Sep. 04 2008 at 12:48 PM
HostRail Posted by: HostRail
A client has requested that I post her website for a critique. http://funeralsandweddings.com

After selecting your preference of funeral or wedding, is it clear that the navigation bar on the left helps you move up and down the page?  Does the audio box on the right stand out enough to compel you to click on something to listen? 

Thank you for your time,



Edited by: HostRail - Sep. 04 2008 at 12:52 PM
www.HostRail.com
www.DylanDesignLab.com
Sep. 04 2008 at 1:12 PM
charlie702 Posted by: charlie702
I really like the site...  It isn't initially obvious that the navigation bar will move you up and down but I really like how it does it.  Cool effect and the song keeps playing!
 
The audio box could have a bit more to bring you to it... perhaps a "Listen Now" label above it...
Sep. 04 2008 at 9:26 PM
vwebworld Posted by: vwebworld
The top of the menu is cut off with IE7, but ok with FireFox.
 
the file size of the images/photos are too large 85KB to 160kb.
 
The photo at the bottom of the weddings page is from a movie - does the site owner have the rights to use that photo?
 
If a viewer has javascript turned off the menu is useless. Scrolling is a pain too... I think it would be better to create a separate page to each menu item.
 
There are many META tags and most are not needed.
 
The title is the same for both the weddings and funeral pages... should be different as should the description.
 
There should be alt image tags for each image/photo... using relevant targeted keywords.
 
When a person first goes to the weddings or funeral page... they see a photo, no marketing message. The site owner might think about either reducing the image size so that important information can be seen by the viewer or include a marketing message on the photo.
 
As suggested - tell the viewer how to listen to samples - if that's what you want them to do.
 
The links at the bottom of the page... not sure what they are for or why they are there. Is seems that they are a part of the website... but my guess is they are just out-bound links. Having just out-bound links is not great for the site's ranking...and it doesn't look like there are in-bound links (back links).
 
~Roland
Web Design | Golf videos | ecommerce articles | Golf Lessons
Sep. 04 2008 at 10:25 PM
HostRail Posted by: HostRail
Thank you Roland.  I have made note of your suggestions to bring to my client.  The links at the bottom of the page are link backs that the client requested in order to be listed on a few wedding venue sites for free.  I disagree about the javascript.  99.9 percent of viewers will have their javascript turned on.  I do think the sliding one-page flow works very well for this client who has one service to sell.  Sending viewers around to a tangle of pages for this one service would be overdone.  Thank you again,
www.HostRail.com
www.DylanDesignLab.com
Sep. 04 2008 at 11:23 PM
houseofjerkyjanie Posted by: houseofjerkyjanie
Funerals and weddings can evoke different emotions.  I usually feel sad at a funeral and happy at a wedding.  To me, seeing the two together, seems..... to need some sort of message first..
 
The pictures are beautiful and the site is very nice visually.  I think it's great that the music is fitting for both. 
 
Janie
Sep. 04 2008 at 11:32 PM
houseofjerkyjanie Posted by: houseofjerkyjanie
I just read something the other day, I have to share now.:)
 
This guy got married in a funeral home. He said it didn't make a difference to him if he was married there,... or in a church.  He said, when you get married in a church, do you realize how many caskets went down the aisle before you?!
 
Sep. 05 2008 at 8:18 PM
Videography Posted by: Videography
The client is a singer/musician, so I can see why the divide from weddings and funerals.  But, it's not necessary to be so black and white, especially because both sides describe the same person, similar services and prices. 

I don't like long pages when sub-pages would be more appropriate.

The comment that 99% of the PC base has Flash is marketspeak from Adobe.  It is not a reliable number because a significant number - likely a minority - of browser users have disabled flash through the mane "protection" products out there.  The 99% figure refers to the installed base of Flash, not the installed and enabled base.

Overall, it's a pretty good site, except for one significant omission.  It's on the WORLD wide web.  What is the market scope?  (I.E. Where are you?)

Steve Mann
Internet Videographer
MannMade Digital Video
My Email


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