Looking at websites.

[Penfold42]

I have a few questions if you please.:)
If you could give honest answers that would be helful.......

1 = What makes a good home page, one that makes you want to explore the website further?

2 = What is the most common reason you leave a website without getting the information you wanted?

3 = What is your favourite website and why? (Keep it clean chaps :) )

Thinking of a revamp and this will help me along the road.
:)

[Cheesey 1975]

Can i also ask the same questions.... Im also going through a revamp/rebrand as well

[Spirits High]

I have a few questions if you please.:)
If you could give honest answers that would be helful.......

1 = What makes a good home page, one that makes you want to explore the website further?

2 = What is the most common reason you leave a website without getting the information you wanted?

3 = What is your favourite website and why? (Keep it clean chaps :) )

Thinking of a revamp and this will help me along the road.
:)


ok,

I'll go first then. these answers are purely from a non technical , non web guru point of view ;)

1. Good colours that don't make you look away all blurred :D

Clear , easy to read navigation menu.

Enough info on the home page to give you an insight so you know what the site is all about and encourage you to explore further.

2. Music :eek: IMO totally pointless and very annoying if you're try to do some "Secret surfing" at work :D

Flash entrance pages ie "click here to enter" type pages

Difficult / muddled fonts.

3. Favourite site..........uhm, it'll have to be the AFC Wimbledon official site, http://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk clear easy navigation, nice colours........ and it's my team :p

[Jiggles]

Needs to be web 2.0 looking and easy to navigate.
Mines has had a total revamp :D

[discomobiledj]

1: Clean, bright, not loads of flash items.

2: Too many pictures and music that you can't stop!

3: Arsenal F.C. (www.arsenal.com)

If you want any help let me know, I love designing websites!

[Tom]

Well.... (not in any order)

From doing a little research, most people will look for a price. I have a price on my website at the moment but for research purpose. :)

Also I have had a busy website and a simple website and with the simple website, I have had people stay on the website longer.

I think keeping the website straight to the point is the key to keep people look on your website. If you have large blocks of writing then this will put people off from what I have found out.

Just a few ideas. :)

[SilverlineDiscos]

Hi guys,

Some good comments here. Some people know what they're talking about unlike me (runs away quickly)!!

Anyway, some of you forgot to mention a clean layout. People hate messy website with avengence. Things like horizontal scrollbars and even veticle ones for the very lazy surfer! :D

Also, remember to stay away from black background sometimes. Being a DJ people think that a black background with flashy things is a good thing to do. Not the case most of the time. Using a clean and fresh design is sometimes the way forward. If done properly however, darker sites can look nice and do their job properly.

Few other points, use clean fonts, don't use Times New Roman EVER and write your text properly!! Good navigation is good and don't have too many pages. People are very lazy.

Don't even bother asking for my favourite website, I have loads of them! :D

Cheers,
Adam

[discomobiledj]

How can you say:



Some good comments here. Some people know what they're talking about unlike me (runs away quickly)!!

And then say:


I'd like to offer my 'professional' opinion on your site from a web designers point of view.

On a thread about someones website?

[SilverlineDiscos]

Yes I did say those things but incase you didn't realise I was joking about what I said in your first quote ;)

I wouldn't call myself a professional web designer, as I've only been designing websites for about 3/4 years. However, I do have quite a few websites under my belt and know what it takes to build an effective website. I know my stuff when it comes to web hosting and websites but not as much as some designers who've been working for say 10 years.

Why pick up and something like that anyway? Didn't you recognise my light humour??

Adam

[discomobiledj]

Obviously not.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I have black backgrounds on my site and I haven't had any complaints. I have actually had positive comments on my site from both customers and a couple of guys I know who are website designers. Mine is very basic as I don't know the in's & out's of it all and I don't have time to learn but if I can get away with what I am using now then that saves another bill.

(in my opinion) most people look for a simple bit of information and contact details...maybe some feedback etc. I have seen some fantastic looking sites for Mobile Discos but some are too techy and don't have the simple information that people want to read. With reference to prices - I think that's another subject and one that has been talked about tons of times. I don't have my prices on site as I want people to call me so I can use my skills on the phone. Every function is different, we all know that and it also depends on if they are interested in extra services etc. Having a price on the site for the casual viewer looking for the cheapest price is not what I want.

If it said that I was charging £500.00 for a standard 7.30pm - Midnight function (which I'm not) and someone is looking for something around the £300.00 mark then they aren't going to bother calling me. If there isn't a price up and they do call then I can tell them what they get and sell myself to them and confirm that they have made the right choice etc etc

[SilverlineDiscos]

You're dead right there Shaker, having prices on any website with a similar situation is not good. You want people to contact you so you can see what they're looking for. Sometimes, when people call you, you can get people to understand what they get for the money you charge. People set back say £200 for a DJ for example but forgetting that some DJ's charge say £400 and do a fantastic job. People forget that mobile discos can vary widely.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Heres my thoughts (fairly similar to others :) )
1. A good homepage is somethingv that gives you enough information to "hook" you, and has easily accessible links to the other parts of the site.

