I've just started a website for my business: Occasions Cards.

I've just mainly finished the general layout and design side of things, and added some content.

 

However I would like to get some feedback on the work so far.

 

Please note anything which you found awful or excellent about the site

 

WWW.OCCASIONS-BIGGINHILL.COM

 

p.s feedback is greatly valued!

 

Thank you.

Menu Fonts not to my taste, title fonts try not to use black stroke on dark shadow, increase header title font size.

 

suggest, using different colour background (blue derivate) on menu left side possibly with a gradient. will look much nicer.

Looks way to busy to me, I think the font you are using is very hard to read. On the plus side you did us css to create the site!

Looks way to busy to me, I think the font you are using is very hard to read. On the plus side you did us css to create the site!

 

Which font are you referring to? The Freestyle Menu font? Or the general font used for the content?

ok ive aligned the paragraphs and the images a bit more to make the layout a bit neater,

 

PureDezigner what exactly do you mean by busy?

 

Thanks for the feedback so far guys!

To be honest it is a really good website if it's one of your first! A lot better than when I started. A few tips though, try and use more clear typefaces when designing buttons, so that they're much easier to read by the majority of people (especially if you want to keep to the W3 Disability Discrimination guidelines).

 

The only other advice that I could really give to you is to make sure that your website is valid in all browsers, because each one renders the code differently. To make sure that it does, try and use XHTML & CSS validators and constantly compare the website in two different browsers such as Firefox and Internet Explorer (the main two big ones).

 

CSS Validator: http://jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator/

XHTML Validator: http://validator.w3.org/

 

If there are errors in your website, then the above two validators will inform you and tell you the best way to fix those errors. But like I said, your website is looking great so far, this is just some advice for the future mainly!!

 

Edit:

 

Also, I think what PureDezigner means is that the website seems to be very long on each different page, perhaps find a way to make it a bit more compact and easy to navigate, rather than scrolling down constantly.

Thanks for the feedback traxor I shall definately use those validators

 

I have done a quick test, go onto the homepage of the site and look at the BALLOONS button. I havnt changed the typeface, however turned it into a button, does that look at all better?

I agree with the comments so far, but would like to add also that the header text is maybe a bit too close to the nav bar - maybe move it nearer the middle of the banner?

Also, your rollover images took a while to load on initial rollover - maybe you should try using CSS rollovers instead?

 

Otherwise, good job!

There are some really nice things about this website, and some not-so-nice things.

 

The over-riding feeling I've got is a lack of unity and consistancy.

 

I absolutely LOVE the left-navigation buttons on the home page. The style, the colour and the font are all lovely, although perhaps making them ever-so-slightly bigger would make the text just that little bit easier to read.

 

I also really quite like the left side of the header, but what on earth is going on with the (is that a spitfire ????) on the right side? How is that related to the happy and jolly selling of balloons and gifts and cards? Have I missed something?

 

Things that I really don't like, are the "products" title thing you've done and the "call us banner".

 

I understand that the header white font with black stroke and shadow fits in with your logo, but if you are going to use this I think it needs to be much bigger.

 

The style of the main page menu really is fab, I'd make a big thing out of this - use this style, change the banners on the sub pages to be big versions of the button etc. Perhaps change the colour of each page to match the colour of the button?

 

I would at least change the blue background (it's a bit bright and slightly 90's) and perhaps introduce a differentiation between the navbar and main content - subtle gradients would be good.

 

Also, I strongly suggest that you get a much, much higher quality photo of your shop if it is going on the home page, it is really letting the side down at the moment.

 

Overall, this is a really great start, and there are some awesome concepts in there, you now need to develop them to introduce consistency and unity.

I also really quite like the left side of the header, but what on earth is going on with the (is that a spitfire ????) on the right side? How is that related to the happy and jolly selling of balloons and gifts and cards? Have I missed something?

 

HISTORY sis! Biggin Hill is a famous airfield and played a vital role in the Battle of Britain!

