I know there's not much content, but it's a template so the PHP code will be controlling the content, however there's some for you guys to have a look at and get the feel of things.
The image (currently of a house) will change dependant on the page being viewed, however this will need to be built into the php, which will come later.
I've been able to test using Firefox and IE 6 on Windows, and I'd be interested to know how it works with other browsers.
Just as a side note, I'm not too convinced with the logo in the top left corner, what do you guys think, and how could I improve it?
Many thanks in advance,
__________________ Rich
"An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field."
You use grayscale images, try converting "/images/ban_home.png" to a grayscale GIF. It'll decrease the file size, and seeing as it is a grayscale image, it shouldn't lose any quality.
In regards to code, you've used tables. Have a look around to see a lot of threads which show why that isn't really a good idea.
As for the design, the menu text jumps on hover in Opera. I don't use IE, so I can't be asked to see how it looks in that. Either way, that is something that needs to be removed.
Also, the design in general has almost no colour, try and incorporate something. It is looking a little dull at the moment. Not something that you would want to show for a web design company.
First off, good color choices. I like the scheme a lot.
Navigation: What if the :hover background color was that shade of orange you have on the site? Keep the bottom border blue, but play with a background color in addition to the font color change and border.
Really what I'm thinking is this: are you a real-estate company? What's with the house image? That looks terribly out of place to me. Overall, you need something to unify the design. It's missing something, something that would probably go right next to your company name in the top header area. I don't know what the something is, but that's what's weakening this design. If it's the house, carry the motif throughout your site. If it's something else, carry *that* motif out. You've created an appealing design, but you haven't quite finished it, it seems.
The design could quite easily be made using CSS. A company in your position should definately do so. It looks poor when I come upon a Web design company whose site is using tables for layout. I don't want to get into the argument about whether or not it's right, but certainly it's en vogue and sexy to use CSS. You want to be en vogue and sexy with a company positioned like yours is.
-ts
Thanks for the reply ts. I totally understand the CSS business, I shall be transfering the site to CSS when I'm happy with the complete design.
With regards to the house. I see your point with the looking like a real estate. My idea (for which you don't actually get to see) is that, for each of the main navigation areas, that image changes. For instance, when you click the Sitemap link the page will load and the image will change from the house to this image, however would this still look out of place?
The logo and the top banner have been causing me some headache lol. From the first draft of the design to this current draft I still feel that the top banner is too empty and there needs to be something else there, but I haven't been able to find it yet. I shall continue to think and scratch my head.
I'm not really allowed to change the logo (as much as I might want to) so we'll see what happens.
Thanks again,
__________________ Rich
"An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field."
That image changing on each page still doesn't connect the image to the content of the page or of the site. That's my problem with it currently. A house is there and, other than the fact it's the HOME page, there's no connection between that house and your content. I want to see that connection. See what I mean?
-ts
P.S. I can't bring up that link you included. Bad link?