Template design up for grabs - $150

[Adam M]

(Admin code added by Palmer - 991257)

Hi Guys,

I am a computer reseller in Australia. I am setting up my business using product specific websites. e.g. a website just for Compaq Laptops. This site is already completed (myself) and as you can see is pretty basic and amateurish. Compaq Laptop (http://www.compaqlaptop.com.au)

I purchased a template from template monster and began working on the new Toshiba Laptop site. I don’t have the time or to be honest I am worried about this one turning out much the same as my Compaq site.

This is where you guys come in. I would like a new Toshiba site. :)

You can look at what I started at Toshiba Website (http://www.compaqlaptop.com.au/index1.htm#)

Here what I am after, a logo, my business name is Discount Computers Australia. But I also want the web address in there somewhere so viewers know they are at a site just selling Toshiba Laptops.
A template with the products on the index page:
Products include: Satellite, Satellite Pro, Tecra, Protégé, Handhelds (e350, e740, e570, and e750), Memory upgrades, ex demo & 2nd hand, Accessories)
The links are: Home, orders, contact, warranty, Toshiba website. The index pages needs to include a link to messenger and to my Compaq site. Also to include a little writing about the Company. A also always have offers to get customers to but computers so a place where I can place these, I will post the offers shortly.
The page has to be not so big so to load fast, the gifs and jepgs have to have keywords attached. The whole site has to be search engine friendly, so to get a high placing in Goggle.

You can use flash if you wish; you can also use the images I already have. A little creativity won’t hurt though.

Are you sick off searching through the web and finding boring computer websites selling not so boring computer gear? Me to, here is your chance to change that.

Once this is finish I will be looking again to have my Compaq Site redone.

Any questions please dont hesitate to ask. Good Luck.

[BrianDove]

G'day mate !
I'll throw something for ya soon mate,
C ya brew!
Brian

[Adam M]

Originally posted by koolbrian@Jul 30 2003, 05:21 AM
C ya brew!

Brian do you know what a Brew is, slang for tea or coffee. So i will see ya brew and up ya two. :lol: Seriously looking forward to your work.

[Palmer]

We're working on Brian's english. French is his language :D

[BrianDove]

oops, i thought "brew" meant "brother"
Brian

[marengo]

:D Hello, Adam,
what about deadline ? Thanks. :)

[BrianDove]

:wacko:
Deadline is VERY important for us: we have TONS of work, so we can "organise" it better...
:ph34r:
:lol:

[Adam M]

Yeah sorry guys, how about the 7 Aug.

I have been looking around and I can give you some cool and not so cool sites.

Cool Toshiba (http://www.toshiba.com/) :tup:
Toshiba USA (http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/pc/pd/cs_home.jsp)

Not so cool F#$*ing Boring (http://www.pcsc.com.au/) :tdown:
would you put your name to this??? (http://www.laptop.com.au/)

Can you include a search on the template for me aswel.

Cheers

[marengo]

Thanks for info. Count me in. :)

[marengo]

Hello, Adam,

I need your opinion about my idea. I've designed 1st (home) page, if I'm on the right way, I can continue make a subpage, work over details such as icons, separators etc...
Demo of the index_page (http://marengo.neopages.net/toshiba/demo1.htm)

Thanks alot,
Nat

[Adam M]

Hi Nat,

I think the logo needs to more dynamic, the current is a little dull.

The huge gap where the logo is and where the site starts is a little boring also.

The offers that I give away with my products are a huge selling point for my website so them being down the bottom and not standing out on the site is useless. I would like the Toshiba laptop.net.au to be more prominate than the discount computers australia as I want people to know there in a Toshiba Laptop only site straight away.

The link to my compaq site has to be a stand alone that stands out so that if customers, wanted to purchase a toshiba the compaq link would be the pretty obvious next option.

I think the whole layout looks maybe too much like the Toshiba web site. I just want you to be a little more imaginative.

I hope I havent been to critical. I look forward to seeing more work.

[platinum]

Originally posted by koolbrian@Jul 30 2003, 05:47 PM
oops, i thought "brew" meant "brother"
Brian
"bro" is the word :D



I'll have an entry for this soon B)

[marengo]

Originally posted by Adam M@Aug 2 2003, 09:54 PM


Hello , Adam,

I'm sorry you don't like anything in my layout. :cry: The logo and gaps can be re-worked easily.

