Hi Rose

was going to comment on your site but none of the responses seemed to fit the bill and didnt allow enough information for you to move forward.

ok, i don’t like it.  at all.  sorry. 

it took me a while to realise what you did as a company.  i thought you did something to do with houses (cleaning, construction, whatever) and your logo threw me well off

the whole corkboard thing doesnt relate to the business or your business name.  it doesnt give a good representation of the work you do (if it does, well….)

your portfolio is nice and some of the work youve done is promising and ALL of it looks better than YOUR site so you have got the skills to make it better.

theres just so much stuff that can be done..

im on another forum where websites get critiqued regularly.  there was a website once that i saw and loved, ill link it here.  the guy was also a web designer and everything he did was great.

check it out and let me know what you think  http://www.webfunkdesigns.com.au/

this is his new site.  the old one was much better.  this one is a little big.  but basic is perfect!

good luck!

@dextereugenio and  @annliu thanks for your input. I do appreciate your candidness and suggestions. I also appreciate the link to the website you feel is professionally designed. 

I’ve been branding my business/website to be something close to “that little shop downtown that’s been there forever and you can trust the service they give”.

I designed the home page so if my header/logo image was not seen by the visitor they would know what the website was about – therefore the e-mail subscription form that asks the questions “Does Your Website Get Results”

I’m most concerned about your comment that you didn’t know what the site was about. That’s something I definitely need to fix.

I’d like to keep the branding (cork board, post it notes, etc.) if I can do it in a way to make the site look professional and ensure visitors know that I’m a web designer. I’ve put a lot of time and effort into pulling the branding all together and the look really has the “feel” that I want visitors to have.

I’m going to remove the poll but definitely want to hear from any others who take the time to look at the site and have input they’d like to share.

Hey there @rosehaase, 

okay, my first impression was “OMG” LOL It’s very linear and has very sharp corners LOL Reminds me kind of like running with scissors … I admit I was surprised by your portfolio and than to see your own site. but There is potential here. I promise

I do have to reply to @dextereugenio‘s comment about him not knowing what you do or what the site if for … Um … the words seem pretty explanitory: “Hometown Web Experts ~ Your Web Solutions Partner” … it’s right under the house image. So, unless, one was skimming or just not paying attention, then I find it hard not to see what the site title is. >_< Yes, I agree the image does not quite match the title and tag line; however, it is clear what the title is. Also, the example he used to send you to, I don’t think is very helpful either. 

I don’t know what you have for ideas about the logo, but I see you want to keep the “home town’ feel .. have you thought about using part of an image of the center square of a small town — you know what I’m talking about. Alot of small towns have a park and a gazebo of some sort in the center of their town and you could photoshop something and use your name and tag line around it.  Just off the top of my head.

I’ve been designing websites for over 10 years and I am still learning. I have graduated to just using WordPress for all my needs (I make blogsites, an all in one stop LOL). I also read alot on Site Point (http://www.sitepoint.com) and I have a nice collection of books on design (for both static and WP). 

I hope this helps! And really … there is potential there!!!

@rosehaase I tend to agree with @dextereugenio I had to look around for a minute or two to figure out what exactly you did. Typically people who are looking for someone to hire don’t spend that much time on a site just to try to find out the mission of the business. Please take everything as constructive as everyone is here to help. It can only help you Good Luck!