Re: Critique Requested

> Site:  http://design.dossett.org

Environment:
MSIE 5.0
800x600 resolution
32 bit True Color
DSL connection

The pages load fast, which is to be expected for a site not graphics heavy.
The colors and layout are clean and pleasant.  But I like teal, so I might
be biased.  I think for my personal sensibilities, I'd prefer the page
headlines to be a bit larger.  They don't seem to stand out well enough from
the body text.

The rollover effect on the vertical bar is interesting, although I must
admit that the first time it happened, I thought something was wrong with my
monitor (with Windows, one never knows! :-D ) Can't decide if I like it or
if it's a distraction.

Over all, I think it might be a bit *too* consistent.  Along with the
headlines, there are portions of the site that should probably stand out on
the page, but don't.  "Option #s", for example, on the services page.

Tamara brought up a couple of points that I found interesting, considering
I'd looked at the site before reading her comments, and got the same
impressions.  The entity name struck me the same way -- like a law firm or
partnership -- rather than a single design house.  You've already given
prospective clients the impression that "there are four of us, only four of
us, this is each of us, you don't deal with a company, you deal with us
individually, we are all the boss".  I dunno, maybe I just like an identity
to click or something.  But what can you expect from somebody whose company
is Squished Mosquito, Inc.?  Oh, well... I digress...

I also agree with the non-necessity of singling out one of the four not
once, but at least three times.  I walked away asking myself what "Nelson,
Dossett & Murphy" contributed, since "Doug Dossett" is credited so
prominently.

Something about the overall tone of the site lacks earnest.  On the home
page, are you talking to first-time Internet sites owners, or to existing
site owners disgruntled with their current design house?  Either way, I'd be
looking for the passion that says "we are the best to service your needs!"
If I'm new, tell me what I need, why I need it, and how you're going to do
it for me.  If I'm disgruntled, tell me what you do that other houses don't.
Believe me, there are plenty of things you could choose to mention, from
placement monitoring to periodic technology upgrades, to link rot
prevention.

This same lack of earnest really stands out on the services page.  It almost
comes across as "wham, bam, thank you, sam".  This is our rack-rate, take it
or leave it, by the way, each and every web site is unique and it is very
likely that your needs will in no stretch of the imagination fit into one of
these pigeon-holes, but we'll talk about that later.....  The package
descriptions read more like something out-sourcers would be shopping, not a
potential site owner who has no idea what they need, much less what it's
called or how to make it happen.  I don't know about the majority of
developers on the list, but I don't think I've ever had someone come in and
say, "I need an e-commerce ready site with SSL.  My virtual catalog will
require four tables in a MySQL database and a PHP frontend.  I'm concerned
about visual consistency, so I'm going to insist on CSS...."  Gosh, if they
knew all that, they'd have done it themselves.

Web design is one part manipulation and two parts mystery.

The same thing strikes me about the portfolio section.  As a potential
client, I can't relate to anything.  Tell me about the site's owners, their
content and specific needs in presentation.  As a potential client, I can't
relate to "ASP, VBScript, JavaScript, Access Databases and CSS".  I *can*
relate to "As a leading university for natural medicine in the United
States, Bastyr University required a site that provides a wide variety of
information to a specific audience, blahblahblah.  These are the site
highlights and what we did, isn't it marvelous?"  Which, by the way, I
happen to think it is.  The Bastyr site is far and away one of the most
professionally crafted sites to pass through here, in *my* opinion, whatever
it's worth.

As a personal preference, I'd forego the mention of definite rates
altogether.  I've learned that it's just giving your potential clients
another reason to cross you off their laundry list.  Why should they contact
you for further information if they have reason to believe "a site will cost
me $xx.xx here, but only $aa.aa there".  This is dangerous when people don't
take into consideration that quality often dictates price, or at least
should.

As usual, I've gone the long way around the barn just to say I'd be more
convinced of your passion if there was some.  CONVINCE ME that you're the
house I need to go with.  Tell me WHY I need a website, because if I'm here,
I've at least thought about it, but I might not be sure just yet.  You might
be the one to tip the scale and make me say "Yeah!  I need these guys to
bring my vision to the world."  Tell me that my site will indeed be a
creation, that you will spend special time and energy on my site, doing what
it takes to craft that vision.  Don't let me think that I'm a ticket number,
who has purchased cafeteria meal "A" and once my tray if full, the meter
stops running and I'm out the door with a pre-packed web site.

Site design compares a lot to real estate, a previous incarnation of mine.
Both are extremely emotional sales and on some level, you have to touch a
client emotionally.  They have to relate to you and your ability to present
them in a way that makes *them* touch others emotionally.  It's a tough
business, with tough competition.

All right, enough of "The Psychology of Sales" already.  I only got so
"passionate" <smile> because your site doesn't seem to lack anything
technically.  It's clean, fast, and the code is neat as a pin.  The body is
great, but I can't seem to find the soul.  Given the quality of the Bastyr
site, it would be a shame if you lost a potential client because they
couldn't connect with you.

Karin

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