 

You've all got the design covered and, as usual, I'm going to say - it's a shop so don't forget to write to sell! You want to get local highstreet consumers through the door so give them a reason - enticing descriptions, warm & friendly tone, interesting style - something unexpected. I know what a card shop sells, if I'm local I probably know where you are - so why would I bother visiting your website? I didn't mean to sound harsh I just mean what is the POINT of this site? Again, I don't mean there's no point, I mean you need to make this website work for you or it's just "Oh everyone needs a website". Concentrate on what you want the website to achieve and how it will do that as much as playing with fonts!

Isn't it the airfield in the Da Vinci Code as well?

 

History schmistory I still think it's random next to all those pretty balloons

Thank you for all the feedback I shall have to get to work on it all

 

I am quite happy with the nav bar on the main page, I was thinking I dont like the colour of some of the buttons, e.g. the stationery and partyware ones, I think the colours should be a bit brighter, so I shall work on that and making the subpage banners consistent with the navbar as well.

 

Also to wizely the main point of the site really is obviously to make people aware of our presence. Also to promote the products that we sell and to advertise our new stock etc, such as the BLUE NOSE FRIENDS addition. To promote our seasonal stock etc. However I also wish to advertise our BALLOON/VENUE DECORATION service to people around the Kent, London and Surrey areas as we deliver and decorate venues for weddings and parties etc. I am also hoping in the future to have some base ground for building an online shopping section to the site. It is also there for people who wish to contact us etc.

Yes I like this website as well, and it's a good start.

 

I'm using Firefox on the iMac

 

I'd suggest making it slightly wider to give more space since its a bit too narrow - you've got 740px at the moment and can easily push another 100 on that. Generally I don't make any websites wider than 960px. Does anyone else agree with this?

 

The text on the header graphic should be bigger, and I agree that using black strokes on text doesn't work amazingly well - a subtle glow might work better.

 

Your images look like they can be compressed further, without losing quality- and you need to put ALT tags on your images for accessibilty and SEO reasons.

 

Your page titles should also reflect keywords and it doesn't look like the heading tags have been used properly (always have use H1 and H2 on your pages).

I like the design, I think it's pretty good.

Only thing I can say is I think you should have your opening times somewhere on the site.

To pendulum, yes I will be adding that information soon!

 

I am not really that happy with the menu at all, I think its too bold, im not sure why but it doesnt blend with the rest of the template I dont think, it stands out a bit odd.

 

I want to create a menu which is not just plain text or boring button images, one with the images of each product as I have done, however for some reason I cannot think of one which will look good and suit the template???

 

Could someone help me out there with some ideas??? Would be much appreciated, im having a bit of a designers block atm

I've said this already but,

 

you've got too many different elements or styles.

 

The Products bit which you've changed still doesn't fit, the horizontal nav, the footer, the "call us" box, the background gradient and the too bright colour you've used for the main background.

 

I still think those buttons are the best bit so far, and I would be looking to make the design more like those, rather than trying to make those buttons fit into the mish-mash that is the rest of the page. Sorry if that's harsh.

 

The header and left nav buttons are working well, I think you're focusing your efforts on the wrong bits of the page.

I've said this already but,

 

you've got too many different elements or styles.

 

The Products bit which you've changed still doesn't fit, the horizontal nav, the footer, the "call us" box, the background gradient and the too bright colour you've used for the main background.

 

I still think those buttons are the best bit so far, and I would be looking to make the design more like those, rather than trying to make those buttons fit into the mish-mash that is the rest of the page. Sorry if that's harsh.

 

The header and left nav buttons are working well, I think you're focusing your efforts on the wrong bits of the page.

 

Thank you for the feedback, do you know what I agree with you, the main reason I didnt want to change the backgorund colour is because I had created the original sidenav icons to fit in with that colour. However I may change it now. I do want to keep the overall colour scheme shades of blue though.

 

What would you say is wrong with the horizontal menu? also what would you suggest for the gradient background??

 

The products title and the call us box were just quick little things I done to pad out the space, I want to keep some form of call us banner on the main page, so that people dont have to go to the Contact Us page for the phone number, also what would you suggest for the products menu title?? Im having a bit of a blank and actually cannot think of anything

 

If anyone could do some mock ups or examples of what they think would look better, PLEEEAAASSSEE do so! I would really appreciate it, in the final stages I will be adding a credits page somewhere on the site and will credit anyone who has contributed or helped me out!! Thanks!

