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Anita
Leader of this Crazy Bunch!
Joined: 24 Feb 2004
Posts: 7376
Location: Mifflintown, PA
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 Posted: February 10, 2008, 2:30 am Post subject: MommysHelperOnline.com Makeover |
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Hey girls! I've kind of mentioned this was coming so ... here we are! LOL!
I've hired only the best web designer I know of course ... Designed By Lara
Lara is going to basically design me a new header and a template. She recently did a new header for Lauren at Mom's Online Retreat that really got me thinking. She did such a great job of taking all the different sections of MOR and combining them together to make one very beautiful header.
Like MOR ... MHO has many different sections. I have a feeling she's going to have a hard time finding graphics for things such as affiliate marketing, direct sales, domain name and hosting services etc, etc. I could be wrong of course, rofl.
So, any ideas? I guess more specifically any ideas of the types of graphics we may be able to use.
And next ...
Anyone that has the time, if you would please ... rip MHO apart. Yep, I wanna hear all the bad stuff you see there. The navigation, overall design ... whatever you don't like about it. And no worries, I'm a big girl, lol! I want you to do this. I know what I'm about to hear is personal preferences and ultimately it's my decision whether or not to do anything about it.
Wow, that's weird ... I'm on the other side of the fence this time. LOL! Instead of ME tearing apart other sites ... I'm going to have MY site ripped apart.
So please ... let me have it!
If I've ever had the opportunity to help you with your business with whatever aspect, now's your chance to return the favor and help me 
Thanks in advance!
- Anita 
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Anita
Leader of this Crazy Bunch!
Joined: 24 Feb 2004
Posts: 7376
Location: Mifflintown, PA
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| Posted: February 13, 2008, 12:40 am Post subject: |
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Okay, with this response ... I should assume that every one of you think MHO is PERFECT?!? Haha, as much as I would love that - I highly doubt this is true. MHO has not had a real makeover since it's inception in 2003 - it's desperately needed!
- Anita
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Audrey
Joined: 07 Apr 2006
Posts: 642
Location: Santa Barbara
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Audrey
Joined: 07 Apr 2006
Posts: 642
Location: Santa Barbara
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Audrey
Joined: 07 Apr 2006
Posts: 642
Location: Santa Barbara
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| Posted: February 13, 2008, 7:31 pm Post subject: |
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Anita,
When I first went there, the first thing I saw was way too many blue links. They are up, down, left and right.
You might consider what is the mesasge you want to deliver when someone hits your front page, then build on just that one message, allowing your left hand navigation to send folks elsewhere on the site.
Ok...does that help?
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Audrey 
http://my.tupperware.com/audreyoka
http://www.recipe-barn.com
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BusyMomma
Coach Val
Joined: 18 Sep 2004
Posts: 3158
Location: Washington
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BusyMomma
Coach Val
Joined: 18 Sep 2004
Posts: 3158
Location: Washington
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| Posted: February 13, 2008, 9:30 pm Post subject: |
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Navigation was also my biggest thing I found. It is very close together. There needs to be more "white space" between the main headers and the links.
I also find it boring, but she's heard that.  And that will be totally personal opinion as well. I don't like all white like it is now. But that was what we did in 2003. 
Less actual table breaks on the home page. It just breaks up the eye.
Audrey is totally correct on the focusing on one thing for the home page. I won't scroll down and read a huge home page. Most of them are full of ads at the bottom so I just don't bother. Hit one focus and then take me to other pages.
Also, just personal opinion here, but if you can break up the button ads somehow? I know that's how we make our money, but they make the site look a little spammy. It might be the type of companies that are advertised? Not sure, again, personal opinion here and I know you will take it as such. I think for me it may have to do with all the flashy buttons we use now. If they are all flashing messages at us, then isn't that defeating the purpose? They aren't unique anymore. Hmm, new topic of conversation maybe? lol
That's all for right now until someone else posts and gets my brain rolling. I'm just not with it this week. 
