I have read this forum at least 3 times. http://www.daniweb.com/forums/thread88871.html
I thought I could use basic site builder with yahoo and do a simple website. I know now that I can't do it and it's garbage. I guess I'll have to find someone to build one for me. Here's what i have so far. I didn't know it was as crappy as it is til I found this site. And as for the validating, I tried it several times and never could get it to work. Here it is

www.guycoproperties.com Cringing in the corner....................

Hi Guyco,

Don't worry about it. You did your best. I started out with Yahoo back in the day. In fact, a lot of people did. The thing now is to find someone to help you out, especially if you need a functional website in the very near future. The good thing here is that you now know there's a lot more to web development than dragging and dropping page elements. If you would like to chat some more let me know. Otherwise, good job on your first outing.
-GP
P.S. The road to learning this stuff is endless.
http://www.kerntechsupport.com

Okay - I'm normally willing to help most times.

Considering you have read my post about standard problems/issues.... and you have made a dam fine effort...

I'm more than happy to help!

If you want to send me some images of what youwant the site to look like.... I will help provde some basic css/xhtml templates, with notes/comments, to get you off to a better start.

If you are serious for this line of work, or at least this one project...
htmldog, mezoblue, alistapart.
All damned fine resources.
Also, look to the W3C, as they also have basic lists of properties etc. as a point of reference.


And, as a personal view, don't bother with "builders" or "software" for the task - it's down to you to learn, understand and apply your skils - no software will ever match you for design, flair, understanding of users or that little edge that makes a good site great!

Keep up the effort - you're doing mroe than well already!

I appreciate your kind offer. Hopefully someday I can reciprocate in some way. I am attaching some images for the site. It is a real estate website focusing on the sale of commercial properties. At this time we have one broker, my husband, Randy Guy. I like the Denmark font for the logo, because it looks clean and modern, but feel free to change anything. I am sending basic images and after seeing what you have done, I can add the rest. Thank you again!

Okey dokey...

So... do you ahve any predefined ideas/preferences for layout/page structure etc.?

Also, do you have anything in mind for the back end?
If you intend to do it manually, thats fine - the alternative is some form of Cotnent Management System / DataBase for the backend.

Either way, shouldn't make any difference to the general design.


From an aesthetic look, it seems that you require something ...
Crisp (strong, defined)
Firm/Bold (With impact)
Simple/Straight (No frilly bits)

Good use of space can never be overlooked (no cramming).

Framing/edging/sectioning the parts of the page is always a good move... be it visually as well as structurally.

Do you hae any plans/ideas for navigation?
Have you figured the general sections fo the site?


I know some of these may not seem to have a lot to do with the design, but you''d be suprised... a 12 link menu is not likely to suit a horizontal top nav unless a "grided" appraoch is take... where as having only a few short links would look a little odd on a side nav

So, the more detail, the easier the task

Just of the top off my head... I'll throw an image together and post it.... see if it hits any where near the mark...

Well - heres a general idea... othing particualrly flashy, but at the least it should hold the visitors eye...

So, the base design, plus Variant 1 and Variant 2...
guyco1.jpg guyco2.jpg guyco3.jpg

Personally, I would have the column on the right, as this would be for "extra" details, such as latest news, most recent additions etc.

I also think the naviagtion will work better divided in some way, as you basically have 2 main forms of content - the "realty info" and the "company info" - so keep the distinction clear.
The reason for each type of realty is that it enables a quick "jump" to the relevant section without the need to perform a search.


Please note:
1) I didn't have the font described, thus thedifference (I don't seem to have any fonts that begin with D ?)
2) These are suggestions only.
3) Look at other sites and find those you like/dislike - make notes as to the reason - it makes life easier.
4) Try to use the sites - see what features work for you and which done't etc.
5) Let me know the details, and we can make a start from there.


If prefered, I'm more than happy to simply provide a general frame which you can fill in.


Hope I didn't miss the mark too much (these where more as something to do rather than what I should be doing - any excuse )

I really like the one on the far right. I agree with you on the place for news, etc. If you could do the frame that I could fill in, it would be great. I think the colors of the logo should remain the burgandy color. I also like your font better than mine. I will change the signage on the next order. What about using gray/black instead of pink/red for the background? What do you think?

A little colour goes a long way.... and Red is a very "reactive" colour.

Maybe use it as an "accent" rather than a main.... and stylisticly black should be used in little quantities rather than is solid blocks...


Additionally, maybe "lifting" the design from the page would be a good move... so that it doesn't actually touch the edges of the browser... possibly with curves (or a urve) for the corners... a drop shadow in a single direction (or a general "glow")... maybe a very slight, subtle pattern for the page background...
Alternatively, create the impression of a full width page... let the header and thefooter (which I forgot to inc.!) appear to run full width, whilst infact the real "page" is padded in...?

Something to stop the site being monotonous.

Additionally, maybe "frame" the insides as well... soften the edges with the shadows or the gentle seeps (or a more intresting, fancy corner?).

The posted designs are very basic and simply little mocks to give an ipression - don't take them as literals


Sorry about the font colour... yet as I said, simple mocks, nothig ermenant or hard set.


Iwill make a few more tonight... alittle more varied and style.... sort of demonstrate some of the above ideas... from those you can pick the various elements you like, ditch those you dislike, add your ideas... and fromthere we will ahve a good idea as to what you want.
Then I can build the CSS based page layout for you, and all you have to do is fill it and apply it to your site

Of course, any assistance you need with tweaking it, simply ask

You are too good to be true......