Hi All,

I've recently launched my new website and would love some honest feedback! Please feel free to be as brutal as you like... it'll only help me in the long run! http://www.phoenixpersonnelltd.co.uk

Thank you in advance!

Kind Regards

Dionne

Hi Dionne. Sorry about this BUT:

The colours don't work for anything but a photography website. It actually looks quite oppressive and the lettering vibrates a little against the dark grey background. The contact us section in the right sidebar overlaps the frame and looks a bit naff. Worse of all, I looked for a permanent job and was directed to the site map with the header:

The page you requested no longer exists.

Not terrific I'm afraid. 1&1 websites don't give you a great deal of flexibility, but they do tell people that you're working on a low or non-existant budget, which is an image you don't want to portray. You might want to get a pro to build you one. If you can find someone who'll give terms (ahem) then that might be your best way forward. Seriously, put a request out in the Can You Help section for web designers who'll work on lowish budgets and see who replies - you'll be spoiled for choice.

Hi Dionne,

Sorry, but I agree 100% with Paul. It just doesn't give a professional image at all.

The problem with 1&1 my website is that it's ignoring the professional elements that go into a design project.

People assume web developers & designers are expensive or that they like to charge lots of money for fun, but in actually we all spend hours upon hours creating graphics, code & scripts all while making sure it's functional, bespoke and presents a great brand. 

1&1 don't appear to acknowledge the above and think a website is about adding a logo & some text and choosing from a pre-made layout and they should know better having been hosting websites for years for their customers.

The question is always: "what do you want your website to do for you?" - if it's to generate business or garner inbound leads then 1&1 My Website is not the right choice. If it's to have a page because you think you have to or basically to be a business card on the internet then it's acceptable.

Hi,

Thank you all for your feed back. It's much appreciated. I will definately be taking you up on your advice and looking at getting a professional in.  To my untrained eye it thought it looked good but now I can see its faults!

Thanks again

Regards

Dionne

Bit late but I'd agree - that white-on-black really screams "Personal hobby site" to me.

You've got to think "Who is my target market?" - and if that's "quite conservative company-director" type than I think the website should reflect that.

(Cough...)

It's dark, gloomy, too much to read, no typography, little thought given to design but then it's a 1&1 template so....

and what everyone else said ;0)

It makes me want to pull my own eyes out. I think you would be better off not having a website! I know it sounds really harsh but I think it will do you more harm than good in tems of customer confidence. If you had put it together for a local kids football team then fine but not for a professional, quality recruitment company as none of those words spring to mind on viewing.

Adam, considering you're also using a prebuilt template - http://www.gavick.com/products/templates/item/97-pixellove.html - I wouldn't necessarily lambast others quite so vigorously for doing the same, especially so when you're selling website design services.

I'm curious to know if you actually develop customers sites from scratch (actual coding & design) or indeed just buy a template and charge them a substantial markup.

If it ain't broke don't fix it, there are many great templates out there. We reccommend tweaked templates to many of our customers as they are the most cost effective solution. Just because its a template doesnt mean it has to look bad by default! Joomla is absolutely fantastic and as we use it with so many clients thats why it was used for our own site. If a customer requires or needs a bespoke design we will do one but not just for the sake of it. Where we really excel is writing the right keyword text for the pages and then putting together an effective ongoing SEO strategy to make sure they rank well.

Im not going to apologise for being honest, it looks awful and it will not do their business any favours whatsoever and people being polite and saying it looks fantastic to their face and the truth behind their bank will do them no favous at all!

I don't disagree that the website needs a lot of work (see my earlier post in this thread) - however, there is such a thing as constructive feedback, where you suggest improvements and or advice after giving them your honest opinion - otherwise it's just an insult for the sake of it.

I have to agree with you. I Apologise to the website owner. I had had a day where I had an unbelievable amount of requests to review friends and customers websites that now wanted my SEO advice or services and they were all shoddy templated websites through the likes of  1&1 and I really was having to hold myself back. I was genuinely trying not to be rude. However I do stand by my comments that they would be better off without a website or leave it as just a contact us page. If you see any of my other posts you will see that I have provided constructive feedback. 

 Hello,