A holiday in Provence?

[zapatak]

Hi there,

just about finished renovating the ruin which we have converted into our house, we are opening for paying guests this summer. The web site was made with Antenna and I would be happy to offer a 10% discount to any forum members and their families...

www.acdv.eu

Hope to see you soon

zapatak

[Frank]

The idea is great. but the images are kind of large, that first image is 4.7 mg. If you mouse over the "painted" images you'll see the actual image... the place is beautiful just like you describe I'm not sure the painted to real image is needed. I also couln't figue out how to go "home" (to the index page)

Frank

[zapatak]

Hi Frank, thanks for your comments. Point taken about the image size although download times are acceptable. Most people find the impressionist/realist effect interestingly intruiging, the link being that impressionism started in France. As for the links to the home page... you can't be looking in the right places, there is one on every page. All that said, can I sign you up for a week in september

Best wishes

zap

[Frank]

Point taken... to see the actual download time..remeber you see it fast because its on already on your pc.
go to the site once there hit ctrl + F5 and it will clear cache for that site. Now you'll see the real load speed.
Just food for thought.

Frank

[Graham]

When I looked at it the images slowly drop in like being on a dialup internet connection due to the size of them and I have a very fast connection here.
As Frank suggested make the images smaller.

A few ways to do it is use PhotoRazor that is built into Antenna by double clicking on the image or you can download the stand alone program from Stormdance site.

www.stormdance.net/software/photorazor/software%20overview.htm

If you have PNG files here is a great little tool to reduce them without loosing quality

tinypng.org/

Looking at the menu on the Gite page you have a spelling mistake for Swimming Pool, you missed out an m
On the weather page there is no return link back

Graham

[zapatak]

Hi Graham,

Thanks for picking up on the typo. My wife tells me that she saw it but was going to tell me later..... The only large file on the site was the initial one which Frank kindly pointed out and has now been replaced. All the rest had already been given the photo razor treatment. The return link on the 'Weather' page is the text, Au Coeur des Vignes. Thanks for the feedback. zap

[Frank]

That is 1000 time faster!
Frank

[Graham]

I found another typo on the menu and its DiningRoom it should be Dining Room

Also like Frank the painted images for me personally makes it look like they are very poor quality. It took me ages to realise if you place the mouse over them they go the the normal image.
I must admit it's quite off putting for me to see a site that looks like that, after the look of the home page I would be gone in seconds.
Not sure if that is a necessary thing.

Graham

[Frank]

Hi zap I IM you via the forum.
Frank

[zapatak]

Hi there Graham,

Many thanks for your comments, I have corrected the two instances of the typo. As for the impressionist images, I'm afraid that I have to disagree with you. I feel it is a question of adopting ones presentation to the aspirations of your clientele. If we were hoping to sell the latest gadget or energy drink I would adopt a much more, 'In your face/kiss ass' approach. However as we are trying to entice people to share our home for a while, which for most families is a serious matter needing careful consideration, I felt that a more subtle approach was required to differentiate us from the competition and conversely to filter/select the sensibilities of our future house guests.
The number of available beds and weeks in a summer tends to limit our earning potential but the site has only been online 8 days and we are already almost half full. The comments from our clients have been very positive regarding the images.

Thanks again for your comments.

Zap

[Frank]

The trick is that it's already working for you! If it conveys what you are offering then it's perfect!
Already taking reservationss!! congratulation!
I hope you're packed from here on.
oui.
(the extent of my French!)
Frank