Pet Peeve on topic websites

Hi Roxan.

I'd be one of those bead artists that have all the glop on my front page. You mean, not everyone is dying to know what's going on in my life? ;) I do try to keep it unique and add some content that *might* spark conversation somewhere.

For me, my main venue is selling on ebay and I try and stay as current as I can with pictures of what is there on my home page, which is only about 3 things a week right now. For me, I think that would be a very lonely and boring home page if it were just pictures and I find that most of my buyers enjoy knowing something about me and what is in my head. I can't tell you how many people buy outside of the internet and tell me I need to type up a bio with some personal information on it. I know, that's different but people do like that.

I realize that everyone doesn't like that and I do have catalog pages that can be gotten to by a link, but they will be changing soon because I'm moving more into one of a kind pieces and I will probably have a gallery of sold items instead of a catalog.

It will be interesting to hear what others browsers have to say too.

Heheheheh... I had to chuckle when I read this. I think I have a gloppy front page, myself. I like my setup, for now, but I change layout about twice a year. I think most people link to my "latest work" page anyway.

As a buyer, what I want to see in web layout depends on what I'm looking for merchandise-wise. For mass-produced findings or lampworking supplies or the like, I want a simple, clear-cut "click here" kind of thing. If I'm looking at one of a kind, artistic work, I don't want it to be that "sterile". I want to see some of the personality of the artist on the page, and if that means a bunch of glop, then I'm cool with it. :-)

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But the link to your beads is easy to find and it's at the top.

Yes! Give me the nitty-gritty! That's one of the great things that the internet provides for artists and their potential customers.

I like the glop but I admit that I also like to see the work first, so having a link that is easy to find helps. If I like what I see then I definitely want to read up on the artist, their training, their tutorials and whatever else they have to say.

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from "roxan" :

]I so appreciate a clean copy and easy ]to find beads and jewelry. I just find it so overwhelming that I chick out ]of them in frustration.

bingo!

----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from Tinkster :

]I think most people link to my "latest ]work" page anyway.

damn right!

----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)

I KNOW. I peruse every artist's site on the Links List (so I can write a description), and it takes me far, far longer to do so than it should.

I'm getting to be an expert on that stuff by seeing so many. If it's too difficult to get to the work, the site doesn't make it onto the Links List (or gets removed next year when I go through them to edit and update). It's ridiculous.

Writing tons of stuff before exhibiting work is like covering your wares with sheets at a show, and requiring people to sit for a lecture before they can even look.

~~ Sooz

------- "Those in the cheaper seats clap. The rest of you rattle your jewelry." John Lennon (1940 - 1980) Royal Varieties Performance ~ Dr. Sooz's Bead Links

But is sparking conversation the purpose of your site?

Or is it to show and sell your work? ~~ Sooz

------- "Those in the cheaper seats clap. The rest of you rattle your jewelry." John Lennon (1940 - 1980) Royal Varieties Performance ~ Dr. Sooz's Bead Links

Then maybe having a Bio page would be the solution -- and you could put the work on the first page.

But that's not the point. It's not that we don't like it -- it's that we go elsewhere if we encounter it. You lose potential customers. ~~ Sooz

------- "Those in the cheaper seats clap. The rest of you rattle your jewelry." John Lennon (1940 - 1980) Royal Varieties Performance ~ Dr. Sooz's Bead Links

Glop is fine -- as long as the work isn't hard to get to.

And consider this -- some of us have slow connections. If we have to wait for several pages, we'll go somewhere else.

MAKE IT EASY for people to see your work. That's all. ~~ Sooz

------- "Those in the cheaper seats clap. The rest of you rattle your jewelry." John Lennon (1940 - 1980) Royal Varieties Performance ~ Dr. Sooz's Bead Links

and no music, please....if I encounter music, I close the browser immediately!

The Blessed Fiddy, Patroness Saint of the Disorganized LC in Sunny So Cal Personality Development Specialist (Full-Time Mom!)

Tink New Auctions Up:

Oh Lordy! You and me, too! I can't STAND that!!!

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This is so true! Right now I'm looking at Leah Fairbanks site and her work is gorgeous, but it is taking FOREVER to load... and if you stop it and click refresh it takes you back to the home page and you have to start all over again! I can't afford anything here... but if I could, I'm not sure I'd hang around very long.

I'm always trying to streamline my site so it loads fast and it's easy to navigate. Funny thing is, when I update things to suit some ppl then others howl that they liked it better the old way.

But this DOES bring up a good point: What is the best design of a site for navigation? Right now I'm using frames to try to keep the potential buyer linked to my menu... but some complain the frames chop off too much. I'm toying with the idea of replacing my preview frame to the right with a pop-up type window, but ppl hate pop-ups too.

What do you all think?

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from Tinkster :

]*chuckle* And I'll bet most people didn't even notice that I added a ]bio to my site last week...

well, no - i probably wouldn't. but the people i sell the finished pieces to probably will.

----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from "Karleen/Vibrant Jewels" :

] Right now I'm using frames ]to try to keep the potential buyer linked to my menu... but some complain ]the frames chop off too much. I'm toying with the idea of replacing my ]preview frame to the right with a pop-up type window, but ppl hate pop-ups ]too.

sorry - i hate both. i can't create bookmarks to pages in frames without a LOT of hassle and the side frame just takes room away from the pages. and yes, i'm one of those that hates popups, too - for a lot of the same reasons.

when i had my site re-designed, i specifically told her i'm an "organized" freak - so she allowed for the way i organize my directories . . . and i specified "clean and easy to navigate". personally, i think she did a great job. and my menus are always on the page - on the left in the graphic and at the bottom in text.

different strokes - of course!

----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)

I hate frames and pop ups too. Sorry.

Here is a good site on web design and usability: