My 1st Website Design-Would like your thoughts

robocat

robocat

robocat

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Joined
24 Nov 2010
Posts
31
Location
Newcastle upon Tyne
Hi All,

This is my first attempt at building a web site and I would welcome any critique as to how I can improve it.

I know that it is pretty basic and raw but I am hoping to improve it as I gain more knowledge in web design.

Please bear in mind that I am a complete amateur and learning as I go using Dreamweaver which I am at times struggling to understand.

http://colinm1.hostwebs.com/:):)
Thanks for your time and I look forward to your comments.
 
Looks good but maybe put some years on your banner ... to get more clear view of when the bikes where out and stuff. I also don't understand why the map of UK is on the right hand side?
 
Comic Sans :D

Don't use tables for layouts and as already mentioned, it's too wide. I'd aim for 960px wide (to fit 1024x768 + scrollbar) maximum.
 
Last edited:
robocat said:
This is my first attempt at building a web site
Click to expand...

I'll say :p

On the Dreamweaver front, if you really want to learn this stuff, use the code view as much as possible. Hell, scrap dreamweaver altogether, use a nice text editor like EditPlus 3, get the Firebug extension for Firefox, and see how other websites are built using that. Much better for learning than using a GUI approach if'n you ask me.

The core bit of theory you'll need to understand is called the "css box model". Once you've got the basics of that, and what "float" means, you're laughing.
 
Thanks for all your helpful advice guys, will take on all your suggestions and make a start on improvements.

PS
This was designed using a 25" monitor never thought about the size, stupid of me, will make the necessary adjustments, (I hope I get it right)

again my thanks
 
PaulM

Tables were the only way I could work out how to align my graphics with text, without them they seemed to be all over the place. I know it is probably through my lack of knowledge. What is the best way other than tables and would be grateful if you could point me to a tutorial on how,

my thanks for your advice.
 
robocat said:
PaulM

Tables were the only way I could work out how to align my graphics with text, without them they seemed to be all over the place. I know it is probably through my lack of knowledge. What is the best way other than tables and would be grateful if you could point me to a tutorial on how,

my thanks for your advice.
Click to expand...

You should be using <div> tags to arrange the layout with CSS to control the positioning.

You should also not be using Comic Sans, it looks terrible.
 
Some key points, although I am by no means an expert:

  • The banner appears to be too big and cluttered.
  • You have to scroll down to get to the main section of the site.
  • Links are showing in white so therefore appear invisible.
  • Videos loading automatically is generally a bad idea, especially if you have to scroll down to turn it off.
  • It doesn't particularly look modern, a bit web 1.
  • Images need to be optimised better, they are very jaggy or distorted.
 
For your first website Well done! but you do need to think about the size and learn about html and css as tables = bad! there are 1000001 tutorials on the web that will teach you.
 
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