oysterdesign

Hi, We're just building a site for a funeral directors, its a tricky one and they wanted to look modern but also very traditional with a 'classic' style. They don't really have a logo so we've made a very loose one for them. Let us know what you think... any suggestions very welcome. (no site images as of yet, sorry... in know these will change the overall effect) http://www.oysterdesign.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Home.jpg Anna (BTW I can't take credit for this, one of our team designed it)

Very important for me, I'm very impatient!

If you need to leave the layers you could just apply any layer masks, merge a few layers together, that kind of thing? Personally, unless they are paying for layered files I would flatten them... or send a JPG.

Thanks, we'll take a look... does it integrate with Google analytics, supplement it, or replace it?

Hi everyone, We are looking to purchase/use some software that tracks your success (rankings) on targeted keywords in Google (predominately). Can anyone suggest the best piece of software to use please? Thanks, Anna

Good idea! Thanks...

good idea. might give that a try... thanks!

True. All fine if print run quantities detailed in the brief! Agreed, image licences very important and very expensive!

Hi, We've had a few question come up recently about image licensing. If you are only doing the artwork (using stock images), and the client is printing, who should pay for the extra licenses to print? What if they are printing millions?? Interested to hear your thoughts... A

well when i started getting into web design (don't ask how long ago!) I bought a load of location based 'web design' URLs and also some that are brand based.. not sure they're worth anything really! although nice though

I've had a good look around and asked in the office but no-one can think of anything I'm afraid... Why did you want to build in serif webplus? There are lots of other options out there that have this functionality available. Sorry I can't be of more help... Good luck in your search!

This one? http://www.thegardencentregroup.co.uk/ That's a nice site. Guess its the colour scheme that looks similar... I like their footer and how the background images seem to merge into the foreground ones... interesting...

Hi, We've had this same question at Oyster. We decided that we would only charge for our time, rather than a percentage of spend. This seemed more fair to all customers and is more transparent for budgeting purposes. Anna

£25,000?? On what grounds? Surely keywords are what you compete with online. As long as you avoid Trademarks and brand names, I don't see how it can be illegal? Willing to be proved wrong!! Anna

Hi everyone, I know there have been a lot of changes with regards to how Google ranks your site for keywords. I have some really good domain names that include keywords and I'm not sure what to do with them any more. Does anyone feel its worth pointing them to a site to improve listings anymore? Interested to hear your thoughts! Anna

hmmmm thanks for the head's up on nav bar, I'll take a look... Will also address coding errors.. Thanks!

hhmmmm depending on your experience i think that sometimes templates are ok...but you can't really take credit for them.. if you're asking if what you've done to the template is good, then: - I agree with kree8or, the Bradley Hand font needs to go... - The rose and rings is a bit confused unless you mention that you have a service for weddings - anything in red really stands out so consider what you use it for - maybe calls to action would be a good idea, like your phone number - I can't really make out what the image is behind the top banner - the text in the top banner is a little unstructured, perhaps use a frame to line things up better on the design. As for the checkout process, i think it's quite simple, but perhaps you should have the option not to go through this process? If that's possible... Hope this helps... Anna

Hi Everyone, This is our latest site: http://springfieldnursing.co.uk/ Let us know what you think! Thanks, Anna

Hi, A good start! One of my pet hates is font-type and size overload. Try to work on your styles to minimize the amount of fonts and font sizes that you use - it will make you site look much more professional. I don't like the italic ribbon font you use in the banner - I'd probably lose that if possible. Anna

Hi, This is a very brave site design and it really works - well done. I love the changing backgrounds and the fluid feels that the movement has. The only comment I would make is that you have also this lovely layout and interactivity, and them I click 'download CV' and I'm thrown into downloading instantly. Maybe you could have a page with your CV as text with an option to download from there? Might be me, but I think this would be nicer for the user... Hope this helps! Anna

Hi, Its a nice clean site, but I also feel it lacks some personality probably in the form of a brand. Does your client have a logo, maybe you could design them one? Also, it's not really a delicate, serif font type of industry, so maybe a bolder, more modern typeface would help? Unless your following an existing brand... When we talk to clients we also mention including 'calls to action' to encourage the visitor to become an enquiry. Maybe you should include some like; 'request a free quotation' or 'get in touch'. On you three blocks of text at the bottom, how do you envisage people clicking through to further content (if you intend them to)? Perhaps a button or something would be good which would also make help to give the site more strength visually. Finally, if you client has 25+ years experience, maybe include some testimonial from happy customers, it helps to gice your claims more substance. But don't make them up! Hope this helps... Anna

I think your site is great! Really nice and simple so that it doesn't draw from the work you feature. Love the navigation buttons and the display mode options. Good work!

Hi, Your images are not showing because the image path is <img src="/img/facebook_user.jpg" /> If you change this to <img src="http://www.serpsreviews.co.uk/img/facebook_user.jpg" /> the images will show BUT if the old/original site is down or removed your images will disappear too... Hope this helps! Anna

Hi, I can see where you're going with this... and I really like some of the textures. I'm not sure how finished your site is but there are a lot of different fonts and font sizes on there. Plus some of your text (especially in the larger grey block in times new roman) could do with some spacing between it and the border. As for latest news, why not have 'latest news' large or bolder as a header, with the content below smaller. Continue reading could maybe be a button or something, although I'd use something a little more valuable SEO wise in terms of wording if I were you. I hope this helps! Anna

Hello, We build most of our websites in Wordpress and I don't agree that people feel short-changed by it. The benefits of an open-source CMS to most people is a huge benefit. Our developers work hard to break the WP standard layout (big footer etc) and I think with enough effort it can be achieved. We're just building our new site in Wordpress, so hopefully this will demonstrate that it can be done I think Wordpress is the number 1 OS CMS out there... and they're not even paying me! P.S. I do admit that its frustrating when clients only manage to edit the blog when you built the whole site in the CMS...