I have got a site on-line, visitor numbers low, time spent by each visitor is disappointing. Getting feedback that the site is difficult to navigate, "clunky" and old-fashioned looking. I have been told about Coffee Cup and like the look of it. Where do I start in terms of available software? Obviously HTML EDITOR.
I want left side navigation with sub-level, (maybe two sub-levels) so is FLASH MENU BUILDER a good idea. I think FORM BUILDER LOOKS GOOD.
We are a charity based in UK and I have limited experience, but I think coffeecup will help. I want members to be able to join the Society, pay subscriptions and use an entity called the Academy with links to a huge anount of information about English, (and lots of PDF files).
I would be happy t hear your views.
from tonethemoan;)

Perhaps if you posted the URL for your current site some of us could havva look and make suggestions. I can't tell you if CC products can improve your site until I've seen your site

Chad Spillars
http://www.DisneySubmarines.com

The html editor includes a CSS menu generator which works nicely, and would be better than using flash.

Hi Chad, thank you for reading my post.
the URL is: http://www.queens-english-society.com My first attempt at a website, which looks "clunky" and is hard to navigate. I am happy, indeed, I want to re-build it, from the ground up. Our organisation is a charity and funds are limited, so price on software is crucial. I used to use Note Tab HTTML EDITOR, but some friends have told be about Coffee Cup, I am running a 28 day trial.
Cary, thank you for the tip about Menu Builder. If the Editor will do it, that's fine! I am a newbie with web design and it probably shows.
Tonethemoan:)

Not bad for a newbie. Large graphic in the middle is a little bit fuzzy, perhaps compress a little less?

Less us know if you have any specific questions about the software, we're here to help!

Not a bad site at all. I'm sure with a little sprucing, you will have visitors in no time. How do you promote it? Have you listed it in any directories?

I think the best bit of software for what you want to do is CC html editor. You can download it and play with the test version before you purchase it.

Do a bit of updating as well on your meta tags, title tag etc., and stick to the <h1></h1> principle. Once you are ready with re-styling the website create a sitemap and submit to Google. Of course also add your url to the appropriate directories so people can find you.

Good job for a starter. Personally I would not use too many clashing colours as it is very tiering for the eyes. I think you would be better using colours that compliment each other i.e. for instance ligt colour background and the font darker in te same colour and vice versa. The same goes for the fonts i.e. I would try to keep them as much as possible in the same style be in in different sizes. The sme goes for the boxes were the text are in i.e. try keeping them in the same colour and style. The red and yellow for the warning is very aggresive on the eyes if you need to use red then white or ligt gray would go better. This principle gives a website a more calm and eye pleasing style to it. A good way to learn about style is to have a look on the web what others have done with more or less the same topic.

The above is of course only my personal opinion.

If you need to create special effects for button and other stuff in a fast and simple here is a good link.

http://www.grsites.com/]

Hope the above suggestions help

Hi ad99wd, (Ladies first), Chad and James,
Might I sort of answer you all at the same time? Thank you all for looking at the site. I have had a lot of criticism and as our visitor numbers I low and time spent, very short, the boring subject matter of the site, it must appeal to those with an interest in the first place. Too many font sizes/colours and faces/varying page layouts/very L-O-N-G pages in some cases....it's untidy.
I have decided a complete re-build is called for. At the moment the site is tied to a CMS which I shall do awy with.
I am subscribed to Google Analytics, which gives me the bad news, but had not thought about Directories, I don't know about them atall, in fact. Our organisation is a charity and cannot spend large sums of cash, but it's a thought.
I have today bought and downloaded Coffee Cup HTML Editor and downloaded a couple of trials, (Form Builder and so on). I will stay in touch, probably through the other forum, ((Desoign and Development......whatever!) , probably with plenty of questions. However you guys are very encouraging and I appreciate your input.
For now,
Newbie Tonethemoan