How many clicks can you tolerate?

I've gone back and forth in my mind on this question, and have read pros and cons for each side. The issue is this. On my website there is a link for "My galleries" when you hover over it you get a dropdown for the various topics. If you click on, say, "Land and Seascapes", it opens to a thumbnail page showing small thumbs of the images in that gallery. If you then click on the thumbnail it will open the image larger and place smaller thumbs on the right side for navigation. The issue is whether the first thumb page is neccesary. Would it be better to go directly from the home page to the large images with navigation thumbs on the right? Some people have said they like the slightly larger thumbs as it gives the opportunity to see the image a little better, and then they can decide to click for the full size view or not. It seems a double edges sword to me.

So how many clicks can you tolerate? By the way, I currently have my cart disabled while I review pricing. I know someone will mention that :-)

Here is a link to the site www.dwphotoworks.com

Thanks for any thoughts either way.

Replies

Barrie Lynn Bryant July 5, 2015 at 8:56am

I don't have any problem with the navigation of your site. Seems perfect the way that it is. Click the same image enough times and finally it will be surrounded by black borders, then use the right arrow on the keypad to see the next image, etc.

And you've got some great images there, like that bird with the snowflake on its head, and many more besides.

One aspect of Larry's site that I like and that you might incorporate into your own is Larry has his telephone number on every page in the upper left hand corner, big enough and plain as day, so viewers can call him without hesitation. I've read that this is the best thing to do. I've got mine on almost every page and am trying to figure out how to get it on there as a permanent fixture so it's easily seen on every page.

I don't always heed and employ the best advice I've read. Like my biography page, it needs to be updated and expanded a little. I've read that psychologically, viewers want to know a little more and that the content should answer the question, "What's in it for me?" While telling about my experience, I should also simply spell out how that experience benefits the viewer. Even with artist statements on a website, the content should be written so that it addresses how the viewer will benefit from my modus operandi. I haven't yet incorporated this technique into my site. I don't have an Artist Statement on the site and my bio is stiff. I've read that the bio should be changed periodically so that it will reflect current info about what I'm doing so it's more personal.
- David Woeller > Barrie Lynn Bryant July 6, 2015 at 9:21am
  
  Thanks a bunch Barrie, There's some really good thoughts there. The phone number is an easy fix as I look back at Larry's page. I am as guilty as you in not updating my bio page, and now that you mention it, I can see that mine is a bit outdated. Back to work.
Larry Berman July 3, 2015 at 2:43pm

Hi David,

There's nothing wrong with your navigation. I also have a Zenfolio site but have the larger thumbnails representing galleries on the home page. Check it out. http://LarryBerman.com

Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
- Barrie Lynn Bryant > Larry Berman July 5, 2015 at 9:00am
  
  Love those visitors to your home Larry. WOOHOO!
- David Woeller > Larry Berman July 3, 2015 at 5:43pm
  
  Thank you so much for your time and thoughts Larry. I'm glad to hear that I haven't gone too far astray. I switched from Smugmug to Zen a few years back. I did that basically because I am extremely challenged with CSS coding and Zen was a bit easier to design with. If you can do the code I guess Smug will allow more flexibility. I enjoyed browsing your website, and found it also easy to navigate. Thanks again.