Can someone advise me on my web site?

[carlos123]

Hi HireMyMum,

I will consider what you have said. Thanks!

I could write a small booklet on my aversion to using PayPal. Suffice it to say that you will get an earful if you simple do a Google search on "PayPal sucks" or some such. Pardon my French but it's the best search phrase to pull up what is wrong with PayPal that I know.

My own aversion to PayPal started when they suspended my account for no other reason than they said that my name had shown up in some U.S. government list. No matter what I said to them they simply would not tell me what that list was. But they wanted all kinds of personal information from me to prove who I was. Copies of my passport, bank statements, and other things that were utterly ridiculous to give them simply because I had shown up on some supposed list that they said I had been on.

So I told them to get lost in so many words (I was not very polite back then).

Years later I found out that I was on a terrorist watch list when I tried to fly to the States from Canada. Apparently my name, Carlos Gonzalez, is a favorite of terrorists. Like John Smith. Or Tom Smith. Or any number of other generic names. Carlos Gonzalez is the John Smith of the Spanish speaking world.

I don't fly much these days but I imagine that I will be likewise stopped every time until they see my full name (which is comprised of four names) on my U.S. passport.

At the time with PayPal though I did not know any of this and they were as tight lipped as Fort Knox about their gold.

A couple of other things....

They are not a bank. And they do not have to abide by bank laws respecting your money. If they decide for whatever reason to suspend your account and keep you out of your money, even if caused by a glitch in their accounting systems...too bad. They are King. And there is no other as far as they are concerned.

All you can do is plead nicely and even perhaps beg if you are inclined to do that kind of thing. Just maybe they might stoop down to show you some pity. But more likely they will ignore you and just do whatever they are going to do. Releasing your funds only when they feel like it and not before while making interest on your money all along.

Not the kind of company I want to be dealing with. Ebay...who bought PayPal is just as bad. Almost completely unresponsive to customer input. They will do what they do when they feel like it in whatever way they feel like it no matter how many people they step on on the way to their ultimate goal of making the most money they can.

Perhaps my impressions of these two companies are skewed by my limited and relatively rare experience with them but that's been my experience. That's all I have to go on.

With a true merchant account...the money goes straight into your bank account. You are in control of your own money not the merchant account company. And the money is available to you right away. Not just that but they are subject to laws that regulate the financial services industry in a way that PayPal is not subject to.

I just haven't gotten around to getting a merchant account yet but will do so shortly.

Carlos

[LisaWood]

Hi Carlos -

You've gotten some good feedback here, so I'm just going to add my little bit. Keep in mind that these are my opinions, and it's YOUR business, so take it with a grain of salt.

I don't think your design is too flashy, but I have an aversion to site designs that aren't centered. All that empty space on the right just bugs me. Just my preference, but I think it looks more finished if you center it.

Your about me is (IMO) a little too personal. I tell my clients that their about page is "a soft sell with a personal touch". It gives your visitors an inside look to who you are and helps them understand why they should hire you. They don't want (or need) to know your life story.

Copyright issues - is that page even necessary? Maybe a tiny bit of that could be part of an FAQ page, and the rest of the info you could go over in person with a client?

Special page - wow, what a deal! Just don't sell yourself short - once you get something in your portfolio consider bumping that rate up to your full $25 (or higher) right away!

The PS - I completely respect Christian (and other) values - but I would be hesitant to put that much info on a sell-page, which is what every page on your website is. You can put a disclaimer that you won't work on pornographic/unethical/or other types of sites, without giving any specific reason. I say that simply because it's a strong and controversial topic, and some people ARE turned off by that, and you risk turning away perfectly legitimate customers simply because they don't agree with your values. Again, I'd save that info for a one-on-one conversation if/when the issue arises.

Payment page - wordy, but you get your point across. Still, I would condense it.

I'm curious why you talk so much about your competition on your home page. I see your point, but I think the presentation is a turn-off. Maybe instead, make your home page an inviting presentation, and link to an article about the differences between those types of designers. Just an idea.

I hope this doesn't sound too harsh. I can relate to the challenges of starting a business and establishing yourself. My toughest client is me

Bottom line - if you want to be regarded as a professional, you have to present yourself as such. Remember also that when someone is hiring you they don't really care about YOU - they care about what you can do for THEM.

I hope that helped a bit

[carlos123]

Hi Lisa,

Wow!

What can I say? Great input...again!

I especially think the way you suggested I get across the point about not wanting to work on unethical web sites without neccessarily mention I am a Christian is a very valid point. Some people have stereotypes about Christians that might turn them completely off without even coming to know me such that they would realize eventually that I don't fit the stereotype.

But mentioning "Christian" right off the bat might uneccessarily turn them off.

A very valid point Lisa. I think I will implement that among other points I have received here.

