New Website, What do you think?? Options

[avntgotaclue]

Hi all

I would like some feedback about my website. www.slysstudio.co.uk Its only been up and running for a month and I am new to all this.

I wanted to make the paintings for sale to go larger when I hover the mouse over the image as I think that would look better than it opening up in a new window. It takes too long and I think it looks tacky.

Also my forum isn't working even though my server has Frontpage extensions. I have emailed them so I am waiting for a response but in the mean time I would like some critique please.

Thanks

[Darin McGrew]

The fixed-width design forces horizontal scrolling in my default browser windows. The link to page2.html is too hidden. It looks like the "Gallery Gallery" image might be clickable, but only a small part of it is actually clickable.

Once I got to page7.html I was stuck; the page has only a mailto link and a Close button. Oh, wait, the Close button takes me to page2.html. That's a bit--counterintuitive.

The navigation buttons on the left jump around, depending on what page I'm on. Home, About, Gallery,... Home, Gallery, About,... About, Home, Guest Book,...

[avntgotaclue]

hi Darin

Thanks for your comments. I agree about page7.html the image takes too long to load and thats why I would like to make the images on Page2.html enlarge when I hover the mouse so I can omit those unessessary pages but I dont know how to do that yet.

I also agree about the navigation buttons. I didn't realise that they are not in sequence to each page.

I understand about the page2.html being hidden. maybe I need to redesign the Gallery gallery bit and make it more clear as to what to do with it.

what I dont understand is the fixed-width design forces horizontal scrolling in your default browser. How would I fix that?

[Peter1968]

Don't use absolute positioning to begin with. Fluid layouts, that adapt to *most* resolutions and window sizes will always be better.

I say *most* because you may end up having images that obviously will go beyond.

Here's 40 layouts to choose from, some of which are fluid.

Oh yeah, "Homepage" is not a very descriptive title for your site and having a web counter down the bottom is a little put of place and probably meaningless if you have access to your server stats.

[avntgotaclue]

I am now in the process of redesigning my website, thanks to your comments. I am struggling with the layout tables because when I view it in my browser the layout tables dont fit the page and when I expand the page they dont expand with it. How do I do that?

[Darin McGrew]

For starters, remove all the width attributes from your layout table.

See also the FAQ entry For what screen size should I write?

[avntgotaclue]

I have uploaded the newly designed website. I think it looks tons better. I have removed the width attributes.

When you click on the images in the gallery, another window appears but I cant see the image. Its saying that I am not online or the server is down.

See what you think

[avntgotaclue]

[quote name='avntgotaclue' date='Mar 12 2007, 07:22 PM' post='9699']
I have uploaded the newly designed website. I think it looks tons better. I have removed the width attributes.

When you click on the images in the gallery, another window appears but I cant see the image. Its saying that I am not online or the server is down.

See what you think

I have just downloaded the best thing for pop-up windows from www.jimcoaddins.com and its worked

[Darin McGrew]

FWIW, when I visit your gallery page, the thumbnails change the cursor like links because you've used

CODE

style="cursor: pointer"

However, they aren't links and nothing happens when I click on them because you use only JavaScript onclick event handlers and not real links.

The FAQ entry How do I create a link that opens a new window of a specific size? shows how to create links that use JavaScript, but which still work when JavaScript is disabled/unavailable.

[stjepan]

Instead of "Hompage" put the site name with short description.
Instead of "about" put the site name with short description + "About us".
Instead of "commissions" put the site name with short description + "commissions"...

You've got he point.

[avntgotaclue]

thanks for the pointers I have changed the titles etc. I'm having problems with my forum. when I post a test message I get this error

FrontPage run-time componant page

you have submitted a form or followed a link page that requires a server and the FrontPage server extensions to function properly

This form or other FrontPage component will work correctly if you publish this web to a server that has the FrontPage server extensions installed


Well my server does support the extensions so what am i doing wrong?

[stjepan]

Well my server does support the extensions so what am i doing wrong?

Try to look here http://www.buffalowebhosting.com/help/frontpage.html#webbots
Click on link that starts with "Some webbots..."

[avntgotaclue]

Thanks for your help. I had to disable the extensions on my server then enable them again. Everything works a treat now.

So thanks again

[stjepan]

We're gled to help

[freda]

I have visited your website, i think your website is lack of content. The speed of opening your website slows.

[avntgotaclue]

Freda


Considering the website has only been up and running for about a month, there is a lot more to be done. I work full time, paint and make jewelry as well as running the household, I don't think I have done too badly and I am still learning. I have seen worse websites from professionals.

As for lack of content I have plenty more to do, as they say 'Rome wasn't built in a day', its taking all my spare time and effort at the moment. There are alot more ideas floating around in my head. And I have alot of painting to do.

Regarding your comments on upload, it seems to work fine on my browser and other computers I have been on so I don't know about that. I know there's still a lot of tweaking to do so I respect your comments but in the meantime "lack of content" will have to be for now.