Now I'm for it!

Get some feedback on your site or ad from other rental owners and techies. Also a library of online resources so you can make DIY improvements to your web presence.
Essar
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Now I'm for it!

Post by Essar »

I've never actually commented on anyone else's website on LMH as I don't feel I know enough about web design to comment (going for the sympathy vote). I have been updating my website to a central site for both properties rather than individual ones, so I thought I'd throw it in the ring for a mauling.
It's still not quite finished yet, the photos are old ones and the apartments have altered somewhat since they were taken, I'm having "Proper pictures" taken next week so should see a marked improvement after they are edited and uploaded.
There seems to be a lot of very able techies and designer folk on here, as I don't have any web design experience other that my own sites I want your comments and views emphasis to be on content and look-and-feel rather than the technology, I do have abit of technical knowledge but would still welcome any fatalities people spot.
Please be brutal - I'm brave and strong!

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Steve
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CSE
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Post by CSE »

I can see why you would want your properties rolled into one site. But I do feel this is not working with this design.
Have a landing page and then have some details about each property. Then link to said property where the person can find all the information they want. Link from one property to the other so they can flick around if their original choice is not suitable or available etc.
Cut down on the length of the pages for the properties. Divided them up into short more manageable bites of information.
Have several common pages with details for contact and what visitors to the area can do and see.

The heading photos for Blue Waters are not so good. Some units look empty and there is a for sale sign in one photo. I would suggest you retake them.
The heading photos hit the top of my screen could you make a small gap between the top of the heading and the screen. It need not be much say up to 5 pixels. Then it will not look as if I have maybe missed something from the website.

Hope that helps.

PS I can see your hosting is in Denmark!
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Windy
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Post by Windy »

Hi Essar

First impression - why did it open with the top of the page missing - ah there's no top margin / padding - it threw me and I was trying to scroll up at first.

It all looks crisp and clean - maybe a bit flat with the grey but that's just a personal view.

Next I found the navigation a bit perverse. I didn't know what "seven bluewaters" is - I sussed it was a property when I clicked on it and then that Southborne was where it was located but it wasn't obvious immediately, and immediately is what we have to go for. More signposting required I think

I then followed a link from the bottom of the page and realised that all the property detail were on one long page. I would be MUCH easier to digest if it were on several pages or if you used something like Domtabs http://www.onlinetools.org/tools/domtabdata/ to split the data into tabs.

I think you need to work a bit ore on navigation and layout. The bones are all there but they need putting together a bit more intuitively.
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Jimbo
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Re: Now I'm for it!

Post by Jimbo »

Essar wrote:I'm having "Proper pictures" taken next week so should see a marked improvement after they are edited and uploaded.
Which suggests that you're commissioning a professional photographer or using a knowledgeable friend. But, even if you're using an experienced professional, don't be afraid to input your ideas and requirements into the shoot - no pro worth their salt will be offended by a strong steer from their client (if they are, you've got the wrong one).

Take a close look at the websites of successful owners on here to see how they use atmosphere, colour, viewpoint and framing to good effect. Maybe draw your photographer's attention to those sites that you find attractive (particularly if s/he hasn't shot a lot of holiday property). This isn't endorsing copying or stealing, rather this is using other peoples' creativity as a kick-off point for your own imagination.

Jim
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Giddy Goat
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Post by Giddy Goat »

Pro tem Essar, I would ditch the irritating moving images on the banner of the home page in favour of this single image. There is opportunity when visitors click on an apartment to get more external pics.

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e-richard
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Re: Now I'm for it!

Post by e-richard »

Essar wrote:Please be brutal - I'm brave and strong!
Even though you asked for it, I'm not going to enjoy these criticisms. You have clearly put a lot of effort into this, and in parts, its really very good, but...

1. Site structure
As others have said, your home page is very (over) complicated. Simple intro to the two properties, then click through to each is a good approach.

Then once thru to each property, instead of one long page, break that up with nice consistent menus. The menu's under each property on the home page seem to be ideal for you. Put these on the individual pages, and not on the home page.

2. Some design thoughts

a) You have found some cool tricks, and then used them all. Bad - especially when using multiple different tricks on the same page!

b) Too many different design thingies. All those boxes, buttons, icons just clutter rather than clarify.

If you want to understand this better, I can strongly recommend Save The Pixel. Its not cheap, but referred to in so many blogs and articles by web designers (Google for "Save the Pixel")

A particular hate of mine (and many others) is too much animation on the page (personally, I prefer none). Those scrolling room by room panels on each property page are really annoying. Particularly if one is actually trying to read what its saying.

One very specific point, but even this points to a more general issues:

Your main menu invites me to look at "Special Offers". Great.
I read the info, and it exhorts me to Book Now! Great.
But, now looking at that special offers page - HOW DO I BOOK ?
You've potentially lost a customer by not having an instantly visible link to contact or booking page.

In fact you want to make it easy for your visitor to book or contact you at any time during his visit to the website.

From those parts that I did read, I think that you have some really great content, copy and useful info. When properly organised, there is the makings of a valuable website.
** Richard
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Essar
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Be brutal

Post by Essar »

Thank you everyone for all your comments so far.
I think I've got off rather lightly - so I'm really pleased.

The general consensus is to break up the individual property portions currently on one page into individual pages - I agree and will do so asap.

I've already added a margin at the top, good point about trying to scroll up.

I've changed the main menu to identify the individual properties, what is "seven-bluewater"? - good point.

casasantoestevo
Yes the websites are hosted in Denmark, I use one.com, I don't think it makes much difference as long as it's in Europe.

jimbo
The company I'm using specialise in properties they are used by all the local estate agents (of which there are many) and two of the bigger holiday agency co's, that said, there standards vary depending on the commission price being paid!

giddy goat
I quite like my scrolling banner but I can understand how it would irritate. I'm going to try it with better pictures and see how it goes for a short time. Although I like it I'm not adverse to binning it for a still banner photo.

e-richard
I must admit I have always found your posts to be especially direct and extremely good, however, in my case GET LOST! - Just kidding! You make a good point about the scrolling room by room details section - it can be stopped by clicking it - your right though to many gimmicks - this ones for the bin!
Good point about the links from the Special Offers to the enquiry and booking forms - will be done later tonight.


Thank you all once again. - please don't hang up on me more feedback please.

Kindest regards
Steve
"Write something, even if it's just a suicide note"
"There is no human problem which could not be solved if people would simply do as I advise"
"As for my amnesia, I've had it as long as I can remember"
Real name: Steve
Gender: Male
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Jimbo
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Post by Jimbo »

The company I'm using specialise in properties they are used by all the local estate agents (of which there are many) and two of the bigger holiday agency co's ...
That's only sort of encouraging because, although that should guarantee good technical quality, estate agents tend to use 'record' rather than 'atmospheric' shots to shift houses - and no people are allowed to intrude anywhere in the photographs. Remember, with holiday properties, you're always selling the dream.

So, I'd suggest looking carefully through your prospective photographers' portfolios and spelling out clearly what range of shots you will require in advance of the shoot. It'll be too late when you get to the editing stage!

Jim
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