Finally finished website

[Mouse Mate]

My site has been up and running for a couple of months now, but a lot of the pages were "coming soon" Now everything is as it should be I wonder if you chaps would cast your eyes over it, and share your thoughts?

I built the template in Fireworks CS4 and manage the site in Dreamweaver CS4. Logo was created in good old Photoshop 7!!!

http://www.mouse-mate.co.uk

There's also links to a couple of other sites I've recently designed, both were freebies, as one is my sisters and the other is the football team I play for.

Cheers

[ComputerClinic]

Looks good. Simple, clean, and to the point. I like your vehicle. It actually kind of reminds me of a mouse:)

[atlanticjim]

Very clean design and very readable.

Just some suggestions.

The home page looks a little sparse, at first I thought I had reached the contacts page, which usually looks like just a few lines. I dont know much but perhaps a larger font for the text?

I would put the left column menu, about all the services, on every page. By the way, those pages are very well written, very personable.
Please note we currently only work with Windows based systems, but we are hoping to offer support for Apple Mac and Linux in the future.I would avoid anything negative at all (like not doing some particular work) and wait for the phone call and have a stock response "Oh, I am sorry that I don't do that work but I know a great shop that specializes in just what you need".

The coverage page, pretty sparse, how about a map? A linkable Google map with a Photoshopped overlay of a coverage area? If it is linked, then they can go straight to Google directions. Also on this page, the things on the left "NN13" look like links cause they are red, but alas, they are not.
I would redo the valetting page and just rewrite it in HTML rather than using the image.

Mouse Mate was formed in May 2009 after running the business part time for 6 monthsI wouldn't advertise that I just started my business, let them think otherwise "How long have you been doing this?" ,"Oh, I have been doing this for years" "Oh yeah? Then why have I not heard of you till now?" "Well, I was working for someone else before [me, my family, my friends, my neighbors, my boss ;)] , but now I am out on my own". I would also love to see a photo of your smiling face, or perhaps a snapshot of you elbow deep in the mysterious bowels of a mis-behaving personal computer? (they dont have to know that our work is 90% keybored [sic])

It is obvious that the webhosting is handled by a third party. Rather than push them from the link, explain that you contract to provide webhosting with one of the largest, oldest, most trusted webhosting services, and link them from that explanation.

You have prices on your pages, that will require updating in the future, and hopefully you will be too busy repairing to spend time updating a website. Personally, I never mention prices to a client until they ask, sometimes the first time they hear about the price is when I present the bill.

I will appologize for any offense taken to my impressions. I am just getting started with putting up a website. I know that I find it very difficult to take criticism of any kind. But know that it is all meant in kindness.

[expresstech]

Very clean design and very readable.

The coverage page, pretty sparse, how about a map... ....I wouldn't advertise that I just started my business... ...explain that you contract to provide webhosting with one of the largest, oldest, most trusted webhosting services, and link them from that explanation.

I agree with this and the site does feel a little empty in some areas.

I do like the review section on your about page that is a great idea. Overall the site is easy to follow and loads quickly.

[thebeardedone]

Personally, I think having prices on your site is the best, then you aren't misleading any potential customers and you avoid the awkward silence on the phone when you tell them the cost :D
The site looks nice and original, so good job, and the car looks excellent :) Perhaps a picture of yourself there would be a good idea ;)

Overall, a big bearded thumbs up :D

-palmface- :rolleyes:

[cmonova]

For the "web hosting" part make that a page in itself and talk a bit about web hosting and then put the link there and say (opens in new windows) or something to that effect. That way the person does not click on it on your menu and next thing they know they are gone from the site.

As far as prices someone mentioned not a big fan on putting them on a site. One they can change on a days notice then you have to update. Second, I want the person to call our shop. If they call we will get the work. If you don't/can't get them to call then you already didn't have a chance.

[Larry Sabo]

What Atlanticjim said. Plus, I'd buy a wheel disk for the front wheels of your vehicle and re-do that photo. On the Contacts page, consider adding an e-mail link, delivery address and hours, telephone number and map.

[thebeardedone]

[snip] Plus, I'd buy a wheel disk for the front wheels of your vehicle and re-do that photo.

