Nice

So is the Flash movie a draft for the HTML page? Or is Flash your weapon of choice?

Well in the short time I have seen the quality and creative side of your work I did not think I would say anything like this but to me it looks very much like every other hosting site out there. Most hosting sites you go to today seem to have the same "look". I was expecting something quite different from yours and was disappointed.

Please don't get me wrong I don't think the design is bad. It just reminds me of everything else out there. It doesn't stand out and with your skills it should.

Just my 2 cents.

Thanks for the comments guys.

Yes, Flash is my weapon of choice;)

disciple...Thanks for being honest and I understand what you're saying, but...

I'm doing the redesign because I'm going to be offering hosing as an option. What you see now is only the "hosting" section. The primary content will be for the designing aspect. I'm still not satified with the layout, but the header gives me a good place to start.

It's just a quick mock up of an idea for the look. Things always change with me /wink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink.gif" />

One problem is that there is a flood of templates out there that people are getting and placing their "web hosting" site into. I have no problem offering those templates to clients (I will be), but they're actually using them for their site...so you tend to see ALOT of the same looking sites for web - because they're templates. The hosts are not hiring out to have a professional and unique look for their site.

mmm... I couldn't agree with doing a whole page like that in Flash... you're trying to convey text, but tieing it up in essentially an image - what if someone wants to print details of your hosting plans? Anyway, this could start a big HTML vs Flash argument - I don't want to do that. But, I will say this... if you think you can't make beautiful pages with HTML, then check out CSS Zen Garden - I've picked out one that is similar to your design...

Actually, the text is just that...text - not an image. It's pulled in through a database or external .txt file, is selectable, and printable. Even will have a CSS applied to it /smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />

A problem many people have with Flash is the usability aspect. They don't realize it handles text very nicely, allows tab number selection, tags specific for "browser readers" for the blind, and loads MUCH faster than HTML/images in many case.

I designed pages in HTML/Photoshop for 5 years. I've also designed with Flash/Fireworks for 5 years. I will still do some HTML work (for my full-time job and freelance requests) but the emphasis is now on Flash. Extremely versatile IMO /smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />

Thanks for the feedback though...and the link.

nice start.

i so think that it needs more though. Especially at the bottom. I like your current design alot.

I like the buttons alot. /biggrin.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" />

You need a footer that ties in witht the header...

nice though... i like it /biggrin.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" />

-Greg

Actually, the text is just that...text - not an image. It's pulled in through a database or external .txt file, is selectable, and printable. Even will have a CSS applied to it /smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />

A problem many people have with Flash is the usability aspect. They don't realize it handles text very nicely, allows tab number selection, tags specific for "browser readers" for the blind, and loads MUCH faster than HTML/images in many case.

I designed pages in HTML/Photoshop for 5 years. I've also designed with Flash/Fireworks for 5 years. I will still do some HTML work (for my full-time job and freelance requests) but the emphasis is now on Flash. Extremely versatile IMO /smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />

Thanks for the feedback though...and the link.

what about the search engine aspect of flash? Google is the only one to even ATTEMPT to index any flash content and they do a HORRIFIC job it, if they do it at all. What good is a flashy site if nobody ever finds it? Just like previously stated, not trying to start a Flash vs. HTML/CSS fight, but just curious how you're going to address the SE issue.

*drools....*

My absolute favorite design site. It's simply amazing what can be accomplished with the EXACT SAME source code with only a switch of a style sheet. Scott and I were just there the other night dreaming of future redesign projects. Well, actually mine is a current redesign, but you get the idea! LOL

The truly beautiful thing about HTML and CSS (aside from visual stimulation) is that it allows you to structure the document source in a text only format in the optimum way for a search engine to read and rank it well. But it also allows you complete display control. It also reduces your code to content ratio which is always SE helpful. It's like the best of both worlds.

