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Thread: Getting New Website - Ideas Please!

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    Veteran Member goddesskali's Avatar
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    Dizzy Getting New Website - Ideas Please!

    So I am hiring a web designer (www.vedadesigns.net) and am having difficulty finding a layout that I like.

    My original idea is to have the site somewhat resemble a restaurant menu, but trying to find a an example of that has been rough. Has anyone come across a website (not necessarily adult) with a design that caught your eye?
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    God/dess kortneykay's Avatar
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    Default Re: Getting New Website - Ideas Please!

    It seems they do custom, why don't you find some designs online that favor the kind of site that you want and give it to them as an idea. That or find someone who's great at custom design with a more extensive portfolio. I looked at their portfolio and it seems like they use the same concept with everyone. Check out www.myadultdesigns.com

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    God/dess BlkSharpie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Getting New Website - Ideas Please!

    I have to agree... there is not much variety between the sites on their portfolio. It kind of seems to me that they have a basic template, and they just change it up a bit on the design. But the layout / elements on all of the websites are pretty much all the same. That kind of leads me to believe they dont really specialize too much in a completely custom design.

    Ive done freelance web design and for the most part, I would ask someone what they want/what they are going for, and then unless they had a very specific idea of exactly how they want their site to look, best was to leave me with creative control over how it turns out. I would keep them up to date with the progress so that if its going in a direction they dont like I can change focus right away, but usually I was able to come up with something they liked and I felt thats what they were paying me to do.

    I mean, thats what a designer does..design stuffs So your website designer should be able to have some ideas, make some rough drafs/sketches for your website based on what you want. You shouldnt have to come up with the design for them. The sites in my portfolio look so completely different... but thats because each one was unique to whoever hired me.

    So I do have to say, I would find out if they would be able to really do a complete custom design for you like what you are asking here, because Im not seeing that flexibility in their portfolio. Also, its okay to look around, ask different designers what they think too, so that you can pick from a range of options for someone to work with.
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    God/dess BlkSharpie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Getting New Website - Ideas Please!

    BTW! Just wanted to add..Im not knocking that designer at all at all...the sites on there are very nice indeed.

    Just that what you are describing sounds like its something very unique and customized,
    and their portfolio does not have much range in design elements so its just a suggestion to make sure you find a match who can fit your needs.
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    Default Re: Getting New Website - Ideas Please!

    Ahh Tabitha... c'mon now. The website you have now looks more original than ANY of Veda's website. They ALL look alike to me.
    You're better off keeping the site you have now or looking for a more original designer.

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    Senior Member mslittleblackbook's Avatar
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    Default Re: Getting New Website - Ideas Please!

    Hey there! I built my website (just launched last week). Check it out... Maybe I can help?

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    God/dess BlkSharpie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Getting New Website - Ideas Please!

    I wouldnt mind seeing...but you didnt provide a link and theres no info in your profile

    ETA: Nevermind! found the link in another thread you posted
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    Senior Member mslittleblackbook's Avatar
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    Default Re: Getting New Website - Ideas Please!

    LOL Sorry bout that...

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    Featured Member dixievista's Avatar
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    Default Re: Getting New Website - Ideas Please!

    First of all, I contacted Veda to do my site back in May and NEVER HEARD BACK. I emailed, called, tweeted, everything, and nothing. And she supposedly had openings available. I don't know about you, but that's not the kind of service I want.

    Second, she designs for CMS so yes all the sites will look pretty similar in formula, just changes in the graphics, fonts, photos, and minimal changes in layout.

    I agree your site now is far more interesting, but also I think it could be very much improved. I'd find a site you like first, then find a designer to alter it. If you're using Veda simply because you like the CMS aspect, you may want to talk to Cuties Tools - yes they charge out the ass, but they have loads of features and I hear they will really work hard to get you a custom design you want (haven't worked with them myself, but that's what I've heard)

    So if you want to be with me
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    I mean I really think you like me

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    Senior Member Aether's Avatar
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    Default Re: Getting New Website - Ideas Please!

    Tabitha,

    This site has some culinary themes that look good, they're wordpress-based:
    http://www.tripwiremagazine.com/2012...templates.html

    I'm also working on getting a cms site built. The designers whom I've spoken with recommended building it on the wordpress platform. I wouldn't get any flash or animation though, I want my site fast and simple.

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    Veteran Member goddesskali's Avatar
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    Default Re: Getting New Website - Ideas Please!

    Thank you Aether.

    Regardless of my chosen web designer, I still need to find examples to show the designer. As a very hands-on person, leaving it to the designer to read my mind wouldn't work for me.

    While the current design of the site is "unique" it is also difficult to navigate. While some clients liked the copy & content, they all complained that finding the info they needed could not be found quickly. Of course, it was intentionally designed in a way that you MUST read it to get info you need. The idea was that I wanted to tell a story - not sell a product. This idea unfortunately, is lost on most - even when it takes only 2.5 minutes to go through the entire thing.

    So yes, I definitely need something new.
    It's not about what you do for a living, it's about who you want to be.

