Thread: Opinions Needed

I am in the middle of designing a website for the company my hubby and I just started (we had a similar company about 5 years BC... before children... and had a great time working together... after our accident we wanted to work together again- life is too short). My eyes are starting to hurt and I just wanted some opinions on layout, ease of navigation etc
http://www.YourJobDoneRight.com
We do primarily Home Theater Installations, plasma/LCD TV on the wall mounts, surround sound etc. etc. We just hooked up with a couple of electronics distributors- so we can get equipment at good prices and basically give everything to our customers at our price and make our money on the installation services- which are about half what you would pay retail... circuit city wants like $800 for a premium installation.

If you notice any mistakes or anything that bothers your eyes (colors/layout) or find something difficult to understand please let me know- I need the feedback to make sure it is a workable site.

Thanks all!

Looks great. We could have used you about three weeks ago. Crawling around in the attic running surround sound wires is no fun. But, the end result was a Harmon Kardon 7.2 surround system with a 47" Samsung LCD 1080p. But, I digress. Sorry. The website looks really good. I like the light gray background and it's not too hard on the eyes. I really don't have any suggestions. It's easy to navigate and looks great. That rhymed.

I think the silver/grey look is overly boring. It doesn't get me excited to be at the site, and probably wouldn't get me excited about anything you're offering to sell or do. I don't like the mouse-over changes on the links from Navy Blue to Silver; it's incredibly dull as far as colors go. I think there's better ways to incorporate your services/products into the design; and would be more appealing to prospective customers if there was more color to the site.

I'm assuming it's a pre-made template design. I also don't get the whole birds and sun in the sky fits in with what you're trying to sell.

That's my criticism. I wouldn't buy from a website that looked like that. It's not very professional.

Thanks seeingred sounds like a sweet system you setup, whats the wattage on the harmon? I know I could look it up but am too lazy lol
oh and maybe I should have been more specific... yes I do want opinions and even areas one might think could be improved- but I am not going to change the entire site after all the work I've done- so if you pretty much don't like anything or have only negative to say (like its boring or unprofessional) then don't bother posting- its not helpful. I always forget there are those that will only criticize and have nothing nice to say lol- silly me
again these are the specific things I need opinions on:
mistakes or anything that bothers your eyes (colors/layout) or find something difficult to understand
meaning when you go to read the text the colors bother your eyes, spelling errors, or if the explanations of services are not comprehend able- please comment

Originally Posted by melissAnn

oh and maybe I should have been more specific... yes I do want opinions and even areas one might think could be improved- but I am not going to change the entire site after all the work I've done- so if you pretty much don't like anything or have only negative to say (like its boring or unprofessional) then don't bother posting- its not helpful. I always forget there are those that will only criticize and have nothing nice to say lol- silly me
again these are the specific things I need opinions on:
mistakes or anything that bothers your eyes (colors/layout) or find something difficult to understand
meaning when you go to read the text the colors bother your eyes, spelling errors, or if the explanations of services are not comprehend able- please comment

I gave constructive criticism on the colors of the website and how the design is not pleasing to the eye. They are very boring, as some people have mentioned very bland. I still doesn't see how the template really goes with what you want to sell. I'd also agree with Claymore on more pictures showing work you've done.

That was my honest assessment. Colors need improvement, (more colors) the design has to match what you're selling (not be random) and you need more pictures. I'm trying to help you out. It's my belief it doesn't look very professional; and if it's for a business - that could be a problem; IMHO.

I'd like to say I know a bit about web design, considering I ran a web design business for my last few years of high school and was able to get some good clients. Being close friends with a guy who has built websites and worked for some huge corporations (Travelocity, Siemens, etc.) has also been pretty helpful. I showed the site to him and he said the same things. He's just trying to help as well.

