Architectural Designs

Please help me finish a site design!?

The client I am designing this site for is really starting to frustrate me. I have changed designs four different times now and it has caused me to get an extreme case of designer's block. I designed a header that goes well with what he wants. However, everything else is about to cause me to pull my hair out. He believes his site's home page needs to be loaded with both content and links. Please take a look at what I have so far (www.fightingsquirrels.net/dana.html) and help me with everything south of the menu bar. Do you have any suggestions, or ideas? I need to keep the "featured listings" on the main page but other than that, I think wowing him with the design will make him forget about everything else. Thanks in advance!

Public Comments

1. Oh the joys of web design clients. Don't get me started!! The link you posted doesn't work because of the Y!A editing thingy, feel free to message me and we can talk about it:)
2. random thoughts from someone who has done about 30 real estate agent's websites and have yet to find one that is reasonable: real estate agents generally think that they are going to sell houses on the web when they are not going to sell houses on the web -- they are going to sell themselves (hopefully) internet viewers do not know the difference between properties and mls listings (in fact - most don't know what mls listings means) a) The flash looks good and his picture is crisp which is great b) I believe that the nav bar on the left looks very strange, it has no vertical line, doesnt align to the top of the text in the right and it appears as tho you changed the font from that used in both the right side text and the horizontal navbar in the flash. c part a) There should be less or no space between the navbar buttons on the left. C part b)There needs to be a great deal more white space in the text area. d) You might want to see what creating two columns in the text area does for organizing that info. Could you use or standardize a graphic/text for his memberships? Most people recognize the membership graphics better than the names and some of the names on that list aren't necessary for front page - he should list those on his Personal Info section (About Dana) . e)Properties link looks just like the MLS links ... perhaps you could use Properties for vacant lots - in california that is more acceptable and Homes could be a combine both Dana's Listings with a second second listing MLS. f)Since Photos doesnt work, might I suggest About Dana? g) Loan Calc doesnt work so I would suggest First Time HomeBuyers or Tools or some other option that might be useful. Remember: his primary visitors will be from Repeat Buyers and Web Searched so you want to put most of the first timer stuff up front and center -- repeat buyers will probably just go to the listings. h) there is another way to clarify the page and accomplish your goals. Combine the area above listings and below the menu so that you can place his bio stuff as one column and a text space with links to local area info within the text. I would can the slogan text as no one believes it anyway .. and it sounds like a used car salesman. i)The pictures of the local area-in particular the river and the balloon aren't particularly informative of the area. Are they stock photos or could you convince him to change them out? The Chamber likely has stock images for their members that he would have access to - also the visitors information office of the county. j) Why are there X's on the menu links? I clicked them and you cannot close out un-desired links, so I think it confuses the interface. k) finally I guess, get rid of the "height" attribs in the html controlling the page Better yet, use percentages or relative attribs as that will scale better. l) Oops one more thing .. improve the searchability of the page by looking at this site:http://www.adobe.com/devnet/flash/articles/flash_searchability.html
3. To me it looks like a serious lack of communication and understanding between you two. Here are my recommendations. 1. Find out what he wants his site to do. Sometimes clients are fascinated on the bells and whistles of web technology. If there is something that you as a professional feel will not be right with his site, explain it to him. 2. Have him provide you links to 3 or more different websites and have him explain what he liked about them. This will give you a good idea of what he has going on in his head. 3. In your contract you will need to have a section in there that explains you will do up to three different designs, after that there will be additional charges beyond the proposed budget. This will eliminate clients from changing their minds or wanting to add more stuff in the middle of the project. I am not sure where he is in Montana, but I live in Kalispell, Montana. If you are unable to meet with him in person, perhaps he may be close enough to me where I could meet with him and get a better perspective on his ideas for you. I have a Bachelors degree in Project Management with an emphasis on E-Commerce sites. You may contact me at my email. selfrob@yahoo.com for more information.
4. Or may be you can contact a web designer. Check websites like http://getafreelnacer.com/