Would like some recommendations on website appearance

[mvssysprog]

Hi....

I have made a number of changes to my website (adding contact list and mailing lists). Per Angelize, I standardized the position of my banner.. I would appreciate any comments on the appearance now that I think I am through for a while.

Here are a couple of issues, down the road that I will need advice on:

1) my navigation bar is getting long. My plans are to add two more groups of webpages to describe the types of wood that I use in woodturning, as well as a storefront (at some point). What alternatives would you recommend to avoid running a bar completely across the page?

2) I purchased widget pack 1 today in order to set up a slideshow on the home page (at some point). If I were to do that, would you think it is going to make the homepage too busy?

3) My wife and I are looking at a logo for our business and I'd like to put it on the webpage, but I am concerned that it wouldn't line up properly with the font and format of the banner. Here are the four logos that we are looking at. I am wondering if I need to put the logo on the website at all (although I would like to at some point).



I really appreciate the suggestions that have been given, and they have helped tremendously in making the website a friendlier place to visit.

Thanks in advance for any observations, suggestions, and criticisms you may have.

Sincerely,

Dave

[angelize]

Hi Dave, first we need a link

As for the logos they are all quite nice although the one with the stump appeals to me, perhaps it might fit in better with a different font.

[mvssysprog]

My apologies for omitting the website.... www.stoppersnstuff.net.

We like all of the logos... What type of font were you thinking of with respect to the one with the stump?

Dave

[Drwyd]

Hi Dave

I like the second logo. The text is clear and it would reproduce well on a variety of media. (for example: metallic effect labels for your products.)

"About me" and "My craft" could be combined into either one page or one button/drop-down.

Same with "Contact Me" and "Mailing Sign-up"

[mvssysprog]

Hi Drwyd....

Thsnks for the great suggestion about combining those webpages... I'll work on that this weekend.

With respect to the logo... My favorites are the first three. I like the tree within the circle, the second logo because it is simple and elegent, and the third because it reflects that I am doing something with wood (although it was pointed out to me that the environmentally-inclined might take offense...lol). I'm not sure what we will decide upon.

If I use the widget from widget pack 1 to build a slideshow, do you think it will overwhelm the contents of the first page? I would like to add some splash to the home page to keep the vistor's attention.

I really appreciate all of the assistance that everyone on the board has provided me during this process. All of you out here are great!

Dave

[gwpriester]

Regards to the navigation bar. I would break the bar down into the most basic parts of your site, maybe 5 buttons, then use sub menus to branch out.

I like the second and last logo designs. Though I am not sure that any of these reflect the style of wood turning you do. Your work is spare and has a Shaker elegance to it. Maybe something that comes from that would be more appropriate.

[NewEra]

i really like you second logo, its so soft and makes it look little on the eye but great job on all