Website Update

[wensleydale]

I've been playing around with my website a little over the past few days and tinkering here and there but have also thought about a slightly more "radical overhaul".

At the same time there's a part of me that's thinking "if it aint broke"......

So given my predicament, if you were to change 1 thing (or 2 if you feel strongly) about my site, what would it be?

www.londonweddingdisco.co.uk

Thanks in advance.

[Corabar Entertainment]

Something very minor but which hit me the second I clicked on to the site....

The top banner is narrower than the rest and centred, but the writing contained within the top banner is right-aligned. If it were me, I would try and 'balance' things up a bit (Whether that's by making the top bar the same width as the rest, or my changing alignment of various elements, not sure unless I experimented with different things)

[Tony Scott]

I would lighten the look of the site up a bit, maybe a little more 'romance' as it's a wedding site and a softer colour scheme? :)

Try to appeal to brides as it's normally the bride that does the research in my experience... you can keep it modern but a few wedding type flowery things wouldn't go a miss. :)

[Charlie Brown]

I think it's smashing...

One page I hate is the "uplighting."

OTT...No need for all those par can pictures...so pictures of them in action at a function would be better.

Otherwise = :beer1:

[wensleydale]

Thanks for the thoughts.
The banner is easily fixed, as are the uplighting pics. The Black and White is a love/hate thing but I might be able to play around with it.

PS- any thoughts on the boiler Tony?

Keep em coming.

[wensleydale]

Right- managed to change the banner and uplighting pics during half time.
Not sure about changing the colours though.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

If I was being brutally honest, it looks home made. I don't like too much black (and I have the same!). I don't like the fonts for the header and the colours are uninspiring.

[rob1963]

if you were to change 1 thing (or 2 if you feel strongly) about my site, what would it be?

I'd add a contact form to the contact page.

[wensleydale]

If I was being brutally honest, it looks home made. I don't like too much black (and I have the same!). I don't like the fonts for the header and the colours are uninspiring.



I'd add a contact form to the contact page.

Thanks Gents.

Ultimately it is homemade so I suppose it will look like that. I cant really justify the spend on a professional site at the moment as there is only a certain amount of extra work we can take on.

If I'm honest Rob I dont want people to email me or use a contact form - I'd much rather they ring me- I have thought about removing the email address altogether but think that would be a step to far.

[rob1963]

If I'm honest Rob I dont want people to email me or use a contact form - I'd much rather they ring me- I have thought about removing the email address altogether but think that would be a step to far.

I'm the same Rich...as my conversion rate on the phone is close to 100%.

However, in reality, most people seem to want to email their enquiries & to also receive their response by the same method.

I think any business that removes the option to email them is making a very costly & serious mistake.

[wensleydale]

I'm the same Rich...as my conversion rate on the phone is close to 100%.

However, in reality, most people seem to want to email their enquiries & to also receive their response by the same method.

I think any business that removes the option to email them is making a very costly & serious mistake.

I agree with you which is why I havent done it, but it would be an interesting test to see what happens.

I suspect that actually you would only lose the people who send the same mail to several companies, which is potentially ok.

Might be an interesting thing to try later in the year if we get close to capacity.

[Marc J]

if you were to change 1 thing (or 2 if you feel strongly) about my site, what would it be?

Lose the frames.

[wensleydale]

Lose the frames.

I think we had this discussion about my other site didn't we Marc?
Stretching my capabilities I'm afraid.

[Marc J]

I think we had this discussion about my other site didn't we Marc?

I think we did! :)

[wensleydale]

I think we did! :)

I've been looking at this again Marc and the frames are not on the website code as such, but appear because I have a few different sites all "forwarding" to what was my main site.

Given that I want to keep the address bar as "LWD" is there an easy way to redirect without frames?

Thanks

[Marc J]

I've been looking at this again Marc and the frames are not on the website code as such, but appear because I have a few different sites all "forwarding" to what was my main site.

What your doing is known as domain masking (using frames), essentially to cut down on hosting costs.


Given that I want to keep the address bar as "LWD" is there an easy way to redirect without frames?

You could do it if your host allows addon domains. Failing that you'd need it on a separate hosting account ;)

[wensleydale]

What your doing is known as domain masking (using frames), essentially to cut down on hosting costs.



You could do it if your host allows addon domains. Failing that you'd need it on a separate hosting account ;)

You're right- I am being a cheapskate as I have several sites all linking back to the "main" one.

Tell me where to go if you wish as I appreciate this is what you do and I'm asking about a competitor, but the site is registered with UKReg and my hosting is with Streamline- does this complicate things?
I've looked on the streamline site and cant find "addon domains" anywhere but suspect it might go under more than one name?

[Marc J]

You're right- I am being a cheapskate as I have several sites all linking back to the "main" one.

Streamline calls what you're doing a "Domain Alias/ Forwarder". As far as I know they even charge for this (although their pricing isn't the most transparent I've ever seen).


Tell me where to go if you wish as I appreciate this is what you do and I'm asking about a competitor, but the site is registered with UKReg and my hosting is with Streamline- does this complicate things?
I've looked on the streamline site and cant find "addon domains" anywhere but suspect it might go under more than one name?

OK, :Censored: Off :D

Just kidding :)

Streamline don't allow addon domains. How many are you masking like this, just the two in your sig? If you stayed with streamline you'd need another two separate hosting accounts.

If you wanted to move from streamline it's very easy especially since you handle the domains at UKReg yourself. You just change the nameserver settings for the domain you want to change.

