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September, 2024

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Website/Portfolio Critique.

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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
Hey NS,

So I recently built a WIX portfolio website. I shoot a few gigs here and there, usually small events or some portraits, so I decided to build a website for clients. I'm not sure how it turned out, the photo uploader was really frustrating cus it limits your file to 5mb's. Theres still some kinks, not to mention the domain name sucks and theirs adds all over the place (I'll upgrade when I'm fully satisfied, its like $10 a month including a domain). I also don't have a ton of pics posted yet, I was gone all summer and any work thats older than 6 months just isn't up to par. I looked at 500px, its the same price and the photo uploader and system is so much better, but the layouts are so boring and offer very limited customization.

So check out the site. What do you guys think?. Anything I could improve on, was it easy to navigate, any tips will be much appreciated.


Link:
http://www.wix.com/zbarwin/zbphoto

Also, when your viewing the slideshows in my portfolio, make sure you click for a larger higher quality image.

Thanks NS,
Zack.
Sep 30 2011 9:46PM
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michelle
Posts: 6290 - Karma: 428
First things first, you need way more images. You can't say you specialize in something like portraiture and only have 4 images. If those are the only 4 that you are proud of then you should probably wait on building a website.

Second, get your own domain. It's wicked cheap. Just do it.

Third, if you can, get a site that is not flash. Trust me, flash sucks.

Fourth, if you are going to keep with wix because it's easy and cheap, have a home page. Don't have your first page be your 'About Me'.
Sep 30 2011 10:05PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
1. For sure, I'm slowing getting more pics up, I haven't shared it yet, I've only posted it on here for critique. I'm not planning on sharing it till its 100% percent good to go.

2. Planning on it. www.zbphoto.com will be purchased at some point.

3/4. I looked at wordpress but it made no sense. I don't have dreamweaver (I can torrent it, but I have no clue how to use it), 500px is lame and expensive. I'll put a homepage in later, didn't think of that.

Thanks for the help.
Sep 30 2011 10:10PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
Michelle, how did you build/host your site?
Sep 30 2011 10:11PM
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michelle
Posts: 6290 - Karma: 428
I bought a template from BluDomain. Don't do it! Haha
Sep 30 2011 10:23PM
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benk
Posts: 1342 - Karma: 988
$10 a month is really expensive..i would take the time and learn something else. A domain is like $10 and I think I pay like 40 or 50 a year for hosting. Just keep working at it, utilize google, you can pretty much learn anything you need to know about your website by searching around.
Sep 30 2011 11:26PM
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Dub_Digital
Posts: 2793 - Karma: 630
what seperates you from the rest?
Oct 1 2011 11:20AM
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BoardSideDown
Posts: 547 - Karma: 254
this^
Ask yourself this question

 Then look at other famous artists portfolios, compare and contrast.

your site is very simple and easy to navigate around which is very good.

but now you need to add a creative or wow factor or something that symbolizes you (with still keeping it simple).

 Your website is considered a personal advertisement so you need to be able to sell yourself.

Make your website unlike others as of now, I am sure if you look around you could find 1000 other websites that are very similar and almost identical to yours.

take thinking critically to the next level and perfect the site.

overall good start


Oct 1 2011 1:55PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
I know, still working on that part.
Oct 1 2011 2:01PM
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kootenayklaus
Posts: 3914 - Karma: 2,179
Zach Barwin | Photogaphy

might want to fix that...
Oct 1 2011 2:42PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
what do you mean?
Oct 1 2011 2:45PM
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hollygrove
Posts: 7845 - Karma: 93
well photography is spelled wrong..
Oct 1 2011 2:49PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
wow thats embarrassing.
Oct 1 2011 4:17PM
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