Review please :) www.ssmithdesigns.co.uk

[smiths85]

Would just like you too have alooky at this site i have done. its work in progress and im going to change some things but wanted to see what you guys/girls thought of it. im shown it off to a few friends already and they like it so im hoping you guys do to
S.Smith Designs

cheers

 

[Mike]

In terms of layout and graphics, i think this is one of the most sleek sites i've seen. In most cases designers fail to accomplish to merge grey with predominant white and manage to look almost elite.
Since we're talking design, i wouldn't change anything, just get a more "diamond" shimmering effect on your frontpage. Not a diamond in terms of visual, but the diamond "glare" or sparkle, if you will. Your site is already looking very well, i think that may be worth a shot.

The site navigates with ease and intuition. Nothing to add or change there.
Your pricing is a bit steep for my taste, but that's personal preference and certainly doesn't stand to discussion here. However, you're somewhat taking away from the financial pain by offering "built in" services such as SEO, hosting, etc.
While all tabs are functional, the PRICES (shouldn't it be Prizes?) is inactive. I assume it's a tab to demo design competitions that you've won, however since there currently no awards to present, i'd remove the tab. It creates the impression that, well...that you haven't won any awards. Bring the tab back when there are prizes to demo. Also, would you think it makes more sense to rename the tab to "Awards"? If i'm totally off track with the prize/award thought, discard it.

When you present your work, unless you don't have current clients or even past clients for that matter, yes - you should present banners and such with your company name on it. As soon as there are clients, take YOUR banners off and replace them. In the consumers mind, i'd rather see something that is existing, already gains customer awareness for your client and is a testimony of your success. Same goes for the logos, you're presenting one company "EPS", get some variety on display. It's not enough to just present EPS in different shapes and variation. For a prospective client, i want to see your portfolio rather than different layouts for one company. EPS is obviously a technical company, if i'm a grocery store, plumbing outfit, Car dealership, etc. i won't be able to really connect with your logos.

These are just minor modifications, nothing big time and should be easy and quickly to accomplish.

Overall, i like the stellar, clean and almost shiny look of the site.
It's a :tu:

 

[ajkendall]

it's nice but i think there could deffinitely be more work to improve it

i don't like the color scheme, it's too plain looking and the buttons look out of place just placed at the top of the screen in the centre, try and get a navigation bar in there somewhere and incorporate the buttons

if i was doing it i'd get a proper gallery page in there too rather than loading the enlarged versions of the images but resized, it looks pixelated and unprofessional, create a thumbnail of each and an enlarged version too

some work is needed on the footer of the site also

other than that it's looking decent so far

 

[smiths85]

thanx for the C&C guys really appreciate it
i have gone with the simple design because im tryin to appeal to the smaller businesses. after abit of market reasearch most people want a plain and simple site to use and straight to the point. i did have a totally different layout with all kinds of things going on but gave it up as i wanted it to look sleak. ive got a wide variety of button that i can choose from and tried to fiddle with it bit but i prefered the static buttons
as for the gallery i had that in mind also.. glad you reminded me.. but i feel i havnt got too much work in yet to put a gallery up. the work there is examples and i need some working sites first i think.
what do u suggest to add to the footer?

all in all i kinda like it.. got neutral colours and design and simple to use.
i really appreciate the comments tho and looking into improvements as i type

also do u think i should havea price list on there? compared to other sites they are really low and i think if i have a pricelist on there it will only bring genuine people to ask for detailed quotes.. what u guys think?

 

[PoorDoggie]

IMO its too simple. I don't think that it would appeal to anyone tbh.

The simpleness of it makes the navigation buttons stick out too much, making them look a bit ameturish. Its all a bit too mono-tone for me. Instead of cleverly integrating colors and stuff its all kinda blocks of grey or white.

The logo dosen't "match" with its background, which in turn dosen't match with the overall background making it extremely awkward to look at.

Its not striking to look at, and I think (and in my own experience) it takes a STRIKING website to grab the attention of the user. Even small businesses would rather put more money into a good designer. You need bold colors, striking graphics and good text placement, with MUCH more information on the website. The text is very unimaginative at the moment, and centred text in such a big area like that just shows spacial unawareness and give the impression that you don't know how to fill the space... and you have just stuck text in and centered it. (which you have).

Be more imaginative.

 

[smiths85]

the problem is i dont have the information.. i have no previous works so i cant go into detail on anything.. all i can do for now is put examples and type bit on it.. i do see your point tho and im happy to hear the comments

however every1 has there own opinions..u cant please all.. sometimes its better to be neutral and simple site.. ill play around with it abit first and see whats crackin..

cheers guys

 

[PoorDoggie]

i have no previous works

so... you can't really say:

sometimes its better to be neutral and simple site..

now can you?

Nah... im not being nasty, lol - thats not my style. I just think its a little bit too basic for a web designer.

What I suggest you do on the work front is advertise on forums like this one. Don't mention your website for the moment, just advertise yourself. Say you are looking for work to build a portfolio, and you will do stuff for cheap (obviouslly charge low prices That way you can build up a portfolio of works) :D

Looking at your portfolio I came accross this: http://www.ssmithdesigns.co.uk/Design2.html which I think is an extremely good design. I think you should do something like this really, rather than the current look. It looks a bit old-fashioned. Design websites should really have a web 2.0 look about them nowadays, just like that template. If you can make something with those colors and shiney stuff (hehe) then you are on the right track :D.

I like the wires (?) in your logo... you could do something with them, make them look glassy or something. I dunno, use your imagination :D. Color is also a good idea! :D One of the reasons it looks plain is because of the lack of color. :D

hey... :D do what you like Good Luck

 

[smiths85]

dammmm u likea the smileys..lol :P
yea i see your points.. gonna have a play around and see what i can come up with..

cheers

 

[PoorDoggie]

dammmm u likea the smileys..lol :P

haha... ye - comes from my MSN over-use. lol