Here's what I have so far on my new website, feel free to critique at will

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Here's what I have so far on my new website, feel free to critique at will

Site looks good and I agree with all the suggestions made so far.

Are you your own code monkey?

If so, stretch out your page to at least 800 pixels wide looks kind of thin. It's good to build for the lowest common denominator but most people have a monitor now days that can load a 800 pixel wide page/picture without having to horizontal scroll.

Also, for text on computers, try to stick with simple blocky letters like Verdana or Arial.

Serif fonts tend to be good for paper, hard copies in your hand.
Sans Serif fonts tend to be easier to read on a computer screen.

This is a Serif Font - Times Roman

This is a Sans Serif Font - Arial


At least that's what I've read in web design circles and a practice I use.


The idea or goal being to make your text as easy to read as possible and to make it as easy on a humans eyes as possible.

[CieraSL]

Re: Here's what I have so far on my new website, feel free to critique at will

OK, so I'm going to throw in my two cents, and you can take it for what it's worth. Under Services Available, (quote) "...keep your vehicle looking its best when when you don't have time to do it yourself." Lose the extra "when". On the weekly plan, when you would be doing a Level 1 or Level 2 on the customer's vehicle, both of these levels include a wax. Is it really necessary to wax every week? Or do you plan to just do a spray wax like Ultimate Quick Wax or something like Cleaner Wax? Just asking, because it seems to me that with waxing every week (with something like NXT 2.0 or whatever), you'd just be waxing over wax. At least with Cleaner Wax, they'd be getting a fresh coat of wax every week but they wouldn't have layer after layer of wax on their vehicles because the previous layer would be removed. And on your Itemized and Custom Services, I think you should rethink some of your prices, some of them just seem a bit overpriced. Like $29 for a vacuum? I don't think anybody is going to pay that much for that, no matter how much money they make. And some of the more "trivial" items in that category just seem a little much. Well, that's my two bits. Hope this helps!

[10degreesbtdc]

Re: Here's what I have so far on my new website, feel free to critique at will

I'll throw in one comment... instead of "level 1, level 2, etc." come up with some fun names. Since your company is called My Car Shines you can play off it and have your packages called My Car Shines, My Car Really Shines, My Car Extremely Shines, My Car Blinds Me, or whatever.

That's awesome! You made me laugh out loud and I love the idea. Got my mind working now...

I've made quite a few changes, should be uploaded by now. Thanks again to all. It's definitely a work in progress and a learning experience. (not always in that order!)

I hear you guys on the prices, but I hate to lower them much because I work more hours and harder than anyone I've seen or that have done my vehicles in the past with better results. Not that I'm a pro or that I'm better than anyone here. I just know how picky I am especially with other's cars. I have a lot to learn, for sure, but as I said I go above and beyond what I've personally seen.

I also don't want to do any old car. Hate to sound too picky, but I've had numerous back surgeries and I'm feeling great after the last one and insist on doing what I enjoy AND getting paid good for it. I may not get much work, and if so I can always go down or negotiate in person when I start canvassing and adjust my site accordingly. After doing a few vehicles I was way too low for what I provide. You know? Hey, this is an experiment in progress.

I'm in the process of making width 100% dynamic too. Looks much better.

Site looks good and I agree with all the suggestions made so far.

Are you your own code monkey?

If so, stretch out your page to at least 800 pixels wide looks kind of thin. It's good to build for the lowest common denominator but most people have a monitor now days that can load a 800 pixel wide page/picture without having to horizontal scroll.

Also, for text on computers, try to stick with simple blocky letters like Verdana or Arial.

Serif fonts tend to be good for paper, hard copies in your hand.
Sans Serif fonts tend to be easier to read on a computer screen.

This is a Serif Font - Times Roman

This is a Sans Serif Font - Arial


At least that's what I've read in web design circles and a practice I use.


The idea or goal being to make your text as easy to read as possible and to make it as easy on a humans eyes as possible.

Thanks, Mike. I'm using Geneva, Aerial, Helvetica, sans serif. All are sans (without) serif (tails). Are they showing up as serif on yours? If I understand it correctly, if someone's PC doesn't have Geneva, Aerial is displayed, then Helvetic and all should be without tails and blocky similar to Verdana, right? I guess someone's browser can be set to override the font, but mine are definitely block in Firefox, IE and Opera.

Well, I stand corrected. The images on the index page were done in Photoshop as .jpeg and I did use a serif font...back to the WYSIWYG! Yeah, I'm doing this myself with Dreamweaver, but I have to look at code more than I want as it seems to have a mind of its own sometimes.

