Hi everyone,

I've been working on a new website(my first), just got it online and I'm looking for some input (look and feel, content, etc). If anyone wants to have a look please click here.




Thanks,
John

could you make the white mouseover background go right to the white of the content? Then perhaps keep the active background as a tab style thing?
Other than that it's nice and simple, easy to navigate and quite a nice little site.

Do you mean put the menu on the right instead of the left?

And I'm pretty new to this so I wouldn't know quite how to do the tab style thing.


Thanks,
John

What I had in mind was extanding the white background that you get when you mouseover the menu items, right across to the content box, so it looked like a tab. I see that's now disappeared though, what are you planning next?

I had to redo the layout so it would work on lower resoultion.



Thanks,
John

You might be better off building the layout in CSS - if you send me a zip with all your original files, maybe I can rebuild it for you as it was, but in css.

I don't know if you are trying to be really serious or anything, and its fine if you aren't, but I would take out the nature photos. They are cool looking and everything, but they just don't fit with the topic.

General Tips:
-Look into some software to make websites like dreamweaver MX
-People like things to look nice so get some software for graphics (Paint shop pro, etc)
-A lot of websites have flash animations or flash navigational menus. They make the website more interesting and give you the ability to be unique and creative
-Flashy is good, but you can go over the top and become annoying(cursor having cool little animations, etc)
-The general rule is if it is 5 clicks into the website, no one will ever find it, so make sure that your website is logical and organized. Make sure the user can search your site too.
-Lastly, I could go on forever with little things, ultimately though, if you want to get serious about it, get a book. The books for dummies are pretty good, but they are usually lacking in content. I guess I'm saying if you get a "for dummies" book, get a slightly higher lvl book too. If they come with software, sweet .

Hope this helps, good luck!

p.s. Always check spelling! (recommended)

Thanks, that'd be great if it's not too much trouble. here is the whole site.


Thanks,
John

Thanks for the tips ShaneMcP.

And DaveSW, below is the current version of the site.


Thanks,
John

Hi John
It'll have to wait till I get home today because these university computers don't have a graphics editor...
Regards
Dave

ps: with regard to Shane's post, you choose whether you want the graphics intensive, slow downloading look he describes, or a simpler approach like you currently have, and go from there. We've all got to start somewhere, and it starts from being simple.
Bear in mind too that you don't need any expensive programs to build good websites. If you hand code then html-kit from www.chami.com is free. If you want graphics you can pick up Paint Shop Pro 8 up very cheaply now that version 9 is out.