My New Website - Critique Please

[lightningad]

Hello all,

finally got my finger out and created a little website to help promote my leather crafting. The site is not finished yet (i suppose they never are!) but i was wondering if anyone wants to take a look and tell me what they think.

I want to make it as usable as possible, and whilst i know i need to make some image pop-ups, i am really keen to gauge the feedback.

the url is....www.barkingrooster.co.uk

thanks in advance

adam

Edited June 20, 2013 by lightningad

[Ferg]

Adam,

Very nice front page. I noticed one little thing. "somethings" should read, "some things".

Nice photos.

ferg

[lightningad]

thanks Ferg, appreciate the positive comments.

We'll have to add "Eagle-eyed" to your signature!! well spotted -the typo will be changed on the next upload.

adam

[Northmount]

On your home page, the info on the banner is repeated below it.

Many websites place the menu bar below the banner. That's where I tend to look for it, so took a moment to find where I could check out your other pages.

Looking pretty good, interesting.

Tom

[dirtclod]

I would change the color of the fonts on the top bar, their hard to see and like Tom i had to look to find them. On the page with your products their needs to be link to bigger picture, with prices and measurements. On the joke page i would take the first one down. It didn't bother me but i'd bet good money it will offend some people and they may just leave. JMHO

[lightningad]

thanks chaps - you have mentioned the same things that were bugging me ( i didnt mention them as i wanted honest uncoloured opinions).

Annoyingly, the one thing that is virtually impossible in iWeb is changing the navigation bar. I will have to build a new one from scratch...i just tried holding off as its a lot of work. I did this on my wifes website (also made in iWeb !) and wanted to avoid the hassle ...but as you've mentioned it, then its not just me!

As for the jokes, i think they will stay for now. I heard a great quote recently that sums up my own opinion - "Just because your offended it doesn't mean you're right!". It might be arrogance on my part, but thats why its my own site and not a corporate one.

I am prepping more files and code so that the images will open larger views in pop up windows.

As with the other site i made, i have a feeling this will go through several incarnations before i'm happy with it.

Thanks very much for giving me your thoughts...now for some more work !!

[dirtclod]

I've seen people on here get their panties in a wad over less than that first joke. You asked what people though and I told ya. It's you site so do what ever you want.

[David8386]

Looks good except for what has already been mentioned. I like the jokes but like dirt clod said, somebody will be offended. I would base wether it stays or not based on your targeted market. If it is old guys and bikers like me it stays, if it is soccer moms and grandma I would ditch it. My 2 cents.

David

[mrdabeetle]

"methods" in the navigation menu is not capitalized like the other links. All of the text on that page is underlined. On the "Creations" page, some of the images overlap and the drop-shadow makes it look odd when they overlap. (I'm using Mozilla Firefox if that makes a difference) Other than that, the site looks great. I like the theme, it is rustic without looking dirty or cliche.

[lightningad]

Again, thanks everyone for your comments. I really appreciate having some unbiased eyes looking over the site.

Aside from larger image pop-ups and rebuilding the navigation menu, which will have to wait until i have more time...I have updated the site based on your comments.

I think its certainly an improvement - and if you have any farmyard related funnies you want adding, just let me know!