New website

Erik Sheppard · Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007, 22:10 (GMT) Post subject: New website

I have finally pretty much finished my new website.

So, I guess I kind of broke all the rules that have been posted here before. Demos aren't on the front page, there is a picture of a microphone, audio auto-plays when you first log on. I'm a rebel.

I was kind of going for more of a business website as opposed to just showcasing my demos because that fits in a bit better with my marketing strategy at this point. I also found a great female talent to be a part of this venture.

Check it out if you like: www.VoiceTalentProductions.com

Scott Pollak · Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007, 22:59 (GMT) Post subject:

Erik.... you ought to move this over to the Chit-Chat board so it'll get more exposure.

Overall I REALLY like this site a lot, and I'll tell ya, I'm VERY critical about websites. The Flash loads relatively fast (consider using a preloader if you're not already) and the layout is super clean and really, really appealing to the eye. I don't like the audio at the beginning, I had to crank my speakers down and I wasn't wild about the overlapping mix.

I really like the demo interface but for my aging eyes the tracks on it could be larger to view. The font is pretty small compared to the rest of the site.

I love the navigation and how the Flash interfaces thruout the whole site.

This is really a GOOD LOOKING site, Erik! Who did all the actual site creation/graphics/Flash? They did a bang-up job!

Kudos to you and them. You continue to prove you're a class act.

Robert Jadah · Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007, 02:14 (GMT) Post subject:

Thanks for the peek, Erik...t'was an eye-opener.

I'm no web-head, but as a casual surfer I'd rank it among the best voice sites I've visited. It's energetic, uncluttered, user-friendly, and just informative enough.

I'm glad, too, that you bucked the trend and stuck with a microphone, darn it. Branding, schmanding...you're offering voiceover, so what the dickens is wrong with a mic? If one goes to a porn site, after all, one sees skin and legs and T and A.
Or so I've heard.

Why we all rushed off (me included) to exorcise our icons, I'll never understand.

Well done!
(I'll take two of those Leaches and get back to you on the guy voice.....)

Vaunt On!

David Oxford · Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007, 05:21 (GMT) Post subject: Re: New website

Erik:

Love the site, man - it really rocks!! As the others have already stated: very clean, very easy to navigate, uncomplicated, to-the-point and says everything you need to say without a lot of unnecessary bells & whistles (you know, like some of those 'smoke & mirrors' sites.)

And, like Scott mentioned, whoever did the web design for you knows their stuff. Very eye-appealing yet practical at the same time. (The only thing I noticed was the word "clientele" is misspelled on the 'charity' page....but that's nit-picky.)

Good job, Erik - keep up the good work!!! (And having September associated with you can be nothing but a very positive thing!)

Rock on!
noch cooler

David

Erik Sheppard · Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007, 06:36 (GMT) Post subject:

Wow, thanks guys. I was expecting to get slammed for breaking all the cardinal rules.

I basically just bought a template and deleted everything on it but kept the flash banner and customized it with a friend who does some website stuff at his job. I helped him move some stuff from a high rise in NYC so he was cool about helping me out.

I'm not sure about the audio player just yet so I haven't shelled out the 20 Euro or whatever it is to register it. I wish I could make it bigger because that text is small but that doesn't seem to be one of the parameters that can be tweaked. If any geeks know of places where I can find other flash players, that would be awesome.

I'm still messing around with the layout a bit, especially on the Demos page but I am pretty happy with how it has turned out. My web designer buddy has been patient with all my constant revisions so that helped too.

Thanks for pointing out the typo David. Thats not nit-picky at all. Actually, kind of embarrassing so I am glad I can fix it before people in the real world get a peek.

I was fortunate enough to have Ember get on board before she became a superstar so now she is kind of stuck with me. I knew that girl was going places. Plus, she is as cool as it gets. Score. I'll let you guys know when I propose.

Now I just have to get myself some traffic.

Ronald T Robinson · Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007, 12:24 (GMT) Post subject:

Plus, that shor is a purdy stoo-dee-oh!

And: Rules!? Don' nee no stinking rules! Smile

September Day Leach · Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007, 16:16 (GMT) Post subject:

yay! It's up!! And I'm very proud to be linked with you in the bonds of holy website-ness!! Smile

Debbie Deutsch · Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007, 05:23 (GMT) Post subject:

SNAZZY! Bouncing little buttons too! Very Happy

John Moore · Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007, 05:37 (GMT) Post subject:

Really, really, really nice Erik.
Really.

I did a hack-job on my site, just to have a place to hang a link or two - in my head, I'm working on my personal brand and how my site will represent that, but you have so nailed it.

You've really got it ALL together in a nice big, sweet smelling pile and set a terrific example and high standard for the rest of us to aspire to.

Thanks for the inspiration!

Don Capone · Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007, 06:18 (GMT) Post subject:

clean... and business... lookin good kiddo!

Caryn Clark · Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007, 12:55 (GMT) Post subject:

Erik, I'm really picky picky about sites since I have some experience with usability/design... yours is very clean and really quite good. My only issue is audio playing at the get go. Other than that, it's really really great!! Good job!!! Caryn

Dina Monaco-Boland · Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007, 13:48 (GMT) Post subject:

Erik & September,

I really like it! I don't mind the audio at the beginning because it's brief and captivating. It doesn't keep playing and driving you nuts.

The SFX go well with the animation of your banner-- nice way to represent being global.

Just shows ta go ya... Ya gotta do what feels right for you. This works and works quite well. It's sleek, clean, and professional. That's what it says to me.

Beautifully done!

Tyler McKellar · Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007, 16:50 (GMT) Post subject:

Sweet Moses, a website that actually has a css file (cascading style sheet). I like it. Very nice and better than mine at the moment.

September Day Leach · Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007, 17:05 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Tyler!

ok, I think my website has a css file...at least I see one in my cpanel. But what the hell is it??

Tyler McKellar · Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007, 18:00 (GMT) Post subject:

A css file is a cascading style sheet. It tells the parts of a webpage where, what color, and what size to be. It's kind of like the mom for a website telling the kids what to wear. More than one page can use a css file too and that will help keep the pages looking uniform.