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Val
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Audrey
Joined: 07 Apr 2006
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Location: Santa Barbara
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BusyMomma
Coach Val
Joined: 18 Sep 2004
Posts: 3158
Location: Washington
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| Posted: February 14, 2008, 9:37 pm Post subject: |
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Well she's at appointments until the afternoon so you won't be banned for at least a few more hours. tee-hee-hee
She appreciates constructive feedback. She knows we only say it out of  .
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Val
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Anita
Leader of this Crazy Bunch!
Joined: 24 Feb 2004
Posts: 7376
Location: Mifflintown, PA
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| Posted: February 15, 2008, 7:45 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the imput ladies! I really appreciate it! It's nice to get someone else's point of view sometimes
Please excuse me while address some of the things mentioned here and kind think outloud through this ... this is how I work the best, rofl!
And sorry about not having the link to the site - duh! Just never gave it a thought - thinking everyone knows already, rofl!
Thanks for pointing out all the links. I'll have to give it some thought on how to make that work. I definitely see your point of having all those links in one place - first thing you see and then the navigation yet ... yep, definitely see what you're saying.
That first box (the one in the middle w/ my picture) is actually a quick run down of what I have to offer there. Kind of like a "quick index" or "quick run down of the important features" (for lack of a better description).
It's also for search engine purposes ... Hmmm ...
The overall navigation has always been a big issue w/ me. I'm not sure I've ever been happy w/ it.
Do you think the text is too big? I swear I must be half blind, lol because more often than not I tend to use bigger text than what I have to.
I've been considering some other options too such as for example ... have the navigation in tabs/drop down boxes across the top of the pages.
Like just using the navigation headers that are there already for example:
Have tabs across the top that say: Wahm Networking, Work at Home Directories, Work at Home Resources, Website Services etc ...
Then when you hold your mouse over each tab, have the rest of the navigation show up in a drop down box type thing. Make sense?
OR do the same basic thing but have links on the left still but save some space by having them drop down when you "open" them.
| Quote: | | Less actual table breaks on the home page. It just breaks up the eye. |
Okay, good point ... I know I have too many of them "within" each other. I guess that was just my way of "breaking it up more". Although, I could do away with them totally and just use the headers for each section. And that's another thing I've kind of never really liked - too many "lines" there.
If I do go with the tabs across the top ... that would break it all down into just two columns instead of the three - of course something else that has passed through my mind. Then I would be able to get more "above the fold" Hmmm ...
| Quote: | | But that was what we did in 2003. |
YES! That's exactly it! That's the big issue and mainly WHY this is all happening - this site is just way too out of date!!
| Quote: | | Audrey is totally correct on the focusing on one thing for the home page. I won't scroll down and read a huge home page. Most of them are full of ads at the bottom so I just don't bother. Hit one focus and then take me to other pages. |
Okay, help me get out of this mindset because I know that's exactly what it is. MHO has such a huge variety of so much - how do I link it all together? How do I have one place tell the whole story - or don't I do that? But then again ... thinking more ... I'm also going with the content issue. Content is king and I want the search engines to find me with it.
| Quote: | | If they are all flashing messages at us, then isn't that defeating the purpose? They aren't unique anymore. Hmm, new topic of conversation maybe? lol |
Oh if I could get everyone out of the graphic mindset - I'd be so happy! So very happy rofl! Way back when I introduced the text link option (the featured sites - upper right hand corner) ... I tried to express how much MORE WEIGHT they hold over the graphics but still ... still so many people choose the grahics over the text. But hey, what do I know?? LOL!
Now don't get me wrong - graphics have their place. Button/banner ads certainly have their own weight and ya gotta have some BUT ... leave them for branding issues - not necessarily to just advertise your business.
Yes Val, you opened a whole new can of worms there - definitely an important discussion topic!
Okay, I'm done for the evening ... don't wanna think no more, rofl! I'll be back for more later
Thanks again! I really appreciate it and dang, I love brainstorming/rambling!!
