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My new website - feedback appreciated
Thread poster: Kamila Wyszyńska (X)
Kamila Wyszyńska (X)
Kamila Wyszyńska (X)  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 18:14
Italian to Polish
+ ...
Jan 11, 2013

Hello everyone!
Last week I've finally launched my website. It's basically a so called webcard, not a proper website - all the information is on site, but I'm willing to extend it in the future.
I'm still trying to find my way through Wordpress, so the font size as well as text positioning will undergo some changes.
Instead of the picture of the cities, I'm thinking about inserting my photo, because I'd like the idea of making it more personal.
I'd very much appreciate so
... See more
Hello everyone!
Last week I've finally launched my website. It's basically a so called webcard, not a proper website - all the information is on site, but I'm willing to extend it in the future.
I'm still trying to find my way through Wordpress, so the font size as well as text positioning will undergo some changes.
Instead of the picture of the cities, I'm thinking about inserting my photo, because I'd like the idea of making it more personal.
I'd very much appreciate some feedback from you, since it's still in the creation phase, and I'd like to further improve it.
Thank you in advance.

www.verbavolantranslations.com
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Carolyn Yohn
Carolyn Yohn  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 10:14
French to English
+ ...
Looks great! Jan 11, 2013

Hi, Kamila!

I love the design on your site-- clear, colorful, lots of personality! My only big suggestion is to see if you can make sure all the navigation tabs are accessible at all times. For instance, if I click on "services" at the top, it drops me down to a point at which I can't then click on "contact." I have to scroll up or down to find the contact form.

You might also want to consider putting your major qualifications in list format, too, to make them easier t
... See more
Hi, Kamila!

I love the design on your site-- clear, colorful, lots of personality! My only big suggestion is to see if you can make sure all the navigation tabs are accessible at all times. For instance, if I click on "services" at the top, it drops me down to a point at which I can't then click on "contact." I have to scroll up or down to find the contact form.

You might also want to consider putting your major qualifications in list format, too, to make them easier to read quickly.

But really, all in all, wonderful site! I don't even think you need to expand it right now.

Carolyn
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Svitlana Selyvanova
Svitlana Selyvanova
Russian to English
+ ...
yes for design, more details in content Jan 11, 2013

Generally, the graphic design of the page is pleasant and likeable. a bit surprising to find languages on the left, and not on the right, but not sure if its inconvenient.

Your picture is definitely missing in the profile, imho. Maybe, put pics of you on the background of those sights you got on the main page, if you got them;)

but why no rates? personally i would put them there, for the clients to see what to expect. at least, outline your terms of work.

... See more
Generally, the graphic design of the page is pleasant and likeable. a bit surprising to find languages on the left, and not on the right, but not sure if its inconvenient.

Your picture is definitely missing in the profile, imho. Maybe, put pics of you on the background of those sights you got on the main page, if you got them;)

but why no rates? personally i would put them there, for the clients to see what to expect. at least, outline your terms of work.

Well, also it may be useful to mention terms or payment, how you prefer to be paid.

Examples of translations wont harm either, i guess. But its all to your taste.

As it is now, it only looks like a biography to me.

Wish you good luck in improving your web site, and finding more clients!
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Stanislav Pokorny
Stanislav Pokorny  Identity Verified
Czech Republic
Local time: 19:14
English to Czech
+ ...
Two quick notes on graphics Jan 11, 2013

I've seen many hotel website templates and they use very similar graphics. I don't know if it's only my impression, but the crowns are generally disturbing on translator's website, especially when used as bullets. If it's meant as a cultural reference to the UK, then I'm missing a similar reference to Italy that would be equally represented.

The second, rather unimportant thing is that the bird above the "EMAIL ME" menu item suggests Twitter rather than email link.

OTOH
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I've seen many hotel website templates and they use very similar graphics. I don't know if it's only my impression, but the crowns are generally disturbing on translator's website, especially when used as bullets. If it's meant as a cultural reference to the UK, then I'm missing a similar reference to Italy that would be equally represented.

The second, rather unimportant thing is that the bird above the "EMAIL ME" menu item suggests Twitter rather than email link.

OTOH, the colours you're using are indeed pleasant, they aren't intrusive and don't stab you in the eyes (as opposed to all those green-orange and other wild colour combinations that once were so popular).

[Upraveno: 2013-01-11 21:45 GMT]
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JohanK
JohanK
Local time: 19:14
English to Swedish
Look good! Jan 12, 2013

I really like it, would you mind telling which Wordpress theme it is? Or is it tailor made? I've been working quite alot with WP and would like to have a look at the coding for this one... I like the fact that it doesn't look like all other wp-themes.

