Okay everyone, I created this web site about a year ago, and I've gotten to the point that I need to completely re-write it.
The site is ugly in how I've handled the photos, and the FAQs page is not finished, what else is wrong?
Any suggestions?
www.itsyourdaycakes.com
Be as brutal as you need ... I can take it! Like I said, I'm going to start from scratch, so everything goes!
TIA!
I think your cake pics are great.
However the home page is just too busy. Maybe choose a softer background color and just have one section under your nav bar with some text about your business and your cakes, then incorporate some of your best cake pics in a simular or complementing color scheme into the body of the text.
I am just starting on my website but I have a little bit of history in website marketing, that is what I did before kids. The most important thing I learned is you want to showcase what you are selling as simply and clean looking as possible. One simple nav and home page is the best. It is an intro, doesn't need to have all the info. You can add links to other pages within the body of the text if you have more info to get across. The main objective is to catch a customers eye. Make sure that it is easy for someone to see pics of your cakes and get info on flavors and prices.
Hope this helps.
MelC: Maybe I'm blind, but where is the ugly part?? I think your photos are beautiful and the site is very easy to navigate.
I agree with Euphoriabakery about having prices and flavors info so people can have a little more info on the cakes.
By the way, I LOVE LOVE LOVE your Santa cake with his feet sticking out 
Here are just a couple things that hit me, but I'm no expert!
1) The ads on the far right of the screen seem awkward. They look out of place.
2) The galleries show very small photos. If there were a way to set them a little bigger it would be more impressive! Especially given your skill level. I wouldn't make them too big, but big enough that your visitors could really appreciate your talent. I see that when you click on the thumbails the photos can be viewed in larger size, but they say the attention span of internet viewers is incredibly short, so I'd have them larger from the start. : )
What I love: I have to say that your cakes are great and really like the cake toppers you make! They're so original. : ) Since this is something you specialize in why not place on of these cute figures on your home page? Maybe have one photo of a cake and one of a cake topper? This will get the attention of your visitors since it's not something they'll see on every other site they visit!
Hope this helps. It's hard I know. I too am playing with a website and not too sure of what I'm doing or how to make it viewer friendly! Still it's fun to do it yourself! : )
Take care.
Well you're all very kind... and helpful! The ugly part is the way I've layered the cake photos with the other stuff... they look "stuck" on rather than a part of the page.
I hadn't thought about featuring the toppers... what you see there is all I've done to date,. However, I'd love to do more of them so that's a great idea!
When I first did this, I used a template that I tweaked as much as I knew how at the time so I was never entirely thrilled with the layout (but didn't know enough to make it what I wanted)
You're absolutely right about the ads... they were just "stuck" on 'cause I had no idea what was doing with the code for them, and was (at the time) happy just to make them show up. I'll probably get rid of them.
It is fun... but a lot of work... I can't pay someone to do it for me since this is just a hobby, so it's been an excuse to learn a NEW hobby... LOL my DH just shakes his head at me and all my projects...
I think it's good to challenge yourself! I play on my blog and website, neither of which look professional, but it's something to do. : ) My husband was actually impressed that I could do anything at all with a webpage, so that was kinda cool!
The ads are a hard one, because you tell yourself if someone clicks here or buys from there I'll make $$$! Well, then there's the question does this really look good? I've compromised my sites for the sake of money, so I can't really say anything. I don't make too much, but there's always that possibility. : ) As a stay-at-home mom I'll take all the pennys I can collect!
If you change your site let us know so we'll be sure and check it out! I'd like to see what changes you make. : ) Happy web designing!
It's going to take a while... I'm working in Photoshop... great program, but not the most user-friendly when you're a novice! (yet another new skill to learn! Oh well, if you stop learning, you might as well be dead!)
I'd rather get some feedback and criticisms now... before I start again!
Your website and photos and cakes are great.
The only thing I would suggest would be an easier photo navigation system.
Jenn posted this site earlier and this is how I will probably re-do my website because it's the easiest way to navigate photos, IMHO: http://www.butterflycakes.com/cakes1.htm
Or, if you can't do the mouseover effect, this is a great way to display your pics too: http://www.curvecakes.com/
I can't decide which style I'm going to emulate...mouseover or clicky-click.
It's going to take a while... I'm working in Photoshop... great program, but not the most user-friendly when you're a novice! (yet another new skill to learn! Oh well, if you stop learning, you might as well be dead!)
I'd rather get some feedback and criticisms now... before I start again!
MelC
I've created everything in my webpage using photoshop. The headings, my menus and even my background. I also edited all my pictures using photoshop too. I found it hideous to work with when i first started, but then i did a few tutorial online and have found it to be a fantastic tool. Hubby recently bought me a cd course, i havent yet been able to do it, but im hoping to come up with great things for my website.
Keep at it, you'll surely come up with some beauties.
All the best
Nati
I love your cakes, but I agree your website does not do them justice. I love the two websites that cakepro suggested they are both beautifully arranged. I do like not having to click and just to roll over to get an enlarge photo.
Two things specifically about your site that you can change is the colors, I would stay in the warm color range, and also play with some fonts. Good luck!
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