Suggestions for improvement for this web site I designed

[chamferface]

Do you have any suggestions for improvement for this web site I designed?

http://www.cardiffbuddhistcentre.com/final

I used tables because I know very little about CSS and HTML. Please take into consideration that the people who would visit this web site would have very little interested in the aesthetics of the site.

I look forward to your reply.

[John G]

The amount of links is overwhelming. Consolidate where possible (most pages are a paragraph or two) (you might use subs also, but I kinda doubt the need). I.e. facilities, schools + retreats could probably be on the same page. Emulate more what you did on the "breathworks" section. Highlight, pullout, illustration... something to make the viewer actually want to be dragged through a paragraph, keep it broken up as well.

[chamferface]

I was looking more for comments about the design rather than content of the web site, as we are collaboratively working on the content (it hasn't been finished yet), so forgive us if the content looks a little minimal.

[John G]

Please take into consideration that the people who would visit this web site would have very little interested in the aesthetics of the site.
que?

It is what it is. It's nothing ground breaking, but it gets the information out in an easy to understand and use way. The top bar and pictures don't function terribly well together though and they looked blocked in with the gradient the way it is. The pictures are the complete total focal point for the site right now and I don't think that's what would be best. With such a fixed navigation have a more concrete connection from the banner, the navigation and the footer could help to further unify your elements.

The logo in the top left has a nice treatment, but it's text is hard to read with the two circles cutting down between it (also I might suggest a bolder font than the straight up arial look). I also think the color is a little garish past it's use in the logo symbol but I'm assuming there's probably some relation with the salmon color and the buddhist thing.

With the varying amount of information in the site there are plenty of things that could be used to play off with colors and design. Yogo mat patterns for instance, calming colors. Changing font colors slightly rather than all straight black for everything (and purple on the "what's on" page?).

Just noticed but somethings up with your slices on some pages. Look at the banner and, click on 'breathworks' and then on 'retreats'. There's a movement in there, it happens with other pages as well.

[chamferface]

que?
I also think the color is a little garish past it's use in the logo symbol but I'm assuming there's probably some relation with the salmon color and the buddhist thing.

You should have seen the orange on the other site we did. One of my colleagues really wanted the site to have the same orange as the signage, and that colour is very garish. I've attached a picture.