I've been working on my website for a couple of weeks (off an on...I still work full-time in an office) and would like some constructive criticism, please.

I feel like something is missing...what is it? I can't see the forest for the trees.

Your input is welcome!!!

My Favorite Secretary

Thanks everyone!

Anne Gibbs

Hello!

It looks nice. You did a great job!

I'd suggest that you create a page (not blog) for Why Choose MFS, and About Anne Gibbs and include them on the naviagation bar on top alongside the Services, Rate and Payments, and Contact Me.

And you may want to consider ridding the Joomla Shop banner on the bottom of the site.

__________________
Brenda A. Jones
www.brevos.com

Thanks! I've made the changes you suggested and it definitely looks better.

Keep the comments coming!!

Anne

Nice job! I'm impressed...you are miles ahead of me and I'm doing this full time. I just purchased my domain name this week and don't know where to begin to design my website. If you don't mind my asking, who hosts your website? I have been on and off many VA websites lately and was thinking that you may want to offer retainer rates under your rates section. I never really thought of it myself until I saw so many out there and thought that maybe even clients are preferring it as well. One other minor suggestion: I'd be leery about putting information about my kids on it. I'm always thinking there are psychos out there! Otherwise, congratulations and best of luck with your business!
-Diane
Office Ally

I have an extremely web-savvy friend who is giving me space on his web server so I'm not having to pay anything for hosting at this point. I'm using Joomla! to set up my webpage so all I'm really doing is adding content. There's definitely a learning curve for Joomla but I'm starting to get the hang of it.

About the personal information...my target audience is small-town small business owners...giving a little about myself helps me connect with potential clients. I don't feel like I've given too much information..."psychos" aren't really searching VA websites for kiddie ****, are they? ;-) I might take "kindergartner" out to eliminate the age bit.

Thanks for your comments!

Hi Anne, I think it looks quite well done, actually Good job!
A few things - as a general rule I think posting info about children, etc. can detract from the professionalism, I'd suggest adding a picture of yourself to that 'about me' page and I would recommend removing the reference to your full time job. Disclosure of this fact will surely have an impact on your response rate - you, as a business owner, complete the work requests for clients on your own time - they don't need to know that you're doing it after work, just that it gets done and gets done right.
Just my two cents!

I've only just quickly glanced over the site as a whole but noticed that with the underlined 'virtual' in one of the taglines rotating across the top of the page - the underline extends beyond the word itself - a minor thing to notice but easy to fix
Also, in some of them you have your company name bolded, in others not - in some 'your' is in all caps, in others, not - I'd go through them all just for consistency.

On your 'why choose' page you note that you work from your own home 'offices' (plural) ??

For the sake of navigation I would also recommend linking your logo back to the home page (from all pages)

Be sure to set your 'resources' links to open in a new window.

On your home page, I'm not sure that the 'Latest News' and 'Popular' lists are necessary or make that much sense, in terms of the labels themselves - is it really 'latest news'? The same goes for the 'who's online' widget - while these are all really 'fun' features to play with they push your message, your main content, way down the page so I have to look for it and in the process am going to ultimately give up (did you know it takes about ten seconds for someone to decide if they want to read more about you and click into your site? - making it easy for them to get your main message right away is crucial) I'd suggest either getting rid of those three elements altogether or moving them down into your left hand sidebar if you're really attached to them.

Then you'll have more space for real content - getting your message across to potential clients much more readily.

OK, I hope you're not sorry you asked!!

__________________
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Thank you so much! I took these comments to heart and made several changes to the site.

The site looks great!

As a suggestion, the only thing I would change would be that your logo take you back to your home page. You have incorporated everything nicely and your site has a nice flow and feel to it.

Good luck!
Sandy

Ann- Well done with your website, I like that it's simple, clean and easy to navigate. You've definitely gotten great suggestions and it looks like you implemented them as well.

I haven't yet had the opportunity to work in Joomla, but I'm wondering if there is a way to remove all the elements that makes the pages after the homepage look like blog posts. As they have author, date and time stamps on them.

Since you already have powered by Joomla on the bottom right, I think you don't need to also have it in your footer or even in your resources menu.

In your about page, imho, the bit about your music degree doesn't comes across positive. I think you should play on such a part of yourself that makes you unique...a talented musician.

You don't provide design services, so you don't need to have the text about your limited design skills on your about page. Emphasize with you do great and not what you're not skilled at.

Hope this helps.

__________________
Creative & Strategic Web Design Services
www.aivirtualsolutions.com

Thanks, Agnes! I've made the changes you suggested.

Everyone's suggestions have been GREAT and I'm really pleased with how my website is working now. What a tremendous resource you are!!

Hi Anne,

Your site is very clean and professional - pleasing to the eye. Only one recommendation: list a PO Box for your address. Having your home address available on your site makes me a little nervous. Although I began working out of my home, as a safety precaution, I have a PO Box listed on my website. This not only protects you, but your entire family.

May success continue to come your way.

That is a great idea...I'll look into it. Thanks!

Hi Ann-

Looks like you've probably made alot of the changes that were recommended above & you've put a lot of work into this. Great job! I think the site looks clean & very professional. I like the toned down colors. Gives a professional look.

Personally - I've done some research on the "stigma" of the word "secretary." Have you thought about whether or not it contradicts the "assistant" aspect of your services & if it will make people's thoughts head straight for that old sterotype? Plus you ARE a Virtual Assistant in everything else...so maybe just keep that consistent??? Dunno - just a thought.

Also, I've often heard many things regarding actually indicating ones billing rate on the site. I'd love to hear what others think about that...but working for consultants for many years I've always learned that you don't tell them what they'll be paying until you've convinced them what you can do. If they perceive its too low then they could think you're not worth what your services state. If they perceive it as too high - then they won't even call you.

Hey - I'm still learning too so I may be way off on this thought.

P.S. The "c" on choose on your left hand menu should be a cap. just thought I'd throw that in.

Pam

Thanks, everyone, for all of your comments and suggestions! My site looks SO much better and I feel more confident that it will help me.