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So I've been steady at it building a website for my business. What do you guys think? I did it all myself so I would appreciate the criticism. www.walterswelding.comwww.walterswelding.com
Reply:It no worky.
Reply:Make sure that you add the line My Home Pagewithin your tags so that each page is described.For example:Your home page code would include:blah blah blahWalter's Welding Home Pageblah blah blahYou'll find that code here on your page:.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} Home This will make it easier for search engines to crawl your site.ChrisLincoln Pro Mig 180TMiller Spectrum 375
Reply:Originally Posted by BobIt no worky.
Reply:Originally Posted by KnacKMake sure that you add the line My Home Pagewithin your tags so that each page is described.For example:Your home page code would include:blah blah blahWalter's Welding Home Pageblah blah blahYou'll find that code here on your page:.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} Home This will make it easier for search engines to crawl your site.
Reply:not bad, but there is alot of room for improvementfirst off - I would center everything instead of using left justificiation, the page is off-balance - all your activity is on your left - look at the forum page - everything is centered and looks balanced.secondly, i dont recommend the black background with white text - traditionally a professional website uses white background with a decal or something light imbedded into the background with black text - also your map is nearly unreadable - you can actually grab an image from google maps and make a link to it so the viewer can type in his address or location and get exact directionsi would also add some more pictures of projects you have done, as well as pictures of employees and owners of the company- with some background information so the customer gets a better understanding of the company and can get a better sense of welcome, as well as introduced to the company before even meeting them - i dont know why but for some reason people are so scared of putting their picture on the internet - you gotta get over this feelinits a good start - but youve got a long way to go - also you should look into java script or scripting - html is almost a dying language - while its still used as the basis for the code, there are soo many improvements in website design since html first came out.if your stumped and are having problems, go get a program like easy web creator or something (i dont remember the name) it incorporates the more complicated languages with point and click (meaning you layout the page how you want to and the program writes the code for you)I break things for a living...
Reply:Potential customers like lots and lots of pictures.Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.
Reply:Looks like a good start to me, definitely needs more pictures of work completed. People like good pictures.IAMAW Local 330Airco 300 AC/DC HeliwelderAirco Dip-Pak 200 with Profax spool gunPowr-Kraft AC225Everlast PowerArc 200stBuffalo Forge No.21 drill pressSpeedglas 9100xxAirco, Oxweld, Purox, Victor torchesLincoln Ranger 8
Reply:ditto on the black background and white text. I always hit the reverse video button when i see those websites.
Reply:Originally Posted by BrainfarthPotential customers like lots and lots of pictures.
Reply:Good criticism here. Thanks. As for the pictures...I don't usually think of pictures so don't have alot right now. But will start.www.walterswelding.com
Reply:if you want something to stand out - get in touch with a webdesigner. there is soo much more involved nowadays other than just building it and uploading it. you need to get with google and set up "sponsored search" or whatever they call it where when you search for welding in your area your shop comes up before others - the internet has totally changed over the last few years since i was in school, and that was still light years away from what i learned with just basic html - it might cost you money to hire a webconsultant, but think of all the increase business a good webpage can bring youI break things for a living...
Reply:Check it out now...took some advice and rev'd it up.www.walterswelding.comwww.walterswelding.com
Reply:Originally Posted by walters weldingCheck it out now...took some advice and rev'd it up.www.walterswelding.com
Reply:ARRRGGGHH! I done it at home and it was centered. Go to a different computer and its not.www.walterswelding.com
Reply:Very good start on the website for a first-timer. If you get frustrated, I'm sure there's a very bright and creative boy or girl in your neighborhood who would be beside themselves if you gave him/her the opportunity to build this site under your direction. I'm not talking 7 year-olds, but teenagers who may be taking computer programming classes at school for the first time.That's how I got started. Now I get job offers by word of mouth, just like you weldors.
