I'll be quite frank, I don't like it. Any kind of background pattern has to be very subtle or it becomes overwhelming; your background isn't subtle. Also, it looks like the same pattern is used in 3 (or more) areas so that it doesn't "line up" across borders. I find that errors like this draw my attention and distract from real content.

I tend to favor fixed width sites, or variable/fluid width sites that specify a maximum width somewhere under about 1200 pixels. Your design width of 1024 is becoming (if it isn't already) the predominant width. Your height, while probably not too important, should be limited to 768 pixels if you feel it is important. 1024*768 is very, very common; 1024*800 is unusual.

I find the dark gray on the sides kind of imposing/depressing. The overall look is not one that I find inviting.

I'm sorry to sound so negative. I hope you'll accept this criticism in the constructive manner with which it's offered.

Curt

Thank you and I do except this in a constructive manner. I have another design I was kicking around in my head that is of a more brighter/cleaner design and I feel that probably would be better since what I am going to be blogging about is business accounting and business technologies etc. Thank you for your honesty!

Hey,

First of all, Congratulations on getting a site setup and doing your own design.

I don't really have design experience. But I can give you my critic from just a regular guy who likes taking pictures.

My first thought is, "It lacks color". Of course, I've seen many black and white photos where I didn't even notice it much. Almost like there WAS "color" in the image. So I think a black and white theme can have "color". I know that must sound crazy, but I don't know how to explain it.

I agree with Curt in that the background image/wallpaper is distracting... Especially if I was going to read an article. Comparing the background to the other shades of black on the page, it's almost like the background has a touch of blue-ish color in it. But maybe that's just this monitor and my eyes!

I'm not sure what I think of the header image.... I'm "creatively constipated" at the moment. I'm trying to get my current site to look cool and interesting, but the creative juices aren't flowing.

There is the thought that "All that matters is that you have your information up online and in an easy to view format". But I also think that design is important too.

For whatever reason, my eyes are drawn to the big black bars or border around the menus on the left, and the bar encasing "Hello world"

Well, I'm looking forward to seeing what you have in store for you site

Hello houseofbean, Thanks for the feed back. I changed the design and gave it color... maybe too much color... Anyways, take another look at it and tell me what ya think before I get too deep into this design. Thanks all for the feed back. I asked my wife and one of her firends but they said they liked it and I am scared now lol. Anyways, any feedback would be great! Thank you!

http://www.christianbiztech.com

First off, congratulations on getting your site up.

To be honest, and I mean this in the kindest way, the site looks like it fits into the web 8 or 9 years ago. I'm a fan of the monochrome looks with sparse color used to highlight things. It can be done well and sites like http://www.developmentseed.org/ do it well.

The spacing on the page doesn't work for me either. For example, see this image... http://skitch.com/mattfarina/bqnq2/christians-busi...

These are just a few of the points. Personally, I would scrap the design and start over with something a little newer and fresh. Take a look around the web and look for some design inspiration.

Again, I don't mean to come across as harsh. I applaud the effort but, I want to be honest.

Thank you for the honesty!. At this rate, you all will make a designer out of me sooner or later :-) I am having fun stripping them down and rebuilding them. I have learn a lot of new things :-D. Anyways more comments on this desing please, and I am off to build a different design. Thank you.

Hey, the site looks much better compared to the initial design.

I also noticed what Matt was talking about concerning the spacing. I'm embarrassed to say that I didn't even notice it until I saw him pointing it out. I used to work at the Kimbell Art Museum and I was always intrigued how they spaced the various types of artwork. So I know that spacing IS important. Again, I can't believe I didn't notice it.

Currently, I'm a pretty good website crasher! But I'll figure it out all someday. I'd like to get more into the design aspect myself. But it's like I'm so relieved to have something online and working, that I don't care about the look at the moment. But I should.

Well, I better get back to ready my CCS in 24 hours book :-o

Thanks for the comment houseofbeam. I have programmed in many different languages and played around with css/javascript/html/ and so on, but I have not sat down and designed a whole web site layout. All the coding I understand, I just need some artistic talent :-) Would one of you care to share some of your artistic talent with me??? Just email it and I will sprinkle it over me :-D God bless and I will have another layout sometime to share again lol

But I still don't like the backgrounds. Perhaps you need to ask the question: What purpose do the backgrounds serve? Unless they share a border with another element it shouldn't be obvious where they begin and end. Also, using clouds as a background is OK. But did you ever see the same edge on two clouds? I haven't.

Just my 2¢ worth,
Curt

Thanks curt and no I have not seen the same edge on two clouds, good point. The more I ponder on this second design, I get the impression of a child's web site.... Add some carebears and flowers and BAM one child template lol Anyways thanks all for the comments.