*edit* After rereading your reply about flash and text I "think" you stated you are using text for the content and flash for the pretties. But I'm not positive on this. If that's the case then ignore most of what I posted. LOL. I still disagree with presenting any content in flash whatsoever from an SE standpoint. And even pages where flash is used as decoration need to have substantial "real text" content. *end edit*

critiquing the look...it looks great.
but now i've come to the conclusion that it really shouldn't matter now if you're using Flash or HTML only.
I see that it's going to be a combination of both. The benefits of flash are quite obvious (it's flashy /smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />) people like flash.
Yes, it doesn't fare well in search engines, but why have flash if we can't use it.
Site's like Homestarrunner.com fare-off pretty awesome for having an all Flash site. That didn't stop them from getting a PR of 7!
If you have a great site, then you have a great site. /wink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink.gif" />
Although, it may look like "the rest," however it's still the professional standard the way you have it set up. Meaning, your site looks trust worthy.
Good work in my own judgement.

In a perfect world I'd love to agree and say "forget the search engines... code with the latest and greatest and make it look awesome!". Unfortunately if you're in business you really don't have that option. You have to combine functionality and style. If nobody can find you then it doesn't matter how good you are or how nice your site looks. My suggestion would be to make a nice personal (read: non-business) site and use the flash there. OR... just use flash on some pages as a demo of your skills, but make the bulk of the site SE friendly, meaning more real text content than flash.

Now, coming to the DEFENSE of flash in regards to search engines, it IS possible to rank well for competitive terms with a purely flash page. But it requires you to have TONS of keyword rich anchor text links pointing to your site. In effect, you have to google-bomb yourself into the top of the SERPS.

Unfortunately, inbound links and ESPECIALLY the anchor text thereof is rarely within our control. That's not something you want to leave the success of your business to, so I have to default back to my original comments about flash and search engines. Additionally, there's some current speculation that certain types of inbound linking can actually HURT your site rather than help it. It's all speculation and not something I beleive myself, but it does again prove that you don't want to trust your business marketing strategy to a factor that you have no direct control over.

PR is nice, but it's only one factor in the equation and recently it's been a very small portion of the whole picture when it comes to Search Engine ranking. Unless your PR is a 7 or 8, you still have to play the same game with optimization and inbound links that everybody else does honestly. And the more competitive your industry, the more you have to play. You can get a PR 7 with one inbound link, providing that one inbound link is from a PR 8 page and yours is the only link on the page. But if you're in a competitive industry, don't have any other inbound links and have marginally optimized on page factors you're still not gonna rank well. Which means you're still not going to be found, and you're likely to not have a very successful business.

Having said all that, it really comes down to the difference between a "for business" site and a "for pleasure" site. And you do make a valid point about having flash and not being able to use it. Personally I hate the fact that there are things in webdesign that we can and cannot do in commercial endeavors. But we dance to the tune that's played for us. We don't always drive the marketing monster. Sometimes it drives us.

I think I remember something about it being possible to layer the important text about the site behind the flash presentation.

Typically the search engines will punish deceptive tactics similar to that, but they can only truly determine what is going on by having a huan check it out. And, if the rumors I have heard are true, as long as the hidden text is honestly written and truly associated with what is diplayed by the flash then they will be kind.

Yup, that works as well. It's pretty much the same as CSS display:none; and using that to replace text with an image. As long as the image accurately represents the text you're fine. From what I understand you've gotta mess up pretty bad to get banned though. Things like this for cosmetic purposes probably wouldn't get a second look.

is that really ethical?

Nope. But neither are link exchanges technically. Well, if it's on topic and you actually like the site and think it will benefit your users then it's ok. But most link exchanging (note exchanging) is only for ranking and PR increase. That's unethical in some peoples eyes... including Googles.

hmmm...got a bit off topic /wink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink.gif" />

I changed it up a bit, if anyone wants to check it out.

WOW!

I like that alot more... except I liked the buttons from teh other one. They were cool. /biggrin.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" /> like it lots more

Nice! I like the orange glow to it. /tongue.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":P" border="0" alt="tongue.gif" />

the buttons are great. but now you need a small vertical gradient on the tips of the bottoms. they're too straighted edg-ed.
otherwise, still...great work /smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />