Hey all,
I've put my still-in-process company website up to get your guys' thoughts and ideas for how I can improve it...I'm using Wix, which has its limitations but certainly helps get something that looks decent up and running quickly:
http://c12316.wixsite.com/avantigames
Thanks in advance for checking it out...all feedback is welcome!
Is there a way to make the buttons "responsive?" I'm looking at your site on my phone, and the words don't fit on the buttons.
Wow, looks great Chris! I relish the day I have a site equally spiffy. Nicely done.
Wow. That really does look professional. It definitely conveys 'real company run by grown-ups' versus the garage business/mother's basement look of many sites. The "Scrambo" image is a real attention grabber, and it should go over great with the family night crowd. The figurines crowded around the die look great in that generic, but in a good way, sense.
The only thing I don't like is the signpost image in the "About Us" section, which looks like some weird collage of shutterstock images minus a shrugging female executive. When you scroll down, and that's all that is occupying the page, it reminds me too much of the sterile placeholder images that IP squatters use, as though the sign should read, "Under Construction," or "Coming Soon." An actual photograph of you, your staff, designers, artists, etc. would give that section a more personal touch, which would offset the very corporate look of the site and mesh better with the KS effort. You need something cozy with a hint of Oregon grassroots.
Thanks guys!
Gabe - I check it on mobile too and it definitely needs tweaking; Wix "designs" a mobile-friendly version alongside the desktop browser, but it always needs work and I haven't checked that version of the site yet. Good pointing it out!
Soulfinger - You got right to the part I'm particularly shaky on...the dice image is stock art, but decent. I'd prefer to put an image of the game there, but I'm wary of putting an image of a prototype with stickers on dice. In the interest of looking polished, I opted for a "generic" image that worked with a games company site.
The "About Us" image, on the other hand...I may just be getting a bit too literal there. Is it important for people to know the origin of the name? Not really. That image is a hastily comprised Photoshop comp, and as I look at it feels ill-conceived...even confusing. Maybe it's time to head to Glamour Shots, if those still exist anymore. A personal touch, something that pulls back the curtain a bit, is a far better idea...
Wix makes it pretty easy, though some basic Photoshop and/or Illustrator skills are needed I suppose. What you have going for you on your site is content; people may take a glace at mine, but I think they'll linger on yours and come away feeling closer to you as a designer. That's the truly tough part!
Do you have an approximate date for the Kickstarter?
STILL waiting on the video from Undead Viking (which I'm told is a typical occurrence...it's been almost 4 months).
I also need to shoot/edit the main video, which is the most daunting piece. I've looked online for a decently priced videographer who can shoot and edit the video, and I've even considered doing it myself at the risk of it being less polished than a pro would create. I've got beginner editing skills on iMovie, so I could make something good enough on my own.
I definitely want to get it going this Fall; hopefully before November. I'm feeling good about the other elements of the campaign and have got a good start on the Kickstarter page...
Aside from that, all files are undergoing design verification at Panda GM, and my account with Ship Naked is set up...so logistics of manufacturing and fulfillment are all locked in place.
Staff, designers, artists...maybe I'll take a photo in front of one of those suit-tailoring mirrors to multiply myself 3 times, as that's the staff! I do have a dog who serves as HR.
I've added a few things...gone is the stock photo on the About Us section, and in its place is an ADORABLE picture of my wife and I on a ski lift! More Colorado grassroots than Oregon Soulfinger, but I think it does the job for the time being.
Is there anything else I should add? Link to the BGG page? Should I put the review videos up there, or just use this to bounce people to the Kickstarter for now and not have them spend too much time exploring this site? That's really it's function, to give the KS effort a professional feel and make Avanti Games feel like a real company...
Nice arm? All I see are trees, a bit of arm, and a sliver of a ski mask. What's the resolution on that sucker? 72 dpi?
Oh for F's sake it looked fine on my Firefox browser...just goes to show you have to check every major browser for continuity! Yeah I pulled the photo off of Facebook since someone else took it, I don't have the original. Not perfect, but heading the right direction as far as a personal touch and it beats stock art, even at a lower resolution.
Good thing I'm not actively driving traffic to the site...more work to do.
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I should mention that the Kickstarter links go to the KS homepage, as I don't have my campaign page up yet. That will be corrected as soon as it's closer to complete...and of course I'll post a preview link here first to get your guys' thoughts on that as well!