It just dawned on me that the emptiness of the right hand side that others have mentioned may not have been what I thought. The completely left hand alignment of my site is just a testing phase. The final product will be entirely centered within the browser window. So that large area to the right that has nothing will no longer even be an issue. That is definitely something I would have needed to change if I did not already have that in mind .

Re...the about me page. Hmm...I'll have to think about that some Lisa. I know being personal goes against the grain of what is considered acceptable business practice but ironically it has been my experience that being personal and real with clients or prospective clients has allowed me to distinguish myself from the run of the mill "business" appearance of others that causes them to disappear into the background.

Even today incredibly enough...before my web site is even finished...a company is offering me full time employment as a computer programmer working with Apache based on even more personal emails I sent the owner of the business. He had originally wanted a resume and I had told him flat out that I had no time to make one up. Recently when I saw him still trying to fill the position, a position that I was imminently qualified for, I wrote him again. In our subsequent communications I got even more personal and told him flat out that a nice resume proved nothing more than that a person could write...well...a nice resume among other things.

Now he wants to hire me full time working on a major, major project at a very good wage.

With no resume, no local phone service (I get all calls that come in going to my toll free number and respond through Skype), no car, and otherwise not the kind of person, on paper at least, that one would take a second glance at.

But my being personal has once again seemingly won the day where I kept coming back to him with what were reasonable points made in a very personal last ditch effort to see if we might not be able to work out a win/win between the two of us.

Incredible! Reminds of how in the old days someone could walk in and be judged as a potential employee based on their cahones to come in and almost demand a job not taking no for an answer. Where employers judge one on their ability to judge character more than on how impressive a piece of paper one can produce.

Anyway...that's been my experience Lisa. That being personal as I am actually sets me apart, way apart, from the competition, and actually lands me more work!

So I don't know if I want to tone that down too much at least not to the point that I end up looking like just another bland web developer lacking in passion and...well...personableness.

Now look what I've done! Gone and written another book!

What can I say...I like to write and express myself. Hopefully I didn't lose you on the second paragraph LOL.

Thanks again for your input!

Carlos

[LisaWood]

lol - Congrats on the job offer!

Let me say that I am an advocate for being genuine, personal, and transparent. That's what sets us apart and builds terrific relationships with our clients. My point was that sometimes we can get TOO personal and blur those lines with info that isn't relevant to our clients.

Here's my own about page (which certainly needs work, but you can get an idea of what I'm talking about)

I’m Lisa Wood, and I help people promote their small businesses on the web. I understand exactly how important your web presence is to the success of your business, even if YOU don’t yet.

I started Performance Web Solutions so that I could help the little businesses have a web presence that allows them to compete in the online arena. It doesn’t have to be scary, and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. I’m sensitive like that, and I do my best to work within your budget.

Performance Web Solutions provides website consulting services, website upgrades, and blog installations and customization. I also provide search engine optimization (SEO) services, social networking training, and blog coaching.

Stick with me and you get the whole package.

Performance Web Solutions
112 S. Main St. #224
Stowe, VT 05672

phone: (802) 279-8899
email: info@performancewebsolutions.com

Follow me on Twitter! @lisawood

Could I include more "personal" information on that page? Of course I could. I simply choose not to, because I prefer to give that information to clients in person, over coffee, etc., rather than on my "about" page. I also am careful to protect my family's privacy and safety. I don't need to broadcast on my website that I'm 41 years old, have two teenage kids, that my husband is a cop, I have 2 dogs and 2 cats, I grew up in Boston and have lived in VT for 17 years, etc. I'll save that info for the people I think I can trust.

The address you see is also a UPS Store postal box where I get all my mail. I wasn't comfortable putting up my home address as a contact, and I wanted something a little more solid than a standard P.O. Box. It's a great solution for me.

I think you're off to a great start and your attitude is terrific.

Don't ever stop being REAL - the one who makes the connection and builds the relationship usually gets the gig. Your job offer is a perfect example of that!!

[carlos123]

Hi again Lisa,

You know I am having great fun interacting with you all on this forum even if I never become an Internet Marketing sensation LOL.

I always enjoy being real with others over the Internet or in person. It's what I thrive on you could almost say.

It's rather ironic that this forum is so tiny in comparision to some others I frequent (one for example has something like 50,000 members or some such insane number of members) yet, despite being so tiny, I am getting better and more input from you all than I sometimes get at much bigger forums where people tend to be defensive and guarded if not outright distrustful of everything that even hints at self-promotion.

One time I was even accused of being self-promoting when I was so moved by the plight of poor people in the U.S. who are not medically insured that I posted on this one forum about how if we started a web site and all pitched in just $10 each we could help so many of our fellow Americans. Some moderators there thought I was trying to promote an as yet theoretical web site as a way of making money for myself from donations. These days everyone seems to be so suspicious of everyone that sincere expressions of desire to help others are just...well...not believed sometimes...sigh.

lol - Congrats on the job offer!

I think I should not quite have labeled it a job offer as in a done deal quite yet. I mean he did offer it to me but I am not accepting it right away. There are still a couple of issues I have to iron out with him since he seems to want me to drop any other clients I have and just work for him. Understandable in one sense but what if I end up not liking the work he gives me or what if he decides for some strange reason not to use my services after a few weeks. That leaves me holding the bag, an empty bag in this case. Not good. So I am proposing a trial period for the both of us. We'll see. The offer could still not materialize.

Let me say that I am an advocate for being genuine, personal, and transparent. That's what sets us apart and builds terrific relationships with our clients. My point was that sometimes we can get TOO personal and blur those lines with info that isn't relevant to our clients.

Well put Lisa! I completely agree. I certainly don't want my prospective clieints to know if I am somewhat depressed and not trusting God on any particular day for example . That type of thing. Too personal and really uneccessary unless some of my clients become really close friends.

Here's my own about page (which certainly needs work, but you can get an idea of what I'm talking about)

Well done Lisa. I think I will review my About Me page when I get the chance later today and make some neccessary changes.

I also am careful to protect my family's privacy and safety. I don't need to broadcast on my website that I'm 41 years old, have two teenage kids, that my husband is a cop, I have 2 dogs and 2 cats, I grew up in Boston and have lived in VT for 17 years, etc. I'll save that info for the people I think I can trust.

I feel quite honored that you would share all that with us here who are reading this thread .

Still...it's been quite surprising to me sometimes, when I have written a thread post about something, to see it show up on Google the next day if not the very day I write it. We do have to be careful with sharing personal information over the Internet. You got that absolutely right!

There are a lot of people on the internet who, because of the seeming anonymity with which they think they can say things, will say things they would never say to anyone in person.

I have a blog where I just let it all out so to speak but no one could tell from that blog what my full name is, where I live exactly, where I was born, or any other personally identifiable information. I am very careful about that sort of thing.

I think you're off to a great start and your attitude is terrific.

Don't ever stop being REAL - the one who makes the connection and builds the relationship usually gets the gig. Your job offer is a perfect example of that!!

Thanks for your encouragement Lisa! Much appreciated.

Carlos

[carlos123]

Hi you all,

I've made a lot of changes to the site based mostly on suggestions given to me on this thread if anyone wants to take a look-see.

Among the changes I made...

1. Completely rewrote the front page and removed all references to Indian programmers and high school students .
2. Completely rewrote the About Me page and made it much less...well...personal.
3. Removed the reference to my being a Christian on the Introductory Special page and reworded what I felt a need to say to make it more palatable to those who might object to my being...well...a Christian .
4. Change the resolution of the graphics to display better at 800 pixel screen width.
5. Completely reworked the Introductory Special page to look a lot more like those effective internet marketing pages I see around .

Lots more....

I did not incorporate some of the suggestions that I could not or cannot yet do.

For example I do not have an address I can use yet as I will be wanting to set up a P.O. box type thing to use (which I obviously don't have set up yet).

Likewise I don't yet have a photo of myself but I will certainly add that as soon as I can.

I think overall the site is looking good.

If anyone has any further input I would appreciate hearing it.

Thanks again!

The site is www.carlosgonzalezconsulting.com in case anyone forgot .

Carlos

[LisaWood]

Much much better. Nice job. Keep tweaking as you go - it's always a work in progress

[carlos123]

Thanks again Lisa! Your all's input has been...well...invaluable.

Carlos

[carlos123]

A couple of more comments Lisa...

If I may take the liberty of commenting on your site...

It does not appear to be formatted correctly when viewed through Firefox. I don't know if catering to Firefox is a big deal for you or not but given that it's a rising star among Internet browsers, more and people are using it these days and it might be good to have your site look good in both Internet Explorer and Firefox.

This is all assuming that the formatting that seems a bit off to me in Firefox is actually...well...off.

Specifically the text at the top that appears when first visiting your site is off way to the right. The photo of the beach is then off to the left below the text. I suspect what you intend is for the text to either appear on top of the photo, directly above it, or to the right of it but not the way it is now.

Also I am just curious as to how the Thesis Theme company is able to prevent others from using their theme under the GPL given that all Wordpress Theme source code is legally supposed to be GPLed.

Their licence is only for one computer and they do not allow re-distribution without permission while the GPL licence that it would seem it's supposed to have as a Wordpress Theme allows re-distribution freely. Just curious Lisa. If you would rather give me input on this privately, assuming you care to do so that is, feel free to PM me here (if this forum has private messaging capabilities).

Carlos

[Lynn Terry]

Taking a look now, Carlos - I've been away at events, so look forward to catching up. Thought I would say though, that this is a new platform - our original forum has over 10,000 active members and over 100,000 posts. We've been on this new platform for just about a month or so.

Glad you joined us!