I need a site redesign

and I've run out of ideas - help!

[netchicken1]

I like to help people build websites, and feel my strengths are in SEO and CSS rather than design and graphics.

However I feel that I have run out of ideas over my own site and the templates I use, they just don't seem to look professional, with the style having come from when I very first learned about webdesign.

Is there a place with professionals (like here) where I can get some redesign advice? I tried in a few places only to get few comments.

I want my site to be rich in information, as its the primary reason for its existance, and the source of my measly income. Therefore some graphic heavy, but text empty index page isn't what I want, as I want people to immediatly be drawn to the topics.

Also the problem with sites is that good old content gets lost easily, so the only way I have been able to keep it being used is to cram it all on the front page.

Any ideas?

[SuzyUK]

When "stuck" for inspiration I go surfing around the cms/blog templates/themes. They are by their nature usually all reliant on a text heavy principle so rather than fitting your text into a strict design you fit the template design around your text ;)

download some "templates" (most are GPL'ed anyway) then just tweak the css (column widths etc..), and maybe the graphics and icons to suit your taste

as well as WP, Mambo, etc.. There is also an "open source web design" (oswd) site which is a good place to get basic starting looks!

Many of the "free" table templates are graphic heavy, but if you do prefer to work with tables for layout you could donwload the "lighter" CSS templates and copy the idea into a table layout?

[lorax]

Go check out the design related sites like Communication Arts and Graphis. IF that's not enough go check out the work of the big design and marketing firms like Ogilvy & Mather or the advertising/marketing festival in France called Cannes.

[AWildman]

I too am stronger in other areas of webdesign than design. I always visit the css zen garden site for inspiration. I finally created some designs that I LOVE after having viewed that site. This is a real accomplishment for me because I am very critical of my work (as I'm sure everyone is of their own work!) and for me to like something I've created is unheard of.

I hope the site can inspire you too.

[netchicken1]

Thanks everyone :)

I will certianly follow through with your suggestions