Posted by Charm_AL on 8/16/06 1:26am
Msg #138857

Guys! You're still up!...

If you can see straight, please critique the skeletal shell of my new website. This is only the basic, no bells and whistles yet, but I'm working on getting it done so I can lay out some bot food thanks, give me what ya got, I can take it...Thanks!
I can't see straight anymore.
* Oh and a special thank you to my wonderful hubby for his patience and coding over and over for me*

http://www.notaryalabama.com/

Reply by BarbaraL_CA on 8/16/06 2:18am
Msg #138862

OK, I can just about see myself!

The blue striped stuff on the top made my eyes zig-zag (or are the stripes zig-zagging?) I would suggest toning that down a bit, and it is really difficult to read your name on it.

The concept is good...I like the "Expect Excellence!" Rather than 4 points in a paragraph (background, qualifications, fees, and bonding) I would make them bullet points, or at least put one sentence per line.

"We provide Notary and Mobile Loan Signing services for Title and Escrow companies throughout the nation and Signing Services. General public services for notarizing of legal documents, witnessing signatures and administering oaths. Accepting assignments 24/7. We travel to homes, offices, hospitals, and Senior Citizen communities, etc. We are also available to meet at mutually acceptable locations for emergency or rush notarizations. " ... same suggestion about 1 sentence per line... these appear to be more bullet point type items rather than sentences anyway.

"Available 24/7. Fax, e-docs, laser printer, and overnight service. Serving: Cullman, Jackson, Lauderdale, Limestone, Madison, and Morgan counties. Fees vary by county/zip code. " ... same suggestion.

"...for the state Alabama. " s/b "...for the state of Alabama."

Title on the top of About Us page "Integrity Honesty Accuracy ", you might consider a hyphen or asterisk or something in between the words.

"Registered and advertising through " are different tense verbs, might try "I am registered and advertise through "

At this late hour that's about all I can spot at a glance. Hope this helps.

Time for bed!

Reply by BarbaraL_CA on 8/16/06 4:16pm
Msg #138989

Re: Guys! You're still up!... regarding the stripes...

It appears the stripes cover your name when I view your site on my laptop, but it is just fine when I view it on my desktop. Strange.

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 8/16/06 2:56am
Msg #138865

Well, I am not a good person to comment on a website, I just can't sleep so here I am.

You can spell and grammer check it by cut and pasting the content onto your word processing program (I use Office ). You might be surprised on what you find.

I didn't really have a problem reading through the stripes, but that could be my screen resolution on my laptop is not as high as a desktop.

Reply by AngelinaAZ on 8/16/06 3:04am
Msg #138867

I would add a cool picture or two.

I know you aren't done, but as you are working on it, consider adding a section for Loan Signing Agent so if a TC or Lender pulls you up they can go there and find more specific info that applies just to them.

Reply by Ernest__CT on 8/16/06 7:34am
Msg #138871

When you've updated the Site, ...

... please change the copyright to 2006.

I'd love to review your Site when you've made the suggested changes because you've offered so much great advice to so many people!

One pet peeve: Many Sites have links on each page, "Home", "FAQs", "About Us", etc. My complaint is that the "Home" link on the Home Page just refreshes the view of the current Page! On the Home Page, the "Home" graphic (or text) should not be an active link; ditto the "FAQs" graphic should not be a link on the FAQs Page.

Reply by MBCA on 8/16/06 9:04am
Msg #138892

Re: When you've updated the Site, ...

Hi Charm,

Unlike some of the notaries, I like the stripes at the top and think they look classy, but if potential customers might have problems with them, maybe you should lose them.

Like Ernest said you've been of so much help to so many notaries on this board I hesitate to even comment unless it's something that will help you!

Reply by Gary_CA on 8/16/06 9:52am
Msg #138902

On the technical side

There were some boo-boos when I saw it in FireFox that dissapeared in Internet Explorer. This is a real pain, but there are enough folks sporting FireFox now that it'd be worth checking.... 1) On the home page your slogan was shoved up against the bottom of your name. 2) The body font was very small. (That one might be my settings, but I don't think so).

Looks like a good start. It does feel like a lot to read, I agree with the bullet point suggestions.

Now, what about spider food?? I didn't take the time to count, but I've got a feeling you're short on key words.

You gotta ask yourself one question (not "Do you feel lucky punk?" What search words do I want to pull up my website. Make yourself a list of those words, then sprinkle them liberally through the text, put them in the titles and put some links on the pages to the home page with those words in the link title.

Those words are probably:

* Notary
* Loan Signing
* The counties and cities you serve <--- there's the GOLD, that's the pages that'll get you on top of the specific searches you need.

Your name too, just in case someone needs to find your phone number.

The other thing you need to do is go get links to your site on sites that are already indexed... you need to do that yesterday. Those links should read "Hazard County Notary" or something close...

Okay, don't let all those suggestions blur the fact that getting something moving is a HUGE step. A marketing expert I work with likes to say "You don't have to get it perfect, just get it moving" I know that flies in the face of the notary personality but it's true. A perfect website may be 99% more effective than a horrible one, but a horrible website is infinitely more effective than none at all.

Reply by BrendaTx on 8/16/06 9:56am
Msg #138904

Re: On the technical side

**Okay, don't let all those suggestions blur the fact that getting something moving is a HUGE step. A marketing expert I work with likes to say "You don't have to get it perfect, just get it moving" I know that flies in the face of the notary personality but it's true. A perfect website may be 99% more effective than a horrible one, but a horrible website is infinitely more effective than none at all.**

Amen, Gary. I have had to laugh at the number of those who have given me unsolicited advice on making my site more professional and perfect.

I am a notary, not a webmaster, for crying out loud. It gets me found. It tells where I serve. It has my phone number. Good 'nuff.

Reply by BrendaTx on 8/16/06 9:45am
Msg #138900

Re: Guys! You're still up!... I like it. n/m

Reply by Sarah/CA on 8/16/06 9:58am
Msg #138906

Re: Guys! You're still up!... just got up.

Looks nice. I would suggest as Barbara did using bullets. It makes the info easier and quicker to read. Sometimes people are in a hurry and just want the highlights. Also I would put your phone number on the home page especially. Got to make it easy for people to find you. I like the color combination.

Reply by BrendaTx on 8/16/06 10:31am
Msg #138912

Re: Guys! You're still up!... just got up.

Adding bullets is good, but do keep paragraphs as well. You'll get more google love.

Reply by Charm_AL on 8/16/06 10:50am
Msg #138920

Thank You!

I'm very appreciative of all the great advice. I needed your frankness and honesty. Like one said, 'I'm no webmaster', this is probably one of the most challenging things I've dealt with, but I am learning as I go. Yes, I will incorporate much of this advice and continue til it's done. It's got the feel of a work in progress. You have no idea how this helps and how much I respect you guys!