Website Review and Suggestions

**ATLChris** · 06-25-2009, 02:16 PM

Hey everyone, I just started a company called Collective Core. We are a small web design and development firm in Atlanta, GA. I was hoping to get some feedback on our official company website.

I am looking for thoughts on professionalism, layout, usability, colors, and logo.

Thanks in Advanced.

**LadynRed** · 06-25-2009, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Web standards are important to us - all of our projects are validated using the W3C validator.

Ummm.... I think you need to run the validator on your own site

You've got a lot of errors, a lot of them stemming from an invalid value on the height and width attributes of the <img> tag - you specify the dimensions, you do not specify the unit - you have 'px' on all your image dimensions.

If you're going to do boast web standards, maybe you should consider a STRICT doctype, html 4.0 loose transitional is sooo loosey-goosey and really isn't 'web standard' at all.

Layout, colors and usability is pretty good. I would, however, darken up the light gray text, for some people with visual impairments, that text is awfully light.

**ATLChris** · 06-25-2009, 02:57 PM

I fixed up those few instances of px appearing in the image dimension properties. Thanks for pointing that out. As for the validation, I am getting an all clear from W3C: http://validator.w3.org/check?uri=ht...Inline&group=0

Thanks for the light grey text. I will play around with that.

**LadynRed** · 06-25-2009, 05:41 PM

I'm seeing 2 minor warnings:

Quote:

line 241 column 5 - Warning: <form> anchor "clientlogin" already defined

The other has to do with a blank <a href="">.

**ATLChris** · 06-26-2009, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LadynRed

I'm seeing 2 minor warnings:

The other has to do with a blank <a href="">.

Can you link me to the validation you are using because W3C is saying I a pass.

**LadynRed** · 06-26-2009, 09:58 AM

I use the HTML Tidy extension for Firefox -
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/249 - you can read the details of it's validation on there.

Clearly it's right, you're only supposed to use an ID once on a page.

**ATLChris** · 06-26-2009, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LadynRed

I use the HTML Tidy extension for Firefox -
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/249 - you can read the details of it's validation on there.

Clearly it's right, you're only supposed to use an ID once on a page.

Yes, I agree, it is right, I was just confused because the W3C validation was giving me the all clear. Thanks for the tip on HTML Tidy.

**ATLChris** · 06-26-2009, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LadynRed

I use the HTML Tidy extension for Firefox -
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/249 - you can read the details of it's validation on there.

Clearly it's right, you're only supposed to use an ID once on a page.

OK, went through all the pages with HTML Tidy, which is great, thanks for the tip. I cleared up all the warnings with the exception of the blog which I am still working on.

I will say this though, the finding you kept pointing out were just warnings. My code was valid. Warnings are just validation standards, errors are what prevent you from passing validation. But, I want to do it right, so I fixed up the warnings

**LadynRed** · 06-26-2009, 11:54 AM

I know that, and I did say that they were minor warnings only. I'm pretty fussy I guess, I want that green check mark.. lol. Although, there are some warnings that I'm willing to ignore, it just depends on what it is - like using the <b> tag to create rounded corners.. works like a charm, but Tidy kicks out warning on an empty <b> tag - that one I ignore, no harm, no foul

HTML Tidy is a great extension, along with Firebug and Web Developer, I can hardly do without them any more.

**Giselle** · 06-26-2009, 12:30 PM

A big Thank You LadynRed for the link, I had no idea Firefox had a HTML Validator addon. After reading this thread I installed the addon, it's wonderful and numbered lines too! It will be a tremendous help for my CSS homework.

Thanks for starting the thread Chris and good luck with your webpages!

**ATLChris** · 06-26-2009, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LadynRed

I know that, and I did say that they were minor warnings only. I'm pretty fussy I guess, I want that green check mark.. lol. Although, there are some warnings that I'm willing to ignore, it just depends on what it is - like using the <b> tag to create rounded corners.. works like a charm, but Tidy kicks out warning on an empty <b> tag - that one I ignore, no harm, no foul

HTML Tidy is a great extension, along with Firebug and Web Developer, I can hardly do without them any more.

Yeah I use Firebug and Web Developer but didn't know about HTML Tidy. Lovin it though. It will help to make validating much quicker.

**vangogh** · 06-30-2009, 09:13 PM

Sorry I'm late to the party Chris. As I mentioned in your intro thread I do like the site. It looks very professional and gives a good impression. I can't really find any fault with the design.

One thing I do notice is your subnavigation on the Service page is simply taking people to different parts of the same page. You might want to turn that page into multiple pages. It'll give you a chance to focus the pages on different sets of keywords for your different services.

On the contact form I would have the non required fields on the form. Every extra field on the form will probably reduce the amount of people who fill it out. You can ask for the persons phone number and website in a follow up email. Same thing with the how did you find us question. Grab the absolute minimum you need and get the rest of the info in future contact.

Overall really nice job.

**ATLChris** · 07-01-2009, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vangogh

Sorry I'm late to the party Chris. As I mentioned in your intro thread I do like the site. It looks very professional and gives a good impression. I can't really find any fault with the design.

One thing I do notice is your subnavigation on the Service page is simply taking people to different parts of the same page. You might want to turn that page into multiple pages. It'll give you a chance to focus the pages on different sets of keywords for your different services.

On the contact form I would have the non required fields on the form. Every extra field on the form will probably reduce the amount of people who fill it out. You can ask for the persons phone number and website in a follow up email. Same thing with the how did you find us question. Grab the absolute minimum you need and get the rest of the info in future contact.

Overall really nice job.

Ahh its never to late to chime in. As for my services page, I believe it is best to be brief and keep information on one page. The more clicking people have todo, the more likely they are to just leave.

You thoughts are good on the contact form. I will defiantly consider making some changes there.