Reply:Seems to me that the home page and about us page is turned around, I mean that you have your about us description on your home page.To me, a home page is like the entrance door to your site, when you enter it, it is the place that has the welcome mat and where to go from here clearly marked for navigation, possible a place to grab attention with promotions or coupons or something, you know like, if you mention this site or use this code and receive a 10% discount and so on!If possible, make a products and services page to keep all the pics and info of your items and services on, or make several pages listing separate types of items or services on, it just makes a web site more professional looking, navigable, user friendly when everything is marked "Page wise" and in its place!good luck!Ken.Last edited by Ken Dennis; 06-23-2010 at 01:31 PM.#1. If you don't like what I wrote, or if it offends you, then don't read it!#2. I am living life the way I see fit, if you don't like the way I'M living, tough sh**!
Reply:Typo"We also do work for local Sprint Car drivers. Repairing Chromoly frames damaged during races. Building nerf bars and bumpers. Give us a call for free estimates anytime. Our dedication to quality and customer satisfaction is rsecond to none."Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:You need to use wordpress, The days of creating your own site are Dead...Not only that its a hell of a lot easier to add content to your website than static pages.
Reply:Okokokokok. So I have deleted it all and started over... gimme a couple day to get some content back up. Gonna use the templates in my webserver. Thanks for the constructive criticism.www.walterswelding.com
Reply:For an example of what I was referring to, click on my web site link in my signature.I used Vistaprint for my hosting, and I did use a template to start with, but the content and layout is my own, I just took a lesson from their template and ran with it!Ken.#1. If you don't like what I wrote, or if it offends you, then don't read it!#2. I am living life the way I see fit, if you don't like the way I'M living, tough sh**!
Reply:I applaud you for attempting your own site design.I would recommend a bigger title (name) and not in such a gothic script, and put a region or location on the home page.Lincoln SA 200Esab Caddy 160Thermal Arc 201TSMiller Dialarc HFI don't like making plans for the day because then the word "premeditated" gets thrown around the courtroom....
Reply:Originally Posted by Ken DennisFor an example of what I was referring to, click on my web site link in my signature.I used Vistaprint for my hosting, and I did use a template to start with, but the content and layout is my own, I just took a lesson from their template and ran with it!Ken.
Reply:Thanks bert!I hate going to a web site and having to wait 5 minutes or more for the site to finish loading because of all the junk, all buzzing, whirring, flashing and just down right annoying."And I am on high speed, over 3g"To me. that is not a professional site, its more like one of those little babies hanging mobiles, meant to get your attention, but ultimately becoming too annoying!#1. If you don't like what I wrote, or if it offends you, then don't read it!#2. I am living life the way I see fit, if you don't like the way I'M living, tough sh**!
Reply:The new Template is better. I still strongly suggestionhttp://wordpress.org/http://templates.entheosweb.com/temp...mber/26014.asphttp://templates.entheosweb.com/Welding-Company.aspWalter> Ultimately soco is right. There are two major ways to create a website now. One is an "old school" kinda thing where U create each page as HTML and then publish that page on your site. If you want to do that I suggest you get an older copy of Dreamweaver (Dreamweaver UltraDev 4 for ex) and that will help you create and publish.These days there is another way which gives you a lot more freedom and flexibility for the future. You can create all your info, logos, text, pics etc and then store that in a data base. Next you use a template which has instructions on HOW you want it to look. The program goes and gets your data and them publishes that according to your template/instructions.There are no "premade pages". You can choose the template from one$ available or make it yourself, or modify one to your needs. Examples of good programs of this type are Wordpress, Joomla (which I like) and some others. Normally you install these helper design programs on your site at the server of your host, They will help you do that and the programs are FREE This is a lot deeper than just hang a page on the net but it is nearly as much fun as welding once you get the hang of it. Find some help... find someone who knows about PHP and database sites and let them help you set it up... this will save you a lot of time and grief. I'm 62 and there are 16 year old fellas in this town who can do that easily for you and work pretty reasonably. Wish you smooth sailing on this, it is no harder than the first day someone handed you a stick and said weldThe site you have created is a noble start by the way, much better than my first oneLast edited by PapaLion; 06-24-2010 at 08:13 AM.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:Yeah I agree with some of the guys above, use Wordpress because you obviously would never pay a professional like myself to do it and there are many SERIOUS ERRORS in the code. The problem I have always run into is that people think they can throw a website together and it will perform as needed if they can see it on THEIR browser. Then for some reason Google drops your site from their lists, visitors stop coming to their website, . . . yada-yada. NUMBER ONE SERIOUS ERROR, No DOCTYPE found, and unknown root element. That will cause many browsers to view the content improperly, and search engines will abort their "crawl." Look I get paid for putting websites together so that is the ONLY help I will give you other than what has been said, "use Wordpress."Good Luck, SteveJunkYard Tools .com
Reply:Originally Posted by walters weldingGood criticism here. Thanks. As for the pictures...I don't usually think of pictures so don't have alot right now. But will start.