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    Featured Member dixievista's Avatar
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    Default Re: Getting New Website - Ideas Please!

    Oh that makes sense now!! LOL very smart concept, just the execution needs work I guess - One way to do it is to have a small menu bar for guys if they really want to get to whatever content they need to see RIGHT THIS SECOND, but One thing I've seen that I liked is having each page lead to the next instead of one long page. For example, you could have all your menu buttons small along the bottom for all the "first pass" pages - and as they do their first pass through, they start with about me, and there's a button after your last paragraph or whatever that says "Next - Etiquette" and then the same thing, at the bottom of that page, "Next - Rates" etc. so that they have to scroll to the bottom to see your menu anyway, but also they're being lead through your site the way you want. Does that make sense?

    Now I know your thing is food, but generally a website is a website so I wouldn't look to just restaurant sites for inspiration. Look at celebrity websites, hotel websites, etc. they usually spend the most money on their site because it generate so much income for them.

    So if you want to be with me
    With these things there’s no telling
    We just have to wait and see
    But I’d rather be working for a paycheck
    Than waiting to win the lottery
    Besides maybe this time is different
    I mean I really think you like me

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    Veteran Member goddesskali's Avatar
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    Default Re: Getting New Website - Ideas Please!

    Quote Originally Posted by dixievista View Post
    One way to do it is to have a small menu bar for guys if they really want to get to whatever content they need to see RIGHT THIS SECOND, but One thing I've seen that I liked is having each page lead to the next instead of one long page. For example, you could have all your menu buttons small along the bottom for all the "first pass" pages - and as they do their first pass through, they start with about me, and there's a button after your last paragraph or whatever that says "Next - Etiquette" and then the same thing, at the bottom of that page, "Next - Rates" etc. so that they have to scroll to the bottom to see your menu anyway, but also they're being lead through your site the way you want. Does that make sense?
    This was exactly what I am thinking for the new site, actually. Something with an emphasis on transitions but with quicklinks as well. Currently, i'm building a "holdover" site until the pro site is finished. I really, really hate my current one and am ready to see it as dead as disco.

    I like the idea of a cookbook inspired site. The splash page being the "cover" and the others being the recipes.
    It's not about what you do for a living, it's about who you want to be.

    www.saucybrandconsulting.com | www.twitter.com/saucymktg

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    Veteran Member nikkidarling's Avatar
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    Default Re: Getting New Website - Ideas Please!

    Quote Originally Posted by tabithacooks View Post
    Thank you Aether.

    Regardless of my chosen web designer, I still need to find examples to show the designer. As a very hands-on person, leaving it to the designer to read my mind wouldn't work for me.

    While the current design of the site is "unique" it is also difficult to navigate. While some clients liked the copy & content, they all complained that finding the info they needed could not be found quickly. Of course, it was intentionally designed in a way that you MUST read it to get info you need. The idea was that I wanted to tell a story - not sell a product. This idea unfortunately, is lost on most - even when it takes only 2.5 minutes to go through the entire thing.

    So yes, I definitely need something new.
    I found your site easy to navigate. It didn't take me more than 10 second to find all the particulars (your stats, rate, etc). I also like the fact that's basically a one page site. You're really pretty, by the way.

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    Veteran Member goddesskali's Avatar
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    Default Re: Getting New Website - Ideas Please!

    Thank you, Nikki **blush**

    You should know by now that horny men are clueless, lol. Last week, someone tried to book a one hour appt when it states they are not available to first time clients (Its not not even an option on the booking form dropdown list). When I explained this in my response, he said, "Can tell me your rates?" Dude, seriously???...you cant get to the booking form without passing the rate information! ARGGGHHH!!
    It's not about what you do for a living, it's about who you want to be.

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    God/dess BlkSharpie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Getting New Website - Ideas Please!

    I feel your pain... Ive had guys say they looked at my rates,
    but dont see any info on 30 or 60m and want to know the rate for that.

    I swear they do it on purpose to antagonize us.
    Don't blink. Don't even blink. Blink and you're dead. Don't turn your back. Don't look away. And don't blink!

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    Veteran Member nikkidarling's Avatar
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    Default Re: Getting New Website - Ideas Please!

    ^ Yeah, I know what you mean. I used to work with an agency and would receive at least four calls a week with complaints that our website was down. Part of the agency's name was Referrals and dumb asses kept misspelling it (refferals, refferrals.etc).

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    Veteran Member goddesskali's Avatar
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    Default Re: Getting New Website - Ideas Please!

    Quote Originally Posted by BlkSharpie View Post
    I feel your pain... Ive had guys say they looked at my rates,
    but dont see any info on 30 or 60m and want to know the rate for that.

    I swear they do it on purpose to antagonize us.
    A friend of mine wrote on her rates page, "If discounts or half-hour rates arent noted, they aren't available." She was so good at sounding clear yet gentle in her writing.
    It's not about what you do for a living, it's about who you want to be.

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    God/dess BlkSharpie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Getting New Website - Ideas Please!

