- Thread starter
- #21
runawaykinms
Expert
- 57
Yeah, theme forest has some great themes. I decided to go with elegant themes instead which is very similar, but more for your money.
Critique My Website
- Thread starter runawaykinms
- Start date
-
- Tags
- website
Yeah, theme forest has some great themes. I decided to go with elegant themes instead which is very similar, but more for your money.
- 2,024
Add a 2nd keyword to your title and h1 tags, separated by a |
Technically you're focused well but could target a 2nd thing without taking away from the first.
If you did that page by hand, don't listen to all the "go to wordpress" people. You actually managed to write pretty good xhtml.
You could add a background, tweak the colors to match a good wordpress theme, and your page is more lightweight, loads faster, and will outrank a direct copy made in wordpress.
Compress that image better, or better yet change that banner to something that makes more sense.
Google the manual for "iframe" and iframe the quote engine in from the other site instead of the link to a _blank.
Move google analytics to the bottom of the page, RIGHT BEFORE the </body> tag.
Google says put it in the header, it works just the same in the footer, AND if googles server is down the script call won't wait for a timeout before loading the page. Never put a 3rd party site's linked script in your header, always put it at the bottom of the page or download it to your server and link internally. If it wont load the page will hang there till it times out. Java runs just fine in the footer.
Change your company name from "Sack Financial" or use it to your advantage, like, make a slogan such as "Here at Sack we protect your valuables."
The name is just funny in general. Doesn't give that "credible" edge you'd want.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Also, since panda 2, the word on the street is that landing pages need about 1000 words of content, up from 500.
Apparently google is reading farther down the page now. It used to be they basically quit after 500 words, and apparently some testing has shown that it is no longer the case. (pure rumor but has some data behind it)
Technically you're focused well but could target a 2nd thing without taking away from the first.
If you did that page by hand, don't listen to all the "go to wordpress" people. You actually managed to write pretty good xhtml.
You could add a background, tweak the colors to match a good wordpress theme, and your page is more lightweight, loads faster, and will outrank a direct copy made in wordpress.
Compress that image better, or better yet change that banner to something that makes more sense.
Google the manual for "iframe" and iframe the quote engine in from the other site instead of the link to a _blank.
Move google analytics to the bottom of the page, RIGHT BEFORE the </body> tag.
Google says put it in the header, it works just the same in the footer, AND if googles server is down the script call won't wait for a timeout before loading the page. Never put a 3rd party site's linked script in your header, always put it at the bottom of the page or download it to your server and link internally. If it wont load the page will hang there till it times out. Java runs just fine in the footer.
Change your company name from "Sack Financial" or use it to your advantage, like, make a slogan such as "Here at Sack we protect your valuables."
The name is just funny in general. Doesn't give that "credible" edge you'd want.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Also, since panda 2, the word on the street is that landing pages need about 1000 words of content, up from 500.
Apparently google is reading farther down the page now. It used to be they basically quit after 500 words, and apparently some testing has shown that it is no longer the case. (pure rumor but has some data behind it)
Last edited:
buyinsurance
New Member
- 15
I would add a quote form on every page.
- 1,432
I think you were updating the site when I looked at it so I can't make too many suggestions.
I do like the gray template.
This is probably a minor point, but your blog posts were written by "admin" which is the default. Create a user using your first name and use that user instead of admin.
Add a call to action on every page. In fact there should be multiple calls to action if the page requires any scrolling.
Your phone number should be featured prominently.
Good luck.
I do like the gray template.
This is probably a minor point, but your blog posts were written by "admin" which is the default. Create a user using your first name and use that user instead of admin.
Add a call to action on every page. In fact there should be multiple calls to action if the page requires any scrolling.
Your phone number should be featured prominently.
Good luck.
- Thread starter
- #25
runawaykinms
Expert
- 57
Hey Guys,
I just wanted to give you an update. I took the advice of several posts above and I spent most of the day today completely re-designing my website. Although I still have a lot of work to do, I am a lot happier with how it looks now than it did at the time of my first post.
I focused thus far mostly on design. I also plan on spending a lot of time updating the SEO information, based on all of your suggestions.
THANK YOU ALL FOR THE SUGGESTIONS
I just wanted to give you an update. I took the advice of several posts above and I spent most of the day today completely re-designing my website. Although I still have a lot of work to do, I am a lot happier with how it looks now than it did at the time of my first post.
I focused thus far mostly on design. I also plan on spending a lot of time updating the SEO information, based on all of your suggestions.
THANK YOU ALL FOR THE SUGGESTIONS
El Capitan
Expert
- 76
WOW, looked at your website when you first posted and just looked again WAY TO GO major transformation - how lucky you are to have such a helpful bunch to give you some pointers! You really have moved that website into something TO LOOK AT... very nice choice in colors, design pictures etc. Off to a much better design then what you started out with. Off to a great start and just a matter of fine tuning it as you go from here.