2. Difficult to navigate, to slow to load (especially with some flash sites), generally badly laid out. If i dont like the homepage, i wont go through the rest of the site, unless i desperatly have to.

3. very difficult....maybe djkit.co.uk

[Grahame Case]

Hi Tony,

i was going to say :

i've been told my website is "Amazing" and "really easy to navigate"

this was from a DJ in Norfolk, he was clearly mad... as i don't think it is.


anyway, you may get some ideas from mine below.

[SilverlineDiscos]

Hi Tony,

i was going to say :

i've been told my website is "Amazing" and "really easy to navigate"

this was from a DJ in Norfolk, he was clearly mad... as i don't think it is.


anyway, you may get some ideas from mine below.

What you saaaaaying about us Narrrfolk Deeeeejaaaays huh??? :D :p

Sorry, anyone who is true Norfolk born and bred would understand that ;)

[nigelwright7557]

A good picture of your setup goes a long way.

I still get potential clients ringing up asking if I have any lights !

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

A good picture of your setup goes a long way.



Why isn't there one on your site then? :confused:

[Spirits High]

A good picture of your setup goes a long way.

I still get potential clients ringing up asking if I have any lights !


Nigel, Do you get them asking if that's Tony Blackburn doing the voice over on your site?

It nearly blew me off the sofa :eek: :D :D

You should offer to take the 2 red "breast" like lights you have on there. ;) :D

[nigelwright7557]

Why isn't there one on your site then? :confused:

Havent got around to taking any yet.
Usually too busy DJing to take pictures.


Nigel, Do you get them asking if that's Tony Blackburn doing the voice over on your site?

It nearly blew me off the sofa :eek: :D :D

You should offer to take the 2 red "breast" like lights you have on there. ;) :D

The jingle came off a CD I bought.
No idea who the voice belongs to.

The red pictures are of an impossibled close up.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

The red pictures are of an impossibled close up.

Nigel, i would never have figured that out, and i dont think anyone else would have either, especially the client asking if you have lights. At a push, why not get some stock photos and have a "Equipment" heading. Should put you on until you get some piccys :)

[Tony Scott]

I have a few questions if you please.:)
If you could give honest answers that would be helful.......

1 = What makes a good home page, one that makes you want to explore the website further?

2 = What is the most common reason you leave a website without getting the information you wanted?

3 = What is your favourite website and why? (Keep it clean chaps :) )

Thinking of a revamp and this will help me along the road.
:)

1. A good home page should give enough info to let the potential client know what your offering but not too much to overwhelm them, a few pictures/images to give the right impression but not too many!

2. Biggest turn off for me is slack spelling and poor grammar, if they can't be 'bovered' to get this right then how's their service going to be?

3. My favourite site is: www.partyshopdisco.co.uk because it's mine and works fantastically well for me. :D

[yourdj]

went through hundreds of sites across the south last week. Here are a few of my favs:

I would say:

- straight to the point
- modern
- honest & non cheesy
- simple & easy to navigate
- contacts on each page
- no music or opening screens

Probably missed loads of better ones:

http://www.djashleyriggs.co.uk/
http://mobiledjs.co.uk/wedding-discos.php
http://www.malwilliams.com/
http://www.evolutionweddingservices.co.uk/specials/free_advert_coldemail.html
http://www.mmmarquees.co.uk/index.php
http://www.hampshireweddingsorganiser.co.uk/
http://www.revolution-discos.co.uk/weddings.php
http://www.chessdisco.co.uk/
http://www.tailored-entertainment.com/index.html
http://www.vectisvibe.com/
and http://www.yourdj.co.uk/ (need more time on dreamweaver) :p

[nigelwright7557]

Nigel, i would never have figured that out, and i dont think anyone else would have either, especially the client asking if you have lights. At a push, why not get some stock photos and have a "Equipment" heading. Should put you on until you get some piccys :)

Done.......

[Tony Scott]

http://www.djashleyriggs.co.uk/
http://mobiledjs.co.uk/wedding-discos.php
http://www.malwilliams.com/
http://www.evolutionweddingservices.co.uk/specials/free_advert_coldemail.html
http://www.mmmarquees.co.uk/index.php
http://www.hampshireweddingsorganiser.co.uk/
http://www.revolution-discos.co.uk/weddings.php
http://www.chessdisco.co.uk/
http://www.tailored-entertainment.com/index.html
http://www.vectisvibe.com/
and http://www.yourdj.co.uk/ (need more time on dreamweaver) :p

Some great sites there, particularly liked the look of the 'chessdisco' one.

