Real Estate Photography site

rjleblanc · #**1 Real Estate Photography site** 06-12-2007, 09:16 AM

Hello out there!! I was hoping that I might get some reviews on my (new) site and as to whether or not the elements of my site are working correctly. If you have any issues, could you please tell me what operating system you are using, as well as which browser.

Also, I am becoming aware that photographers are a dime a dozen and would like to stand out. What would you suggest in terms of marketing myself. I’ve looked into print advertising, but it is insanely pricey. Where do Brokers/Agents generally go to when they need a photographer or Tour created?

Thoughts, comments, suggestions (HELP) would be MOST appreciated.

Borino · 06-12-2007, 06:01 PM

Hey Robert, just a couple of quick impressions from your site....

You have a very clean, professional site, and nicely done header, well designed and animated...

But somehow it is not obvious enough what the site is about, and what you do... some type of metaphor, or a few samples of your work...something that tells me as a visitor right away where I am. No biggie, just my $0.02

The actual gallery photos are beautifully done.

I would suggest to make the three prominent sections buttons (Welcome, Tours, Serve) clickable.

Also, an example of a virtual tour would be nice.

Somewhere on the site I would like to read (and see a pic or two) of who am I dealing with, and what areas you cover, maybe fees, etc.

Hope this helps.

Rider001 · 06-13-2007, 02:05 PM

Hey there. I like the photography also. But could'n figure what you do. Do your supply pictures for real estate sites. Overall very cool. Just need more explanation more about what you do.
Thanks,
Bobby.

hmilesjr · 06-14-2007, 05:57 AM

I had the same problem. The home page took a long time to load. I'm not saying scrap all your work and start over, but I would do something to get the text higher in the page rather than buried under the scroll bar. If your goal to to generate business for yourself, which I am sure is the case, you need to discuss your services i depth a little more on the homepage.

Also, if you don't have the funds for advertising, offer yourself. Print some business cards and visit agents in your local area, offer your services to them either free or for a low cost. Ask for testimonials and use those to sell your self to others. But, you've got to get in front of people and show them what you can do for them.

Good Luck

EFS Webmaster · 06:33 AM

Very nice site. The suggetion to possibly "scrap the site" is absurd. You appear to be targeting higher end properties and folks that have an eye for design so I think your site communicates that well.

Just a few general suggestions:
- on the homepage you might want to include some of your most appealing photography (or a slideshow of it) vs. what you have their now,
- You need to do a better job of "littering" (but not polluting!) your site with "Contact Us" information. When I went in to view some of your work, I didn't really see how I could get in contact with you until I exited out and then went back to the homepage. Make it easier for your clients to find and contact you.
- Folks are going to get glassy eyed when they read the "Quicktime, Java, SPI_V" headers. 90%+ of the folks you are trying to appeal to will have no idea what this means and you will scare them off. I would try to use different verbiage for these demo/call to action headers. Possibly use "english speak" as a header and then very briefly mention that Quicktime, Java, SPI-V technology was utilized to create these various demo sites.
- you might want to provide some general guidelines and information on pricing. You appear high-end and you don't want joe realtor calling you and expecting a $75 website. If your pricing scares people away then so be it since what you have WILL appeal to the 'right' audience.

Also, you might want to check out our photographers site since I think she does a really good job showcasing her work. Check her out at (remove the space in the URL to go to her site):

www. residentphotography.com

RESteve · 06-14-2007, 06:31 AM

I've always enjoyed flash; right off the bat I would work to change one thing. Is it possible to make the vertical column of links in the upper center area of your home page lay across horizontally just above the banner in the middle?

That way you would have your whole header for logo design, and if you move the current logos to the left more, you could even have featured works put up to the right so users would immediately see it.

hmilesjr · 06-14-2007, 07:09 AM

Quote:

...The suggetion to possibly "scrap the site" is absurd.

I never suggested he scrap the site, I mearly stated that:

Quote:

The home page took a long time to load. I'm not saying scrap all your work and start over, but I would do something to get the text higher in the page rather than buried under the scroll bar.

I agree with Steve that changing the navgation from vertical to a horizonal bar and slimming down the header some would help.

Personally I don't like Flash. But if he likes it that's fine. Many people do. But somewhere along the line, you have to convey to your visitor who you are and what you do. Visitors are too hard to come by, especially for a new site. Burying your text below the scroll bar just doesn't work for me. You have to convey your message as quickly as possible. Most are not going to sit around and comb through 5 or 6 pages to find what they are looking for.

Look to sites like CJ.com that use flash and get there text at eye level.

rjleblanc · 06-14-2007, 10:26 AM

I disappeared for a few days to find so many responses!! Thank you so much.

Much of what you’ve said is exactly the ideas I was looking for. I was wrestling with the ‘obviousness’ of the site and what I do for a while. Things are being rewritten as we speak.

I TOTALLY-TOTALLY-TOTALLY agree (and never thought of before) changing the menu from vertical to horizontal. Brilliant!! Since most of the Flash element simply have to be moved, it shouldn’t be too challenging.

I agree with having some sort of slideshow on the main page, albeit smaller, of some different samples of my work. I’ve been searching for some sort of flash or HTML viewer window I could use, but haven’t been able to find anything. Suggestions?

Since I’m so new, I still haven’t formulated a concrete price list – but yes, that MUST be on the site somewhere, I agree. I’m currently researching what other photographers in the area charge. I really have no gauge as to what to charge clients yet. I’ve been doing it on a project by project basis, but people like so have SOME idea as to what they might be paying before they contact me.

Trust me, I’ve been scratching my head trying to reword ‘Quicktime, Java, etc….”, since I started building the site. I didn't want my site to have photographic jargon. I knew that might be an issue and I’m still having a hard time finding the right wording.

The ‘burying you text below the bar’ comment is one that I can’t dwell on. There are so many monitor types and resolutions that one can’t please them all. I’m trying to get away from standard 800x600 school of thought. That being said, arranging the menu horizontally instead of vertically will help I think.

Thank you so much for your comments. I realize I have a bit of work ahead of me now – but I needed this!!

mkrotchie · 06-14-2007, 10:47 AM

from http://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_display.asp

JeepOnRock · 06-14-2007, 03:54 PM

I really enjoyed the site. I have a background in commercial photography, and so I might look at it a little differently than others. I viewed it on Firefox 2.0.0.4, and had no problems with any elements. I am on a reasonably fast DSL (3mbps, I think) and nothing seemed to take a long time to load.

One thing that I did see (also from the perspective of a commercial photographer) is that some of the pictures seemed to be more about the artistry of the picture than about the product. This was mostly true in the exterior gallery. The pics are beautiful, but some of them do more to show off your abilities than they do to show off the subject (#7, #8, and to a lesser extent #2). Others are very good at conveying the subject well (#1, #5 and #6).

Finally, while I like the monochromatic feel of the design, it might do more to draw attention to your logo if it contrasted with the rest of the site. There isn't any element that jumps off of the screen.

Overall, it is a great site, and I am picking nits to find things to say. Excellent effort.

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