Re: Critique My Site Please

Hi, Donald.  Viewing on a Win98 machine with IE5, T1 connection, 800x600,
24bit color.  These are just my opinions and should be taken as such.
Overall, I think this is a decent website.  But, a bit boring...a bit
confusing as far as the design elements go...and could be greatly improved.

Homepage:

Why do you have TWO headers here, both saying precisely the same thing ("Lee
Ann Morgan & Partners")?  I think one would be sufficient.  The animated gif
quoting Lee Ann needs some work.  One, it is difficult to read and two, when
a new line pops up, the viewer expects it to contain new words...not just
reformatting what they've already read.  Take a look at it to see what I
mean.  I notice you've set your font to font face="Palatino, Book Antiqua".
Have you considered what viewers who do not have these fonts installed on
their PCs/MACS will wind up seeing?  It may be very different from what you
intended.  I am also surprised the client would want a black background.
I'm actually one of those people who LOVES black backgrounds, but I wonder
if it is straying from the "corporate image" this client is trying to
project.  Judging by the font you've specified, this client seems to be more
businesslike and conservative.  In fact, I initially thought this was a law
firm we were dealing with, simply by the font and logo/header you used.
Black, to me, is more cutting edge and creative than that.

==========
map.htm:

Well....you introduce yet another color here:  grey.  Why does the table
have grey borders?  Does it add anything to the design?  Does it go with the
red/black/white/yellow/blue colors you used in the homepage?  If you *had*
to use a table...and if you *had* to use table borders....I would probably
make the borders red to tie it all in at least.

At this point, I've noticed that everything I've seen has been text and
wonder where the graphical elements are.  Am I simply reading a text file on
the web?  There is nothing here to catch my eye and interest me in reading
further.  I think the site map would be a good place to do something
graphically.

==========
history.htm:

In my opinion, frames should only be used in very rare circumstances, to aid
in the navigation of a complex site.  Here, you use frames solely for your
scrolling text effect, which isn't helpful.  Lose the frame and create a
nice graphical element that says what the scrolling text says.  By the way,
this scrolling text introduces even MORE colors now into the mix.

==========
cc.htm:

Uggh.  More scrolling text.  Lose the "special effect" and you may wish to
reword what it says.  How bout simply saying "Coming Soon!"??

==========
bio.htm

I just noticed that your text links are in Arial.  The site map links
weren't in this font, so why did you switch?  You may wish to make your
links more consistent.

==========
clients.htm

Her list of clients is quite impressive.  They could be presented in a way
that has more impact, however.  The way they are listed now, it is difficult
to read...and they're not in alpha order which would make it hard to find
out if she handled a specific client.  Also, I just noticed that many of the
clients are listed more than once.  That's a little misleading.  Her list is
impressive enough without trying to fool the viewer into thinking she's had
more clients than she has had.

Check out www.software.com and look at the left part of the page where it
says "Our Customers Include."  I really like how they did this and think
it's a good idea.  Perhaps you could do something similar.

==========
one.htm

Nothing new to report here, cept maybe to mention that you use a different
font for the email link than you do for the other links.  This makes the
email link difficult to read.

==========
speaker.htm

The only thing that struck me about this page is that all those nice quotes
about Lee Anne are not attributed to anyone.  If you're not going to list
the source of the quotes, then take the quote marks off.

==========
media.htm

White background here is not consistent with all of the black you've used
already.  (Note:  i think the white is a lot better)  What is the purpose of
this page?  I expected to be able to click on a headline and read the
article.

==========
Summary:

I can tell you've put a bit of effort in to this site and I think it's
"okay" the way it is.  You may want to rethink either your background or
your font...the two don't seem to go together....and stay away from the
cliche' special text effects.  Develop more consistency in your color
scheme...and introduce some graphical elements to make the site interesting.
(I thought the collage of magazine covers was very appealing.)

Add some meta keywords and a meta description so that search engines can
properly index and add your site.

Good luck!

Deborah

----- Original Message -----
From: Donald <donald(at)artgarfunkel.com>
To: <hwg-critique(at)hwg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, October 13, 1999 6:58 PM
Subject: Critique My Site Please


> I would appreciate feedback on this site:  www.leeannemorgan.com.  It is
my
> first 'paying' client.   Please note that the color/font selection is the
> client's.  Any and all comments are welcome.
>
> I've really enjoyed reading prior 'critiques' and have learned alot from
> other comments.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Renie
>
>

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