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8 Years Ago
First, thanks to everyone who gave input/advice. I have solicited a bunch of opinions from you all and it was really helpful!
I was able to integrate the FAA full size shop widget very easily (literally cut and paste), so I can have my own design for my site and an FAA shopping page too - and all responsive for tablets and phones. It took me about a month to get everything dialed in, and I still have some details to iron out: switching the site to SSL/Https, and a couple of other minor things.
But I'm very pleased and I wanted to share it!
http://www.curious3d.com
Reply Order
8 Years Ago
Cynthia, the site looks and functions wonderfully. You explain the workflow extremely well. Love how the images are displayed on the homepage and from the drop down list. It's set up ( I think) to keep someone exploring for a good amount of time....which is good!
8 Years Ago
Fantastic, Cynthia! I love pro websites. Beautifully organized, easy to navigate, great art. I would like to see the body text a bit larger (you write well, let's see the text), but that's minor. Great job!!
Dan Turner
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online
8 Years Ago
I am just so speechless over your art. It is beyond amazing and your ability to explain the process to an old dinosaur like me is amazing also. I am so honored to be on the same website( FAA) as you!
Leslie
8 Years Ago
Very professional and clean. I'd go for larger and fewer images (in rotation), and larger viewed (popup) image on some - a few lose the initial impact by not enlarging very far.
Otherwise 10/10
8 Years Ago
What a beautiful accomplishment - it works wonderfully.
now, when you've nothing else to do ..............
8 Years Ago
Cynthia,
It looks fantastic! Nothing quite like a graphic designer's website when they possess your level of talent!
The font is great, I LOVE the torn back peekaboos.....great integration.
You go girl!!
8 Years Ago
Stunning design with a simple, user friendly layout and navigation. Something for me to aspire to with my "dinosaur" website!
8 Years Ago
Your art is fantastic and the website is a job well done.
I would have liked a little less FAA talk, but I guess it goes with assuring buyers that they may purchase with confidence.
8 Years Ago
Thanks for sharing your wonderful work. I really enjoyed reading about how you create the images.
8 Years Ago
Very, very nicely done.
---------------
~ Bill
~ US Pictures .com
8 Years Ago
Awesome, Cynthia. Congrats.
Your work is some of my favorite.
Joe Burgess
jb-imagery.com
8 Years Ago
Awesome outcome Cynthia-Totally outstanding works and extremely well presented- Kudus that you found the time and had the knowledge to work out the kinks. Extremely impressive!!
8 Years Ago
Very organized, simple and user friendly! I like the light background so your images stand out.
8 Years Ago
I am going to hire an outside firm to work with me on optimization and getting the security situation right (https instead of http). That may take another week or so. I'm a good designer, but the background requirements for maximum compatibility/searchability are outpacing my ability to keep up with how to implement them. Luckily, I know when to call in the cavalry. :)
Chuck, you made a good point. FAA is a major selling channel for me and I have a lot of faith in it, but I don't want to be too preachy/salesman on the site. I reworded the "about" section to be a little more neutral. Thanks for your comment on that.
8 Years Ago
One thing I attempt to do when advertising whatever it is I'm selling is to put a positive spin on the wording. I think I learned that from working in television so long.
To me: "If you're not happy with a purchase that you made on FineArtAmerica.com, for any reason, you can return it to them within 30 days of the order date. As soon as it arrives, they'll issue a full refund for the entire purchase price. Please note - Fine Art America does not reimburse the outgoing or return shipping charges unless the return is due to a defect in quality."
You're stating the facts here, but it's also talking about the sky falling and what to do when it does.
Maybe I learned putting a positive spin on wording from my dad, who was a mortician. How do you turn a burial and buying a casket into a positive situation?
Anyway, can't wait to see the final product. It's going to be fantastic!
8 Years Ago
Absolutely amazing Cynthia! Your office studio sounds like a dream place to make your creations :) I am in awe of your 3d work, it sounds extremely complicated.