Just one question about your site, why only 30 songs?? :confused: :)

"4. We give you the option to choose up to 30 tracks of your choice for your event."

[rob1963]

I have a few questions if you please.:)
If you could give honest answers that would be helful.......

1 = What makes a good home page, one that makes you want to explore the website further?

2 = What is the most common reason you leave a website without getting the information you wanted?

3 = What is your favourite website and why? (Keep it clean chaps :) )

Thinking of a revamp and this will help me along the road.
:)


Not too sure about 1 or 3, but I can give several answers for 2.

1) Websites playing music.
2) Slow sites with pages that don't load quickly.
3) Unable to find the information I want due to poor page headings / layout / navigation.
4) Popups.
5) Because the information I want isn't on the website in the first place.

[Danno13]

http://www.djashleyriggs.co.uk/
http://mobiledjs.co.uk/wedding-discos.php
http://www.malwilliams.com/
http://www.evolutionweddingservices....coldemail.html
http://www.mmmarquees.co.uk/index.php
http://www.hampshireweddingsorganiser.co.uk/
http://www.revolution-discos.co.uk/weddings.php
http://www.chessdisco.co.uk/
http://www.tailored-entertainment.com/index.html
http://www.vectisvibe.com/
and http://www.yourdj.co.uk/


Yeah, have to agree with you there.. :D :D :D

Actually.. my website is long due an overhaul... photos are out of date & my gallery mysteriously broke, so I haven't been able to add to it in a year!!

[rob1963]

went through hundreds of sites across the south last week. Here are a few of my favs:

I would say:

- straight to the point
- modern
- honest & non cheesy
- simple & easy to navigate
- contacts on each page
- no music or opening screens

Probably missed loads of better ones:

http://www.djashleyriggs.co.uk/
http://mobiledjs.co.uk/wedding-discos.php
http://www.malwilliams.com/
http://www.evolutionweddingservices.co.uk/specials/free_advert_coldemail.html
http://www.mmmarquees.co.uk/index.php
http://www.hampshireweddingsorganiser.co.uk/
http://www.revolution-discos.co.uk/weddings.php
http://www.chessdisco.co.uk/
http://www.tailored-entertainment.com/index.html
http://www.vectisvibe.com/
and http://www.yourdj.co.uk/ (need more time on dreamweaver) :p

Interesting list, and one which shows how good websites will be different things to different people...as quite of a few of those sites have black text on a white background, which I find very bland.

If I stumbled upon most of those sites, I certainly wouldn't think they were one of the best I'd seen...which shows it's largely subjective as to what a good site is.

[Penfold42]

Thanks for the replies so far. :)

[501damian501]

light colours make then look friendly, dark colours, make them look morbid and ruff, take alook at more professional websites, like toys r us, asda, tesco, the real big stuff.

[Penfold42]

Howdo and :welcome1:.......:D

[yourdj]

Some great sites there, particularly liked the look of the 'chessdisco' one.

Just one question about your site, why only 30 songs?? :confused: :)

"4. We give you the option to choose up to 30 tracks of your choice for your event."

Give us an idea of what the person booking wants. we used to do limitless but had some really stupid music lists. When your downloading 100 tracks which you will probably never use again it get quite expensive when our average gig is £230. All great when you charging loads with lighting services etc.

Prefer to get an idea and let the dj's do thier job by judging the crowd and choosing the correct music.


Interesting list, and one which shows how good websites will be different things to different people...as quite of a few of those sites have black text on a white background, which I find very bland.

If I stumbled upon most of those sites, I certainly wouldn't think they were one of the best I'd seen...which shows it's largely subjective as to what a good site is.

No not the best than most i would say? :) Just trying to provide a range of styles and approaches for penmare to look at lol

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Some great sites there, particularly liked the look of the 'chessdisco' one.



I know Chris, the guy who owns it. I'm sure he'll be pleased when I tell him. :)

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Done.......

:thumbs_up: Jobs a good un :)

[Spirits High]

Done.......


Nigel, the other pic was soooooooooooooo much better :D

[CRAZY K]

When your downloading 100 tracks which you will probably never use again it get quite expensive.

Good point:thumbs_up:

Agreed, you have to manage this situation with common sense otherwise it can get very silly allowing for the fact that there are only so many tracks you can play and your job is normally to get as many people dancing as possible.

Otherwise an I pod would be perfect:eek:

CRAZY K

[yourdj]

Good point:thumbs_up:

Agreed, you have to manage this situation with common sense otherwise it can get very silly allowing for the fact that there are only so many tracks you can play and your job is normally to get as many people dancing as possible.

Otherwise an I pod would be perfect:eek:

CRAZY K

Yes some party planners seem to think they know exactly what their guests want. In most cases it isn't. I have had events where i have told them before that it wont work but i will do it anyway.

almost all have come up to me half way through and said your right do it your way. :p