Critique my site?

[kaval]

Hi everyone. I'm in the process of redoing my website but I'm looking for suggestions on how I can improve what is already in place. The new website will be a complete overhaul, but I would still like some suggestions, criticisms, comments on how or what I could change or do better so I don't make the same 'mistakes' (if you will) twice.

A few things that I will be doing with the new site:
- white, clean theme
- consistent font
- portfolio section will be easier to update, and have less pictures per car so it's less time consuming to go through each entry
- remove the distinction between Exterior and Interior portfolio entries
- FormMail contact
- Adding specialized services section
- Embedded Google Calendar (read only)
- Update testimonial section
- Have less Menu buttons at the top.

My site can be accessed by clicking on my username and pressing "Visit kaval's homepage"

Thank you in advance! I'm really looking forward to seeing what you have to say.

Kaval

[Devilsown]

Dude do you really need a critique... you site is really nice... Im very impressed, easy to nav and very well put togeather. Keep up the good work.

[Slickery]

Seriously, one of the best I've seen.

[jtis]

Great site! I'm jelous

[Twista616]

I agree...no need to do a complete overhaul...just update what you currently have. Same text throughout is a must! Keep it consistant. One thing I noticed in your services page...you have set prices for everything. What happens when a car comes in completely trashed?? Insert a claus there that states "pricing reflect current condition of the car"( Something along those lines. I'm in the same process of updating my website. But i have to do it myself!

[STG]

"Currently serving the Greater Toronto Area, Make It Shine offers its valued clients the most flexible detailing packages to suit your needs, with unsurpassed quality and professionalism."

Huh? That's painful.

Make it Shine delivers unsurpassed quality in the greater Toronto area. From car washes to paint restoration, our services are custom fit to the needs of our valued clients. To maximize and maintain the beauty of your vehicle, please call for a no-cost evaluation at your convenience.

"Maintaining your vehicle’s appearance is an important part in preventing paint failure, rust, and its overall resale value! On top of that, a clean vehicle makes you look good!

Each exterior package has been carefully put together to give you superior quality that fits your budget, while making you and your vehicle looking phenomenal! Simply bring your vehicle to us, and we will Make It Shine!

Please note that these packages are not applicable to mobile service. For mobile services, click here."

I'm not about to rewrite your entire site. Someone else should.

[kaval]

Thanks for all of your comments! I've received a lot of compliments on the current site, but I feel it's time for something cleaner with different colours and layout throughout. I did the current site in iWeb and felt that although it gives you an excellent start, while designing the site there are quite a few things you wish you could do.

Originally Posted by STG

"Currently serving the Greater Toronto Area, Make It Shine offers its valued clients the most flexible detailing packages to suit your needs, with unsurpassed quality and professionalism."

Huh? That's painful.

Make it Shine delivers unsurpassed quality in the greater Toronto area. From car washes to paint restoration, our services are custom fit to the needs of our valued clients. To maximize and maintain the beauty of your vehicle, please call for a no-cost evaluation at your convenience.

"Maintaining your vehicle’s appearance is an important part in preventing paint failure, rust, and its overall resale value! On top of that, a clean vehicle makes you look good!

Each exterior package has been carefully put together to give you superior quality that fits your budget, while making you and your vehicle looking phenomenal! Simply bring your vehicle to us, and we will Make It Shine!

Please note that these packages are not applicable to mobile service. For mobile services, click here."

I'm not about to rewrite your entire site. Someone else should.

Thanks for the critique, I appreciate it!
I didn't ask you to rewrite my site though, lol. This is partly why I am redoing everything. Thanks again.

[salty]

Very nice site. I thing i noticed was a least to most expensive in the exterior and the opposite in the interior section.

[Apollo_Auto]

Nice site Kaval! Personally I would change a couple of things though. First, although Flash intros look nice, they're a bit annoying to the visitor because when someone comes to your site they're looking for information and that's just another click they have to make to get it. Also, if they have a slow connection... Second, all the PNG images that you have with text on them.. I would get rid of those as well and use plain text only, because you're losing valuable text which helps with search engine optimization... Google can't read images . Third, I would change the image galleries to a Java slideshow or something else because you can't put alternate text on each of the individual pictures, as Flash is a "movie". This also has a big download time so for someone with a slow connection... (OK I don't know anyone that has a 56k these days, but still). Again, you're losing valuable SEO text and information opportunities. Other than technical aspects, the site is fine. The colors are simple, design is good and easy to navigate. Just my thoughts

[kaval]

Originally Posted by salty

Very nice site. I thing i noticed was a least to most expensive in the exterior and the opposite in the interior section.

Thanks for pointing that out! I'm actually just going to remove the bottom two packages and keep the more expensive one.

Originally Posted by Apollo_Auto

Nice site Kaval! Personally I would change a couple of things though. First, although Flash intros look nice, they're a bit annoying to the visitor because when someone comes to your site they're looking for information and that's just another click they have to make to get it. Also, if they have a slow connection... Second, all the PNG images that you have with text on them.. I would get rid of those as well and use plain text only, because you're losing valuable text which helps with search engine optimization... Google can't read images . Third, I would change the image galleries to a Java slideshow or something else because you can't put alternate text on each of the individual pictures, as Flash is a "movie". This also has a big download time so for someone with a slow connection... (OK I don't know anyone that has a 56k these days, but still). Again, you're losing valuable SEO text and information opportunities. Other than technical aspects, the site is fine. The colors are simple, design is good and easy to navigate. Just my thoughts

Thanks for your insight. Interesting what you say about the flash intro, and it's something to keep in mind. I really like the flash intro myself so it will be hard to give up, lol. Nonetheless, it's something to definitely consider.

As for the PNG images, I designed the site using iWeb, and Mac's default image format is PNG. Weird though, with iWeb, sometimes formatting the text automatically turns it into an image. I tried everything to get it back into text but it won't budge. You'll notice I was able to do it on same pages though since there is selectable text on some portions of the site. Hopefully this will be eliminated when the new site is done.

I've thought about changing the gallery, but I kind of like the fact that viewers get taken through a slideshow of pictures, rather than having them click away at any random shot. This way they can see the gradual transformation of the car. One thing I'm going to do for sure, is limit the amount of pictures I put up there and be more mindful of saving for web...that should help with the loading time.

Thanks again!!!!!!

[reparebrise]

Nice site

From a business perspective I would refrain from adding comments to the pics such as marks caused by previous detailer. To degrade your competition is not a pro thing to do. Also concerning the pics i agree there are too many, and before and after should be side by side.

Ask yourself a question who is your site aimed at, customers or fellow deatilers. If your goal is other detailers than great, if its for customers than it does need a review, one that makes the site more relavent for them.