Virtual Assistant Forums | Work from Home

obvusa · #1 (**permalink**) 02-18-2009

Please check out my website. I used to use templates, but was never happy with how limited I was. I'm looking for the good, the bad and the ugly. My list of services will be expanded here shortly. I just haven't had the time to update it yet. Also, how do you feel about the ads?

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Tess · #2 (**permalink**) 02-18-2009

I couldn't get your site the first few times I tired but finally was able.

I do like the color-y OBV logo in the top right quite a lot but I think it would be better suited as the main logo for the whole site - on a plain white header with your links more visibly interjected there, perhaps bigger, bolder and with more color. You also have a great company name and numerous side-projects/companies from what I can see -I would love to see them blended together a little more smoothly - highlighted more so they stand out.

You asked about the ads so I'm going to be bluntly honest and say that unless you are advertising your own services it just detracts from the professionalism of your site so much. The ads that are for your own services, it's not clear that they're yours because they're mixed in with ads for eBags and hosting companies.

I would spend some time cleaning up the formatting and fonts on your pages - it's so hard to tell where I'm supposed to look first and where to go next. You need to give your visitors a clear path to follow from Intro to Services to Contact - tell them what they want to know right away, get them hooked and interested in more info and get them to the contact page before they lose interest and click off.

Less is more when it comes to a business site so really look at all the little moving parts and extras you have scattered around and decide if they add value to your potential client's visit. If the answer is no - get rid of it!

There is so much going on the main content of your pages seems almost lost - bigger font might help but that's not really the core of the issue which is page clutter.

I hope that helps - I'd love to see what you do with it, so keep us posted.

Marina · #3 (**permalink**) 02-18-2009

Hi Derek,
I have to agree with Tess it is very busy with things that don't really havy anything to do with your Business.

leedrozak · #4 (**permalink**) 02-18-2009

Derek,

I agree with Tess and Marina. I was very much distracted by all the ads and wondered what exactly th service being offered.

PamH53 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-18-2009

I also agree. The ads take away the professionalism of the website.

I love the logo! Showcase that more, as Tess suggested.

obvusa · #6 (**permalink**) 02-19-2009

Thank you Tess, Marina, Lee and Pam!

I was kind of expecting these sort of replies about the adds and I appreciate your honesty about it. I always look for unbiased feedback, as my close friends never want to say something "bad" about the site. They say "it looks great", as if they would hurt my feelings when in fact they would not. Frankly, I agree that they do take away from the professionalism and appearance of the website and I don't know what I was thinking

. I guess I should have listened to my wife :nono:

I've already started to make, what are to me big changes of the design and although not really starting from scratch, it does feel like that sometimes...

Thanks again and I'll let you know when the new layout is up and running for another critique.

BTW, I was happily surprised that you liked the logo so much.

frsvirtual · #7 (**permalink**) 02-19-2009

Hi there,

Great start - I do agree about the ads. Perhaps a resource page is in order where you can share them there instead? The main page took a while to load & I do have high speed internet. I too really like the logo - very cool.

I look forward to reviewing the updated site - JMO, but I don't think you need a complete redesign - honestly, if you get the ads under control, that will make a huge difference. I also agree to make sure the font size is consistent & easy to read throughout, but I think the content & layout is fine. Perhaps if you can emphasize the menu bar @ the top, that might work better too - bold maybe, or a different color? Just if you want to draw people's attention up there quicker...

obvusa · #8 (**permalink**) 02-22-2009

Hi All!

I've taken all of your suggestions and I've redesigned the site. No more adds!

There are still some outside links, but not so obvious. Hopefully the site also "flows" better. Thanks Shana for you suggestions about the resources section. That was a great suggestion and I have a small section within the site named resources. (I hope that you don't mind

)

Therefore, please check out the "new" site and again offer your thoughts. Please be patient again with the site booting up. The color-y logo is what's slowing it down. I have to re-size it to a smaller file and optimize it.

I hope you like it!