Reply:I think it's perfect.
Reply:You might check out Google Webmaster. It gives you details on how your website appears to Google. It is free and at the very least is interesting.
Reply:Rookie will probably back me up on this I suppose? I have found that when I use WordPress or Joomla version xx.xx for ex... then I get it all set and working, about that time the developers release a newer safer better version xx.xy for ex... ok, now I need to install that newer version over my template and ~hope~ it doesn't mess it up.To me a site is like building a hot rod... daily fiddling and improvements. rather than a project where it is DONE and gone, nope. So to do that newer version, First U build a dummy site (on your hosts server under your name) called maybe my~test~site.com. It is clone of your real site (there are ways to do that)... now when U gotta make a change U do it there first and see what happens. Same idea as trying the weld on scrap first. A site is great way to advertise your service regionally, MUCH cheaper than newspapers or phone books. Who really cares if a guy in Az would call U. What might matter is that a fella within a 100 miles of you can find your pages and decides to call... that can make you some $. Google is important and just another tool in your box eventually, you'll need to understand the search too. This stuff is fun but Rookie is right, pro help can be good sometimes. It is really a job/career/skill and U might enjoy it... as it challenges you. Like welding, not to get frustrated, just keep digging, it'll come. One of my most fun sites built was for the local metal buildings contractor for Butler bldgs.. each link (About Us, or Contact etc) you could call up color combos and try them on the bldg in the background of that page which framed the text under discussion. EZ to do with PHP/Joomla, impossible with a fixed HTML site. Blogs, Bulletin boards (just like this one for WW) and Classified Ads by your customers can be placed on your site too if U wish. too much probably as usual,enjoy, and yes we are maybe too hard on ya' it is a good site... AS IS!Last edited by PapaLion; 06-24-2010 at 08:28 PM.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:Originally Posted by PapaLionRookie will probably back me up on this I suppose? I have found that when I use WordPress or Joomla version xx.xx for ex... then I get it all set and working, about that time the developers release a newer safer better version xx.xy for ex... ok, now I need to install that newer version over my template and ~hope~ it doesn't mess it up.To me a site is like building a hot rod... daily fiddling and improvements. rather than a project where it is DONE and gone, nope. . .
Reply:Originally Posted by rookie_steveYa got THAT RIGHT! I've been designing websites since 1997 (professionally since 1999) and I'm still learning new stuff everyday. Those PHP designs (Wordpress, Joomla, Drupal) seem to be changing about once a month and probably because of hackers. About half my clients want the PHP stuff so I give it to them. When I said above that the "DOCTYPE not found," . . . I found it about line 149, but it is useless there . . . that should be the FIRST LINE of your website's code so browsers know how to read your website. Sorta like starting off a site in German and then asking half-way thru whether you want English or German. People (browsers and search engines) are gone before they get there. Sorry if I sound "rough" but it is very frustrating to me to see people think that putting up a website is easy. It's like some of YOU GUYS yelling at people for trying to build a trailer with a 110v wire-feeder. Ya it can be done alright. No one loses their life, but the thing is that you've wasted your time and effort in building a site that only serves the purpose of showing your friends. If you need a professional website for a business then do it right. Your prospective customers judge you on first impressions. And that means getting the code right so there is no difference between browsers and they will see what you intended them to see 100 percent of the time. Steve
Reply:Originally Posted by socoj2The new Template is better. I still strongly suggestionhttp://wordpress.org/http://templates.entheosweb.com/temp...mber/26014.asphttp://templates.entheosweb.com/Welding-Company.asp
Reply:Originally Posted by walters weldingThanks for being "rough".
