Building a web design website

[member]

I'm trying to create one for those people who normally come to me to make them a poster, leaflet or website, so I look more professional.

I have an URL and although it isn't too good, it will suffice. It's not that I will be competing with the rest of you. I have my small market and that's enough for me.

I'm thinking of just making it one page with links to more info and protfolio but my page looks a bit messy and I want tips on what to do. If anyone is interested please PM me and I wills end you the link. Thanks.

[That Guy]

If I were you I would install Wordpress then use a Portfolio Theme like this one:

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/02/07/simplefolio-a-free-clean-portfolio-wordpress-theme/

If you need any help let me know :)

[Graemem]

I'm guessing if you're already making leaflets/posters you might as well design the website yourself in photoshop/whichever software you use and then finding someone to do the actual html/css with it. It would make it yours instead of using a template you've found elsewhere?

[Scootek]

I would say design it yourself, if that's what you are going to do for a living anyway.

[zigojacko]

If you can't get your own website right, then I would suggest there is little hope in satisfying your clients requirements... Or maybe that is just me...? :|

[Scootek]

If you can't get your own website right, then I would suggest there is little hope in satisfying your clients requirements... Or maybe that is just me...? :|

I totally agree. None of us are having a go at you. But I would look at it as good practice. Lot of design people are judged by their own site/work. It doesn't have to be super flashy website. It needs to work from a functional as well as marketing/business perspective.

[NextPoint]

Keep in mind that principles for website design are very different from print design. Examples include:

* Websites are interactive and so hence your calls to action need to take this into consideration.

* Print need to be designed to capture attention (i.e. with fancy cover, etc.), whereas websites already have the attention of the visitor - don't waste space with print style design inviting people to take notice and make sure you focus directly on calls to action.

* Statistics show that you have less time with online media to get your visitors to read further than with print, so make your design with this in mind.

Just a few thoughts for you.

[member]

Thank you all for your replies. I don't mind criticism as long as I can have ways to improve. If you want to see the page I am working on feel free to PM me.

I am doing this so I can learn more web design but I am not a professional, nor have I worked too much on design. I am more of the codoing-type person.

Therefore the work that I do is not really from scratch. I will use a wallpaper image from somewhere which is free and add text and patterns and so on, even with videos, I make them simple to give it a professional look. This has brought a lot of attention from people who have then come to me to make them videos and posters.

If I were you I would install Wordpress then use a Portfolio Theme like this one:

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/02/07/simplefolio-a-free-clean-portfolio-wordpress-theme/

If you need any help let me know :)

I like Wordpress, which is what I have installed. I chose a very simple theme and made little changes to it but it is only the very first small step to what I want at the end. It's even more simple than what you have shown me but I might switch templates now. Please PM me so i can send you the link and you can tell me whether I should just stick to it or move.

[member]

I'm guessing if you're already making leaflets/posters you might as well design the website yourself in photoshop/whichever software you use and then finding someone to do the actual html/css with it. It would make it yours instead of using a template you've found elsewhere?

As above, I don't necessarily design from scratch, I work on whatever has already been made since I am not a professional or not really done that kind of work.

[member]

If you can't get your own website right, then I would suggest there is little hope in satisfying your clients requirements... Or maybe that is just me...? :|

That is what you or anyone would perhaps think at first hand but I do simple tasks which doesn't require too much but makes excellent results so I do have happy customers.

[member]

I totally agree. None of us are having a go at you. But I would look at it as good practice. Lot of design people are judged by their own site/work. It doesn't have to be super flashy website. It needs to work from a functional as well as marketing/business perspective.

I do want to get practice, which is why I asked on here. I want to create nice images, even if it's from scratch, but I need tips for that. I don't intend to make a flashy website, but something simple and easy to navigate and understand.

[member]

Keep in mind that principles for website design are very different from print design. Examples include:

* Websites are interactive and so hence your calls to action need to take this into consideration.

* Print need to be designed to capture attention (i.e. with fancy cover, etc.), whereas websites already have the attention of the visitor - don't waste space with print style design inviting people to take notice and make sure you focus directly on calls to action.

* Statistics show that you have less time with online media to get your visitors to read further than with print, so make your design with this in mind.

Just a few thoughts for you.

Thank you, very helpful tips and thanks for the reminder about the call to action.

[member]

i would say clear and simple is always the best method. people don't like to be confused when looking at a website, or they will just leave

Exactly, which is why I was thinking instead of having many web pages, I will keep it to one simple page (but have links to portfolio and contact us).