Thoughts on my website if you can please?

[BigonaBianchi]

Loads OK with some delay (probably the server) on my Linux based Chromium,Chrome and Firefox.

My only thoughts are that you need to get some SEO input earlier rather than later re title and content. There doesn't seem to be too much competition so it is not going to be too big a job.

I did try to seo the site myself using the wix seo suggestions....but im a total novice...how do I get more seo in earlier?? ....Which field should I cram key words into? Im guessing the text right at top of front page on the background???

 

[Octet]

Programmer by trade, specialising in web development (PHP and C#)... so hopefully I can offer a few suggestions. Unfortunately I can't do much in relation to the design, but it looks good!

• The first thing I will say is that it is making 150 requests and loading just over 6MB (megabytes) of data. Considering the BBC site is about 500KB (half a megabyte) and that loads a lot of pictures and video I think you need to do some optimisation. Considering you are using Wix, your only real option would be to try and shrink your images down to no more than 20-30 KB each.
• Looking at the network trace, you're loading a LOT of fonts, try to use ones which don't need to be referenced (so things like Arial or Calibri are good choices).
• Ditch the advert at the top (not sure if it's possible, or if it's because you're using Wix Free, but your branding should be the first thing to appear).
• The top menu is a bit glitchy, again I'm guessing this is down to Wix.

My main advice would probably be to try and cut down on the number of plugins that Wix uses. I haven't looked at penetration testing, XSS, Injection attacks etc. since if you're on Wix they will be out of hand, however considering the vulnerabilities in Wordpress I suggest you make sure your version of Wix is up to date (if it can be updated) and that you have a secure password.

 

[SteCenturion]

Hi BOAB.

I really enjoyed reading your blog of the last Cypriot tour you did & in fact I have it as a saved page & will re read it soon.

As far as your new web site goes, I have very little I.T ability so can't comment on tech etc.

My observations, keeping to the constructive are that there are some grammar issues that are not beyond repair & also issues around construction of paragraphs & sentences.

I am not averse to throwing in some grammatical errors, 'bad' habits have been formed over the years such as using 'this' 'too' often, or even at all.

I digress.

Some sentences are too long, with too much information & create a sense of breathlessness when reading, as if a pause would be welcome.

I understand that you want all the information to be available & to be as concise as possible, however, I believe you could cherry pick the most important information & format your sentences around this.

I would not include Cheers as a closing "see you soon", maybe throw out some other ideas to find your perfect closing.

The options/menu bar (top right corner) would look far better across the full length of the top & open (on view) to just tap on & access swiftly, like you might find on the Wiggle or other store site.

The Sun logo feels a little to basic & clichéd, maybe a little Pro graphics design could help nail that important logo. I believe a good, sharp, modern logo would benefit you here.

Do you provide bike hire BOAB ?
It might be worth looking into if it can be funded, this would appeal to me personally & presumably others too.


Generally speaking I think it is a grand effort & with advice taken from here & there & with a touch of polish could look really professional.

I wish you every success with your new adventure & hope that you can make a few bucks to keep you in sun tan oil & Cyprus sun.

Now, where's my Goat ?

Best of British.

 

[DiddlyDodds]

Its ruined my night due to being to good, i want to go to Cyprus on a cycling holiday now but i also know that the wife will never agree to it.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

Its ruined my night due to being to good, i want to go to Cyprus on a cycling holiday now but i also know that the wife will never agree to it.

Oh come on....she will have a wonderful time in the three pools,jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, Gym, Bar, pool bar, restaurant, joining the free yoga classes, having a manicure or beauty facial treatment, partying in the bar, or even snorkelling, sunbathing etc while you are out sufferring with me lol!

 

[BigonaBianchi]

Programmer by trade, specialising in web development (PHP and C#)... so hopefully I can offer a few suggestions. Unfortunately I can't do much in relation to the design, but it looks good!

• The first thing I will say is that it is making 150 requests and loading just over 6MB (megabytes) of data. Considering the BBC site is about 500KB (half a megabyte) and that loads a lot of pictures and video I think you need to do some optimisation. Considering you are using Wix, your only real option would be to try and shrink your images down to no more than 20-30 KB each.
• Looking at the network trace, you're loading a LOT of fonts, try to use ones which don't need to be referenced (so things like Arial or Calibri are good choices).
• Ditch the advert at the top (not sure if it's possible, or if it's because you're using Wix Free, but your branding should be the first thing to appear).
• The top menu is a bit glitchy, again I'm guessing this is down to Wix.

My main advice would probably be to try and cut down on the number of plugins that Wix uses. I haven't looked at penetration testing, XSS, Injection attacks etc. since if you're on Wix they will be out of hand, however considering the vulnerabilities in Wordpress I suggest you make sure your version of Wix is up to date (if it can be updated) and that you have a secure password.

Thanksfor this

I have just changed as much fint as I could to aerial. Cant seem to do it for the rides though as its in some kind of pre set grid/table and i dont see a font selection option there.
The photos were just uploaded from my phone, which is set on max pix size. I didnt even know they would affect things on th esite......so shrinking them....erm....is that like re sizing them and uploading smaller pixel size images?
I heard that if I did a 'grid' in photoshop and then uploaded just one jpeg it would help...that right?

But does it really matter if its loading quickl enough?? Im guessing it does because you highlighted it and its your job to know...apologies for being a bit fick lol!

 

[BigonaBianchi]

About bike hire

Right now I cant offer hire of decent road bikes here. The issue being importing them as this is not the euro zone. Also the cost of getting them and maintaining them is prohibitive right now. I want to do this asap however . I need to find a way of getting quality bikes in the 'right sizes' etc here at a workable cost.

