Brand new website feedback

Davidoff

My website was just launched a few hours ago
I'm very happy with it, but I would like to know your opinion. Please check it out at daviddinis.com
( by the way, if you like my work please "like" my facebook page and I'll do the same to yours of course )

Hikin' Mike

Where are you located?

Why do I have to click on your Portfolio only to click again to see a sub-category? I would rather see a drop-down navigation.

I have a 1024 x 768 monitor and I have to scroll to see your pictures. I bet I could steal one of those nice 1050px x 700px (~300Kb) photos and make a decent print. Of course I wouldn't, but I bet others could and will. Something to think about.

If you're using your website to get new clients via the web, read my SEO link below.

jarboedoggart

I like the minimalist layout and having to choose the portfolio options doesnt bother me. Two things that came to mind...

1. I also had to scroll down to see the whole picture, thats annoying. Maybe you can make it stretchy.
2. The loading of the pictures in the gallery were choppy and took a while. Maybe some sort of flash gallery would give better results? Or just having smaller pictures which would load better and go fine with the simple theme.

Over all I like it...makes my site look awfully busy.

MileHighAko

I like the white. I like the simplistic approach. One thing that is missing though (or maybe I missed it) is anything about you the photographer. I see your portfolio, but who are you, where are you, are you taking clients, etc.

Davidoff

Thank you so much for your feedback, I've already made some changes based on what you suggested.
I added a bit about myself in the contact section. I think it's just not enough information to open an "about" tab... What do you think I should mention ?
I reduced the size of the photos a bit. That takes care of two things, load times should be quicker, no need to scroll on smaller monitors.
Minimalism was definitely a priority of mine, over complicated sites are everywhere and it just takes away from the purpose of the site, in my view.
Mike, thank you for your seo link, appreciate the information. I enjoy the menu the way it is now because it keeps things clean and makes it obvious that those are portfolio categories.
About the image size: it is now a bit smaller, but I agree with Zack Arias' policy on larger images on web pages. The main point of a photographer's website is to show off photos. If someone wants to take them, they will, 500px, 700px, it doesn't make much of a difference, they won't print well at 72dpi. But I won't let that get in the way of photo presentation by using large watermarks or small images.

Hikin' Mike

Davidoff wrote: »

Thank you so much for your feedback, I've already made some changes based on what you suggested.
I added a bit about myself in the contact section. I think it's just not enough information to open an "about" tab... What do you think I should mention ?
I reduced the size of the photos a bit. That takes care of two things, load times should be quicker, no need to scroll on smaller monitors.
Minimalism was definitely a priority of mine, over complicated sites are everywhere and it just takes away from the purpose of the site, in my view.
Mike, thank you for your seo link, appreciate the information. I enjoy the menu the way it is now because it keeps things clean and makes it obvious that those are portfolio categories.
About the image size: it is now a bit smaller, but I agree with Zack Arias' policy on larger images on web pages. The main point of a photographer's website is to show off photos. If someone wants to take them, they will, 500px, 700px, it doesn't make much of a difference, they won't print well at 72dpi. But I won't let that get in the way of photo presentation by using large watermarks or small images.

You can still have a drop-down and retain your current look. If you use a drop-down nav, the visitor will see your two catagories. When you hover on top of a category, you'll see the rest of your sub-categories.

It's not a big deal, but I just don't care for worthless clicks.

Davidoff

I wasn't really getting what you meant, sorry. Take a look now please.

Hikin' Mike

Davidoff wrote: »

I wasn't really getting what you meant, sorry. Take a look now please.

Sorry, at times I have a tough time communicating my thoughts to words....!

That's exactly what I was talking about!

jarboedoggart

Like it. The slightly smaller pictures helps and I like the simple "about you" sentence in the contact page. I would almost leave it as is.

Davidoff

No no, my bad. I think visually I preferred it as it was but this may be more user friendly, yes.
Thanks Nate, that was my aim. What would you change ?

edit: also, would you change something about the facebook page ?

jarboedoggart

Davidoff wrote: »

No no, my bad. I think visually I preferred it as it was but this may be more user friendly, yes.
Thanks Nate, that was my aim. What would you change ?

edit: also, would you change something about the facebook page ?

The loading and switching of the slide show is not very smooth. Maybe a flash slideshow that will pre-load all the pictures? Will take longer to load at first but once loaded it would switch quickly and seamlessly? Just a thought....just nitpicking now.

pchicken

I like it. Clean easy to use and shows what you do. I loaded on my phone and it ran smooth.

I wouldn't do Flash, no idevice support. ; P

Davidoff

Thanks Nate. My designer explained that they don't pre-load because that allows you to see them right away and you should only encouter lag if you scroll very quickly or have very slow internet. Also, flash sites make it hard on seo.

edit: just saw pchicken's post. Thank you, and there's another reason to avoid flash