    I have seen that on some sites and its a good idea, but I know me lol

    There are so many things like that, which fly over a guys head...that if I were to make notations to keep guys from asking me these kinds of questions, my site would end up looking like diary of a mad black woman

    I wrote a blog post last week about references, because for some reason I had more than usual guys get bent out of shape because they didnt have 2 refs and I woudlnt just go ahead and see them anyway. So now, instead of explaining myself over and again when a guy gets annoyed with me, I can just send him a link to that post defining what exactly "two", "established" and "youve seen recently" means...those three things sure do trip guys up. Especially the "two" part *sigh*

    I really think though that a lot of guys just glaze over whats on our sites. Thats why when a guy mentions something I wrote on a particular page, I *know* hes going to be a good date...because he took the time to actually read what I wanted him to know. That does make it worth it in the end
    Don't blink. Don't even blink. Blink and you're dead. Don't turn your back. Don't look away. And don't blink!

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    Senior Member Aether's Avatar
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    Default Re: Getting New Website - Ideas Please!

    You're welcome, just sent that link for some visual/organizational inspiration.


    Quote Originally Posted by tabithacooks View Post
    Thank you Aether.

    Regardless of my chosen web designer, I still need to find examples to show the designer. As a very hands-on person, leaving it to the designer to read my mind wouldn't work for me.

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    Default Re: Getting New Website - Ideas Please!

    My advice/ thoughts may not apply directly but I want to give it a whirl.

    I personally built mine and a friend websites, and gave the websites the ability to change with the seasons. Right now my site is gothic-y, dark and what not for Halloween and for Thanksgiving or Christmas I'll change them again to be more festive.

    With that said I am personally a fan of using Wordpress to design my sites. I know you have a designer in mind with a different system but I thought I should at least show a few designs that can be made into something much more.

    For example:

    I can see this template semi resembling your current site but with the navigation on top (or set to scroll as you go down the page) and the large picture slider.



    While this one is more fancy and tailored more to a restaurant than a cookbook, I remember your site before the one pager and this one brings me back to it. Only in a more refined way.



    If you wanted to keep the one page design but still have the navigation on the side or top like the first one I mentioned this one might be up your alley:



    All of these are pretty unique looking and I'm sure your clients would love to see modified versions of these. Perhaps also they may be more inclined to look through the whole thing because its so interesting. lol.

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    God/dess BlkSharpie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Getting New Website - Ideas Please!

    Ooooh I really like the Linguini site!!!
    Don't blink. Don't even blink. Blink and you're dead. Don't turn your back. Don't look away. And don't blink!

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    Veteran Member goddesskali's Avatar
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    Default Re: Getting New Website - Ideas Please!

    Quote Originally Posted by BlkSharpie View Post
    I really think though that a lot of guys just glaze over whats on our sites. Thats why when a guy mentions something I wrote on a particular page, I *know* hes going to be a good date...because he took the time to actually read what I wanted him to know. That does make it worth it in the end
    You only have a few seconds to draw them in and about 2 mins for them to read everything. Will they read and absorb everything? No. At least not the first time as some will return to site a few more times before booking. But the fellow I mentioned before was a special case. It was a miracle he found the contact form.

    This has to be only business where we HAVE to say "my fees aren't negotiable" or some other obvious thing. Men have contacted me for discounts with the beginning line,"Since you didn't state your fees weren't negotiable, here's my offer..." Unless they are from a country where haggling is commonplace, this logic is lost on me.

    Quote Originally Posted by Amylatise View Post
    With that said I am personally a fan of using Wordpress to design my sites. I know you have a designer in mind with a different system but I thought I should at least show a few designs that can be made into something much more.
    Thank you Amy!

    Knowing more about the different web design platforms would certainly help me make a better educated decision.

    I'm not completely closed to to hiring a different designer (i held off on sending a deposit until i am sure), I just like the super polished look of her sites, the cms and the site's internal features. Her portfolio does look rather uniform, but I have seen other sites of hers not featured there that don't follow the typical format.



    This morning, I pulled out my cookbooks and sketched it all out on paper. Very excited to put my ideas to work.
    It's not about what you do for a living, it's about who you want to be.

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    Veteran Member goddesskali's Avatar
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    Default Re: Getting New Website - Ideas Please!

    Quote Originally Posted by BlkSharpie View Post
    Ooooh I really like the Linguini site!!!
    Why did I instantly think of the head chef from Ratatoulle yelling, "Linguiiiniiiiiii!!!!!" haha!
    It's not about what you do for a living, it's about who you want to be.

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    Default Re: Getting New Website - Ideas Please!

    LMFAO Tabatha!!!!!! Yes, indeed!!!

    And you are right, def have to make a point to say rates non-negotiable. These guys will try to find any loophole they can. Even though I clearly list the terms for being grandfathered into your rate (a date within 6 months -or- within 1 year if we did a fly me to you) I still have guys contacting me that havnt seen me in over a year asking "I get my old rate right?" Um NO! To keep your rate you only have to see me 2x a year and you didnt do that you cheap fuck! I mean, I say it a lot more courteously than that but jeez.
    Don't blink. Don't even blink. Blink and you're dead. Don't turn your back. Don't look away. And don't blink!

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