Very new to this. Please be gentle...

[sd2]

Like the title says, I'm total new to "trying" to design a website as you can probably tell once you visit the site. I was really hesitant to do this, but I would like some feedback other than my family that say it looks good. I would like to do a flash site but don't have the time to try and learn it just yet.



Thanks for any help.

sd2

[roban]

Welcome to the forum sd2.

This not a bad start and there are several things that can be done to improve and build on what you've done so far. I am sure that you will be tweaking and even doing complete make overs as time goes by.

First here is a site that can help you with some basic issues http://www.sitereportcard.com/index.php. You will find that you are missing meta data like site description and key words. Since this is a template I think you should consider a site using external .css so your won't have things like <font color="#CC9977" size="+2"> for your text coding. There are many free css templates including external css and these will help you clean up your html and give you greater latitude in your designing.

Images. I would have liked to see real images instead of stock ones. Especially in the About us page. Why not have a picture of you as this would go a long way in giving credibility to your business and you'll need all the credibility you can muster to compete. Testimonials would help as well.

I was looking for equipment. What products do you use and how do you use it? Information and plenty of it. You say you have solutions for the pool and infant's room. What are they? What are the costs and how are they calculated.

Content and more content. Don't be satisfied and keep on improving.

Do a search for 'Home video surveillance security systems' and see what your competition is doing.

[sd2]

Thanks Roban for the good direction. I feel you are absolutely right in all aspects that you mentioned. I have been working on this site at night, as it's the only time I can, usually till 1-2am. I would like to do a complete makeover but my wife will kill me if I keep working late into the night as this is the 3rd version. But I will make the changes as you said.

One more question: Does the site look "hokey"?

Thanks,
sd2

[roban]

"hokey"? I wouldn't say that at all. Incomplete is more like it.

[Gromit]

Hi...I'll add my two cents to what Roban has already covered so well...

Content: be sure to have other people read through your content to check for grammar and spelling errors. It may seem silly, but those types of errors have a negative impact on your credibility with potential customers (note to self: check for typos in this post).

For example, on one page you have "piece of mind" and on another you write "peace of mind"...which is what you want. It's so easy to miss these details....especially since you're working on the site late at night.

Also, take a look at this Web site design article from Ecommerce-guide.com...Helen Bradley gives a great take on using fonts.

http://www.ecommerce-guide.com/solut...1835_3748031_1

I'd prefer a nicer set of fonts for your text, and don't center justify the content, since it stretches out the text and leaves big spaces between each word.

Check for other articles by Helen Bradley...she really knows her design stuff.

Good luck!

[JPnyc]

also, the coding is very poor because Dreamweaver was used, and from the looks of it, an older version of Dreamweaver at that. But most users will never know. It could have some slight adverse effects on search engine ranking, however.

[sd2]

Thanks Guys for looking at it and offering your information for improvements. I'm working on it every night and trying to incorporate all suggestions, but for the coding, that's a bit out of my league, sorry.

For the "font", I plan to use arial, size "2". Would this be a good one to choose?

I am in the process of revamping the visual layout just a bit and when it's done I will ask for it to be reviewed.

Much appreciated,
sd2

[dchargers]

Feel free to share when ready.

[sd2]

Thanks.