- Anita
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BusyMomma
Coach Val
Joined: 18 Sep 2004
Posts: 3158
Location: Washington
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| Posted: February 15, 2008, 8:03 am Post subject: |
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| Anita wrote: | | Okay, help me get out of this mindset because I know that's exactly what it is. MHO has such a huge variety of so much - how do I link it all together? How do I have one place tell the whole story - or don't I do that? But then again ... thinking more ... I'm also going with the content issue. Content is king and I want the search engines to find me with it. |
Well think back to the SEO classes. There has to be a focus for each page. That was why we worked on pages that weren't the home page, cause they were easier.
The home page needs to be the draw into the site. So you need to hit the general stuff with links to more information.
Then the sub pages will be the major description of "Wahm Networking, Work at Home Directories, Work at Home Resources, Website Services, etc" That will draw in better SEO because on those pages you will specifically focus on those more nichey (nice word I made up there, lol) titles.
But we can get into that more once you figure out what you want it to look like.
Oh and another thing, we need to find out about search engines and the drop down tabs. I know they don't read graphics, and the drop downs are script, so I'm thinking that they won't bounce around the site as much. I know that was a worry when I switched Busy Momma Wellness to the cool template.
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Val
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Anita
Leader of this Crazy Bunch!
Joined: 24 Feb 2004
Posts: 7376
Location: Mifflintown, PA
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| Posted: February 15, 2008, 7:39 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | Oh and another thing, we need to find out about search engines and the drop down tabs. I know they don't read graphics, and the drop downs are script, so I'm thinking that they won't bounce around the site as much. I know that was a worry when I switched Busy Momma Wellness to the cool template. |
UGH! Very, very good point!! Didn't think of that - and no as far as I'm know, I'm pretty sure the search engines do not read java script.
However, with that said ... I took your advice to "remember back to the SEO classes" and decided to go straight to "the horses mouth" http://www.gnc-web-creations.com/
Hmm ... look at how she handles her navigation. Something to certainly think about. She doesn't just teach it - she lives it sooooo ...
| Quote: | | The home page needs to be the draw into the site. So you need to hit the general stuff with links to more information. |
Something tells me I'm going to end up hiring a writer for my home page. Oh Miss Marcie .... lol!
Oh yeah ... love the made up word "nichey". It's cute! LOL!
Anita
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Anita
Leader of this Crazy Bunch!
Joined: 24 Feb 2004
Posts: 7376
Location: Mifflintown, PA
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| Posted: February 15, 2008, 7:52 pm Post subject: |
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***SIDE NOTE***
Those who are just lurking - reading along - this can be an excellent learning process Feel free to ask any questions you may have about what we're talking about here.
I also wanted to make special note about something Val had said:
| Quote: | | ... I know they don't read graphics ... |
She is specifically referring to the search engines and she's one hundred percent right. However, a way to have the search engines "read" the graphics is to include ALT tags for the graphics. With these tags, the search engines can read your graphics.
To give you an example of this: If you scroll to the top of this page, you will see a graphic for Website Magazine. If you mouseover this graphic, you will see the words: "Request your free copy of Website Magazine"
No, the search engines do NOT read the graphic but they do read the text within the ALT tags
Okay ... back to the makeover brainstorming ...
- Anita
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BusyMomma
Coach Val
Joined: 18 Sep 2004
Posts: 3158
Location: Washington
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| Posted: February 15, 2008, 8:21 pm Post subject: |
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They'll read the alt tags, but they won't follow any link. Which we want them to crawl the links on our sites because that is how they get to our sub-pages.
We haven't visited this in a LONG while. I think it's time for me to retake the SEO class actually. I have all the assignments in my email folder, just need to pick up #1.
There's actually a lot of newbie type things I need to revisit. Hmm, what site should I pick apart of mine. lol
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Val
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Anita
Leader of this Crazy Bunch!
