammar issues first. I'm pleased to report only a few minor errors:
"Individually, they are unique worlds into themselves.". might read better using the word 'unto'.
On the 'About' page:
"There a blurry snapshots of every major event..." should read "There are...".
When I click on the 'Read More' button at your 'blog, "Start a website..." should read 'Starting'.
Honestly, those are such minor nits, but I just want your site to be perfect-o! You would be surprised at the number of more professionally created websites I see that are chockful of errors.
...and with the feedback from the others, you are well on your way to a premiere gallery site.
It was a great pleasure meeting you in Moab, Anne. Should you venture down this way again, please don't hesitate to contact me!
I agree with the other folks that this is a really superb design.
I second the feedback on rearranging the links at the top and I recommend putting the "Contact" link up there as well. It's OK to have it both places since the one on the bottom is definitely below the fold even at higher resolutions and on big screens.
There is a flash that occurs when the home graphic and main content box switch between "Landscape" and "Flowers" which should be resolved. I suggest, as Scott did, slowing down the transition but also smoothing it out with a more prominent fade-in effect (it looks like the fade-in is there, just needs to be a bit slower on the intro side, I think).
I'd also be tempted move the search box somewhere else since it's seems a bit cozy with and is more prominent than the navigation bar items. Not sure what a better place might be. Maybe high and right?
Lastly, and you probably thought of this already, swap out the "?page_id=85" stuff for more SEO friendly URLs like "/Desert-Landscapes" and/or "/flowers/daffodils". The former version will likely be more effective but please study up on it so you have an understanding of how to get your site to come up in search results.
Fantastic start and good luck!
Overall I really love the simple look and feel. I went with a similar concept on my website. My only nit with the main layout, which you may not be able to do anything about, is the section at the bottom of the home page. I always try to keep my site navigation simple. Go to one location to find content and move around. This section at the bottom to me is just a bit distracting from the main content and navigation of the site. Again, you may be stuck with this in your template, but if you do have an option to just turn it off, then I would and see what it looks like to you.
I would also definitely recommend moving Contact up to the menus at the top. That is a very important link and you want it to always be available, no matter where you are in the pages. Again, a consistent navigation for the win! =)
Hope this helps a little. Great stuff and your well on your way to a great site.