http://www.sstours.net

Just looking for general comments on the basic layout and design.

I also would like suggestions for what to put in the empty space below the search box.

Thanks!

http://www.sstours.net

Some padding and such would be nice around the main text and in the Upcoming Tours section below the main section. It would be nice to see those thumbnails centered too.

Is there a reason you use an image map for navigation when simple text would do? Using an image map forces image rollovers when simple CSS would handle the task. Additionally, your site is simple enough that a non-table layout would be pretty easy to tackle.

If you move your search box into the header, moved the pic below the search box into the main content (and floated it so the text went around it), then you wouldn't have blank space below the search box anymore. If that doesn't work for you, come up with a "Featured Tour" and put it there with a thumbnail similar to lower part.

Thanks Jeremy, most of those are suggestions I hadn't thought about.

I used the image map because I like them, and did contemplate using just text.
However, when I first developed this version of the site (in January) I hadn't learned
much more complex CSS as I have now. Your suggestion to use CSS to mimick a
roll-over is an excellent one.

I will give your suggestions some thought and see what I can come up with.

Thanks so much for your help

Along side throwing alt tags on your pictures and links, I'd recommend filling that gray void to the left with something. Even if it were just a few pictures in the middle it'd be an improvement.

G'luck.

Thanks Max. I know I still need to get my alt tags in there, I just need to get in the habit of putting them on while I am inserting them.

I hate the big gray void to the left. It throws off the balance and look of the page.

Thanks!

the domain is unfortunate to say the least, but the design is quite nice, it just needs finishing off with padding & image sizes. I like it.

What's wrong with the domain? That's their business name. S&S Tours.

can you say "cell padding" cause in IE you aint got none

SS - Shuten Stagen - Elite Nazi Troopers, maybe it's just me.

You're right, I didn't think about that. Her clients are familiar with their name. S & S stands for Steve and Sandi.

I may look into another alternative for a domain name though since they are so cheap. I'm not sure when the current
registration is due to expire.

Thanks for your thoughts.

very good website indeed, adding to what have been said the logo is a bit too simple, the table of content is pretty much "dead", the dark color kills the dark text and u should some sort of table color or something similar to that.

You could add the words "S&S Tours" on top, I think it would look nice right on top of that mountain peak image in the header. Otherwise, how do we know (immediately and without question) that we've arrived at the S&S Tours website, especially if it was found through a search engine? Do they have a slogan for their business? I'd put that up there too. Bold navy letters...

Also I wouldn't be too inclined to scroll aaalllll the way down on the home page to find the list of "Upcoming Day Tours" after all that writing. I think those day tours would fill in all that blank space on the left hand side quite nicely. Maybe just text listings... those thumbnails are monotonous and really wouldn't influence my decision on whether or not to follow that Day Tour's link... or maybe use thumbnails of the unique images on each Day Tour's page. I associate a picture of an apple with the Big Apple. "Hey look, there's an apple, what's that? How about that jewelry, what kind of tour is that?"

Another idea: Center your search box, then move Steve and Sandi's picture from the right hand side to just above the search. Or put their picture above even that... in the blue, right across from the S&S Tours heading that I suggested. People see their picture and associate them with S&S tours. All of a sudden they are real people and not just another nameless, faceless company.

Then stretch your text out so it fills more of the page and (as everyone else already said) give it some cell padding. That should minimize scrolling.

#E6E3DF on the left hand side might complement the navy main table color a little better. The colors are good, but I couldn't help feeling they are just a bit off. Try ColorImpact, it's a great program for complex color schemes.

Otherwise the layout is nice and clean, and I love the oranges and blues. Good luck.