The home page seems to work ok in both IE7 and FireFox. You do need to make
a change in order for the navbars to work in IE8, and for the bottom navbar
to work in FF. They need to be 'ungrouped'. You did not say which version of
Publisher you are running, but you can install the Office 2007 SP2 to fix
Publisher 2007, or simply go to each page in 2003 or 2007 and Edit > Select
All and then Arrange > Ungroup. This will ungroup the navbars from the
navbar wizard and from each other and they will render and work correctly in
both browsers. I would suggest that you read one of the long posts I have
written about the IE8 and navbar subject for more details, methods and
links.
I would also suggest that you download and install FireFox if you haven't
already. Test your site in both IE and FF and if it works and looks good in
both, then you should enjoy good cross browser compatibility with the other
major browsers.
Images: In my opinion though it is obvious that images are a major focus of
your site, the images on your home page are much larger than necessary. At
the minimum you should compress them as they take way too long to load on a
dial-up connection. I would also suggest that they are out of proportion to
the textual content...do they really need to be that big to accomplish what
you want?
Reference: Compress graphics file sizes to create smaller Publisher Web
pages (2003):
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/publisher/HA011266301033.aspx
Reference: Compress Pictures dialog box (2007):
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/help/HA100363901033.aspx?pid=CL100605171033
The layout on your home page does not make sense to me. Publisher will
automatically truncate the page after the last design element. You have a
huge gap below the 'alien' image and the bottom navbar and final image. Why
make people scroll that far to the bottom?
Mst places I have read about web design suggest strongly that much like in a
newspaper, you need to have much of your primary content 'above the fold',
or in a web page at the top of the page and visible without scrolling down.
In other words, if you don't get their interest in the first screen, then
you are more likely to loose them. In your case all I get in the first
screen is the title/heading and a picture and I am required to scroll to get
the text. I would think it would make more sense to make the image smaller
and get the text up higher on the page....once again, maybe this is
inconsistent with what you are trying to accomplish, but neither your domain
name or page tile gives me any clue as to what you are all about, nor does
the first screen when I load your site. Seems to me you would be better off
letting me know right away what your site is all about...
Sound? I notice from your code that you are trying to play a background
sound. Luckily it does not work for me, or I would not stay around long
enough for your site to load. Background 'musac' tends to alienate many
people...use it with care and ask whether you really need it. The
alternative as on your Product List page of offering music in the form of an
optional download is a better idea.
I would suggest that you avoid gradient fills in general with Publisher.
They tend to create problems. They are 'cool' but you are using them in a
'helter skelter' sort of way throughout the site. I think a more consistent
background that focuses the eye on your art work and your images would work
better and come off more professional. I have never been to an art gallery
where the walls are painted multicolor gradient....kind of distracting from
the art.
Your forms page seems to work ok in IE, but the layout is messed up in
FireFox. You could try coding each element of the form as 'in-line' to see
if that helps with the layout in FF. There are some other possible reasons
for the layout issue, but given the 'free form' nature of the information
you are requesting via the form, I might suggest replacing it with a
paragraph describing the subjective information you need on the first
contact and asking for just an email.
I am going to stop here. I hesitated to even offer this feedback as I think
that though you have shown a lot of creativity in your site, it just doesn't
leave me wanting to do business with you and leaves me confused as to your
message. I would suggest that you take a step back and rethink your
approach. I mean no insult. I would suggest that you take some time and
think through what your goals and objectives are for your site and for each
page. Think about your target market and design your pages with them in
mind. Here are two websites that helped me get some perspective on this
medium and helped me sort out my priorities and goals.
http://www.webdesignfromscratch.com/articles-and-tutorials.php
Read some of the articles for the 'right' way to approach this medium.
http://www.webpagesthatsuck.com/
Read some of the articles for the 'wrong' way to approach this medium.
Once again, I hope I am not being too negative and that you will take my
comments with a grain of salt. One of the advantages of building your own
site is being able to do it within your own vision. I am just offering you
some feedback from my perspective...
Good luck.
DavidF