Some WP "specialists" would, however, say that it can a bit difficult to navigate through a wp-site that is very different. But it usually works quite well as long as you don't add to much stuff, less is more!


 
Sheila Wilson
Sheila Wilson  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 18:14
Member (2007)
English
+ ...
Basic but fine Jan 12, 2013

You know it's basic - you said so - so the main thing is to avoid anything downright confusing or odd. I think it's very pleasing and it avoids all the most common errors such as waffle.

I'm just wondering why you've got both a "contact" and an "email me". The message forms are normally to avoid giving your email address to people you've as yet had no contact with, but giving both options doesn't seem to me to serve any useful purpose.


 
Kamila Wyszyńska (X)
Kamila Wyszyńska (X)  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 18:14
Italian to Polish
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Thank you Jan 12, 2013

Thank you all for your valuable input. My main doubt was whether my website looks professional enough, considered the choice of graphics, but I'm happy to see that it was evaluated positively by most of you.
Svetlana, I didn't put my rates on purpose, because I'd rather discuss them with each client individually, according to the project specifics.
Stanislav, I considered the fact that the crowns may indeed be disturbing as you say, but with time I simply got to like them, so for now
... See more
Thank you all for your valuable input. My main doubt was whether my website looks professional enough, considered the choice of graphics, but I'm happy to see that it was evaluated positively by most of you.
Svetlana, I didn't put my rates on purpose, because I'd rather discuss them with each client individually, according to the project specifics.
Stanislav, I considered the fact that the crowns may indeed be disturbing as you say, but with time I simply got to like them, so for now I'll leave them, I don't exclude that I may change my mind in the future, but I can always remove them.
JohanK, as you guessed, this theme was tailor made, you can find the webmaster's contact in the bottom of my website.
Sheila, my goal was to make contact as easy as possible, that's why there's my email as well as the contact form, so that one can chose according to their preferences.

Thank you one more time, I'll take your opinions in consideration during future improvements.
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Sarah McDowell
Sarah McDowell  Identity Verified
Canada
Local time: 12:14
Member (2012)
Russian to English
+ ...
Nice website Jan 12, 2013

I find your website to be pretty and the colours are easy on the eyes. Personally, I don't care for the crowns either. I have seen crowns like this used in other promotional advertising before and I don't think they relate to translation well. However, I like the fact that you provide information about your background.

You may want to consider uploading some samples of your translations. I also suggest adding a photo of yourself to give it a more personal touch.


 
John Willemsen
John Willemsen  Identity Verified
Local time: 20:14
Dutch to English
+ ...
SEO Jan 13, 2013

You could do a lot in this field; you have no site description, no keywords... The header is virtually blank. Keywords tell search engines what your site is about, while a site description is the text displayed with the search result. For the rest, it looks nice although the menubar could be floated, so that it remains in its place, for easier navigation.

 
Stanislav Pokorny
Stanislav Pokorny  Identity Verified
Czech Republic
Local time: 19:14
English to Czech
+ ...
RE: SEO Jan 13, 2013

John Willemsen wrote:
You could do a lot in this field; you have no site description, no keywords... The header is virtually blank.

The "title" and meta name="description" content="your content goes here" tags are important for search engines indeed, as are e.g. the meta name="robots" content="index, follow" settings.
Regarding the "keywords" tag, most SE skip it today. There are nowadays different SEO techniques to achieve the desired results.


 
John Willemsen
John Willemsen  Identity Verified
Local time: 20:14
Dutch to English
+ ...
SEO Feb 13, 2013

Stanislav, I have to strongly disagree: the keywords should also be added, in addition to correct use of formatting tags (h1, h2, h3 and p are most important), SEF url's, correct configuration of your DNS, domain name resolving (making both mysite.com and www.mysite.com work), correct site structure, adding a correct sitemap...

I agree that any of these points individually do nothing; it's about the bi
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Stanislav, I have to strongly disagree: the keywords should also be added, in addition to correct use of formatting tags (h1, h2, h3 and p are most important), SEF url's, correct configuration of your DNS, domain name resolving (making both mysite.com and www.mysite.com work), correct site structure, adding a correct sitemap...

I agree that any of these points individually do nothing; it's about the big picture, the total. Advising against something such as keywords in the header is not very good advice, and most search engines certainly do not skip it nowadays.

The different SEO techniques you indicate should be seen as additions, not replacements.
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Samuel Murray
Samuel Murray  Identity Verified
Netherlands
Local time: 19:14
Member (2006)
English to Afrikaans
+ ...
On keywords Feb 13, 2013

John Willemsen wrote:
Stanislav Pokorny wrote:
John Willemsen wrote:
You could do a lot in this field; you have no site description, no keywords... The header is virtually blank.