If you know anyone who might be able to give you a good deal on the 2 domains in question, on one hosting account allowing an addon domain, preferably an MDD member, it would maybe be a good idea to PM them for more info ;)

[djsteve10]

Taken on board all of the other comments, Something that sticks out straight away for me is the page name "Other Stuff". It seems like you have run out of page names or something, Maybe just change the name to Other events.

[wensleydale]

Taken on board all of the other comments, Something that sticks out straight away for me is the page name "Other Stuff". It seems like you have run out of page names or something, Maybe just change the name to Other events.

Thanks Steve

[ronedjs]

The sites good just need to make a few changes that have already been pointed out. Also I agree with the banner it needs to be change heres a "Very" quick mess round I just did (it was very quick before I get slated for it)
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb276/ronedjs/londonweddingdisco.png

Also the links need changing e.g. Little things and Other Stuff

Hope that helps.

[Steve the DJ]

I've been playing around with my website a little over the past few days and tinkering here and there but have also thought about a slightly more "radical overhaul".

At the same time there's a part of me that's thinking "if it aint broke"......

So given my predicament, if you were to change 1 thing (or 2 if you feel strongly) about my site, what would it be?

www.londonweddingdisco.co.uk

Thanks in advance.

I like the phrase "Music to get married to..." :)

Personally I don't like "dark" coloured websites, especially those focused on Wedding entertainment, but we share a common dilemma, i.e. a lack of web design capability!

It is catch 22 because no matter how hard you try you can't beat a bespoke design by a professional, a bit like the service we all try and sell. ;)

I would lighten the colour scheme and save up for a bespoke site, which in these competitive times can be cheaper than you think. I am at the planning stage with a local designer on the next version of mine and the price is very reasonable considering the work that is going into it.

[rob1963]

I like the phrase "Music to get married to..." :)


Funnily enough, my thoughts are the complete opposite.

To me, it suggests that you are doing the disco during the marriage ceremony.

As far as I'm aware, discos operate many hours AFTER people have got married.

:confused:

[Steve the DJ]

Funnily enough, my thoughts are the complete opposite.

Funnily enough, I'm not surprised.

[rob1963]

Funnily enough, I'm not surprised.

Despite that, I have a feeling you know where I'm coming from.

;)

I just find that most mobile disco slogans are either stating the obvious or simply untrue, which I find rather strange.

[Steve the DJ]

Despite that, I have a feeling you know where I'm coming from.

Ditto.

You know that he is not referring to doing a disco during the ceremony and you also know that many of us provide ceremony sound and background music as additional services, yet you can't resist... ;)

As you well know, some of us don't sell a 'Disco" at all.

Waits for inevitable criticism that this is in fact a "Mobile Disco Forum"...

[rob1963]

You know that he is not referring to doing a disco during the ceremony and you also know that many of us provide ceremony sound and background music as additional services, yet you can't resist...

Yes, I know he's not referring to doing a disco during the ceremony and I know some people provide background music during the ceremony...although his website makes no mention of this, which is why I find that particular slogan a bit strange.

If part of his work DOES involve providing music during marriage ceremonies, I'd at least expect it to be mentioned on his website...if not actively promoted, but it's not, and that's why I find the slogan strange.

It's a bit like me adopting the slogan "Great music in your own home" when I hardly do any discos in people's homes.

As for me not being able to resist, you're right...I can't resist giving my honest opinions and I can't resist giving my reasons for having those opinions, as I thought that's what the forum was all about, but if that's not the case, I'm more than willing to be corrected.


As you well know, some of us don't sell a 'Disco" at all.

True...but regardless of how some people may sell it, it's still a disco!

[Steve the DJ]

Rob, I'm not going to take this discussion any further with you for two reasons:

1. We all know where it ended up last time.

2. Despite your remonstrations to the contrary the majority of your posts are not actually motivated by opinion.

wensleydale

Apologies for taking your OP off topic, it wasn't my intention.

[rob1963]

Despite your remonstrations to the contrary the majority of your posts are not actually motivated by opinion.

If you honestly believe the above post, you are without doubt one of the most cynical people I've ever come across.

Anyway, I've already made my opinions clear, so I'll bow out of this thread now & leave it to those who want to continue the discussion.

[wensleydale]

The sites good just need to make a few changes that have already been pointed out. Also I agree with the banner it needs to be change heres a "Very" quick mess round I just did (it was very quick before I get slated for it)
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb276/ronedjs/londonweddingdisco.png

Also the links need changing e.g. Little things and Other Stuff

Hope that helps.

Thanks for the effort you've gone to- not seen this thread for a while and really appreciate that. I might ask a friend to jazz it up but if you feel creative whilst watching any of the World Cup feel free to develop it!!!
;)


I like the phrase "Music to get married to..." :)

Personally I don't like "dark" coloured websites, especially those focused on Wedding entertainment, but we share a common dilemma, i.e. a lack of web design capability!

It is catch 22 because no matter how hard you try you can't beat a bespoke design by a professional, a bit like the service we all try and sell. ;)



Thanks Steve.
I know the Dark site thing is a love/hate- I quite like it though which is why I have left it as it is.
I could change the colour scheme tomorrow but not yet found I scheme I like more.
The professional/home made arguement is also a debate that's been raised before but at the moment we're trying to move house so cash is an issue and we're also booked up until the Winter so there's little or no sense in paying to get more business when we cant cover the bookings it would generate.


Funnily enough, my thoughts are the complete opposite.

To me, it suggests that you are doing the disco during the marriage ceremony.

As far as I'm aware, discos operate many hours AFTER people have got married.

:confused:
Thanks Rob. Yes- technically your comments are correct but again I like it so until something better comes up I'll leave it as it is.

Thanks for your comments.