For now however It's best to bring your own bike , its easy, cheaper than hiring and you get a bike you know fits and you are familier with. I always bring my own bike here, I need a big frame size so I know no bike hire outfit will havemy size.

I have the resort, the location, the rides, the accomodation, The catering and a mechanic, and a resort transit van lined up. I know my marketing niche and how, I am also looking at israeli cyclists. Bike hire isnt possible just yet, one day though one day.Right now its early days and I have no real idea how itmight work out. I have also got an opportunity guiding for a german tour outfit on th esouthern side for trips in the north. That outfir has been profitable for ten years so far, so it is doable it seems.

 

[vernon]

You might want to try to discover browser compatibility issues yourself before unleashing your work upon the public.

Theres a range of compatibility tools available from this site: http://mashable.com/2014/02/26/browser-testing-tools/

Some of them are free.

You can sometimes get weird renderings for no obvious reason and I suspect that Wix might not allow the degree of tinkering with HTML and CSS that some fixes require. You've already discovered one short coming in that you don't have full control of the fonts.

You might use a Wix based site as the launch of your business and look at using an offline tool to make a more flexible hosted site that puts you fully in control for a second attempt.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

Thakyou so much everybody for all your valued help and suggestions. I hope you wont find me rude if I now remove the public link in my OP. I have some legals etc to sort out before the venture can go ahead and I need the site to remain non public now. If anybody here wishes to see the site again just pm me but for now I have the feedback I needed and it is very much appreciated.

Thankyou again.

 

[AndyRM]

But does it really matter if its loading quickl enough?? Im guessing it does because you highlighted it and its your job to know...apologies for being a bit fick lol!

To be blunt, yes. Not everyone has a lightening fast internet connection. Consider also mobile users who might be on a data only connection - the 'heavier' (size, in megabytes), your site, the more it will hammer their data.

I did try to seo the site myself using the wix seo suggestions....but im a total novice...how do I get more seo in earlier?? ....Which field should I cram key words into? Im guessing the text right at top of front page on the background???

SEO is a bit of a minefield. Essentially, you want as much content relevant to your site as possible, and update it regularly. A couple of things to consider would be a blog about rides and allowing customer reviews. Also worth getting links to and from relevant companies - so you get the resort to put your link on their page and you reciprocate. Creating a presence for yourself on social media will also help.

Basically, you're wanting to get yourself noticed and ahead of your competitors. A quick Google suggests you've got two main ones Bikin'Cyprus and Wheelie Cyprus? I'd look more at Bikin'Cyprus as a guide as it's a well thought out site.

 

[AndyRM]

Smashing must be reading this thread!

Here are some thoughts on colour contrast: http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2014/10/22/color-contrast-tips-and-tools-for-accessibility/

 

[Octet]

Thanksfor this

I have just changed as much fint as I could to aerial. Cant seem to do it for the rides though as its in some kind of pre set grid/table and i dont see a font selection option there.
The photos were just uploaded from my phone, which is set on max pix size. I didnt even know they would affect things on th esite......so shrinking them....erm....is that like re sizing them and uploading smaller pixel size images?
I heard that if I did a 'grid' in photoshop and then uploaded just one jpeg it would help...that right?

But does it really matter if its loading quickl enough?? Im guessing it does because you highlighted it and its your job to know...apologies for being a bit fick lol!

Sorry for the delay in response, haven't been on CC recently.

Anyway, you can do one of two things to help reduce the size of images. The first of these (and the easiest) is to physically downsize the image width and height. In PhotoShop, GIMP or another image manipulation programme this is relatively simple and you will usually find the option under either Layer, Canvas or something like that.
The downside of this is that you now have a smaller image which might not fit in nicely, or it could be too small for you to see enough detail.

The other option is to compress it, getting this right can take a bit of playing around with settings, but when done right you can reduce both the file size whilst keeping the dimensions.
The first thing to work out is what file type to save it as (PNG, JPG etc.) If it is a photograph, JPG is the way to go as this shall retain the most quality. If you have something which you want to keep the quality but it doesn't have as many colours as a photograph then a PNG is a good option (or if you have transparent areas). Finally, if it is a small icon, such as a button then a GIF would be most suitable.

Once you've got your file type, you shall want to play around with some of the settings when exporting, for example I personally wouldn't export a JPG with a quality set higher than 80%.
Once you think you've got it as small as you can in your image software, you can try one final step to really squeeze the most out of it by using a compression utility. I personally have two favourites, PNG Gauntelet for, as the name suggests... PNGs or something called Caesium for anything else. Both these are really good, and personally I've had results of up to 75% smaller than PhotoShop can make the image.

It shall all depend on the context for the image, but play around with both ways. If you're image is only 250px by 250px on the site, don't use an image which is 750px by 750px. Shrink the dimensions to 250px by 250px and then try compressing it.

Good luck!

 

[Dayvo]

Right, hypothetically, if a group of say a dozen or so CC members managed to agree on a week to Cyprus, would you be able to accommodate us and possibly give us a small discount?

I'm just getting the feelers out for a CC ride () to Cyprus next October.

 

[ColinJ]

Right, hypothetically, if a group of say a dozen or so CC members managed to agree on a week to Cyprus, would you be able to accommodate us and possibly give us a small discount?

I'm just getting the feelers out for a CC ride () to Cyprus next October.

It's a nice idea, but I would prefer an early spring holiday to look forward to at the end of the winter, rather than have a lovely autumn holiday and then have to come home to the winter!

 

[BigonaBianchi]

The best time to ride here is late march early april because its not so hot, but warm, and the island is greener at that time of year. It's good now, but not as picturesque as it will be in april because we'e had a long hot summer with no rainfall until yesterday really when it opened up during my ride lol!

The resort here has plenty of room so yes if you wan tto come on over come on over..i will be guiding rides by then....