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Old 03-30-2009, 11:15 AM   #8 (permalink)
luxige
luxige
 
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: MA
Posts: 1,187
Ciro, you've got a pretty good looking site there!

Strong points:
1) I have to disagree with the1sen about your masthead. It's a quick, effective statement about attention to detail; it immediately 'clicked' for me. Very smart to echo your logo, and the photo is well composed within that frame. Is it me or is the right side of the photo a tiny bit out of focus? It should be super-sharp for that message.
2) Great photo section! That's very persuasive to a prospective client. Much stronger than other sites I've seen. (A couple of shots that show the garage environment are not too impressive; I'd pull them. Maybe you could spend a few bucks and a weekend making your garage a showplace that would convey a stronger image.)
3) Detailing Importance - great info, very clear. Could be edited slightly for length. Continues to deliver the 'attention to detail' message.
4) Packages and Pricing - good to include this upfront, easy to follow. I suggest you also do the math for each package. For example "estimated labor: 4-6 hours ($180-270 plus travel)." Makes it easy for the client to get the big picture and shows you are interested in his convenience.

Weak points:
1) The 'Dedication' and 'Philosophy' panes contain far too much text. I'd slash 75% at least, and combine them into one tab. More importantly, the language in these two sections is over the top and very similar to most amateur ad copy. Blah, blah, we've heard it before. Don't tell the client that you're dedicated and professional; tell him what you'll do for him, and tell it in a way that makes him conclude that you are dedicated and professional. A little attitude can go a long way. Your early posts on this forum, when you introduced your business, were far more persuasive than this generic copy.
2) As the1sen notes, the headers need to be more prominent. Get the prospective client moving around your site with ease.
3) The logo is pretty decent, but... The car profile graphic is graceful, but a little too 'relaxed.' I'd like to see it drawn with a little more vigor and precision. I get what you were looking for in the typestyle choice (elegant but not frilly), but that particular font is poorly designed. I'm sure you could find a very similar font of higher quality that would send the message better. I'd also tighten up the kerning a touch; the loose spacing does not convey reliability.

Your site is pretty darn good as it is; a little tuning should make it better than 98% of the small business sites out there. (BTW, I used to work in advertising graphics, that's why I might seem a little picky.)

Good luck.
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