Let's keep it simple - My Identity re-design progress. Need input.

[Deleted member 70659]

Well I've decided to re-brand my business, as I've had a fair amount of feedback on my site. Some saying too techy, too harsh, too male, too complex, some not understanding/liking my little ident, some not knowing what I do without reading a crapola of text.

My original site was about Graphic Design, Corporate Design and Photo stuff. Now I am just focusing on Photo stuff as I love doing it. I dont want to scare or bore people, so I think a fresh look at things is crucial to my business.

I've gone for a very simple approach and will be using imagery more to explain what I do rather than text (Still need a bit though!). I've mocked up a very early draft. I've ditched my snake logo, and just gone with my business name.

What do you think? Need to add real text, contact stuff, social links, but it's a start. What do you think of the squiggly text for the slogan, I didn't mean to chose it, but I thought it looked period, considering my type of work.

Pic link:

http://i54.tinypic.com/oqm9fs.jpg

 

[Dawg]

Only my opinion, but:

The 'squiggly' font is a minor step up from Comic sans. Don't use it.

You need content to get search engine attention. Pictures don't do it.

Research shows that both men and women react best to pictures of pretty girls. This might be a better subject for the pix.

Have you oversharpened? Something like Noise Ninja could add a touch of softness which might not go amiss.

 

[ScottNelson&Co]

I like it. Straight Away I know what you do, without any text. Then I can see the other services you offer on the left, it's all very clear. I'm not a fan of no use of capital letters on navigation menus, and also the use of full stops, but I have seen this on quite a few websites which baffles me.

My one query, and this is more of a question, is how from a SEO point of view does this website stack up?
I have been thinking about going this route for my next website, but with limited content on the index screen how will this fair against other websites in the rankings?

 

[Deleted member 70659]

Only my opinion, but:

The 'squiggly' font is a minor step up from Comic sans. Don't use it.

Now I can't 'unseee' it, oh god. Will change asap.

Oh yes I will still have text on each page, but I am ditching the block of text on the landing page 'about snayer' because no one cares, they just want to know what I do and how much it is.

Interesting point about women images.

I like it, keep it coming chaps


edit:

I like it. Straight Away I know what you do, without any text. Then I can see the other services you offer on the left, it's all very clear. I'm not a fan of no use of capital letters on navigation menus, and also the use of full stops, but I have seen this on quite a few websites which baffles me.

My one query, and this is more of a question, is how from a SEO point of view does this website stack up?
I have been thinking about going this route for my next website, but with limited content on the index screen how will this fair against other websites in the rankings?

Great to hear, that's what my other site lacked. Reason for no caps is to make it look friendly, almost innocent. I've normally gunned for a CORPORATE style, but now I'm just trying the opposite end of the scale for now. I agree, normally I hate full-stops, but I think they just gel, at least for now anyway.

I'm sure one of the SEO guys can follow up your question, but text wise I am planning to have a very thin line of keywords going along the top and H1 tags on each 'photo page' with the relevant keywords etc, also relevant descriptions and human-like titles. Will also blog my socks off and do the social bookmarking posts also.

 

[Jon236]

I like it. Straight Away I know what you do, without any text. Then I can see the other services you offer on the left, it's all very clear. I'm not a fan of no use of capital letters on navigation menus, and also the use of full stops, but I have seen this on quite a few websites which baffles me.

My one query, and this is more of a question, is how from a SEO point of view does this website stack up?
I have been thinking about going this route for my next website, but with limited content on the index screen how will this fair against other websites in the rankings?

I have a couple of sites on page one which have limited content on the index page. Admittedly the search terms aren't super competitive, but I have managed to rank above some major national brands. So it is possible, it just depends on the competitiveness of the term I'd guess.

 

[Scott-Copywriter]

I think it could do with a bit more 'design' to be honest. It looks like the website of a machinery manufacturer. There's no comfort, no warmth and no emotion, yet all of these relate to your services in some way.

Also, use copy to really highlight what you do. Make a simple 'before and after' showcasing what you can do with just that one image and # amount of time. Don't be afraid to use copy either. Sure you should use the images as your main selling piece, but sales conversion rates will go up if you can go into a bit more detail about what you do, why it's so good and why you're so much better than competitors. People like to read information so they can build up trust before they buy.

 

[Deleted member 70659]

Round 2!

http://i53.tinypic.com/12645ea.jpg

Have made it a bit more design'y. What do you think of the people on the outside?

Haven't added the small copyright stuff at bottom, or little html links yet.