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LongRifle

LongRifle

Joined
Apr 5, 2000
Messages
2,018
I'd really appreciate it if some of you makers could take a quick look at my site and tell me what you think. I'm not computer savvy, so the site is bush league. I'm still working on it :).

I would really like to add descriptions to the photos, but I'm still toying with the software.

Thanks again, I appreciate any feedback.

www.RobertsKnives.com
Matt
 
First off its nice.I don't care for the grey background.I like the fact when you click on a pic you get the larger view.I would get rid of the nihonto promp as you have nothing to display and perhaps call it something other than nihonto as traditionalist would say unless its made by a Japanese with home made folded stell its not nihonto(not my opinion but I make some japanese inspired stuff and have been attacked in the past for calling it nihonto).Over all I would rate the site a a-minus:)
 
Thanks for the help guys.

Actually, I'll be posting a tanto in the next couple weeks, thought I'd add it a little early :).

I'm still having a hard time picking out the back ground color or photo. I'll try a couple different backgrounds and see how they work out.

Thanks again guys, I appreciate it.
 
I kind of liked the gray, actually. I thought it does a good job drawing more attention to the warmer tones of the color photos ... you don't want your background to compete with your work, afterall (There's a piece of hypocricy on my part).
 
Nice website, but still needs that little extra "something" IMHO. Maybe a little background work. Nothing flashy, something sutble, so as not to draw attention away from your knives. The lay out is good and easy to use, and your knives look great.
 
I think it's very nice and straightforward site.

I think it would be nice to have a few sentences about each knife pic, wood, steel, etc.
 
Thanks for the help guys. I'll keep working on the back ground. Dave, I'm still trying to come up with a good description tag for each knife. Maybe have the enlarged photo with a few sentences?
 
Matt,

Don't lose the simple navigation! That makes the site much more approachable, and by extension, it makes YOU more approachable, personable, "easy to do business with", etc. That's not a logical feeling for a website veiwer to get, but that's what happens. You visit a difficult-to-use site and get the feeling "I don't know what the hell is going on here, I'm obviously not going to get what I want by dealing with this person/business/establishment. I'm going elsewhere."

As far as suggestions, I'd say get somebody to do you a nice tasteful logo. That would really take the site up a notch.

Like most everybody else seems to be, I'm a fan of your work, too!

Mike
 
Thanks again guys. Mike, the logo is a great idea. I'll make a couple calls and see what I can get going.
 
I have another question for you guys. I just tried searching for the site and came up with nothing. Is there a form or tag I need to fill out to allow the web searchers to find the site? Thanks again,


Matt
 
Matt,
Your site hasn't been online long and probably just hasn't been picked up by the search engines yet, but it will very soon.

The most important thing about having a website, by the way, is simply having a website. No matter how rudimentary it may be, to have some photos and contact information up on the web is important. This is a great start and I'm sure it will improve as time goes on.

The process page is very cool too, and provides customers and casual browsers a glimpse of the work you do, but some commentary would be nice.

A shop tour would be nice too. I love shop tours. :)

Oh, you spelled Journeyman wrong on your About Me page (it should be singular).
 
Thanks Derrick. I'll think about the shop tour, hell, I only have three tools :). Better fix the typo too ;). I'm going to do a full out process in a few weeks, from forging, grinding, hamon, polishing, guard, handle, etc. I'm still deciding on the piece, maybe a big hamon bowie. Thanks bud.
 
Here's an even better idea - do a frame handled bowie with blued furniture, creamy walrus ivory scales and domed gold pins, win the 2007 Peck award with it and sell it to me. :) That would make a cool process sequence.
 
Simple is infinitely better than complex, and the site does what it should do. My suggestions are more content based -

- When you click on a picture of a knife, it'd be nice if the relevent stats were on the page, dimensions, materials, etc

- The 'construction method' page could do with some descriptions to go with the photos as well, when you update it

- Site navigation is fine, but could be tweaked to provide links to each page from each page

Really excited to see the Japanese style pieces you're working on. Are you just doing bare blades, or mounting them as well?
 
Looked at the site. One question, why would someone have a cat for a mascot?

Dan

No offense to Ed ( happy cat) Wilson.
 
looks good -- a little embellishment wouldn't hurt, but keep the simplicity. :)
 
Dan, those are fighting words! Bosco is an ass kicker! I know you're not much competition in the 2x4 chop, but I'm still going to have to kick your ass for that comment :D :eek: :D .
 
simple and elegant. its nice to see someone not going overboard. btw i still want a knife so let me know when your taking orders again;)
 
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