- Please note, if i ever come off rude or harsh, I'm sorry! I just take reviewing things seriously... -
Constructive Review:
Initial Reaction (the first words that came to mind): "My that's a heavy header"
Second Reaction: "That font is overused."
Third Reaction: "Clean, simple, easy to read layout."
Ok, now on to other, more constructive things:
Layout(7/10):
That header at the top, while ok on higher resolution systems, is really heavy when viewed within xScope's 1024x768 blockout. Users with that screen resolution will see everything from the header to the top of the man's forehead. In my experience, it's best to have sites that aren't blogs, forums, or news sites to have a 1 page length entry page. If people like what they see, they will dig deeper, but if they have to scroll to see everything, they will be more likely to bounce. That's not an end all, but i just find that that seems to be important to viewers of sites i've managed in the past.
The image with the men's facial text is barren - it a giant block of brown with a little image and some text. Streamlining it would be an excellent way to not only slim up the front page, but also clean up that area. It seems to throw it off balance.
Back to the header image: Aside from the fact that i don't know what "image not paid for" means - (i'm sure that there will be an informational block there) the header image, combined with your nav and the logo at the top, just make the whole page feel really top heavy. Consider combining the nav with the header image or slimming it up a little.
The testimonials block is pretty good, i wouldn't change anything there, BUT i wouldn't have the "flexible hours of operation" right there above the "Clients Comments" unless you add some sort of break. A little more than an hr though. Also, i would consider posting preferred hours of operation, as well, so you can say what the usual hours are, plus state that you have flexible hours as well. This will also fill that area out a bit.
On areas where you have lists like the services page, i would consider alternating between background colors in every line, to make it easier to read. For example, if you were to change the background of the site to #D0D09F, you could make every other line #C3C390.
Concept(8/10):
Overall, the site design is simple, clean and efficient, and is designed in a manner that effectively displays the information desired.
Design/Color(6/10):
Biggest dings here are probably just personal for me, but you wanted a review! I don't care for the white background, that coupled with a Serif font just looks academic - which this site shouldn't be. I would recommend using a softer color for the background, say a brown, and a Sans-Serif font family for the text. It would make the site seem less harsh.
The greens are nice, and well chosen.
The logo is simple, effective and sufficiently classy.
I would highly recommend modifying your css a. tags to change the links from blue. This goes along with the color of the background of the body of the site - they just look bland and academic. And really old school. : ) Oh, and don't underline anything that isn't a link. : P
PM me if you need help with that.
Also, the image header at the top (oh, no not that again!) transitions too quickly and too harshly. Try adjusting that cycle time and the fade effect. It's kind of nauseating... Also consider only having it on the main page, and 86-ing it from the others, as this would offer some visual differences between the entry page and further in.
It might be wise to make your front page image heavy with the quick blurb you have there, along with your menus and logo, and have some of your features along the right and bottom. This is hard to envision so check this simiilar site out:
www.spasydell.com Notice that all of the pertinant information is clearly displayed for users with smaller screen sizes, and when you link out you get the longer texts. Also notice that the front page is graphically different from the others.
Overall(7/10 not an average):
Overall it's a good, simple site that displays the product and it's features in a clear and concise manner. The graphics, colors, and layout need a little work, but it's definitely got a good foot in the door. There are some incongruities across the whole of the design, particularly the Biography page, which mysteriously looses the heading, but other than that, i think it's doing it's job well.
Let me know if you have any questions!
Dev.