[10degreesbtdc]

Re: Here's what I have so far on my new website, feel free to critique at will

OK, so I'm going to throw in my two cents, and you can take it for what it's worth. Under Services Available, (quote) "...keep your vehicle looking its best when when you don't have time to do it yourself." Lose the extra "when". On the weekly plan, when you would be doing a Level 1 or Level 2 on the customer's vehicle, both of these levels include a wax. Is it really necessary to wax every week? Or do you plan to just do a spray wax like Ultimate Quick Wax or something like Cleaner Wax? Just asking, because it seems to me that with waxing every week (with something like NXT 2.0 or whatever), you'd just be waxing over wax. At least with Cleaner Wax, they'd be getting a fresh coat of wax every week but they wouldn't have layer after layer of wax on their vehicles because the previous layer would be removed. And on your Itemized and Custom Services, I think you should rethink some of your prices, some of them just seem a bit overpriced. Like $29 for a vacuum? I don't think anybody is going to pay that much for that, no matter how much money they make. And some of the more "trivial" items in that category just seem a little much. Well, that's my two bits. Hope this helps!

I appreciate your candor and ideas! Thanks to all for taking the time. I do need to change some things and clean it up, make it simpler and perhaps eliminate some of these things so I don't turn people off before I start. I was thinking that if someone (probably won't) should call me to come out and do one or two things I would need to charge for an hour at least. Guess I should just eliminate those things?

I was planning on using spray wax in between major service on maintenance plans. I assumed that was what most did if reapplying carnauba or polymer wax was not needed. Should I mention that or just make sure it looks really nice and shiny?

[CieraSL]

Re: Here's what I have so far on my new website, feel free to critique at will

I appreciate your candor and ideas! Thanks to all for taking the time. I do need to change some things and clean it up, make it simpler and perhaps eliminate some of these things so I don't turn people off before I start. I was thinking that if someone (probably won't) should call me to come out and do one or two things I would need to charge for an hour at least. Guess I should just eliminate those things?

I was planning on using spray wax in between major service on maintenance plans. I assumed that was what most did if reapplying carnauba or polymer wax was not needed. Should I mention that or just make sure it looks really nice and shiny?

Here are the itemized services I would eliminate (the ones bold and italicized):

Wash / Dry / Glass Cleaned - $39.00
Mats, Carpet Shampoo - $69.00
Leather Treatment - $39.00
Trim Clean / Treatment - $39.00
Clay Treatment - $39.00
Carnauba Wax - $49.00
Jewelling Finish - $129.00
Premium Paint Sealant - $99.00
Engine Bay Detail - $29.00
Headlight Restoration - $59.00
Taillight Restoration - $49.00
Scooters - $59.00
Golf Carts - $59.00
RV Motor Home - $25.00/ft.
Custom Services - $65.00/hr.

The reason I say this is because people probably aren't going to want you to come to them (or them come to you) so you can do just leather or just trim treatment or just wax - they're going to want some other service(s) done as well, services that are probably included in some package, so they'll just pay for the package rather than pay for an itemized service plus pay you by the hour on top of that. It just makes more sense to offer package deals and then perhaps a few itemized services. But to itemize everything just makes it confusing. Also, as far as whether you use a spray wax or Cleaner Wax for weekly clients, I'd explain to them the difference between the two and then let them decide which one they would prefer, or if they even want a weekly wax. They might prefer a wax every 2 weeks or something like that. It might vary from customer to customer, but if they are regulars, they will most likely develop preferences about what they do or don't want. Anyway, sorry to make this post so long, I just want to help you to succeed and be the best you can. Good luck on your new business venture!

Shane

[10degreesbtdc]

Re: Here's what I have so far on my new website, feel free to critique at will

Here are the itemized services I would eliminate (the ones bold and italicized):

Wash / Dry / Glass Cleaned - $39.00
Mats, Carpet Shampoo - $69.00
Leather Treatment - $39.00
Trim Clean / Treatment - $39.00
Clay Treatment - $39.00
Carnauba Wax - $49.00
Jewelling Finish - $129.00
Premium Paint Sealant - $99.00
Engine Bay Detail - $29.00
Headlight Restoration - $59.00
Taillight Restoration - $49.00
Scooters - $59.00
Golf Carts - $59.00
RV Motor Home - $25.00/ft.
Custom Services - $65.00/hr.

The reason I say this is because people probably aren't going to want you to come to them (or them come to you) so you can do just leather or just trim treatment or just wax - they're going to want some other service(s) done as well, services that are probably included in some package, so they'll just pay for the package rather than pay for an itemized service plus pay you by the hour on top of that. It just makes more sense to offer package deals and then perhaps a few itemized services. But to itemize everything just makes it confusing. Also, as far as whether you use a spray wax or Cleaner Wax for weekly clients, I'd explain to them the difference between the two and then let them decide which one they would prefer, or if they even want a weekly wax. They might prefer a wax every 2 weeks or something like that. It might vary from customer to customer, but if they are regulars, they will most likely develop preferences about what they do or don't want. Anyway, sorry to make this post so long, I just want to help you to succeed and be the best you can. Good luck on your new business venture!