Few things I might recommend
(if it hasn't already been said)
You need something more then just a gigantic picture on the home page - iow you need some information in addition to the very nice pictures that you have (very tastefully chosen btw). IMO maybe even reduce the size of the picture a bit if you can because it overwhelms the page. At the very least maybe an intro or welcome to our site etc
You might already know this (and it might be nitpicky or not even of 'priority') but you could STILL use a better picture of yourself. Or touch up the one you have w/ photo touch up type stuff. Serious glare on glasses and on your shirt. You're sporting it w/ that pink tie though!
The "captcha" on the contact page imo is not necessary and some people might not understand it. Might want to make it as easy for the prospects to get in touch w/ you as possible. Am not an expert on these matters but do own several websites (personally designed and maintained) and we don't use anything like this on the contact page and rarely have any issues w/ spam.
On this contact page you say "We are located in the Richmond, Virginia area. However, we are proud to serve clients throughout all of Virginia." This might be a matter of opinion again but I would word it like this leaving out the repetition of the state (again very minor and just IMO)
We are located in the Richmond area. However, we are proud to serve clients throughout all of Virginia.
one last MAJOR POINT
Might also place your phone number EVERYWHERE on the website on every page ALWAYS VISIBLE no matter what page they are reading (top and bottom). Don't make them have to go looking for your phone number or go to the contact page to reach you etc. Maybe even your address AND phone number on every page.
Have you ever been reading a website or shopping/ordering something online and it occurs to you "HEY I WANT TO CALL THEM and place an order (or whatever)" but then you have to go searching for phone number to get in touch w/ them WEBSITES FAIL IMO in this regard and should be basic in designing one from the start - especially if one is offering goods or services to the public.
GOOD LUCK man!
Few things I might recommend
(if it hasn't already been said)
You need something more then just a gigantic picture on the home page - iow you need some information in addition to the very nice pictures that you have (very tastefully chosen btw). IMO maybe even reduce the size of the picture a bit if you can because it overwhelms the page. At the very least maybe an intro or welcome to our site etc
You might already know this (and it might be nitpicky or not even of 'priority') but you could STILL use a better picture of yourself. Or touch up the one you have w/ photo touch up type stuff. Serious glare on glasses and on your shirt. You're sporting it w/ that pink tie though!
The "captcha" on the contact page imo is not necessary and some people might not understand it. Might want to make it as easy for the prospects to get in touch w/ you as possible. Am not an expert on these matters but do own several websites (personally designed and maintained) and we don't use anything like this on the contact page and rarely have any issues w/ spam.
On this contact page you say "We are located in the Richmond, Virginia area. However, we are proud to serve clients throughout all of Virginia." This might be a matter of opinion again but I would word it like this leaving out the repetition of the state (again very minor and just IMO)
We are located in the Richmond area. However, we are proud to serve clients throughout all of Virginia.
one last MAJOR POINT
Might also place your phone number EVERYWHERE on the website on every page ALWAYS VISIBLE no matter what page they are reading (top and bottom). Don't make them have to go looking for your phone number or go to the contact page to reach you etc. Maybe even your address AND phone number on every page.
Have you ever been reading a website or shopping/ordering something online and it occurs to you "HEY I WANT TO CALL THEM and place an order (or whatever)" but then you have to go searching for phone number to get in touch w/ them WEBSITES FAIL IMO in this regard and should be basic in designing one from the start - especially if one is offering goods or services to the public.
GOOD LUCK man!
degsey69
Expert
Great improvement on the first one 
Just one more major step, Get a Virginia Insurance Logo professionally done and make it larger to fit the page style, you still got a nineties style logo in this smart website.
Just one more major step, Get a Virginia Insurance Logo professionally done and make it larger to fit the page style, you still got a nineties style logo in this smart website.
- Staff
- #28
http://www.virginia-life-insurance.com/
ok....you jumped the shark.....could not find a place to run a rate to save my life......and thats one bigass scrolling picture.....
ok....you jumped the shark.....could not find a place to run a rate to save my life......and thats one bigass scrolling picture.....
- Thread starter
- #29
runawaykinms
Expert
- 57
Thanks Guys, glad you like the new design!
I also do plan on editing a lot more of the things mentioned above both in design and SEO. After a full day of working on it yesterday, I needed a break
I also do plan on editing a lot more of the things mentioned above both in design and SEO. After a full day of working on it yesterday, I needed a break
- Staff
- #30
Thanks Guys, glad you like the new design!
didn't say that....but it is pretty......