As for whole layout, not only toshiba or compaq use the same layouts: big abstract illustration,
huge table under that etc. Really alot of sites use the same principe, because it looks modern and fresh.

Thanks alot for feed-back. You weren't too critical. :)
Best regards,
Nat

[Adam M]

Everyone,
Just so your aware, the site must contain a
index page (this has to be eye catching),
a products page,
and then just a basic page so I can add my contact details ect.

These second two dont have to started until the contest winner is decided. All I require to choose the winner is the home page. B)

[Palmer]

Adam, can we have an extension on this deadline? I think you deserve more choices. I may be able to drum up a few more as well as enter one myself.

Let me know.

[Adam M]

Yeah I will give a two day extension. Is this a normal practice I didn’t think I was asking any thing that difficult? :(

[BrianDove]

wait for my entry!
in a few hours...
thanks :P
Brian

[martincrumlish]

I am working on something as well...

[Palmer]

Originally posted by Adam M@Aug 7 2003, 02:19 AM
Yeah I will give a two day extension. Is this a normal practice I didn’t think I was asking any thing that difficult? :(
As a rule, no. It really all depends on how busy everyone is with their current clients/school/work/family and how many current template contests we have going. I have the designers start from a blank canvas so it takes quite a bit of time to make one. It wasn't anything you did or asked for., it's our fault.

Looks like you have 2 more coming and I'm going to try to get one in as well. I apologize for the delay.

[BrianDove]

my entry:

[Palmer]

I used placeholder images from your compaq site. Hope you like it :)
<img src='http://www.yourwebbuddy.com/templates/toshiba/1.png[/img]

[Adam M]

Hello All, Because I am so far away "downunder" are time difference stuffs us around a little. Palmer It would it be ok if you could make the toshiba a little bigger, you can get rid of the discount computers australia on the top as I will probably use a logo I made up for the time being until I get a logo made up from you guys later. The logo will probably go down the bottom somewhere.

[BrianDove]

Hi Adam,
Any feedback on my entry would be great :)
Brian

[martincrumlish]

Hi,

Sorry for the delay in my entry.....let me know what you think.

Martin

[Adam M]

Hi Brian, with the discount computers australia you could take it out and replace it with the Toshibalaptop.net.au. I am going to put a logo down the bottom somewhere. It isnt real important that people know about discount computers australia until they purchase. I would like them to know they are in Toshiba Laptop site straight away. With the products there has to be spaces for at least six.

A large image somewhere on the index page looks good as well I think. :D

[Adam M]

Martin, Now this is going to make it a litte harder.

I need a search on the front index page.

May be also a large image like palmer, in the top right corner. eg someone using a wireless notebook.

I need a space for a weekly speacail and some offers I give away.

The home - orders ect need to maybe stand out a bit more

remember that the page has to be quick loading for guys that dont have high speed net.

but all is coming along fine :tup:

[Adam M]

Palmer, could you please include the compaq link and MSN messenger on the page somewhere.

In the grey boxed area could you seperate it, so that I could include a weekly offer which will be a image of of laptop the specs and price and also my free give aways. So basicly use that area for the site promo's. :) :rolleyes: :D

[Palmer]

I'll try to make the updates but in case I don't find the time before the deadline, those details can be worked out after the contest if you select mine as the winner.

[martincrumlish]

Hi Adam,

I am at work at the moment so I will be able to make those changes for you later this evening.

Martin

[martincrumlish]

Here's my latest entry.

The site will be optimised for fast download. For this reason I have kept the image I added in the top right to a medium size, this will help cut download time but I also think that it is more subtle and keeps the focus on the purpose of your site - the advertised products.

Let me know what you think.

Martin

[Palmer]

Working on my update right now. I'll post it in less than an hour.

[Palmer]

Here's the update...

http://www.yourwebbuddy.com/templates/toshiba/2.png

[Adam M]

it has taken me a while to choose and I have decided to go for the design by palmer. Thanks for all the entries and I will be looking in the near future to have another site done. Thanks again. :tup:

[Palmer]

Thanks Adam. We'll continue this by email :)

[martincrumlish]

well done Palmer, good work!