Shane

Thanks shane! I really appreciate your time, suggestions and well wishes! I think I will delete quite a few things. My thinking was; if they see what they cost individually they might realize that the packages are a deal. But, there is too much stuff and if you and I are confused by it they will be too.

The news last night talked about stiffer water usage bans here in Tampa Bay. No longer can we wash our vehicle at home. We have to use a car wash! Man, that pretty much kills my idea for the time being. Guess I'll have to get some Optimum No Rinse and use that as a selling point? Saving resources while making your car shine!

[Nick Chapman]

Re: Here's what I have so far on my new website, feel free to critique at will

Dang guys, we are beating him up on this

10degreesbtdc-Have you thought about a water reclamation system? They are kind of expensive to buy a good one. But if you're creative, you can build your own low powered unit for pretty cheap. PM me if you'd like more details on whats involved.

[10degreesbtdc]

Re: Here's what I have so far on my new website, feel free to critique at will

Dang guys, we are beating him up on this

10degreesbtdc-Have you thought about a water reclamation system? They are kind of expensive to buy a good one. But if you're creative, you can build your own low powered unit for pretty cheap. PM me if you'd like more details on whats involved.

Hey, don't worry about the critique. I asked for it and wanted (needed) it. Everything has been right on track and improved my site a lot as far as I'm concerned. I've been staring at it so long I couldn't see it. It's all welcome!

I've changed the background using a "car" theme so it looks a lot different now. For the better? I think so.

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: Here's what I have so far on my new website, feel free to critique at will

Hey, don't worry about the critique. I asked for it and wanted (needed) it. Everything has been right on track and improved my site a lot as far as I'm concerned. I've been staring at it so long I couldn't see it. It's all welcome!

I've changed the background using a "car" theme so it looks a lot different now. For the better? I think so.

Congrats for understanding the concept of "critique" and being sincere in inviting opinion and not just seeking approval. You have the right attitude regardless of the type of business. Too many businesses fail because their owners are too proud to take and learn from constructive criticism.

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: Here's what I have so far on my new website, feel free to critique at will

One more suggestion. I don't know how cost prohibitive it would be, but you might want to consider buying an 800 telephone number. This might make your business card and website look more comprehensive and professional. An 800 number (at least in my mind) tells the customer that your business is here to stay. It also might snag you a few customers from outside your area code.

[10degreesbtdc]

Re: Here's what I have so far on my new website, feel free to critique at will

Congrats for understanding the concept of "critique" and being sincere in inviting opinion and not just seeking approval. You have the right attitude regardless of the type of business. Too many businesses fail because their owners are too proud to take and learn from constructive criticism.

Thanks CC! I appreciate the kind words. I like your idea about a toll free number too. Once I get rolling with a few customers to recoup some of the startup costs I would like to get my personal number off the internet and give potential clients a free call. I'm adding that to my list of to-do's in the near future.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Here's what I have so far on my new website, feel free to critique at will

Yeah, I'm doing this myself with Dreamweaver, but I have to look at code more than I want as it seems to have a mind of its own sometimes.

That's what I have, it's actually Dreamweaver 4, I should probably upgrade What version do you have?

I only know enough coding to be dangerous so 4 works well for me so far.

[10degreesbtdc]

Re: Here's what I have so far on my new website, feel free to critique at will

That's what I have, it's actually Dreamweaver 4, I should probably upgrade What version do you have?

I only know enough coding to be dangerous so 4 works well for me so far.

Mine's MX 2004. I know what you mean about knowing just enough...right now I'm fighting with a table on my pricing page that just will not cooperate. I think I'll leave the page as it is now. I was trying to have the Camaro show through each cell, but...

What do you think of my new page backgrounds?

https://www.mycarshines.com

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Here's what I have so far on my new website, feel free to critique at will

What do you think of my new page backgrounds?

I'm not known for being artsy, or talented in the design world, you probably better bank on the others for valuable feedback.

[That Sam Guy]

Re: Here's what I have so far on my new website, feel free to critique at will

Mine's MX 2004. I know what you mean about knowing just enough...right now I'm fighting with a table on my pricing page that just will not cooperate. I think I'll leave the page as it is now. I was trying to have the Camaro show through each cell, but...

What do you think of my new page backgrounds?
www.mycarshines.com

I personally like it when the background image stays stationary and everything else scrolls on top of it.
Also I was wondering if the images were naturally that light, with that slight blockyness, or if that was from editing or stretching?