Cor! There's nothing like nitpicking :rolleyes: I think the photo looks fine and, to be honest, most people probably wouldn't notice that a trim was missing anyway :)

[K007]

"About Us" and "Contact us" pages are not aligned the same as the rest of the pages.
I am using Firefox with a screen resolution of 1366x768

[Davis Computer Services]

Cor! There's nothing like nitpicking :rolleyes: I think the photo looks fine and, to be honest, most people probably wouldn't notice that a trim was missing anyway :)

Maybe I'm not most people then. I noticed it immediately and cringed. If he can't pay attention to detail to fix his car, what is he going to do when he works on my computer? You would think before taking a picture of his car for his website, he would make sure it is all there.

[expresstech]

Maybe I'm not most people then. I noticed it immediately and cringed. If he can't pay attention to detail to fix his car, what is he going to do when he works on my computer? You would think before taking a picture of his car for his website, he would make sure it is all there.

This must be a guy thing =D

Most of my customers are women - and as one I didn't notice it until you guys pointed it out. In fairness though, I did not study the picture for more than a couple of seconds.

[expresstech]

I was bored - Not perfect but it shouldn't be as visible now. photoshop'ed the back hub cap to front...

[Mouse Mate]

Wow, didn't think I generate this many replies, cheers guys, much appreciated. Some great suggestions which I will be implementing. Forgot about the coverage page TBH, maps are all good to go just haven't uploaded.

@alanticjim don't apologise for being honest, it's what I wanted and I appreciate your comments. Most of what you have suggested I will be updating anyway!

There's only prices for 3 of my services which can be easily changed if needed. I will never advertise my hourly rate because, as cmonova said, I need customers to phone me, there's more chance of "gaining a sale" when they dont know the price than if its already advertised.

Regarding my hub cap, I have been on the look out on feebay for a replacement but haven't found one yet. I can't help the pikey thieving b*stards that live in our town!!!

Cheers

Mike

[Larry Sabo]

Regarding my hub cap, I have been on the look out on feebay for a replacement but haven't found one yet. I can't help the pikey thieving b*stards that live in our town!!!That's exactly what I was concerned about, i.e., the impression it creates that your shop may be in a "risky" part of town. It also creates the impression (for me at least) that your business is rather run-down, versus "prosperous and professional." The lettering on the vehicle gives me the same impression -- too much detail in too small a font, something an amateur, do-it-yourselfer might create, rather than business-like. Anyway, you have an excellent attitude and have accepted our comments with good grace. They are offered to be helpful, not sarcastic or harsh. (Diplomacy was never my stong suit, so I apologize if I've offended.)

Cheers,
Larry

[Mouse Mate]

Far from it, Brackley is very respectable town with only 13,000 inhabitants and only a handful of idiots. Not run down at all. But I do see what you're saying (kind of!)

[expresstech]

Far from it, Brackley is very respectable town with only 13,000 inhabitants and only a handful of idiots. Not run down at all. But I do see what you're saying (kind of!)

I've had them fall off of little cars like that due to a bent rim, hitting a curb, going over railroad tracks to fast *grins* - but I tried to help your picture out at least in my above posts with attachments.. I'm not sure if you bothered to look. It's not 100% perfect photoshop job.. i spent less than 10 minutes total on it, but at that image size and at a glance it shouldn't be all that noticeable with the one i photoshop'ed anyways. I thought it would save you the trouble of taking a new photo and if anyone said anything after "oh it must have fallen off"

[Mouse Mate]

Sorry expresstech, I did see it and completely forgot to reply.

It looks good, thank you. I'm watching one on ebay, if I get it i'll take new pics if not i'll use your edited one.

[expresstech]

Sorry expresstech, I did see it and completely forgot to reply.

It looks good, thank you. I'm watching one on ebay, if I get it i'll take new pics if not i'll use your edited one.

*nods* It's ok, easy to overlook and forget to reply... Obviously, it does need to be replaced. For the purpose of the photo you could always borrow one from the other side of the car. Either way it's only a temporary fix for the picture for your website and it doesn't change how it might look pulling up in someones driveway.

[Tesla]

Your car looks good except the missing wheel trim (hub cap for the yanks?) looks dreadful.

Instead of buying a set you should be able to get a single replacement from Vauxhall.

[Mouse Mate]

Vauxhall want a small fortune for one.

Found one on feebay: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/vauxhall-astra-zafira-wheel-trim-15-free-post_W0QQitemZ180393052116QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Ca rsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item2a004387d4&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

[Tesla]

Really?

Before I had the van I used a car for business and had to replace the trims. £11 each from Ford, those were for 15" Mondeo (Contour in the US) Wheels.

[Mouse Mate]

They wouldn't sell me just one, had to be a full set at about 40 odd quid!