Got a site of our own up and running after many years of using agents etc.
any ides on improving the sales potential of this site would be appreciated
we have had 250 hits the first week
Site : www.foxfireridge.com
Edited 6/25/2005 3:02 am ET by dude
Replies
How did you get 250 hits?
Are you linked to a search engine?
Jon Blakemore
RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA
Jon: the site designer handeled all the details including search engines tags etc.
I do not understand all the ins and outs of the game , however when i mentioned the number to my helper he shot back that i must be connected to a porno site
Duuuude,
Yuer wit Tinika&Rikki.
How do I know? When they designed your site, they put a redirect java script on your default home page, (http://www.foxfireridge.com/index.html). I have java turned off for unknown sites and had to look at the source code, understand it, and cut and paste the foxfire homepage, (http://www.foxfireridge.com/index_ffr.html) into the address bar.
Then I did the same for T&R, (http://www.foxfireridge.com/index_tnr.html) to see who they, (http://www.tinikanrikki.com/framedex.html) were.
Now, to be fair, they have the same redirect source, (to you or them) on their default page.
Good news / bad news
First, the site is well laid out, simple, easy and succinct. The visual composition is good.
The bad news;
IMO, T&R uses too much Java scripting, scripting should only be used when HTML won't work. All browsers don't use Java and some users, Like me, turn Java off. There is nothing on your site that needs Java, except the redirect default home page, and it only needs it to direct users to you or T&R as required.
Check out the attachment. This is the way I would have done your "Pictures" page. Note that there is no JS, and it is sizable, ie, if someone is not using their browser at full screen, all the images will still show. It is a cludge as I only had one set of images to use. View Source to see Notes.
They got rid of my "Status Bar"!?!?!?! Hate that!
The only time I will surf a java needed site is for BT users, otherwise "C-Ya."
You've got the start of a nice site. It just needs a little polish and cleanup, like any other construction job.
SamT
http://www.foxfireridge.com/FFGraphics/ff_home.jpgThat script log looks OK when viewed by itself.But look crummy when viewed on the page.I wonder how many different browsers and resolution that they used to look at the results.I run 1280 x 1024 on a 19" LCD.Also the Kempville map was not reduced. It is a huge file.http://www.foxfireridge.com/kempt_directions.htmlAt least it is better than the Tinika & Rikki site.I have not idea what that logo is suppose to be. Are they suppose to be cats or space aliens?And the vertical text.And the font size I like to use you have to scroll that center frame for relatively minor amount of text while you have huge amounts of blank space.
Kempville map was not reduced. It is a huge file
838 KB bmp. Wow!, I giffed it to 18KB with very little loss.
Then I reduced it's canvas to 4/9 (2/3x2/3) and got a really sharp easily read image of 9KB.
When I loaded the maps page it took so long I left the page thinking there was a server problem or maybe they had a file error as it was a new site.
Dudes site is probably T&Rs first commercial attempt. They'll get better. They do seem to have good esthetic sense.
SamT
Edited 6/26/2005 1:16 pm ET by SamT
I have copied all the comments you and others made and will be meeting with designer soon to discuss improvements.
In the case of the office photo the building is a stone 1875 former 2 room schoolhouse , it is now a 15 room (3700 sq ft ) home .
The reason there is a ladder on the roof is in the process of painting the bell tower which is about 25 -30 feet high i discovered a racoon had ate a hole to get in and we arent 100% sure we got him out as he made aa new hole in the eve as soon as we fixed the first one.
The actual office being refered to is in a building behind this one & not visible in this photo.
By the way the site seems to be working as we closed the sale of a lot on friday 60 minutes after notifying a client about the site and the new prices that were going into effect, & his lawers had to come 30 miles 7 couldent wait to close according to my lawyer.
I got the check & ordered my new f150 sat am ,it arrives thrs 5 pm
Kewl, Dude.
Or is that 'cool dude.'
Samt