Web Site Re-Design Review

[Dark Knight]

I received an online spanking the other day. A user posted such horrible things about my web site that I had to spend about 3 days to re-design it. I hope to be a web developer. Can I have honest feedback about what chances I have of being able to make it in this competitive industry.
Thanks
Dark Knight

http://www.battindustries.com

[justinbarneskin]

Depends on if you are a good salesman or not. You'll have to learn to have less compasion for the client and only be "great" to work with.

[Reddox]

Show us the site :)

[Dark Knight]

sorry. http://www.battindustries.com

[Reddox]

Hmm, it's really messy. Loads of text and the gif animations just hurts my eyes

[Mania]

Dark Knight, I am sure you are referring to me for saying "the horrible things" about your site, but did you really have to make another thread about this? I gave you honest feedback and it's not always pleasant. There's just this ongoing trend that everyone who makes a site using dreamweaver is automatically a Web Designer. I'm not saying this is the case with you nor that you even use dreamweaver, but that was the feeling I got with your site. I looked at your site again and it's not that bad, it just needs a little tweaking to make it look more professional.

[Dark Knight]

Dark Knight, I am sure you are referring to me for saying "the horrible things" about your site, but did you really have to make another thread about this? I gave you honest feedback and it's not always pleasant. There's just this ongoing trend that everyone who makes a site using dreamweaver is automatically a Web Designer. I'm not saying this is the case with you nor that you even use dreamweaver, but that was the feeling I got with your site. I looked at your site again and it's not that bad, it just needs a little tweaking to make it look more professional.

Thank you mania. You sat me in a chair, and I have humbled myself. I know there are REAL web professionals out there that are my inspiration. I will keep learning and applying my creativity to my projects. I'm just trying to create my own opportunity to work from home. What is your Home Site?

[justinbarneskin]

304kb for a little image is laughable, Here is a simple screen capture that reduces the size fer ya. (attached batty.jpg)

Yes, you really need to lose your fascination with animated gif files.

If you like movement, here's a page of mine that shows how to incorporate artistry with grunt work into your day.

(IE only!) (http://home.centurytel.net/abcd/Amazing.htm)

Keep up the good work! :)

[Dark Knight]

thanks justin. I forgot to optimize that graphic. I appreciate it. I think the animation game board is very cool. I'm going to view the code when I have a few more minutes. I was hoping someone could check out my blog too? got a sec? I'm just a beginner with it, so be nice. Thanks.
http://www.battindustries.com/blogger4.html

[baseiber]

1.There is too much content for one page. If you have to have scrolling content, try to limit it to the standard size of a piece of paper. (8.5 X 11 in.) More than that and it's just annoying.

2. The animiated gifs just add to the overall business of the site. There is too much going on. Again, it's annoying.

3. The text on the tabs is unreadable when hovered over. It looks like a mistake which makes you look less professional.

[Rattify]

Try making a diagram of your site before you start coding. Arrange the information into a logical sitemap and make sure that your user can find everything without using a back button or getting confused, and portion it so that no one page is more than 3 screensful. This will fix the excessively busy layout--your sub-pages are less busy than your home page, which makes me think you tried to skip the sitemap-creation stage.

Also, you need to use professional graphic design programs for your pictures; the rendering on many of them looks inferior, but that might just be me.

Finally, you need to emphasize CLARITY above all else. The internet is about information (and porn, of course) and you must NEVER let graphics or color choices get in the way of conveying that information. Im' thinking specifically about the invisible rollover text in the top menu and the unreadable text in the blue graphic with a bat and the letters WWW halfway down the page. LESS IS MORE while you are still learning about design concepts.

CAVEAT: I am fresh out of college and working as a code grunt. I am still learning too!

[justinbarneskin]

I don't know how anyone can keep looking at white on black text? It almost ruins my entire day, I have to walk around outside until I get readjusted again.

No one ever looks at my blog either.
http://meagerlyman.blogspot.com/

I'll probably go back to coding games and other time wasters