Web Site Feedback

[adamscomputers]

Hi,

I have recently re-designed my website making it more minimalist and would appreciate any feedback or testing information.

Adam Can Fix Your Computer - Repairs, Maintenance and Upgrades in Bexley, Bexleyheath, Sidcup, Chislehurst, Beckenham, Bromley, Blackheath and Greenwich

Thanks!

[Paul Norman]

I tend not to comment on the visual aspect of web sites,as that is subjective. On that level, I would like the main body of text to be a bit more punchy and broken up. Less reading for me to do, in other words. Just breaking it up a bit would help this - the actual words are not a massive issue.

Behind the scenes, the coding is not too crisp. But as you built this yourself, that is probably an unfair comment.

[adamscomputers]

thanks for the feedback so far, regarding the design's simplicity - it was intentional I really got bored seeing stock photos or useless animations I simply want the information to come across loud and clear. The site validates as XHTML transitional from the w3c as does the CSS, I know the uses of tables is dated but it works without rather complex layers or images. I fixed the floating nav bar in chrome. The logo is meant to be soft/easy not in your face. Thanks again for looking.

[NikkiPilkington]

Sorry, but it looks spammy - you've taken a lot of the bad ways to get your keyphrases in there (crammed title tags, lists of keyphrases on page) and not thought about it as much as you could.

And yes, the text looks a bit crammed in.

It looks home made, unfortunately.

Why don't you do something like install wordpress and use a ready made theme - there are thousands out there and they take a lot of the work out of putting a site together if you can't get a web designer on board.

You have a service that many people will need at one time or another, which is great - but you need to make sure they choose you, so you have to look professional.

[david64]

Originally Posted by NikkiPilkington

And yes, the text looks a bit crammed in.

That would be my main comment too. People need to be hit with what your site is about as soon as they land on the site, e.g. a banner with a computer on it that says something like "I can fix your PC".

When the text is crammed in like on yours, I don't want to read it. Then all those keywords you have crammed in make it look spammy, as Nikki says.

The design is ok, but very minimal. I would maybe look at getting a free template. There are thousands. Try:

Open Design Community - Download Free Web Design Templates - OpenDesigns.org
Free Fluid WordPress Themes and CSS Templates

or Google

[adamscomputers]

Ok. I have re-designed the home page after thinking about your feedback. Let me know what you think now. The page passes the w3c validation check for XHTML 1.0 transitional, the whole site is designed to be 'fluid' and scalable. Thanks.

Note to David64, the text on the logo says "Adam Can Fix Your Computer" so yes I can fix computers as this states, and the idea of a computer logo is so generic and boring, it maybe effective but I want to break a few rules.

[NikkiPilkington]

but still looks homemade.

Get rid of the spammy keywords at the bottom - it looks rubbish and won't do you any good.

Make all the left hand keyphrases link to their own page - create a page for each service telling what it is, who needs it and why - great content will help your SEO more than spammy small keywords.

I hope it goes well for you - I still think you should get a decent template but if you want to be a 'rule-breaker' instead of 'effective' then that's up to you

[david64]

I'd say this has to go too. Have a look into getting a Google Local listing - it's free (at least for now) and will allow you to pick up geographic traffic without having to have all those stuffed keywords at the bottom of the site.

New site looks better

SEO STUFF (keywords to help you find me!) Computer Repair, Laptop Repair, Computer Upgrades, Diagnostics, Windows Vista, Linux, Ubuntu, Web Design, Web Testing, Software Testing, Photo Editing, Photo Enhancement. Data Recovery. Wired Networks, Wireless Networks, Upgrades, Business, Home, SoHo, Call Outs, Workshop, Windows 7, Security, Firewalls, WWW, email or e mail, Virus Removal, Spy Ware Removal, Tuning, North West Kent, Bexley, Bexleyheath, Sidcup, Chislehurst, Welling, Crayford, Darenth, Swanley, Bluewater, Greenhithe, Rochester, Chatham, Greater London and Central London, Blackheath, Greenwich and North Greenwich, Charlton, Canary Wharf, Bromley, Beckeham, City of London, Chelsea, Fulham, Strand, Kensington, Bayswater

[adamscomputers]

Listed on Google Local Business/Maps and as many free indexes/directories. As for the 'home made' comment, I have worked on all the site, design, css, images from scratch and consider it unique, like art -oh I learned how to do all that while creating, so there may be a few bits that I've missed. It has a function as well as design. Templates are for people with a lack of imagination or creativity. :-)

Thanks for the responses about design, any functionality/bugs that need fixing?

[NikkiPilkington]

You're welcome....

Some advice for people looking for reviews

[adamscomputers]

Just another minor adjustment taking from the comments above. How is it now? Thanks

[david64]

I don't think you'd have any problems with moving those stuffed keywords down there. It's probably going to help get the odd bit of traffic to your site, but its not really considered professional and is considered spam by search engine representatives. Read this from Google's anti-webspam guru:

SEO tip: Avoid keyword stuffing

Personally, if I wanted to get all those keywords on my site, I would come up with a natural way of doing it. Stuff like that is a put off for me and if you believe Google they have enhanced their spam and gibberish detection in the recent Vince updates:

YouTube - State of the Index 2008

[AdamW]

Overall site design isn't bad. It's readable, isn't garish. Could do with some more images maybe to break up the text.

Agree with the other keyword comments. Even ignoring the very good SEO advice given it just looks unsightly to me.

Keyword wise your service/product detail pages lack, well, detail and this is where you can get your keywords in. Eg:

Diagnostic and Repair
Adam can resolve all common computer faults, such as performance issues, virus and spy ware issues, security and firewalls and more.

I'm sure that could be padded out more to go into some more detail, maybe with a feed from an antivirus company with the latest threads, links to purchasing antivirus (will make some extra money for you) I'd recommend Eset NOD32 as I used to resell them. Very simple to deal with, not bad mark up. You also get a link on their website.

There are no physical address details that I can see which would put me off, especially if I was going to hand my computer over to you!