Originally Posted by Dream

I gave constructive criticism on the colors of the website and how the design is not pleasing to the eye. They are very boring, as some people have mentioned very bland. I still doesn't see how the template really goes with what you want to sell. I'd also agree with Claymore on more pictures showing work you've done.

That was my honest assessment. Colors need improvement, (more colors) the design has to match what you're selling (not be random) and you need more pictures. I'm trying to help you out. It's my belief it doesn't look very professional; and if it's for a business - that could be a problem; IMHO.

It was your delivery that left much to be desired- next time you want to give 'constructive criticism' try using words that aren't insulting and people might actually listen to what you have to say. Maybe even throw in something nice so it takes some of the sting out of what you are saying. I know- maybe that is too much to ask of (some) people who seem not to care about peoples feelings- but it was really my bad for asking... and not remembering (some) people don't care about others feelings especially when they type things online.
Honesty is hard to appreciate when it takes no heed for someones feelings.

I would say color looks good, but the banner might be kinda big. As a consumer, it is so important to see multiple pics of past work.

That is the most important to me. If you know you can beat Best Buy, Circuit city etc.... Maybe put total job cost with an abbreviated description of what was purchased. Toshiba plasma, blue ray etc.........Cabling cost per foot etc....

Looks very nice though.

Originally Posted by claymore

I would say color looks good, but the banner might be kinda big. As a consumer, it is so important to see multiple pics of past work.

That is the most important to me. If you know you can beat Best Buy, Circuit city etc.... Maybe put total job cost with an abbreviated description of what was purchased. Toshiba plasma, blue ray etc.........Cabling cost per foot etc....

Looks very nice though.

yeah- I will be adding a section with pics of our work- but I hadn't thought of showing the cost of said items- thats a great idea

It's been a long time since I went to the Art Institute of Colorado, but my opinion is that I would move the banner lower and to the right of the bottom of the TV. Also the text "Hello and welcome" etc... should be moved a teensy bit to the right so it's centered between the picture and the edge of the box.

Add your extra pics and maybe a bit more color and you're great! Good job!

It is a bit bland, but I do think the basic look is very good.

You have a great foundation to buil on.

Originally Posted by Kapaibro

It is a bit bland, but I do think the basic look is very good.

You have a great foundation to buil on.

Thanks kapi- I know it still needs some work- but I just had to stop for a while lol

Also in your package deal section you might want to include a little more info on the Onkyo receiver like wattage, what sound formats it supports crap like that. Same for the remote it looks like a Xantech but maybe provide some more info about that also

Originally Posted by Broncogator

Also in your package deal section you might want to include a little more info on the Onkyo receiver like wattage, what sound formats it supports crap like that. Same for the remote it looks like a Xantech but maybe provide some more info about that also

Yes I do need to add that info in- I managed to add it to the surround sound page- but not the HT package page- I'll make a note of it!

OK- so I changed the template- now there will be a million little things I need to change so don't bother going to anything but the home page lol- most of the pictures will need to be swapped out- I still need to get our name in etc- but as far as color etc- now what do you think? Better or worse? Just thought I'd get some feedback before I go change everything which will take me a while.
I actually like the darker background- I know there is still a lot of gray but now there is more color (blue).
heres the link again- thanks everyone who took the time to check it out the first time- I got some great ideas.
http://www.YourJobDoneRight.com

Originally Posted by melissAnn

OK- so I changed the template- now there will be a million little things I need to change so don't bother going to anything but the home page lol- most of the pictures will need to be swapped out- I still need to get our name in etc- but as far as color etc- now what do you think? Better or worse? Just thought I'd get some feedback before I go change everything which will take me a while.
I actually like the darker background- I know there is still a lot of gray but now there is more color (blue).
heres the link again- thanks everyone who took the time to check it out the first time- I got some great ideas.
http://www.YourJobDoneRight.com

I like the darker colors better. It looks sleeker and at least in my mind seems to imply more high end electronics than the lighter gray. Just a personal perference though. Either would be good.