Http://www.srjwebdesign.co.uk

I have produced the following site to act as a basis for my portfolio. Any opinons on the design and layout most appreciated.

My site

Cheers

Hi,

When I go to the index page the first thing which catches my eye are the two images at the bottom - W3C compliant. Most people wanting a website won't have a clue what these mean and they will just distract.

How about some arty images on the index page instead?

Second, the main text is too long. I start reading then my mind is going blah, blah, blah. Bullet some important points but the front page should explain exactly what you're about and what you offer. In simple terms.

On the portfolio I went immediately to click the images to go to the websites in question - suggest adding a link there. Oh, an make the link to open a new window so the punters don't have to leave your site to see what you can do elsewhere. They won't be able to get themselves back otherwise.

By the way, I'd recommend adding a bunch of new sites to your portfolio even if it means doing them free for local charities or whatever. I wouldn't use a designer with 2 sites to their name and one image only.

Sorry to be a bit negative

yes
I see the problem I went to that site and as soon as I saw it I was like... "I see what that guy means by needing some pictures!" I dont get this site at all

Sorry for being horrible! Its a great design but just need to jazz it up a bit!

Im sure you do a great job

remove those W3C links, your website is not valid xhtml.
http://validator.w3.org/check?uri=h...design.co.uk%2F
and once you do fix it (if you bother to fix it) put such link so that people
who cares for standards won't have to manually enter your URL like I did:

apart of that nice website, nice and simple.

Cheers for the feedback guys.

The suggestions youhave made i will look into changing as they sound good ideas. I know what you mean about the home page lacking imges ( i thought that myself). Have you any suggestions on what to put there??

The portfolio is something that i am going to look into, as i am only really using the website to help me apply for web design jobs not actually run my own business. I was planning on advertising in my local paper.

The validation issues are now sorted ( i changed a few things before i went live and they were obviousley done wrong)

many thanks for the help

if you want a sign to show your work, or abilities is what you are trying to show, then this is what it should show.

have a nice little bit of flash
some java menues
an rss news feed,

some nice crossed over floating divs with text
a pop up window

a dynamic dropdown box some colours that are researched for accessability.

ie what will my site look like to color blind, partial blind, people that dont see blue etc

your ability to provide a site than can be listened to, have you ever used a blind mans web browser, it is very strange, but web sites need to be compliant with that software.

express emotion, and show your personality at the same time,, have a couple of pics of you having a laugh, or with the family on holiday, LIFE mate, if this is to sell yourself, then you have to sell, sell, sell can you make a form? do it, whatever you can do, show it.

That mate, doesent have to look the greatest, or have to be interesting.......... what is has to do, IS SHOW YOU !!!! AND YOUR ABILITY!

hope this helps