8 Years Ago
Very nice website. I'm going to bookmark and read more when I have some more time. One thing I saw is on the home page, the "Prayer Flags" next to "Phone Booth" is missing, at least for me, just a blue question mark. But, other than that I think it looks professional and elegant.
8 Years Ago
It looks great. I love your whimsical, story telling work. The penguin standing on a Jenga tower is awesome. Haven't seen that one before.
8 Years Ago
It's very well done and logically laid out, you should be happy. It also doesn't hurt that your art is amazing and unique. ;)
8 Years Ago
Looks awesome! I really like that you have included a section describing how the work is done. Very professional.
8 Years Ago
Learned something from the web company I spoke to about optimization, Didn't want to start a new thread so I'll put it here for those who are interested.
in regard to Google and responsive sites or SSL certified sites:
It's not that Google will no longer index your site if it's not responsive. IF a person uses google FROM a mobile device the search results that are responsive sites will return before the results that are not responsive. They'll be prioritized. All sites will still be indexed, but it makes sense that people searching from mobile devices are best served by results that are mobile friendly. The takeaway is that it is a good idea to have a responsive site (Artist Websites are responsive) at some point in the near future, but Google isn't going to exclude you from indexing because your site is static.
There was also some rumbling about Google giving search result priority to sites with SSL certificates (https:// sites as opposed to http://). This is unsubstiantiated as Google hasn't made a formal statement about it, but the general assumption is it's more important for the big ecommerce players to comply initially. The consultant I spoke with said just to ignore it until Google makes a definitive statement on the subject.
8 Years Ago
I love your work and your site is well done. I really like the way you laid it out. Simple user friendly.
8 Years Ago
A large part of SSL....and I dont begin to understand many aspects of SSL....but a larger part is what
are your search results when searching for you and your website?
No matter what goes into being found on Google, however it comes about your results will matter.
For the smaller fish, we can be offbeat. If my name was John Smith this would be totally untrue, but
as David Bridburg SSL for now does not matter at all.
Now the difficult part of SSL. At some point I was involved with putting a cache program on my WP.org site.
Somewhere in there I was offered SSL. But the complexity level would take a lot more study on my part. Yes
the whole thing can then be automatic, but understanding where and when SSL plays a role? Good luck.
Still SSL definitely gives the larger enterprises a leg up. I get the feeling it is like running a super network over
the internet. Possibly a good or only somewhat good analogy. I am a very small guy in any of that, so again SSL
for now will not make or break me for now.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTTPS
Finally looking it up https. It is a super network, but the defining characteristic is encryption mainly for trading/selling. And this
is probably more than necessary if you take credit cards.
There is a movement to give the big boys privileges, but this is only partial. It is a necessary function for taking credit cards.
Somewhere I saw more functionality built in.
Dave
8 Years Ago
I am lost on much of what I have read here, but I just wanted to say that I LOVED your new website! It's easy to navigate and your images are all incredibly beautiful! Really enjoyed it!
8 Years Ago
Sabrina,
You have wonderful work.
That last post of mine was my ramblings or thinking to myself outloud. Not much in there to know.
Dave
8 Years Ago
Thank you, David. Web technology is the bane of my existence! (Just kidding, but it is a bittersweet irritant.) I entered FAA quite innocently, but have been very happy to learn as much as I have. There are are brilliantly talented people here, Cynthia and you, for example. I really enjoy everyone here so much and love the developing friendships, too.
8 Years Ago
Amazing work Cynthia, glad to have you at FAA, your site is clean and Zen! It's probably not good timing, I agree with Mark though, I want to be helpful, seeing so many images at one time is somewhat overwhelming, your art is so good and full of detail I want to take my time and see everything in a larger image.
8 Years Ago
I'm rarely impressed by anyone's website but I must say that I was blown away by yours. It doesn't hurt to have outstanding artwork to display, but the site aesthetics work beautifully with your style of art and the layout is quite intuitive. I give it a 10 out of 10 (and I'm not easily pleased).
