New website

[inky]

Hello JMBers. I need your help. After 30 years of being a slave to the dogs, I have had a website built to show them off! Nothing too fancy and I know you are not 'doggie folk' but any comments, suggestions etc will be most gratefully received. I have attached a link and I would be very grateful if you could spare two minutes to have a look and let me know what you think. There are already some changes in the pipeline (my web master friend Stephen had just been sent a long list of things I want changing. It may be the end of a friendship that started over 20 years ago but the basic layout is pretty much as I want it. Fire away gang. I know I can rely on you to be honest and constructive - Wy, I hope you are going to have a look

www.jayalboxers.co.uk/

[Wyvern]

I've had a quick look and I must say that on the whole your webmaster has done a fantastic job. The layout is clear and clean and avoids the pitfalls some other breeders have fallen into (my cousin's website for Bridgefarm Golden Retrievers is a bit fussy and cluttered, and also uses Comic Sans throughout...), and I've been through it on a Mac running Safari and a PC running Firefox with no problems.

Just a couple of points: You seem to have the 'Puppies' page set up as a blog, which is a good idea because it's easy to update with news about litters and so on. The only problem I see there is that you also have your welcome message on that page, and it will disappear as you post more things, but that's really a very minor issue.

From a more technical viewpoint, there's one thing that does strike me, and that's the font for the name of the website. Is it TrueType/scalable? It's just that it doesn't seem to scale terribly well, and on both my screens the edges of the characters are 'jagged' rather than smoothed off. It's unfortunate, because it's a lovely font and it suits the layout, but it does look a little 'bitty' to me.

Obviously, you'll expand the site as you go, but I think it gives a good introduction to what you're doing. If there's anything I can do to help, feel free to PM me

[xjsarah]

It's a good website, Inky; you have some lovely dogs. It's easy to navigate around, and very informative. I noticed the link to the JMB as well. Nice one!

I can see what Wy means about the font for the main heading, but it still looks nice. Maybe a bit more colour would be good, as there's a lot of brown on there! That's just my personal opinion, though.

All in all, I reckon it looks great! ;D

[inky]

Thank you for your comments. I'm pleased you found it easy to navigate around and simple to view. That was my first comment to Stephen when we talked about setting it up - I want it clean and simple! Wy, I've passed on your comments and asked him to see if he can tidy up the name. I had already asked him to moved the 'Welcome' thing from the puppies page so that should be going too. xj, we debated the colour on a number of occasions and tried various colour schemes. I know what you mean about the brown (echos of The Pievy ) but it seemed to show the pics off well so we decided to go with it for now. If anyone else wants to add anything, feel free!

[dit]

I don't have any technical expertise with websites, so my only comment is this - your header picture of the two dogs running down the hill is superb! You could risk making it a bit bigger, as you could with the actual wording 'Jayal Boxers'; you have got space to do that.

Don't know if this is of any help!

[inky]

Thanks for having a look dit. I'll pass on your comment. As for the pic, I took it years ago when I was out for a walk with dear Frank (with the white on his face) and Bobby Jo. Bobby was only a puppy so it would be eleven years ago. I lost Frank four years ago but Bobby is still with me. She is now 11 1/2 years young and still runs round like a two year old She is the grandma to my latest litter of pups. I thought of using it for the header as I wanted a picture showing what boxers do best - carrying on like loonies with not a care in the world

[jacqui]

Just had a nosey and i think its great, agree with the header issue but also agree the picture is superb.

The key thing with a website is to make it easy to move around otherwise people get lost and log off!!! ;D Yours is excellent on this front well done ;D

[xjsarah]

Dec 8, 2010 9:19:00 GMT inky said:

xj, we debated the colour on a number of occasions and tried various colour schemes. I know what you mean about the brown (echos of The Pievy ) but it seemed to show the pics off well so we decided to go with it for now.

Oddly enough, The Pievy did spring to mind! I agree that the colour does complement the photos well. All in all, a good website.

[devil-may-care]

Like Dit, I have no technical know-how, but after having taken a look at the website, I have to agree with its ease of navigation. It's nicely laid out. I could take one look and find exactly which link I needed.

Absolutely beautiful photos! I just wanted to cuddle with the pups! ;D ;D

I even liked the brown tones. You're right about it setting off the photos. They look magnificent! ;D

Great job and good luck! ;D

[inky]

Thank you all for your feedback Stephen is going back to work tomorrow for a rest following his work on the site ;D ;D Honestly, he agreed with all your comments re: the header and has now changed it. I am now a very proud website owner!

[Wyvern]

Header's looking good! It's a subtle change that makes a surprising amount of difference.

And if I had my own place and the knowledge and experience, I'd offer Spike a home in a heartbeat - he has the most gorgeous little face I've ever seen on a boxer! They're all gorgeous of course, but he's just got that special something (though presumably you never did find that 'other' 'something special'... he was the one with the missing love spud, wasn't he?) ;D

[xjsarah]

That header looks great now. And all those dogs are so lovely! ;D

[Eclair]

The website is just wonderful, Inky

You deserve the very best of luck, and I think you'll be getting a lot of attention with the website. Your babies are just beautiful. And thank you very much for putting a JMB link on there too ;D

[inky]

You are too kind with your comments I told Stephen about your lovely feedback and he was chuffed too! Wy, you are correct. Spike is the one with the love spud problem (I will use that term from now on when describing this issue. It's brilliant ;D) As a result of the website, I have just had a really serious enquiry about him from Oz but have had to tell them the bad news Thank you all once again

[bob]

I have had a look and it all looks very good.

I have only one comment;
Is the purpose of your website to advertise well bred puppies? If so maybe have a section confirming all your dogs are health checked etc as appropriate for the breed. Also you say knowledgeable owner, maybe have some things you will be looking for in the owners i.e. are these "working/althetic" dogs, pets or show or all of the above.

Sorry if this seems really picky but I have spent too much of my life reading dog websites.

[inky]

Hi bob.

Many thanks for the feedback. My first and foremost aim is to breed (occasionally) healthy, well-reared boxers and provide a life-long support service. As I say on my 'How I got started' page
All my boxers are heart tested clear and are clear of any Boxer Cardiomyopathy involvement
These are the current health issues with the breed. You can check that they are clear of problems on the Boxer Breed Council website -
www.boxerbreedcouncil.co.uk/
I only have puppies when I want to keep something so no way would I breed anything with health issues that I know about

[bob]

I would suggest including the health test details on the puppy page, just in case people dont visit the "how I got started" section first.

[inky]

Hi bob. I have asked my webmaster (why does that sound a bit rude ) to add the health statement to the Puppies page. Thank you for taking the time to look