Dave, it's a good start.

Did you design the site?

I'd say the only thing I would change is the drop shadows. Get rid of 'em.

You mean on the signature/ mowery consulting part and the money, message media part?

the handwritten thing up top is my handwriting and I gave Patrick some general parameters to work with, but the design was done by him.

GAAH.

So the takeover has begun? WE GOIN PLATINUM!

It's pretty simplistic which is nice. You can alway add to it as you go.

I like the "logo". I don't like the fonts on the paragraphs on each page.

For some reason it just looks like it was typed on a word doc or something.

That's the only criticism I can come up with. The content looks good Garnce, specifically the shout out to the Dawgs.

The line between too much and too little is so razor thin, you have to keep it as simple as possible, without using Times New Roman or Helvetica, ya know?

The other thing is, to make it readable over the puzzle part, you have to add that sort of "paper" thing.

yeah, at the top. would look better/cleaner with no drop shadow.

the script/signature looks good to me though.

well done, and congrats on the new venture dude.

Thanks for th constructive criticism - so rare around here these days.
I am pretty fucking enthusiastic - time to print money!

The first is a good, catchy phrase.
But, as a politician, don't you have to think about appearances and how it looks being associated with a firm that's so much about money that it has it in its tag?

The second one is just not catchy.

I like the way you phrased it;
"Independent, forward-thinking"
But yeah, that is cliché.

Another way to bring it about?

How about a metaphor for growth and spreading of the message?
Playing off the grassroots thing (which, after the president's success using such methods, should be very attractive to any candidate):

Here's your tag:
Grow a message

or
("Grow your message"?)

Make your website options the following:
Roots • Ground • Growth • Fruits

Stack them bottom to top, in the order above.
Use a tree/plant motif for your site design.

There are many other ways to go with it, too.

Just a thought, off the cuff.

I thought the three M's were "Molos, Mongers and Martinis"

Glad you didn't use flash. I hate flash websites. Its pretty basic but works and is easily navigated. I'm sure you'll continue to flesh out.

My only criticism is your use of "unparalleled" in your bio. Not to take away from your accomplishments but you aren't the only one to have won two elections. Its just a pet peeve of mine when people say that.

agreed. it tends to be overused quite a bit. there's no need for it on a site like this.

Not sure my input has any weight here, but:

My main problem is the lack of delineation of elements -- the whole page is basically an undifferentiated white field, with no real contrast or lines to tell my eyes where to go. As a result, my eyes go first to the flag peaking through the puzzle, which is probably the least important thing about the page, and then to the logo, which obviously you want me to see but I don't need to dwell on.

I'm also with Dalen on the drop shadows, but I have similar issues with the font effects generally. The shiny embossed letters are circa-1998 PaintShop Pro business -- they look like puffpaint. I think the handwritten logo looks good otherwise, but I'd probably make it smaller and separate it from the rest of the content more clearly.

I'll second BG on the navigability of the site. Have it simple but not too simple with just the right amount of ancillary flourishes to accent it. I think too many people forget that websites are supposed to be functional. We want information and need to quickly, but we need to trust the information too.

Congrats!

Put simply, a dude that went to Auburn designed your website



Also, not sure that sunglasses on the top of your head in a business pic is such a great idea (re: Patrick).

I'll cosign the drop shadow comments...the front page looks a little dated in general. Not a big fan of the transparency of the puzzle piece behind the text. Putting anything behind a large piece of important text distracts from the text itself. A few simple changes and it could be pretty nice...just my thoughts.

We're all internerds, and I know a lot of y'all do this type of thing for a living, or have done it in the past, so I posted because I want the input.

We will definitely be making some changes - I just needed to get it up and a press release out TODAY, because campaign season starts here June 1 - so the next 2 weeks will be filled up stories @ that, and not me.

So, by this do you mean making the puzzle effect smaller, and moving the text so it is below it, and not obv. in a "text box"?

yeah, something like that...if it were me I would only have the puzzle piece behind the LLC name.

Or put the LLC name ON a puzzle piece that fits the space.

ewww.

paper has the right idea.

Yeah, pretty cheesy.
It's fun to throw shit like that out there, though. As long as there's a missing puzzle piece anyway.

i'll second that.
I like most of the elements, they just seem to be competing with each other.

You should talk about your ability to reach the little people and include this pic:

As a counterpoint, the body language isn't telling me that you're poised to jump into action for your client(s). I'd swap this picture out.

I know you're probably starting to get different advice from everyone, but here's what I'd suggest:

Keep the puzzle graphic smaller and in its own area, not behind any text.

Probably make the main logo smaller, and "tighten" things up a little. I know that's kinda vague, but I think all of this could be more nicely fit into a smaller space and feel more organized. And yeah, no drop shadows.

The side navigation could probably be moved to the bottom of the page, and the whole design could sort of be "letterboxed" - Money Message Media header/nav. above the letterbox and Services, About Us, etc. nav. below it. Inside the box would be the body of text on the right and the puzzle piece graphic on the left.

Just my idea of how this could be neatened up and made to look more professional. There are any number of ways you could go with it.

Completely nitpicky, but I suggest dropping the LLC. It's clumsy and adds no value outside of how you drew up the paperwork. Think about pitching for Bass Pro Shops LLC or Nike, Inc. It's just not necessary.

OVERALL, though, I love that it's not some goofball Flashturbation.

It's a legal thing. Srsly. In Alabama if you don't use it, you don't have protection.