Opinions on our new website please : )

[Couture TB]

So until I can get our older website updated, having tech issues, I made a quickie website. Would love some opinions on it:)

http://www.centervalleysporthorses.webs.com

Thanks in advance!

[TikiSoo]

Remember, you asked for opinions. Bear in mind, I know nada about sport horses, but looking from a designer's point of view. Even though it's a "quickie", if your web site looks amatuerish, your business will too.

Is the top link/banner necessary? It really distracts from your message.

The backround, title and link fonts are not very eye catching or classy colors, way too pale and soft. Take a hint from the flashing ads to the right --->

I would create a stronger home page with an overview description of what you do, where you're located, who is owner/trainer/staff and eliminate the "about us" link.
Your "logo" photo should be biggest on the page with "Center Valley Sport Horses" imbedded within the photo. You could add "Current News" under that. I like the size of the photos, but having the text next to the pics would look nicer.

Looking at your links, I'm really disappointed in your photos. They are not professional looking in lighting, composition or color/contrast. Take some time, or hire a pro to take really good photos. Even a bad photo can be "tweaked" for color & brightness/contrast.
I would also have liked to see a photo of your barns, facility, pastures.

I did a "quickie" page too, for my pony with uveitis. Free "webpage in a can" programs can still be eye catching and interesting with good photos & text:
http://home.earthlink.net/~streamliner/_wsn/page4.html
Although you can make yourself look stupid misspelling in the first sentence like I did! (diagnosed-oy!)

If you want your web site to "speak for your business", it should look as unique and special as you are. Even though I'm a designer myself, I hired another designer to build my web site for HER ideas and contributions. All I did was provide the text & photos. Worth every penny.

[twofatponies]

So until I can get our older website updated, having tech issues, I made a quickie website. Would love some opinions on it:)

http://www.centervalleysporthorses.webs.com

Thanks in advance!

I disagree a little (though not completely!) with TikiSoo. If you can find a template that lets you put the name of the farm across the top instead of off in a corner, that would be great. And I agree, I'd make the "about us" page the homepage, rather than the news page (I take it you are using a blog as a website? You can usually choose to display any other page as the home page, rather than defaulting to the news/blog part as the home page. I assume the ads come with the "free" blog.)

And I would agree with Tiki that a stronger color for the headlines (not rose pink, maybe dark blue or maroon?) would be better.

I'm going to give a pass to picture quality as they are mostly video stills. But replace them with pro photos when you can!

Good luck getting your original site fixed.

[Chall]

A+ on the load speed. It is so annoying (I'm spoiled) to wait while pictures download. Fast, crisp spells professional. I like the "less is more" descriptions. All links were fast. I do agree with prior poster that it would benefit you to have professional shots. The jumping shot especially. But since you've taken the time to make the pictures "small" they do load quickly.
I might change the font to a darker caller, just because it's easier to read.
Regarding the banner, does that come as part of the package or make it free to host your web site. I understand that.
Otherwise I think its great.