Be Gentle, Its my first site!

**AaronCross** · 08-09-2007, 12:25 PM

First off, Thank You to everyone who posts.

Ive only been using dream weaver for a month so don't
laugh to hard

The Site is http://www.20dollarrebates.com/index.html

And to address up front - this page has affiliate links on it,
but in no way is this post an advertisement.

Any suggestions are much appreciated.

Thanks Again,

Aaron

**dlaroche22** · 08-09-2007, 02:28 PM

All right im just going to be straight forward with you. I understand this is your first site, but I would recommend looking into graphics, a new layout using css, and a change of color scheme as the one you have clashes.

**highanddry** · 08-09-2007, 02:36 PM

You have no color scheme. I think a general rule for first websites is to look at as many templates as you can, learn to recreate one and keep changing until your site looks like one You would visit. It takes a long time sure, but thats a good way to learn.

Start with:Graphics, Colors, new links.

**walkedaway** · 08-09-2007, 02:56 PM

yeah, i agree with the above comments. try to find a site that you like and emulate it.. but make it your own at the same time. this will be good practice for you as well (you do not necessarily have to use the site that you create, but it will help for your next design).

try to study how your favorite sites are laid out in terms of organization and color. this should help you.. good luck

**goheadtry** · 08-09-2007, 04:50 PM

I do not like the logo it is way to illuminated which burns my eyes try looking at some color schemes or use a color scheme generator.
I hope that helps you and Talkupation would be greatly appreciated

**AaronCross** · 08-09-2007, 06:54 PM

Color scheme generators... hmm - who knew. Thanks

Is there such a thing as "the best program" to make logo's
with? Fireworks? Anyone have any preferences?

Thanks for the honesty,

Aaron

**highanddry** · 08-10-2007, 11:15 AM

Photoshop/illustrator if you can learn to use them

**OWS** · 08-10-2007, 01:20 PM

1. Kind of hard to understand what this site is about.
2. You definitely don't need flash buttons.
3. light green color is ugly in your case

**people-finding** · 08-10-2007, 01:30 PM

good first attempt.

I'd be worried about 1 thing though - when I loaded the site I got a pop up window asking me to allow the browser to run an active script. that means visitors will have to click that before they see you webpage and it'll scare them away.

I think the active script was the audio file????

**OWS** · 08-10-2007, 01:50 PM

It was mp3 file specifically pointed to Quicktime. Most PC users hate Quicktime and don't have it installed.. Get some flash player if you absolutely need you visitors to hear that mp3.

Quote:

Originally Posted by people-finding

good first attempt.

I'd be worried about 1 thing though - when I loaded the site I got a pop up window asking me to allow the browser to run an active script. that means visitors will have to click that before they see you webpage and it'll scare them away.

I think the active script was the audio file????

**highanddry** · 02:38 PM

Thinking about this again.

Quote:

You and I both know that your going to buy into one of the online business out there. You've seen the dream and you want in.

After researching all there is to offer, you find a program that you like and are ready to buy into.

What does this mean? Everyone is going to "buy a business"? You say 'your'; it should be you're.

And again

Quote:

through affiliate links are in everyway 100% there own

--> "Their." Theres little excuse for this sort of thing.

This site is attempting...to pretend, to be a mirror of a thousand cheesey sales-tag sites. You know, the ones that are a single page and tell you how fat you are, then how thin you could be, then finally at the bottom-how much you will have to pay to be thin. It doesn't 1. Serve a purpose 2. Give any real explanation of what it is 3. Give any visual reason for a visitor to stay despite 1. and 2.

Graphics look just a little less respectable than clip art .

The flash links are not needed and in fact, you have to click on them in Ie6 just to make them function (all individually I might add).

I know this is your first site and I'm being as "gentle" as I can, but I mean why not just buy a template? If you are making a site, and it looks nothing like your favorite one to visit (visual design, writing, content, look, feel, purpose), then how can you expect your site to flourish?

My tips: If your going to do something, do the research and do it the right way.
If you don't have time for all that, you could get a wordpress or similar and do a good looking site at least, despite the lack of content. When -->you're <-- publishing a document, make sure you can at least run a spell check and read it over for edits.

In anycase, Good Luck~ I know you will improve if that is your goal.

**visualrise** · 08-10-2007, 03:26 PM

Hmm, the website is lacking design and eye catching elements. However not all websites need this. Also the auto playing audio was annoying because I was listening to music. Maybe make it more pronounced with some sort of highlighting colour so people can choose to play it.

**iamzak** · 08-10-2007, 04:14 PM

guy u need to work a lot for your site. check my and if you need any help i will help u for without any cost

**j11t** · 09:44 PM

Don't use the first site excuse..then again this was my first site http://chsjcl.awardspace.com -nothing to brag about..seeing how their server is unreliable the link may or may not work depending on the time of day.

from personal experience, don't take things too personally use all this advice to help you become better.

no matter if you are a seasoned expert or a newbie, there is ALWAYS room to grow. You never "arrive" with web design

**varunbihani** · 08-11-2007, 10:30 AM

well, my browser stalled out as soon as I opened your website !
but it finally opened after a break and looks ok for an amateur as a first attempt..

**MrCat** · 08-11-2007, 11:59 AM

Try experimenting more with the color scheme as I agree with the recent posts. It does look a little dull and empty. Consider putting in some graphics and pictures. But the concept of the site on Rebates is really nice

**microcolt** · 08-11-2007, 12:22 PM

I like the effort! But, i think you need to experiment with CSS more. Your layout is fine, but you need some color and style in there.

**AaronCross** · 08-11-2007, 05:43 PM

Thanks For the input everyone - had no idea this would get
so many posts.

highanddry - thanks for going so in depth - man you even
read the disclaimer...
Although grammar being my worst subject - i've impressed
myself with only two errors lol.

But seriously improving my "skills" is what this site is all
about, so I do appreciate your time spent.

OWS - or anyone in the know - You mentioned getting a
flash player to play the audio. Could you go a little more
in depth on how to do this? I also hate having the active X
pop up on I.E.

Flash buttons - I know you have to double click them in I.E.
Just for future reference is there anyway to get around that?

Thanks again everyone, I really appreciate it:

Aaron

**goheadtry** · 08-11-2007, 11:02 PM

I thought of some other things that you could do
1. Please make your self a layout with photoshop and slice it out for your site.
2.Remove cell padding

**xbrain** · 08-12-2007, 12:10 PM

1) slow loading time
2) using the free template is good but you have to make it more lively