There is nothing *Wrong* with the horizontal menu, it just doesn't fit the rest of the site.

 

The Glossy style is nice, but you have glossy gradients and what I'd call flat gradients, and then you have a flat coloured footer... it's not that anything is wrong, just that everything is different!

 

There's nothing wrong with sticking to a blue colour scheme either, some of the choices of blues are nice (i do actually really quite like the horizontal nav colour) it's just that for the main page colour it's a bit bright...

 

Don't forget too that you have the red and yellow balloon colours which could be used as accent colours. Perhaps have a play around with colourlovers for some inspiration?

 

I'll have a think about it a bit more later on.

There is nothing *Wrong* with the horizontal menu, it just doesn't fit the rest of the site.

 

The Glossy style is nice, but you have glossy gradients and what I'd call flat gradients, and then you have a flat coloured footer... it's not that anything is wrong, just that everything is different!

 

There's nothing wrong with sticking to a blue colour scheme either, some of the choices of blues are nice (i do actually really quite like the horizontal nav colour) it's just that for the main page colour it's a bit bright...

 

Don't forget too that you have the red and yellow balloon colours which could be used as accent colours. Perhaps have a play around with colourlovers for some inspiration?

 

I'll have a think about it a bit more later on.

 

ok thanks

well ive changed the footer to have the same glossy gradient effect as the horizontal nav bar. I think it looks better tbh, I dont know what others think?

 

Im really stuck on the whole menu thing though, I like the idea of the menu completely however I just think it looks a bit bold but jsut cant think of how to change it to make it bold enough to stand out but not too bold that it looks odd!

 

I am usually pretty good at keeping all design elements within a site quite consistent and following the same style, however I am having quite a block atm and producing some odd stuff

 

If anyone has any ideas or can mock up anything for me? That would be really helpful!!

Hey Sparks,

 

I had a play this morning, and this is what I came up with:

 

 

I did the products page because that's an easier place to start. Obviously you'd need to make a nice big version of the balloons button you did for a banner...but it illustrates what I had in mind.

 

Here's the colours I used: http://www.colourlovers.com/palette/530715/Silent_Tear

My idea was to use a couple of blues, and then use the red & yellow to highlight. I didn't end up using the light blue.

 

For the "Products" title on the menu, I'm not sure if it's absolutely necessary (I just left it out)

 

Otherwise I'd do something along these lines, but use the same font style and give it some sort of background that makes it go with the rest? Btw..the "Toys" one isn't right in your menu.

 

 

On your home page, for the "The largest selection..." text, I'd use the same font as you have in the menu, and perhaps use the darker blue.

 

What font is that btw?

 

Anyway, hope this helps.

Hey Sparks,

 

I had a play this morning, and this is what I came up with:

 

 

I did the products page because that's an easier place to start. Obviously you'd need to make a nice big version of the balloons button you did for a banner...but it illustrates what I had in mind.

 

Here's the colours I used: http://www.colourlovers.com/palette/530715/Silent_Tear

My idea was to use a couple of blues, and then use the red & yellow to highlight. I didn't end up using the light blue.

 

For the "Products" title on the menu, I'm not sure if it's absolutely necessary (I just left it out)

 

Otherwise I'd do something along these lines, but use the same font style and give it some sort of background that makes it go with the rest? Btw..the "Toys" one isn't right in your menu.

 

 

On your home page, for the "The largest selection..." text, I'd use the same font as you have in the menu, and perhaps use the darker blue.

 

What font is that btw?

 

Anyway, hope this helps.

 

Tbh i like most of the ideas there, thanks

 

However I cant say i agree too much on the white background, im not sure why but I think it just doesnt look too nice, maybe a really faded whitey-blue but not just plain white, it makes some of things quite difficult to see and is a little strenuous on the eyes... would you not agree?

I'm glad you like my ideas

 

I really like white backgrounds

 

But if you're going to go for a light blue try one very similar as the light blue background here on the posts etc or the one from the palette. Keep it really light

I think you've done a great job. I'm a bit scared by the war plane though - and why is the picture of the shop a night time shot? It makes me think it's an all night corner shop.

 

Ann

Nice neat website although I think that the text in the header is to small and the products label above the navigation bar changes when I click onto 'about us'.