I have finally finished my website. I did it myself.

Please offer any advice and criticisms. I was trying to go for the simple and logical look. (mainly because I am not that skilled at graphic design )

I still feel like something is missing. Should I hire someone to make a good logo? or maybe a banner?

I do plan on adding my wife and I 's face picture to the "about" page. And also our names (underneath the pics). Also should I mention the part about this being a husband and wife team thing? Is that too cheesy or unprofessional?

Any advice is appreciated.

www.virtualdataexpress.com


Thanks
Scotty.

Hi Scotty, I like that you say it's a husband and wife team. I would like to see lots more information, though. For example, you say that you "have experience in the services you offer" but that doesn't really say anything. I would add three or four paragraphs about each of you, what your education is, your work history, anything you especially enjoy about administrative work, maybe even your hobbies outside of work.

You might also consider fleshing out your services page. You basically list the same things on that page that you list on the home page. What if you added some examples? For instance, under desktop publishing you could list specific items you can produce, like brochures, postcards, direct mailings, business cards, newsletters, etc.

Those are just my initial thoughts. Good luck to you!

__________________
~Cindy
www.FiveToNineOfficeSolutions.com

Hi Scotty-
I concur with Cindy's points. I too am working on my website & one of the things I'm really focused on is explaining why my company would benefit a client's business.

I suggest using the home page tell a story & the story is to tell potential clients that they can't live without your services...

I like your idea of including a picture of you and your wife. Graphics visually reinforce the 'story' you are telling on all your pages. You might want to think about changing up the keyboard hands graphic, using it just once, and adding different visuals elsewhere.

One last thing that I've debated with myself is whether I include my home address. I've decided not to, since my website will be on the world-wide web. I'm not sure I want the world to have my home address. Just a thought.

All the best with your website (and your business) - as a beginner graphic designer myself, I understand the challenges of building just the right site.

Teri

__________________
Teri Taylor
Allegro Business Solutions

Thanks for the feedback.

I never was good at "Story telling" and I have always been a man of few words. I have always maintained an "action speaks louder than words" and a "get r done" attitude about life or anything that I do.

Thats one of my weaknesses when it comes to presenting myself. Im not much of a talker. Even in my current business, I have struggled with customers who wanted to chit chat and "bond"

That is one of the main reasons that I believe I would do better in the virtual assistant world. But that is not really a marketable trait is it? lol

As for the home mailing address, I debated that option also. What if the client needs to mail some handwritten docs or Disk to you? I don't mind junk mail too much, its easy to shred

I just thought...Maybe I could hire one of you to do my storytelling for me?

You just ask the questions that you need, I answer, and you bring it all together? Maybe even help me in designing the logo and banner also?

Also that bottom part of my page with all the contact info..maybe I should design that in fireworks instead of using a table?

Hi Scotty,

It's great that you and your wife are in business together!

Reconsider the font...every word is big and bold...bold what needs to be emphasized... also, keep the type of font consistent. You might want to have Rates as a section, whether you want to list them or not. Clients will probably want to know if services are charged by the hour, or for projects, retainers, etc. Once you add more information and visual graphics, it will have more appeal.

I encourage you to check out other VA websites and get some ideas as far as what you may or may not want to include. I have visited numerous websites and have taken many notes.

You're off to a good start!!!

Suz
North Texas

Hey Scotty, sent you an email to your site.

__________________
~Cindy
www.FiveToNineOfficeSolutions.com

You have a great start, I'd tighten up the top logo area and make the typing graphic smaller so that you have more room for text to keep them reading down to your contact information. Also us those icons for Yahoo and AOL etc, people recognize them.
Best of luck.

__________________
Bernice
Energy Virtual Assistant

Good idea about the logos. Where can I get those logos? Or do I have to use alt-print screen and crop them all?

Oh nevermind I found them by searching under images.

Can anyone help me design a logo/banner to go at the top? I have paypal.