This is part 2 of this series. You can view Part 1 here.

I decided to split the main screen in 2 sections, after the “slideshow” on the billboard. One section will cover copy about myself, talents, skills, etc. and the right sidebar will include “Services” and “Design by Satori featured in”.

The sidebar will change according to whatever page I’m on and display information with links for easy navigation. For example, if on “Portfolio” page, the sidebar will include:

• Web Portfolio – with copy and my best samples
• Before & After Design Portfolio – section with jobs I took over and redesigned sites for clients
• Logo & Branding Portfolio – samples of my work along with copy of logo and branding
• Brochures Portfolio
• Print Portfolio
• Graphics Portfolio

For the “Portfolio” page I am currently using thumbnails but after reading some more on Smashing Magazine, I reached the conclusion that thumbnails should be eliminated and large pictures of the design work should be displayed without leaving people guess what every thumbnail would be.

An explanation of each project will be a nice add-on (and that will give me some more tags and keywords that would please the All Mighty Google). Of course “Calls to Action” with “Contact” information would be present next to each project, allowing the web viewer to immediately take action once convinced the work is up to his/her standards.

In conclusion – the below shows where the change will occur:

Existing Design

Proposed Design

Another area that I think needs to exapand is the “Resources” section due to my belief that people will see you as an expert if you are giving away free resources and hopefully come back for more. More come back visits, translates into higher traffic and higher traffic means more exposure in seach engines and thus more clients.

Speaking of displaying my best work, on the existing site, on the “Portfolio” page, I am using a piece of javascript code called Lightbox. It is an awesome code that allows you to view pictures and chuncks of text on a very cool pop-up window, while the background goes dark. It is customizable and I highly recommend it.

This can be seen in action here and a screenshot below:

The new site will also include many links to my blog – Defactomind.com that should help also Google page ranks. This concludes Part 2 of this series. Click here to go to Part 3 and final of the “Web Redesign”

 Claudiu Geanta is a serial entrepreneur and founder of Design by Satori Inc. & Satori CG Inc.. He helps businesses promote their presence on and off line. He is also an accomplished web designer, book writer and photographer. You can follow him on Twitter.
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