It took us about 200 man hours to complete. About 3 of us worked on it. We went 1024 on this site, as the bulk of business to business users are on 1024. I like 1024 as it gives us some breathing room and a cleaner look. Most sites we're designing these days which are business to business are also being designed at 1024 (here's a few examples - http://www.bristol-consulting.com , http://www.absolution.com/ ).
We're not 100% done yet - I want to tighten the home page flash and add a few design elements on the home page.
The site map is 98% intact from our last site - which is critical from an SEO standpoint. So far, the response has been very positive. We've added another 40 or so logos, and deleted some older ones. I think we have about 200 sample logos, which seems ridiculous even after deleting 50.
This site really took a lot out of us. It's probably our 6 or 7th redesign. Our last site lasted almost 2 years. She had a good run, but did not reflect our direction and, more importantly, who we were as a company.
Just trying to stay ahead of the curve is alway a challenge. Hopefully, I'll get two years or more out of this one. The internet changes so quickly!
Dan
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
Very corporate looking and i guess thats exactly what you needed as well, at least for the kind of persons you want to attract.
Good job Posted by Doug Downey (Member # 829) on :
Very very nice!
Posted by Jillbeans (Member # 1912) on :
I like the new corporate look. I think it will bring in even more business to you Dan. Very professional and clean. While I miss the warmer feel of your older versions, this type of look is the way forward, in my opinion. Another thing I love about your site is that it loads INSTANTLY on my slower cable connection. I think that's very important as well. Some people don't like to wait too long, even for a nice site to load! Love....Jill PS The Lightstream Electric guy looks like Henry Barker! Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
I'm impressed- clean, classy & informative!
Posted by Stevo Chartrand (Member # 2094) on :
Nice and clean, with none of that takes forever to load flash stuff!! I like it and there's lots of great work. I'll be updating mine here soon and will be keeping it clean and simple as well. Gotta dig those mouse-overs!!
Stevo Posted by Deri Russell (Member # 119) on :
Holy Links Dan! There's so much info on there you could spend hours! Beautiful work. Almost overwhelming. If its the corporations you are trying to attract I think you nailed it.
(Couldn't get any dropdowns on the Some of our Clients nor the testimonials, but you are no doubt aware of that.)edited to say the fourth time I went in they worked- so nix that comment
I think your 200 hours were very well spent. Great job.
[ February 13, 2007, 08:51 AM: Message edited by: Deri Russell ]
Posted by Nancie W. Phillips (Member # 3484) on :
I like the mouse-overs too. You do great work Dan! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by Suelynn Sedor (Member # 442) on :
Very impressive showcase for your work. I love to see how you incorporate their logo design into all different types of media. I see you've expanded to a second location...congratulations!
Suelynn
Posted by Joseph Diaz (Member # 5913) on :
I realy like it... Very nice
Posted by Steve Racz (Member # 4376) on :
Beautiful work Dan! I love the navigation schemes. Many ways to get to the various pages but also very intuitive.
Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
Very impressive!
Posted by George Perkins (Member # 156) on :
Outstanding!!!!!!!!
Posted by Chad Jeske (Member # 5866) on :
Wow Dan! I love the new site. The home page has got everything you need right there. The navigation is effortless. I especially like the new logos you've added to the portfolio. You and your team deserve all the praise that's comin' to you.
Posted by Rene Giroux (Member # 4980) on :
Top notch....what else !!! Youdamandan Posted by Dave Utter (Member # 634) on :
unbelievable stuff as always. You always amaze me. buy the way, the wife wants to know what the song is that is playing on the Perfect Pointe Dance Studio site....?
Posted by Dan Antonelli (Member # 86) on :
Dave-
Some sorta royalty free audio loop we bought from somewhere- not sure. I actually didn't work on that site at all-- two of my other designers did.
Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
Dan, I'm totally unqualified to critique anyone's web site, especially a designer whose work I admire very much. That said, my immediate response to the home page was corporate, sterile and busy. That might be exactly the look you're going for, in which case you've succeeded.
When I got to the meat - for me, that means portfolio - I was amazed (as usual) by your work, as well as the functional display, but for some reason, I just don't see the "Antonelli Style" on the main page.
As an old signpainter, I cherish being able to look at something and tell you who did it because of a certain style. You've achieved that level of style that many of us recognize easily, and emulate frequently. A suggestion from someone with no knowledge of web design, but who appreciates good design and individuality: sprinkle more of your magic "Dan-Dust" on the main page and you've got a winner....
Posted by Henry Barker (Member # 174) on :
I am a fan of your work too Dan bought the fonts and the books
I too feel like Sonny you do some really great stuff both when it comes to designning brands, logos, and sites, but this site like your last feels too busy, as a viewer your not sure where to go next, too much info and text.
I've seen you create some great sites for other signfolk, with more graphical impact from page one in. This feels too corporate, and abit sterile like so many other sites.
I'm sure you've worked hard and it will probably bring you the high end business you want, personally I too would like to see more visual impact from the start, thats what you do best.
Written in a positive way from someone who needs to learn aload about webdesign, but somebody, who really likes to see what you do from page 1, if I've expressed myself right
We all live in different types of house drive different cars, live in different cultures, so we wont all see things alike.
Good luck with everything anyway.
Posted by Dan Antonelli (Member # 86) on :
Sonny / Henry
Thanks for the feedback. The flash really isn't done yet - so maybe that will give more of the 'pop' you guys are expecting to see.
In terms of the home page being busy -- you have to understand that I have to sacrifice 'succintness' for the sake of search engines. We're #1 on nearly a dozen or so terms related to our business on Google - so I totally agree with there being a bit too much content. I understand most people won't read it - but google does.
If I don't get you to my home page, it doesn't even matter how clean or simplified it is. So, like everything, it's all tradeoffs. Our site generates on average, 20 leads per week via search engines. So it was critical to have same content as previously. We see all the time really 'cool' home pages that offer no benefit to search engines.
In reference to having my style communicated, that's probably an indication of the evolution of the company, and our direction. I actually don't want people to look at our work collectively and know we did it. It somewhat pigeonholes us into a specific genre, which I don't really want to do. Same can be said of my earlier logo work - the new stuff really doesn't look like it. It's probably a more mature style, although I can do my late 90's style when asked, most seem to favor more corporate feel.
What's interesting is that I actually did design the graphic interface for the site - which I don't get to do much of anymore. So, that's kind of interesting that it doesn't look like to you guys that I did it
But yeah, we're gonna do a more compelling flash. My flash designer is on vacay in Sweden, oddly enough Henry!! So as soon as she gets back - we're gonna add some pop.
Posted by Mark Matyjakowski (Member # 294) on :
Wow, a lot of talent in your group there. Some fantastic work there!
The site is a little cold and corporate for me but probably perfect for your target.
very nice especially the galleries
To get to a #1 when googled how many times do you have to repeat a phrase on your home page?
Posted by Dennis Raap (Member # 3632) on :
Cool Dan!!! I always kind of wondered why the home page seemed a little busy now I know Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
I'm with the others in that your web site looks corporate to me... but that's a matter of who you are aiming for. I can see how your site is effective for what you do and how you approach business.
The gallery of your company's work is mighty impressive!
-grampa dan
Posted by Dan Antonelli (Member # 86) on :
Mark -
I'm not exactly certain how many times - just in general, the more the better, within reason. It's identical to our previous content, and our site map is roughly 97% intact also, which is crucial on a redesign so you don't lose rankings.
What's also important is reduncancy in page title with page content.
Posted by Bill Modzel (Member # 22) on :
Dan, You set the bar mighty high on both your web site and the amazing quality of your designs and products. You're my Mac hero!
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