Reply:Walt wanna' have some fun? One EZ thing U might enjoy doing is take pictures of various welded beads/surfaces... like a 7018 stack, real nicely done etc. and then make an image of that and use that as a detail or background or possibly a wallpaper for some area. Any old copy of photoshop 5.5 for ex would help a lot. Don't over do it, keep it classy, or it gets cheezy just as an accent or a border between the colors etc. Less is more on the idea. I think the color choices are very manly and reflect the type of biz... welding, metallic kinda thing. Stay away from anything that blinks or rotates... it ain't a barHave funLast edited by PapaLion; 06-25-2010 at 07:28 AM.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:Ya'll could use some serious help with those websites. And I'm not talking about the appearance, as that is for the most part subjective and a matter of opinion. Functionality and content are what make a website. I'll help anyone from this forum, with their website, on your own server, for a powered by link to our main site : Custom web development. The features that can be implemented will depend on what is supported by your hosting company, The basic requirements would be the ability to run a dynamic language like ASP.NET or PHP and access to a MySQL or SQL Server database, you can also use XML files as a data source. These requirements should be satisfied by even the most basic of hosting plans, nowadays. Having a blog on your site is a good way to get more organic traffic and makes for easy editing of content. Also you probably want to focus on your local market in terms of your meta tags, as it will be much easier to get ranked for your local area.Last edited by MEWelding.com; 06-26-2010 at 09:30 PM. Maine Welding Company & Wrought Iron Powered by Custom Web Development
Reply:I'm a bit lost how would adding Walt to a canned search intermediary assist him in developing HIS site. Walt KEEP your xxx.com in your name regardless. I shun these kind of sites, the last thing I need is to be put on a nantional search registry of sites on a topic? I'm open minded and don't know it all by a long margin, however this seems a ploy to control your URL and charge U for the priviiledge and not a solution. Rookie might understand this better than me, did I miss something here? A developer doesn't need to control your URL, he only needs access/passwd to work while he is helping you. I built my own Linux server in 1998, and got my site up for my biz (an HTML site). I then added about 10-15 local businesses, mostly friends, on the server and helped them develop their site. Sometimes I did it for them $$, sometimes I just pointed to solutions. We all paid for the gear and costs equally. My main biz was my shop, not web development which became a fun hobby but took a lot of time. When I retired I gave the server to one of the users... he's improving it now... and the hackers are driving him crazy! Today I would use a big host for the server but I'd own/control my own site URl and manage it myself for sure. .Last edited by PapaLion; 06-26-2010 at 10:33 PM.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:Originally Posted by PapaLionI'm a bit lost how would adding Walt to a canned search intermediary assist him in developing HIS site. Walt KEEP your xxx.com in your name regardless. I shun these kind of sites, the last thing I need is to be put on a nantional search registry of sites on a topic? I'm open minded and don't know it all by a long margin, however this seems a ploy to control your URL and charge U for the priviiledge and not a solution. Rookie might understand this better than me, did I miss something here? A developer doesn't need to control your URL, he only needs access/passwd to work while he is helping you. I built my own Linux server in 1998, and got my site up for my biz (an HTML site). I then added about 10-15 local businesses, mostly friends, on the server and helped them develop their site. Sometimes I did it for them $$, sometimes I just pointed to solutions. We all paid for the gear and costs equally. My main biz was my shop, not web development which became a fun hobby but took a lot of time. When I retired I gave the server to one of the users... he's improving it now... and the hackers are driving him crazy! Today I would use a big host for the server but I'd own/control my own site URl and manage it myself for sure. .
