Web Site opinions

B . Buxton

B . Buxton

Joined
Jul 8, 2001
Messages
3,623
I recently found out my web site provider was discontinued, so my web site was deleted without my knowledge. All my pictures and info was gone so my wife and I had to start over. We figured who would be the best people to get suggestions from, then other knife lovers, so if you have the time I'd appreciate hearing what you think of this new site. Websites play a huge part in knife sales, so a persons website needs to appeal to those that are most interested in what they produce.

www.billbuxtonknives.com

Thank you,

Bill
 
I like this site better than your old one.

The only suggestions I'd add is to show more of your past blade work and designs. Very nice.
 
Looks good,

I would suggest having your navigation links included in every page, and add a "Home" link to go to the home page.
 
Not bad, but make sure to remove "frontpage" from the title of the page.
 
Looks real good Bill.

1) I'd like to see more knives added to the "Gallery" - as I'm sure you will.

2) On the "History" page - the black text on the brown background is pretty hard to read due to poor contrast. I'd go with white text - or yellow as you have used elsewhere.

Roger
 
stephanfowler said:
I would suggest having your navigation links included in every page, and add a "Home" link to go to the home page.
Click to expand...

maybe you could make it so when you click on that button which has your name at the top of every page, you go back home.

Other than having to click on the little arrow thingies to go back, the site is really easy to get around in. And your knives look really good, too. I like that style of 'informal' photography, it feels real to me.
 
I really like the simplicity of the site...sometimes I think we overload our websites, and get so much stuff going on that visitors often miss the things we most want them to view.

The only improvements that I would suggest is to brighten up the photos a bit, and change the text color so that its easy to read on the brown background.
 
Ed Caffrey said:
I really like the simplicity of the site...sometimes I think we overload our websites, and get so much stuff going on that visitors often miss the things we most want them to view.

The only improvements that I would suggest is to brighten up the photos a bit, and change the text color so that its easy to read on the brown background.
Click to expand...

So very true, Ed!

Lookin good, Bill...
 
Hi Bill,

Be careful what you ask for. All of a sudden all your good work is picked apart.... :eek: ;)

Let me say:

I'm not lovin' that mottled background. The site is simple, why make the background busy? Can you change that?

Navigation menus on every page are a must for a serious website.

The plaque with your name on the top in Ariel font is adequate. That's all. You are MORE than adequate. Show them with something more stylish.

History page: You are referring to yourself. Excellent synopsis. I have had conversations with others about the need to include a professional or nicely photographed photo of yourself on this page. That's who they are 'talking' to. The internet is impersonal. Show them you are human.

The entry photo is clear and large, although a bit dark. I'll bet you could have a set of photos combined in a single montage or collage photo to WOW the viewer upon entry.

Coop
 
Thanks everyone I sure appreciate the comments.

Coop thats why I asked, ;) I'd rather have everyone be honest with me, can't learn unless people tell you the truth. And I'm no website designer so I need lots of learn'in. :D

My wife knows more about changing this and that, so this evening I'll have her see what all our options are. Thanks again everyone.

I also plan on posting more pictures in the gallery area, just have to wade through all my pictures to see what's what.

Bill
 
I agree with needing menus on all the pages.

Also, the frontpage title has been mentioned, but I
think it's a problem across all the pages, for example the title of available is available, rather than bilbuxtonknives

On this page: http://www.billbuxtonknives.com/Shows.html the formatting is weird - off center and/or the shows aren't aligned. Also I suggest linkifying the shows if they have websites.

I agree with the pic of yourself mentioned above, and I suggest using or adding an email address that's associated with the site itself e.g. sales@billbuxtonknives.com or bill@billbuxtonknives.com

There is some kind of weirdness going on with the bill buxton header image - it's centered on the main page, but isn't on the other pages. If I had to guess I'd say it's because the main page width is set to 1200 on the main page, and 1000 on the other pages. I'm using firefox 3.5.4

There's a lot of line feeds at the bottom of the page, so you have to scroll down a lot to see your knifemaker membership banners.

hth

dbk
 
Headed in the right direction, Bill. This will be an improvement over your old site, especially with several of these good suggestions implemented.
Another vote here for more of your work in the gallery. Looking good!

- Joe
 
There have been some very good observations and suggestions made. I like the simplicity though. More pictures in the "Gallery" and a few of "Gus" would make it even better.
 
Looks good Bill.

I agree about the navagation menus, and especially to brighten the pictures a little.

You could add a shop tour.

I like the background, but that is just personal taste. But, it does need the bright text.

Your picture in your bio page, that way when someone comes to see you at a show, they'll have an idea who they're lookin for.

And we can always use more pictures of your work!

You and your wife need to come back down to the SOS Grapevine, Tx. show, I know you just love the traffic here.:rolleyes:

Kelly
 
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