Website Review - Virtual Assistant Forums

jlh1976 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008

First run of my website. Please critique.

http://jlh1976.shopping.officelive.com/

kimbeckers · #2 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008

Hi Jen,

Great start on the site.

My first suggestion is to actually move your site to its own domain though; you can get a domain and hosting for only $10 a year. This is the first impression people will have of you and a very important asset to your business.

Choosing a domain name, what does jlh1976 stand for? this does not help people identify with your business. Your domain name should match your business name, hart virtual services.

I love the name and really like how the logo turned out. Why not incorporate the colors of the logo into the site. Instead of using beige use the pink from the logo.

Your tag line should fit on one line, try to male the font a little smaller so it fits. You may also want to consider having your logo go across the entire page width as the header and put your tag line beneath it. Just my opinion but I would like to see "heart of your business" using "hart" instead of "heart"

I like your about us page, why not add a personal photo to the site, this really helps people to connect with you.

You also need to add contact us page so people can contact you.

You are missing meta tags from your pages, this is important for SEO.

Overall good start, congrats on your new business venture and on taking action.

Please do not take offense or take this critique to personally, just a few things I have learned over the years and my opinion.

Kim :=)

vainparadise · #3 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008

Kim has given great suggestions. It is a great start!

Here is what I have found. On the first page there is a typo: Maybe it's because it's their own business, or perhaps and your links need to be fixed on the links page for they have an extra http://.

Make sure to post back here once your revisions are made.

jlh1976 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008

Thanks for the input, I appreciate it. & I don't take offense; I asked for suggestions. Now if you'd said it sucked & I was wasting my time, I might get a little offended, but honest evaluation is helpful.

Lia-VSS · #5 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008

Hi

I like the site, however I recommend that you do the following:

* re-name the titles - i.e. Hart Virtual Services | Home - this is also great for SEO (as well as the mega tags that kim was talking about)
* I recommend re-doing the banner/title - I'm not sure whether you are allowed to have your own template/design on Office Live - but I do think that it looks out of sync. If you are feeling brave, then you can re-design *any* OL site by using some code - try http://officelivepages.com/default.aspx, http://oldesigntips.com/default.aspx or http://olbtips.com/default.aspx. If you get stuck, ask us by asking a question in the "Website Design" forum and one of us will answer!
* i also agree with Kim about the colours.

I hope the above helps you, if you have any questions then please do not hesitate to ask

jlh1976 · #6 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008

I know basic HTML & would love to design it to my own specifications, but I couldn't find an option to do it that way on there. I'm not thrilled w/ the banner either, but until I figure out how to code it myself I'm limited to their templates.

Lia-VSS · #7 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008

Jen - if i can remember, for the banner you put the code in the header part of your page (where the templates are). I used to have Office Live and i wasn't a fan, so I modified it to my liking, and at that stage I wasn't that fluid with html, so I was proud of myself!!

I do respect you wanting to keep to their templates. Have you thought about making your logo a little bit smaller?

jlh1976 · #8 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008

It's not that I want to use their templates. Problem is I can't find where you can type in code. All the websites I've created were hard-coded. I've tried using templates, front page, etc & can't seem to grasp how they work. Guess I like doing things the hard way. Until I can figure out how to upload my own page to OL, I'm stuck w/ their templates.

Agnes · #9 (**permalink**) 08-02-2008

Hi Jen- way to go on trying to get your website together

! The website tweaking is an ongoing process!

I will echo what the others are saying. Your header has to be reworked. I have no experience with OL, but after a quick look at their FAQs section, I think you get free 30 days support. Do give them a call to help you with your header.

Lia-VSS · #10 (**permalink**) 08-04-2008

Jen - perhaps this is what you're looking for? - http://oldesigntips.com/customheadercolor.aspx

You can have your own logo - i think you can center it as well- but then don't have any text for the header/slogan. and it should work!

Any problems then please do not hesitate to contact me.