Reply:I'm trying to understand what U R offering Could be great, I dunno? A "powered by" link to a development network with internal search seems an odd way to go? Some developers charge the individual just to remove the banners, ads and internal data collection which goes with the link. The individual thinks he is getting a better search so folks can find him regionally, and more biz. Actually he is offering his URL platform for those banners etc on his site? I expect yours is not that way? No one knows all this stuff, always new good things to learn, and if U read my post I'm clear about that?Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:I'm just offering some technical assistance. The benefit that we would get from a link from any site with less than a million visitors a day would be minimal at best, especially from a site not related to software development. We don't collect any data and have no banners on our main site. Although we have many registered users, in 15 years we have not sent out a single mass mailing. Regarding the better search results, you won't get that from any external link. The better search results would be a result of being able to more easily create your own relevant content, on your site, with a blog or content management type of application and focusing on your target market, welding in Alabama for example.Last edited by MEWelding.com; 06-27-2010 at 06:49 AM. Maine Welding Company & Wrought Iron Powered by Custom Web Development
Reply:I'm just paranoid I'm always leary of folks with FREE help? I went to your site... looked at a category and found some detailed info on the subjext and a list of Ads on top for big companies etc. which I supposed would be the focus for site developemnt for a new user. You got to pay for it all somehow sure, and anyway yours is more an ECommerce site, a whole different fish anyway than a small services offerred kinda site.I wonder if a live on line development of an ecommerce ZenCart site would be of interest here? Register a domain name, put it on a server, install ZenCart and add products and PayPal? EZ 2 do... and there might be fellas who have stuff they make to sell and wonder how to get it on the net? enjoy, BretLincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:Yes, you could create static non-dynamic, non- interactive pages 1 by 1 in any text or HTML editor. But how would a site like that be able to compete with an application that myself or many others could create in less than an hour that can dynamically generate millions(unlimited actually) of pages filled with unique relevant content? Maine Welding Company & Wrought Iron Powered by Custom Web Development
Reply:Originally Posted by PapaLionI'm just paranoid I'm always leary of folks with FREE help? I went to your site... looked at a category and found some detailed info on the subjext and a list of Ads on top for big companies etc. which I supposed would be the focus for site developemnt for a new user. You got to pay for it all somehow sure, and anyway yours is more an ECommerce site, a whole different fish anyway than a small services offerred kinda site.I wonder if a live on line development of an ecommerce ZenCart site would be of interest here? Register a domain name, put it on a server, install ZenCart and add products and PayPal? EZ 2 do... and there might be fellas who have stuff they make to sell and wonder how to get it on the net? enjoy, Bret
Reply:Another good idea, I think, would be the creation of some good quality instructional welding videos. Just like Steve Bleile does. You could post samples of those on youtube and get a lot of interest in your product and services. Maine Welding Company & Wrought Iron Powered by Custom Web Development
Reply:That's a good idea, there are several fellas here who are very excellent welders, especially in a unique area like TIG for ex... and a reasonalby well done video at a fair price, would sell pretty easily. Arlen Roth who developed ~Hot Licks ~ videos for guitar instruction grew from a small start. He used celebrity guitarists to focus on unique methods and talents... same idea here as far as talent. Zen Cart for a smaller scale eCommerce site is pretty Ez and I think it would be a good one for a fella who has a product he fabricates and then wants to offer it on the net. And yes, shop $/hr is great... selling 1000 widgets/year with good profit might supplement the income a lot for a small shop.ME> Free huh? Well it's your time C+ is a smooth language and so many scripts to modify or create... can be fun and a blast when it works that first time after an hour of code chasing.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:Originally Posted by PapaLionThat's a good idea, there are several fellas here who are very excellent welders, especially in a unique area like TIG for ex... and a reasonalby well done video at a fair price, would sell pretty easily. Arlen Roth who developed ~Hot Licks ~ videos for guitar instruction grew from a small start. He used celebrity guitarists to focus on unique methods and talents... same idea here as far as talent. Zen Cart for a smaller scale eCommerce site is pretty Ez and I think it would be a good one for a fella who has a product he fabricates and then wants to offer it on the net. And yes, shop $/hr is great... selling 1000 widgets/year with good profit might supplement the income a lot for a small shop. |
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发表于 2021-8-31 23:51:52