Solicitor's website *snooze*

[LeadMagnet]

It's a time for firsts here for me.
My first design that i'm showing to this forum,
my first page made using css rather than tables for a layout,
my first paying webdesign job.

Eamon Murray & Co. Solicitors

So, take a look and tell me what you think (both from a design and a coding standpoint). I'm still a noob by my own admition so i'll take any thoughts into consideration.

*edit* The ad at the bottom is part of phpnet's deal in return for free hosting so ads are not part of the design unless the client wants some.
Still a work in progress. More pages, a dropdown menu etc.

*edit2* Apart from 1 missing alt attribute, all the other XHTML validation errors are caused by the ad which i can't remove.

[SatanicPenguins]

i like it, i just glanced at the source but it looks to be clean.

Definitely a good start

[LeadMagnet]

I hid the advert using css.
I hope they don't ban my account for that. Haha.
Anyway, now you can see it as i intended it to be seen.

Glad you like it satanicpenguins.

[ianm]

looks about right to me - solicitor wise, nice

[dcpweb]

Hi,

Looks good for the type of client. I like the grey scale effects :)

Overall a nice little site.

regards

[lolly]

Good for starters and nicely coded, I don't like the design that much it all looks a bit over bevelled for me.

You'll find most solicitors sites are quite flat and almost plain with only really the header that has any life....

Thring Townsend Solicitors

Wrigleys Solicitors :: Home

Welcome to Bevans Solicitors

IBB Solicitors - Welcome to IBB

I don't mean to shoot you down as you're just starting out, but from a design point of view I think it's all too over the top. Lots of white space is something I alwys associate with solicitors and heath care sites.

Just simplify it a little.

Nice simple code though.

[LeadMagnet]

I showed them some other designs like what you're talking about (flatter, more whitespace), but they preferred this one.
Thanks for the comments.

I just wish they weren't taking so long with the copy so i can finish this thing off.

[Toon]

It may your first job but don't get into the habit of letting the client tell you what they want it to look like, you're the designer you tell them about trends, grids, colours and effects to ignore, taking into account SEO you can even rip their copy apart and tell them what goes on each page.

Make sure they're aware that they are paying you because you know design and they don't, a little bit of arrogance can go along way.

[LeadMagnet]

Oh they didn't tell me what they wanted it to look like, not really anyway.
They gave me some other websites for solicitors they knew of (which were terrible and i ignored them).
I'm still a beginner, so i don't know alot of these trends, grids, colours and effects to ignore. I'm getting there though. For the most part i'm just going with what i think looks right, though i know i lack alot at the moment.

As for the copy, i've told them what i want them to write out and when i get it, i'll be using only what i want to use. I have been trying (with some success) to impress upon them my VAST knowledge in this area, so they're leaving it mostly at my discretion so far.

[LeadMagnet]

well, that job's FINALLY done with. Months later than it should have been completed.

Eamon Murray & Co. Solicitors

It's still not as completed as i would have liked, but that's their fault. I eventually got ****** off with them and set a deadline (end of october) for them to send me the final information that they had ready for ages but wouldn't send me.

They never did, so i removed that section, uploaded it as it was. Job done, thank you, don't come back pls.