The "title" and ... "description" ... tags are important for search engines indeed...
Regarding the "keywords" tag, most SE skip it today. There are nowadays different SEO techniques to achieve the desired results.

Stanislav, I have to strongly disagree: the keywords should also be added... Advising against something such as keywords in the header is not very good advice, and most search engines certainly do not skip it nowadays.


Matt Cutts from Google says they don't use the "keywords" meta tag:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=RBTBEfd7z_Y

I think that when SEO talks about "keywords" these days they don't refer to the "keywords" meta tag but rather to the fact that you must use certain key words (i.e. important words) repetitively or smartly on the human readable page itself.

And here is a list of meta tags that Google does take into account:
http://support.google.com/webmasters/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=79812

Yahoo stopped using the "keywords" meta tag in 2009. I have seen indications on the web that Bing does take the "keywords" meta tag into account, but does not give a heavy weight to it.

One thing I do find is that many web sites that index web sites (for no reason I can determine) do state my keywords on my web site's "profile page", so if I google for my name plus one of the keywords in my "keywords" meta tag that I know does not occur on the human readable part of my web site, I do get many matches from such sites, and I have no idea to what extend Google might take information from those sites into account in the ranking of my site.


 
Łukasz Gos-Furmankiewicz
Łukasz Gos-Furmankiewicz  Identity Verified
Poland
Local time: 19:14
English to Polish
+ ...
Feedback Apr 5, 2013

Some solid English there, though I'd tweak a couple of things (first of all the "together with" in Profile, it looks quite Polish to a Pole even if it's not). You need to get those other language versions done soon if you already have appropriate links and headers in place. I don't like the shaded edge under "Italiano" (get a background for the links? make them into buttons in the CSS?). Also, get a font with proper Polish diacriticals, the "ł" in "usługi" does stand out. I'd rethink the bolds... See more
Some solid English there, though I'd tweak a couple of things (first of all the "together with" in Profile, it looks quite Polish to a Pole even if it's not). You need to get those other language versions done soon if you already have appropriate links and headers in place. I don't like the shaded edge under "Italiano" (get a background for the links? make them into buttons in the CSS?). Also, get a font with proper Polish diacriticals, the "ł" in "usługi" does stand out. I'd rethink the bolds in Profile and the method of highlighting fields of expertise in Services (caps or small caps could work but even bold would be better than underline). Have fun!Collapse


 
Stanislav Pokorny
Stanislav Pokorny  Identity Verified
Czech Republic
Local time: 19:14
English to Czech
+ ...
Indeed Apr 5, 2013

Samuel Murray wrote:

John Willemsen wrote:
Stanislav Pokorny wrote:
John Willemsen wrote:
You could do a lot in this field; you have no site description, no keywords... The header is virtually blank.

The "title" and ... "description" ... tags are important for search engines indeed...
Regarding the "keywords" tag, most SE skip it today. There are nowadays different SEO techniques to achieve the desired results.

Stanislav, I have to strongly disagree: the keywords should also be added... Advising against something such as keywords in the header is not very good advice, and most search engines certainly do not skip it nowadays.


Matt Cutts from Google says they don't use the "keywords" meta tag:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=RBTBEfd7z_Y

I think that when SEO talks about "keywords" these days they don't refer to the "keywords" meta tag but rather to the fact that you must use certain key words (i.e. important words) repetitively or smartly on the human readable page itself.

Yahoo stopped using the "keywords" meta tag in 2009. I have seen indications on the web that Bing does take the "keywords" meta tag into account, but does not give a heavy weight to it.


That's precisely what I meant, Samuel. The most important SEs don't take the "keywords" tag into account any longer. What they do take into account is the keyword weight in the page body and in the headings (h1 – h4 tags), as well as the number of occurrences of the keyword in tags such as "em" and "strong".


 
Maja Źróbecka, MITI
Maja Źróbecka, MITI  Identity Verified
Poland
Local time: 19:14
English to Polish
+ ...
Copy, copy, copy Apr 5, 2013

Kamila

Visually your website is very good and pleasant to look at, but you need to work on your copy.

Don't waste space on headings such as "Profile" when you could use it in a more effective way.

Remember, someone comes to your website and needs to know within seconds what you offer. I know good copy takes ages to write, but it's time well invested.

Generally, you need to re-write everything you have there, especially your Profile, and when y
... See more
Kamila

Visually your website is very good and pleasant to look at, but you need to work on your copy.

Don't waste space on headings such as "Profile" when you could use it in a more effective way.

Remember, someone comes to your website and needs to know within seconds what you offer. I know good copy takes ages to write, but it's time well invested.

Generally, you need to re-write everything you have there, especially your Profile, and when you do it, think as if you were a client.

Spend time thinking and you'll succeed!

Maja
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