Please critique my site

ComputerClinic

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Please tell me what you think of my website:

www.thecomclinic.com

I used Drupal to create this site. Currently, I'm using a free theme (Zubrick) and I have edited the images and style.css file to match my color scheme. This is my first site and I would appreciate any feedback. Also, please tell me what you think of my logo. All the graphics I have created myself using GIMP.
 
I think it's well done. It's simple and to the point which was how I based my web site. I skimmed through most of the pages and they all seem clear and precise which is always a plus. The only recommendation I would make is to change your "leave feedback" page to a "testimonials" page. I think this will have a stronger effect on your site in regards to visitors.

In regards to your logo, I like it as well, especially your catch phrase.

* One other edit you may want to do is hyperlink your email address at the bottom making it easier for those using an email client such as Outlook.
 
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Looks good, I really like your "request help" page, did you make that yourself? Here are a few suggestions:

  • Put your phone number in your banner, so it's SUPER easy for people to find.
  • If you don't want to look like a one-man show, change your email to something other than your name (bottom footer graphic).
  • I like the idea of your "downloads" page, but customers probably won't find it useful.
  • Some people may not be able to tell that the links on the left are links.
 
NickCat11:

I am planning on adding a testimonials page in the near future. The only problem is that I've been in business for less than 2 months and have no testimonials yet. Once I get 4 or 5 I will add a testimonials page.

ClickRight:

I made this website myself using Drupal, and I made the "Request Help" page in particular with the webform module.

I'm not sure I want to make the graphic on top any larger to include my phone number, but I agree that it should be more noticeable so I'll find somewhere good to put it.

As far as my e-mail, I think i might remove it altogether. There's already a request help page and my e-mail is on my business card. Maybe I'll replace it with my PO Box?

The downloads page is really more for when customers call me and I need to walk them though downloading something. Rather than have them google it, they can just go to my website and go directly to the right website from there.

As for the promotion links, I'll figure out how to make them change color or something when you mouse over them. Thank you for the input. I'll implement the changes ASAP.
 
I like the simplicity of the overall site. Everything changes within the main frame and very little up/down scrolling is needed for me to view (this may vary from browser to browser, in fact in Chrome I didn't need to scroll up/down at all).

I would reconsider the $10 back referral payment via check. I would feel more comfortable giving Visa gift cards or some other type of credit, although some cards require a fee to activate the card, I would check into that also. The reason I suggest this is the less info available to the public about banking accounts and business contacts the better. Also, I don't fully understand what "*You must be a returning customer to receive this bonus." means. But over all that seems like a great way to have your customers work for you.

Your five links on the right, all link to the Current Promotions page. Are these going on for a limited time, or going to be part of your regular discounts?

The Maintenance Plan-great idea if you can get people to commit to a reoccurring fee. My only concern would be that as a paying customer, at $25 a month, if I needed some other work outside the plan, the $10 price might not be enough discount.
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Questions for you, if you don't mind?

I recently put Drupal on my hosted server, but have yet to start building my website. Any tips you got thrown my way would be appreciated.

The "Request Help" is that info mailed to you, so you get almost instantly?

Again, overall I really think you got a good website, especially since you did yourself and saved money, and gained knowledge of another product.
 
MaxMon:

I will rethink the check idea. My original idea was $10 off the next repair but I decided customers would be more appreciative if they received the money directly. The returning customer requirement is basically there so customers can't say someone I've never done work for referred them to me. The links on the right are my regular discounts, so I will reword the title accordingly. Perhaps I will increase the maintenance plan discount from $10/hr off to $15/hr.

A couple tips for Drupal:

-Choose a simple theme to start out, and create ALL the content before changing it. One of the best things about Drupal is how you can completely rework the look of the site without changing the content. Once the message of the site is clear, then you can worry about making it look good.

-Use google a lot to learn. Drupal is open source software so there is tons of free help online. I virtually knew nothing about drupal 2 months ago and every time I wanted to do something and didn't know how I was able to find the answer online.

*The webform sends an e-mail to me so its almost instant.
 
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Honestly, I like the setup and the simplicity of the website..it works well. For some reason, the header (the dark blue background and blue-ish green-ish font) just doesn't "flow" for me. May just be me being picky:o
 
I updated my website with some of the suggestions you guys had:
-added my phone number in big gold letters in the right column
-changed the graphics on the right to change when you mouse over them
-changed e-mail on bottom to questions@ instead of jacob@
-changed promotions page title from "current promotions" to "promotions and discounts"

Thanks for the help! Please take another look and tell me what you think. I would especially appreciate feedback on my "Computer Tips" and "Company Policy" sections. Too much information? Does it seem professional enough or should I consider redoing some sections?
 
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I don't know Drupal at all, so i don't really know what sort of controls you have and don't have. But the issues i have noticed are:

- Correct your image file names, not really a big deal because it currently works. (tele.gif.png) the next time you do a complete redesign, i would strip out the extra .gif extension.
- Your contact information should be consistant through out the web page, such as all phone numbers displaying the area code
- the request page automaticly has the aera code filled in. you could make seperate boxes for each, or you could state to include area code and no symbols and require a minimum character count.
- it is good and bad the way your email address is displayed. Good because it makes it more difficult for spammers to get your email address since they are forced to look at the site and manually enter it into a database. Although your email address is found as a link on the remote help page, so the programs that spammers have to collect your email address will get your as well. I would change your email address to link to the request help form and cut the footer graphic at the bottom so that the email graphic, links to the request form as well.
- some of the text looks off. I have noticed it most on (request form - D escription), (home page - O ur Rates, plus the O looks like a zero), and many more. I think this is a font choice issue located in one of the 5 *.css files.
- There are sereal page that you have created that are only accessible from one other page. The content and layout needs to be arranged so that the content can be accessed from different areas of the website. Since each button on the right bar under the phone number all go to the same area, i would make just one button a Promotion and discount button and the others can be used to access the monthly maintenance plan, security, backup, and any other links that can only be access from only a single page.
- referral - I agree about giving the referee a incentive to create additional business for you. How ever, i think sending money to them is not the best choice. I personally give a 50% discount off 1 hour of service work (equal to $30 currently), there is more stipulations in there that allow and disallow how it is used, but you need to specify this or it will become a possible legal issue. Try stating that current or past client can receive a $xx or xx% discount or reward for each paid referral. your current statement makes it sound like i could referral 5 people to you that don't pay you for your work and they might get upset that never got their money. You have to pay taxes on any income you make, sending your money to the client is more like a bill, but providing a discount or reward reduces your income slightly, but you don't have to pay taxes on that amount. also the client may also forget about the possibility of using the discount, in which case you don't lose that amount of money, (just yet)
- Feedback - I notied i could leave feedback, but when can't i view other peoples feedback? online feedback could possible hinder you as people may think you only showing the good ones and deleting the bad ones, or if a dissatisfied client post it is visible to everyone that can see it. Unless of course this is an survey people could write about you for internal use only.

well for the time being that is all the quick stuff i noticed.
 
On the promotions page, I'd put more space in between the descriptions and the next title or remove the space in between a title and it's description. Also you could maybe change the size of the titles.

You should consider changing the colors on the links. On the Computer Tips, it's not that easy to read the links... This is easy using CSS.

I'd personally make the banner or logo on top and make it a link to the homepage. I'm not sure if you're using the default option from /admin/themes/settings that allows you to put a logo or if it's a block that you created. If it's a block, it's easier to change to it to a link just by editing the block. If you're using the logo option, you'll have to edit some of the php files directly...
 
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