Evolution of a website

[Alex Bishop-Thorpe]

I started my website about a year ago, and in that time it's gone through four different versions. I keep all my old files, so I figured I'd upload the old versions so you can see how it's evolved - hopefully it will help some people with ideas for their websites.

Version 1
Link: Dead Link Removed
The first version, got it online early December, 2006. Pretty basic, with the little duck logo in the corner. One broad gallery.

Version 2
Link: Dead Link Removed
Second version. One side menu, and the gallery is split between colour and black and white. More text heavy - there was a news page and projects and articles. The Contact page has a little message form. Generally, more complicated. Still in a grey/white colour scheme.

Version 3
Link: Dead Link Removed
Moved to a black colour scheme, split up the gallery, got rid of the articles and project pages. Got rid of the statistics page.

Version 4
Link: Dead Link Removed
The current version! Like all the others, an ongoing work in progress. Reduced the text again, got rid of the film+camera+lens information with each photo. Takes advantage of more of the screen, moved to a white/grey colour scheme. Re-wrote the profile page, updated the personal comments, got rid of the news section, and a new logo.

I didn't want to over do the text to the point it was distracting, and the photos had to be easy to get to and navigate through. Stuff like the news system and statistics (site hits/hits per photo), weren't really necessary.
Simple navigation, basic information, and focusing attention directly on the photos works best, I think.
Comments and suggestions welcome - what're your experiences?

 

[MenacingTourist]

I like the progression.
I'm in a similar boat and working on my new redesign as well. My biggest headache is trying to find a way to not have such a sucky download wait. I have lots of images and am open to suggestions

http://www.menacingtourist.com/
Right now only the design and painting pages are up.