Hey y'all,

I've been working diligently on my site "re-do" and would appreciate a bit of feedback on my homepage content and the design I created (didn't go with a "grungy" look ). I am a talkative gal, so it is hard for me to be short and concise in my content. Hopefully I didn't go too overboard!

Homepage - likes, dislikes?

Design - likes, dislikes?

The rest of the site is still in progress, but critiques about the homepage and design will be very helpful.

Thank y'all!!! Very much!!

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Jules, SunRise Virtual Solutions - WordPress Customization & XHTML/CSS Web Sites

Hey Jules,

Do you have a link?

Janine

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WRITE FAB RFP PROPOSALS & land THE VA job. WinningRFP unveils soon! SignUp www.WinningRFP.com

Originally Posted by Your Virtual Wizard

Hey Jules, Do you have a link? Janine

LOL - I was updating my signature as you posted this.

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Jules, SunRise Virtual Solutions - WordPress Customization & XHTML/CSS Web Sites

Another awesome job! I liked the other one as well. But, I do see how this one is brighter and crisp. I love the links tabs as well.

Great job Jules!

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Action Jackson Virtual Assistant|

Hi Jules,
I really like your website. It shows the "real" you. I like when people write as if they are talking directly to the reader. It makes you seem more approachable. The sunrise at the top of the page gives a friendly, non-threatening vibe.
One thing I would change is, after "Save you MONEY. It is proven..." towards the bottom of the page. You repeat the bulleted items listed in the previous paragraph. I think it is redundant.
Overall I think you have done a fabulous job on your website. Congratulations!

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Wendy :daisy:

Originally Posted by Action Jackson VA

Another awesome job! I liked the other one as well. But, I do see how this one is brighter and crisp. I love the links tabs as well. Great job Jules!

Aw, thank you, Andrea!! This is the first time I've worked extensively with WordPress, and it is awesome to use. The template I used looks nothing like what I have now. I'm happy you liked the brighter look, too. I've worked up a sweat re-doing my site - lots more to do, but not as much as before!

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Jules, SunRise Virtual Solutions - WordPress Customization & XHTML/CSS Web Sites

Originally Posted by VWSbiz

Hi Jules, I really like your website. It shows the "real" you. I like when people write as if they are talking directly to the reader. It makes you seem more approachable. The sunrise at the top of the page gives a friendly, non-threatening vibe. One thing I would change is, after "Save you MONEY. It is proven..." towards the bottom of the page. You repeat the bulleted items listed in the previous paragraph. I think it is redundant. Overall I think you have done a fabulous job on your website. Congratulations!

Thank you, Wendy!! I wasn't sure about "talking" to my prospective clients, but hey, that's me, so I went for it. Glad you like!

You bring up a good point about the bullet items. I thought about that, too. I'll see what I can come up with, because I agree that it is reiterating something that I already said. Maybe I'll remove from the above section or change that up somehow...

So glad you like the design, too, and find it a friendly place to be. That's exactly what I was going for. I'm a country gal, so I was hoping it didn't come across as "hokey."

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Jules, SunRise Virtual Solutions - WordPress Customization & XHTML/CSS Web Sites

Hi Jules isn't it true that websites are an ongoing project? Never really 'done' Good job taking this on!

I will say that while I really love the brightness of it, and the energy -the front page is so, so long and there's not a single linked call to action within that upper portion of text.

You have about ten seconds, on a good day, to prompt your visitors to want to learn more about you. If they have to read a full page of text, and then some below the fold, to get that info, you're more likely going to lose them altogether.

With that in mind, what can you do to pull your calls to action - and your strongest selling points - up above the fold?

I'd consider first, moving the menu down into one solid line - you've already lost a good chunk of your page to the header, which is very nice, but no sense donating even more than need be...

Your 'psst...' intro is great - high energy, and so very YOU, and I think you should hang on to that at all costs, but I'm wondering how you might rethink the layout of the home page to better facilitate moving people deeper into your site to learn more about you and your services. As much as you dislike selling that is exactly what your website has to do for you if it's going to be an effective marketing tool.

Your above the fold, home page real estate is worth a thousand times more than any other square inch on your site. Make sure it's working for you and moving your potential clients to a destination that equates to a request for consultation, an RFP, or an inquiry for more information.

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Wow, Tess, you've given me some great info - I have some ideas from your input! Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I was worried about the "above the fold" criteria. Oy. I have a plan for that now, too.

Quote:

I'd consider first, moving the menu down into one solid line - you've already lost a good chunk of your page to the header, which is very nice, but no sense donating even more than need be...

That might be a problem because this is WordPress and those are the blog/category/search areas in the second line. I'll see if I can come up with an alternative solution.

Hey - did I say 'thank you'?!

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Jules, SunRise Virtual Solutions - WordPress Customization & XHTML/CSS Web Sites

It's an easy fix - get rid of the search bar, it's not necessary for a site this size and is ultimately wasted space. Without it, you can expand your menu a bit later too....

And you're most welcome!

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