I just started my VA business and would love some comments on my site. Please go to vasimpleservices.com

Thanks

Genevieve
VA Simple Services

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Genevieve Lachance
VA Simple Services

Hi Genevieve,

I like most of your wording (only did cursory look) and you have a great tagline. Just me, but I wouldn't use the grey background color with your other colors.

Okay, now is where I'm going to be ducking for cover. Your site is built using framesets and tables, so you are at a disadvantage when it comes to SEO. Framesets and tables were popular back in the 1990's, but there are more SEO friendly alternatives now. I realize you might be using Yahoo's site builder, so that might be part of the problem - you might think about a different template that is more up to date?

Also, go to http://validator.w3.org/ and input your URL (for each page) in there - it will tell you what needs to be fixed to help ensure your site validates.

I feel your site needs some work, but you're on your way. Kudos for getting your site up there! I hope I didn't sound too harsh; just trying to help a bit with some <hopefully> constructive criticism.

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

Wow Jules
Thanks for the info on SEO & validator - I never knew this! I'm going to check my site out now....

Genevieve
I thought your site was great. The message is clear, concise. Only thing I would change is the colour of the headings "Meet your business goals in an entirely new way" - this colour seems to run or blur - maybe just my eyesight - getting old(er)!! Best of luck to you.
Tania

Genevieve,

I agree with Jules, just don't get the color scheme. I do like the name and tag line.

I would take off the services that will be coming soon. Or change the wording, it seems as if you are not yet prepared and that may turn potential clients off.

There are a lot of "I have" in your about section. You may want to change this up a bit to include your name or business name for search purposes.

I am a little confused about your rates page as well. There is nothing there that really addresses your rates or structure. You do not have to include the dollar amount but you should reference your offerings and not just comparisons and quotes.

Remember, you are selling your services and need to address what the benefit is to the client not the facts of the industry.

Hope that helps.

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

Originally Posted by Business-Bytes

Hi Genevieve, I like most of your wording (only did cursory look) and you have a great tagline. Just me, but I wouldn't use the grey background color with your other colors. Okay, now is where I'm going to be ducking for cover. Your site is built using framesets and tables, so you are at a disadvantage when it comes to SEO. Framesets and tables were popular back in the 1990's, but there are more SEO friendly alternatives now. I realize you might be using Yahoo's site builder, so that might be part of the problem - you might think about a different template that is more up to date? Also, go to http://validator.w3.org/ and input your URL (for each page) in there - it will tell you what needs to be fixed to help ensure your site validates. I feel your site needs some work, but you're on your way. Kudos for getting your site up there! I hope I didn't sound too harsh; just trying to help a bit with some <hopefully> constructive criticism.

Jules,

Thank you so much for your input, that's exactly what I was looking for. Now I feel like I have so much learning and work in front of me !! Could you explain "using framesets and tables", I'm not sure what you mean. Also, do you think that Yahoo might not be the best service provider? Could you suggest anything else? Any background color to suggest? Actually now I kind of feel like changing my template but I'm not sure that I have the time to work on it for now.

I really appreciate all your comments and I'm sure will learn a great deal from them.

Genevieve
VA Simple Services

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Genevieve Lachance
VA Simple Services

Hi

Congratulations! I think you have a great start. I agree with so much of what has been said already. Just a few additional comments.

1) I would remove the site counter. This is probably just me and many might like them, but to me it says wow she only had that many people here and no matter how many it can be a negative. Especially while you are building your site, I think it can help.

2) Do you have a photo you can add to the about us page. Being virtual it can help so much to see the person.

3) I'd personalize the front page a little more. You take about the benefits, but I'd direct it more into exactly how your services can benefit the clients.

4) I really agree on the rate page. I love the picture on that page! But kind-of felt disappointed that I didn't learn more about what you personally charge. Not that you have to put the actual rates on there, but at least talk more about what you offer.

I hope this helps!!! You are well on your way!

Diana Ennen
Virtual Word Publishing
www.virtualwordpublishing.com

Wow, this is so great! I was thinking (in bed last night) that I would change my rate page. I think that I will offer different payment options on top of hourly. Since I'm just starting out, it takes me a lot longer than it should to get things done so I think it might work better for now to charge by the project and offer different type of packages. I'm not looking at making money this year, just to built connections and make myself known would be amazing.

I guess I feel a little insecure about all this and that's probably why I didn't include my picture. I keep thinking that people will think that what I'm doing is silly but I got to get over that. I know! I know that I have a lot to offer and tones of knowledge so I will focus on that instead of the unknown and negatives. Now if the kids can go back to school, I will get more work done!

Thank you again.

Genevieve
VA Simple Services

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Genevieve Lachance
VA Simple Services

Genevieve, don't be too hard on yourself. I think many of us frequently tweak and revamp our websites, documents and policies, even if they've existed for years. The trait of being very particular in what we do makes us the more valuable to our clients, as we will be especially particular about the work we do for them.

Having had a full time job with VA as a sideline for many years, I recently moved to a new city. I'm currently renovating the house and we may move locally next summer - large house but a condo so no fenced backyard, which is very hard with 2 dogs - so I've decided to take a year off and let myself breathe for once in my lifetime, explore possibilities, get to know the locals and lay some groundwork.

It can be so overwhelming, exciting and scary all at the same time, but you've given yourself a good amount of time to develop your practice and you will succeed!

God Bless and Good luck!

Lynne

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The Wordpro Wizard
www.wordprowizard.com

Hey Jules,

Any more info you can give me about using framesets and tables? I need as much help as possible. Just trying to figure out if it's something I can change or it's my template/Yahoo.

Thanks

Genevieve
Va Simple Services

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Genevieve Lachance
VA Simple Services

Originally Posted by VA Simple Services

Hey Jules, Any more info you can give me about using framesets and tables? I need as much help as possible. Just trying to figure out if it's something I can change or it's my template/Yahoo. Thanks Genevieve Va Simple Services

Sorry Genevieve, just saw this and your other post.

They are in your template as the framework for it (as opposed to strictly HTML and CSS [which is very SEO friendly]). Is there a different template you could go with? If you want, I could look at it if you give me a holler.

Yahoo and Google, etc. types of sites tend to use tables (deprecated for layout, so not SEO friendly) for layout and... guess they even throw in framesets, too. Whereas a regular hosting provider (I use bluehost.com), you build your own site and don't use a site builder (although some do have site builders you can use).

I'm a bit pressed for time right now, so I'll add more later...I probably just confused you more.

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