Joined: 24 Feb 2004
Posts: 7376
Location: Mifflintown, PA
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| Posted: February 15, 2008, 8:35 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | They'll read the alt tags, but they won't follow any link. Which we want them to crawl the links on our sites because that is how they get to our sub-pages. |
Right - and thanks - I didn't think to add that. I just wanted to mention that w/ the ALT tags, they can "read" the graphics.
| Quote: | | I think it's time for me to retake the SEO class actually. |
Yep, me too. I don't have the assignments anymore so I would have to start over. I'll have to dig up the link again and see when the next class starts.
| Quote: | | Hmm, what site should I pick apart of mine. lol |
Oooh, if you have the time ... it'd be great to do it with you again. The only problem for me IS time issues so I might not always be at the same place as you. wish she had something that just had everything all together in one quick overview - simply because of my time contraints.
- Anita
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BusyMomma
Coach Val
Joined: 18 Sep 2004
Posts: 3158
Location: Washington
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| Posted: February 15, 2008, 9:55 pm Post subject: |
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Cricket's SEO classes
Well, I literally have all the emails for 6 of the classes. This is why I love my gmail. That doesn't even touch my space in the email account.
Hmm, what about starting a private board on here for those taking the classes? The next session is schedule to start on Feb. 25th. Then the private boards would be invite only for those of us with proof we are actually enrolled in the class. Don't want to pass out info that someone else has spent a lot of time creating. Even if it is free.
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Val
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Anita
Leader of this Crazy Bunch!
Joined: 24 Feb 2004
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Location: Mifflintown, PA
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| Posted: February 16, 2008, 12:33 am Post subject: |
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I think that sounds like an awesome idea however, I need to be really upfront here. I don't know how much time I will have to be able to fully get into that. Gosh, I'm not sure where I'll get the time to to take the class, rofl!
So with that said ...
I will gladly start the private forum and help get everyone in there. I'll even join in the conversations here and there. However, I just have to be upfront letting everyone know that I might not have the time to dive in fully with everyone else. Sorry  But I have to do this to be fair
- Anita
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BusyMomma
Coach Val
Joined: 18 Sep 2004
Posts: 3158
Location: Washington
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| Posted: February 16, 2008, 12:54 am Post subject: |
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Well I will just document what I'm doing after each lesson. Then if anyone is joining in, they join in. You don't have to keep up. We'll keep it just like the class. Go at your own pace.
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Val
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Anita
Leader of this Crazy Bunch!
Joined: 24 Feb 2004
Posts: 7376
Location: Mifflintown, PA
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| Posted: February 16, 2008, 11:43 pm Post subject: |
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| BusyMomma wrote: | | Well I will just document what I'm doing after each lesson. Then if anyone is joining in, they join in. You don't have to keep up. We'll keep it just like the class. Go at your own pace. |
Sounds excellent to me! I just wanted to keep it fair and not say I can help people and then not be able to do it. I'd feel like I was letting folks down
Now watch, I'll be able to keep up anyway, rofl!
Thanks Val!
- Anita
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Anita
Leader of this Crazy Bunch!
Joined: 24 Feb 2004
Posts: 7376
Location: Mifflintown, PA
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| Posted: February 19, 2008, 1:07 am Post subject: |
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Aha! One problem solved ...
Remember talking above about Javascript not being read by search engines but I would really like to do my navigation with a menu bar and drop down choices?
And remember how I said I was was curious because ... well Cricket is one of the most knowledgable SEO experts I know and trust ....
And how she has exactly what I wanted with the tabs/drop down menu ... and if it's not good ... why does she have it?
I found the answer!!
Using her site again:
http://www.gnc-web-creations.com/
See the tabs / drop down menu across the top? NOW ... scroll the whole way down to the bottom of that page ... THERE's where the search engines will pick it up!
So, doing it that way ... I'll kill two birds with one stone! I'll make it easier for my visitors AND will make it search engine friendly!!
Success! 
And now to move onto all the other issues, rofl! I'm just thrilled that I can do it that way ... I REALLY wanted to
Later!
Anita
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