Hi,

Well I didn't realize I would be doing this today, I began tweaking a few things and trying to write a little content for my home page, and I ended up getting sucked in and spending the whole darn day working on this thing.

I changed the look and feel template, but I am not sure I like this one. The other one was nature of a different sort with sort of the edge of a forest on a lake, more of a blue and greenish color. I am using the SBI templates so I am a little limited there.

I think I need to do more to the text as far as formatting to make it more interesting to look at, but I am not sure what. I looked and looked for stock photos, but it kind of felt weird to put a "stock family" on my site...so I ended up going with one from one of our own camping trips. Obviously then it is not a professional photo and not posed at all...is it too unprofessional and should I change it, or does it add a good, authentic camping touch?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Jewel

Jewel,

would you post the url

-sherif

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OOOPS! Got a little carried away with the post and forgot to post that!

your-camping-guidebook.com

Thanks Sherif.


Jewel

I certainly know what you mean about a website sucking up all your time!

I really like the template. I think it fits the theme of the site very well.

I also love the candid camping picture. I know you have some concerns about it, but personally, I think it's great for a variety of reasons. First, it shows a personal touch (instead of a generic stock family photo). Second, it shows that you are really into this. In fact, I think it would be better if all the photos you include are your own (unless, of course, you mind having your family's photos online). I do not think it's not professional at all.

I did not read the entire text, but I noticed you have long paragraphs. It would be best to keep the paragraphs short. It's generally recommended that a paragraph on a webpage should be a few sentences, 3 to 4 lines.

Also, you mentioned that you are trying to make the text interesting to look at... you might consider sprinkling little pictures, like a picture of a pine tree, some mountain hills, just camping-types of pictures, which will make it more inviting But all the aesthetic stuff can be added later... the content is the most important right now

Finally, maybe you are aware of this already, but the footer shows as a broken image.

Keep working on it, you're doing great.

Sherif

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LOL - I am really enjoying it. Too bad I have to put time towards work!!! For the time being anyway, I would be happy to do this all day. Don't know if I will still feel that way a year down the road though.

Thanks for the review. This is my first website ever, and as I am sure you know, a lot of struggle went into just this one page, well and everything building up to it I guess. Your review did make me feel good.

Regarding the paragraphs...should I keep the information but just break them up so there will be more shorter paragraphs....or should I eliminate some of what I wrote altogether so there will be fewer and shorter paragraphs.

I guess I should re-read the AG to find out...I don't remember.

I had seen the footer...it went out when I changed the template and I hadn't yet gone in to fix it. I was worried it was going to be difficult to fix but it wasn't...I just had to resubmit the folder.

I will fix those things you mentioned...and then on to Tier 2!! or maybe 3!!




Jewel

It's bad, but often times, I am thinking about my websites while I am at work. My brain is going 100 miles an hour all day! I love working on my sites, both content- and marketing-wise. I can tell you that I love it, and I don't think I will ever get sick of it.

I would not get rid of your text. I would break down the paragraphs into smaller ones.

I am glad my review made you feel better... you should be proud of what you've accomplished so far!

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Wow...your sites are beautiful. They really look professional. Great site concepts too.

OK...I fixed the paragraphs. That was relatively easy. I have been hunting for some graphics to fit in there...not as easy a fix, that will have to come later.

And now..I am tired and I think I have had enough for the day.


Lucky you..no time change! I joked with my husband all weekend that I was moving to Arizona because I hate this time change!!!!

Once again, thanks for your input. It does feel good to have accomplished this!

Jewel

Thank you for the kind words about my sites. To be fair, though, I am not a designer, so I grab templates and modify them

LOL, yeah, we never change the clock for daylight saving time... although the hassle associated with this is to try to figure out if we're on the Pacific or the Mountain time zones (because it varies based on the season).

Nowadays, when signing up for something that asks for "time zone", sometimes, they include "Arizona" as a time zone, because we are special I think Indiana is also special in that regard.

Sherif

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I like it, I did not get to see it before you changed the layout of the site, so I cannot comment on the change. However as asked, it does look very professional.

The template matches the theme of the site and has a very good "feel" about it.

Kudos are in order!

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Yay!!! Thanks Nix. It is nice to hear. I love the kudos.

You know Sheriif, I was thinking about the two siiites...templates I had chosen. Even though you didn't see the other either, I wonder if I am partial to it because I live in a subtropical climate with lots of green and wateer so that is what I know......and you are over towards the desert area, which is more of what the template I chose reminds me of.


At any rate, I am going to leave it for now. Both of you liked this one, as did my family. I may experiment later and switch back to see what you guys think...but for now I am itching to get into the meat of my site and make it happen!

Although I am here perusing forums riight now when I should be WORKING!!!

Okay...I am going to work now. Really. I mean it this time!!!!

Jewel