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Critics Wanted - What don't you like about my childcare website

150 replies

nannynick · 30/05/2007 19:31

My Babysitting Website has had a little revamp over the past couple of days.
I would love you to tell me what you Dislike about my site... for example, was there something you would want to see, but didn't find? Do you think the colour scheme is horrible? Do you think it contains too much information, or too little information?

Come on, be as nasty as you like... tell me what you dislike. Many thanks.

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
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southeastastra · 30/05/2007 19:33

wow only had a quick scan but you sound great! pity you're not in herts

Original poster
nannynick · 30/05/2007 19:33

Feel free to browse around as much as you like. Interesting to know which page you view, after the home page.

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LoveMyGirls · 30/05/2007 19:33

The first thing i thought as it opened was that the green is too in your face and the red makes it hard to read the writing so i guess my hting is i dont like the colours, sorry but you did ask!

How much of a pain is it to change this?

LoveMyGirls · 30/05/2007 19:36

Also noticed a tiny typo

How can I guarantee you this, easy... I myself am the babysitter. I am a qualified and experienced nanny, who has cared for a huge number of children since I first started working in childcare in 1989. Having worked in pre-school/playgroup, children's day nurseries and with families like you own, I have over the years cared for children aged from 3-days old to teenagers

Original poster
nannynick · 30/05/2007 19:37

The redish background colour is easy to change. However I am not sure what colour would fit well. Previously I tried white - but it looked boring. I wear a sort of uniform, which has a red top, thus why I choose red.

My car is navy blue... would that be any better?

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SenoraPostrophe · 30/05/2007 19:39

it's the black text on red that's the problem. why not change the text at the very top to white, and make the box underneath a white box with a red outline instead of a red box?

AlienEars · 30/05/2007 19:41

Another little typo for you:

When I babysit, some children are already in bed... others are not. I do not mind either way, as with young it is best to sick with their usual routine

and you are missing an apostrophe from "Nicks" here and there.

Original poster
nannynick · 30/05/2007 19:41

Thanks, typo fixed.

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ruddynorah · 30/05/2007 19:42

i think you should explain further up that you nanny during term time...otherwise it comes across like why is this highly qualified and experienced nanny doing ad hoc babysitting.

LoveMyGirls · 30/05/2007 19:43

Another little typo

"Hello Nick. I'm delighted to write this note of recommendation for you! I have twin 3 year old boys, one of whom is autistic and has a congenital defect relating to his bladder. Neither boy had (when we first met Nick) been looked after by anyone other than their Great Grandmother or half sisters. I was a little worried as to how they would react and respond to him; but before Nick could take his shoes off he had been presented with half of the toy box! I had nothing more to worry about! Nick is always punctual, police and the children love him. Praising Nick too highly will mean that his schedule will be even more difficult to slot into - but he deserves that! Good childminding, babysitting, call it what you will is very hard to find, and Nick is by far the best. - Mrs O'Neill"

WigWamBam · 30/05/2007 19:44

You have some question marks instead of apostrophes in the Terms and Conditions section ("client?s").

LoveMyGirls · 30/05/2007 19:44

It is a fab service btw nick and i would reccomend you but i live in the midlands

ruddynorah · 30/05/2007 19:44

also is there a picture of you on it?

Original poster
nannynick · 30/05/2007 19:44

Text colour of top block (bullet list) changed to white... you will need to Refresh (Ctrl-F5) to see the change, so your browser reloads the CSS file.

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Ladymuck · 30/05/2007 19:46

One comment on terms and conditions - it says that you require dinner if the booking is prior to 7. Personally I would find that a bit restrictive, certainly as I will have fed the children somewhere between 5 and 6, so would feel obliged to prepared a more adult meal for yourself. If I'm going to a concert or a show then I would need to have a sitter from 6 or 6:30. I'm assuming that you've got this in because you may be going back to back with your day job, but it would put me off (I'll have to see what is in my agency contract though!).

Otherwise the site looks good. I think that you've made the right call re registration as presumably you have a limited number of slots!

Original poster
nannynick · 30/05/2007 19:49

Thanks for spotting the typos... I'm not great at spotting those myself.

No picture of me on the site at the moment. There is one in the brochure. I just don't have any good pics of myself.

RuddyNorah - good idea, explaining that I nanny during term time may be a good thing to add.

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SenoraPostrophe · 30/05/2007 19:51

yes that's much better.

devil · 30/05/2007 19:52

I think your website is excellent,all the information is available that you need.

lljkk · 30/05/2007 19:56

Home page is a bit long and run-on, would prefer headings to link to bits below. Sort of summary bullet points of the sections to come.

Original poster
nannynick · 30/05/2007 19:57

The trouble with food is that in my daytime job, I don't often get evening meal. Therefore if I am going straight out babysitting, I don't get to eat at all. That clause came about because some of my clients started providing me with dinner. Not had any complaints about it, though I can see that it may put some parents off.

Regarding registration, I feel this is vital, as I don't want to be caring for children I've never met. I don't feel it is right for children to be left with a complete stranger - only fair that they get to meet me during their waking hours, first. Also it enables me to find their home during daylight hours, some properties can be tricky to find. Also, I have to have some details for insurance purposes, so it helps having a registration form.

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NKF · 30/05/2007 19:57

I find that scrolling down rather hard work. I prefer to read the info via links.

Apostrophe on Nick's?

Katymac · 30/05/2007 19:58

I personnally don't like the photos at the top, I think they need a little border/space round them - rather than butt up to each other

But you did ask us to be picky

Original poster
nannynick · 30/05/2007 20:00

I had not intended that the home page would be fully read by a human. Google and other search engines like having content to index, thus why the home page contains a lot of info.

Some visitors to the site spend less than 20 seconds on the home page, while others can spend 5 minutes or more. So some visitors must be reading the whole page, while others look at the bit 'above the fold' and click a menu button.

Is having all the content on the home page useful... or is it better to split it up across multiple pages?

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Chandra · 30/05/2007 20:01

Well... I had a look at it to see the web design, and... ended up trying to find out if you offered services in my area, so I suppose it's VERY effective!!!

I also like that it doesn't look done by a professional designer, it feels "homely" rather than business like which gives me some re assurance.

Original poster
nannynick · 30/05/2007 20:06

You are all so great for giving me your time and views, it is really appreciated

Always hard to evaluate yourself what looks good and bad, and ugly! So it is great to have all your criticism. Keep it coming... I do really appreciate your comments.

Would less photos in the heading be better?
Anyone else got any views regarding the photos?

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