My website - constructive criticism needed!

[Chris G]

Hi everybody, I am in the process of updating my website to improve it's content, appearance and rankings. Have just paid extra on a bit of a whim really for a rankings optimiser through Vistaprint who host it as I really don't know how to go about doing this.
Currently paying to have a presence on various websites that link through to my own but was hoping that this option might work out cheaper!

Website address:

www.fiestanights.co.uk

[Wayno]

Hi everybody, I am in the process of updating my website to improve it's content, appearance and rankings. Have just paid extra on a bit of a whim really for a rankings optimiser through Vistaprint who host it as I really don't know how to go about doing this.
Currently paying to have a presence on various websites that link through to my own but was hoping that this option might work out cheaper!

Website address:

www.fiestanights.co.uk

Hi Chris, I won't beat around the bush, I don't know what market your aiming at so i will just say it how i saw it.

I clicked the link and the first thing that hit me was the generic vistaprint template that you and 100 other DJs are using, that in itself just made me want to hit the back button.

However I bit my lip and read through, generally the content is good but there is not enough there, you need to add meat to the bones and a few bits jumped out of the page;
1)On your contact page your email is a personal aol one, surely even vistaprint offers you a mailbox where you could have [email protected]?
2) the "About Page" should be exactly that, information on what you do, how you do it and why folks should choose you over your 100 competitors, not an equipment list, your clients (unless DJs) will not know a one fixture from another.
3) Your DJ intelligence integration can be, well more integrated, take a look at my site, the tools can "sit" on your pages rather than open new windows etc.

I'm note sure how much vistaprint charge nowadays but as I have said before with your website being your shop front it is critical for you to invest in it, for £200ish you can get a bespoke design an hosting so there is no excuse for anyone to be using these generic sites/templates.

[Rowleys]

vistaprint template...

Remove and get your self something better. about 1000 DJ's have that template.

[surround sounds]

Hi
I know people have already said its a vistaprint template and 100's of djs have this but will the customer know that? no i do not think so.
The only reason we (djs) say oh no not another vistaprint website is because we check out other mobile disco's websites all the time.
I know people with these sites and do very well, so best of luck.

[discomobiledj]

I agree with Wayno and for once Rowley :eek:

Get yourself some proper hosting that offers a domain name email account. Nothing worse than a AOL, Hotmail, Yahoo, BT email address to contact a business on.

If you had what you have on a non Vistaprint website it would actually look quite good.

If your not sure of what you are doing then install Wordpress onto a server and learn as you go along.

[Charlie Brown]

I didn't know RCF had changed their name to "Pro Sound" ;)

[Chris G]

I didn't know RCF had changed their name to "Pro Sound" ;)
Charlie, used to use Prosound - use RCF now.

[Charlie Brown]

Appologies. I was just messing.

I used to have that template...until Martin waved his wand!

[Matty12]

I don't like the black background however just need to add few more thing
very nice just hard to read with the black
matthew

[paulg]

It's OK. Like you say, customers won't know it's a vista print website.

There's lots of misuse of capital letters. A bit picky I know but some people can be put off by it. It doesn't take long to get it right.

About Us - it's not so much about you but more about equipment. Most customers won't know what you're referring to. I'd change that and mention a little about you, your experience and the general ethics you have as a business.

On the bit about enquiries, you talk about a friendly chat but within a few words the text is reminding the customer about deposits. I'd sell yourself a bit more and leave talk of money until later.

Other than that, its OK.

[CRAZY K]

Hi everybody, I am in the process of updating my website to improve it's content, appearance and rankings. Have just paid extra on a bit of a whim really for a rankings optimiser through Vistaprint who host it as I really don't know how to go about doing this.
Currently paying to have a presence on various websites that link through to my own but was hoping that this option might work out cheaper!

Website address:

www.fiestanights.co.uk

Looks ok to me, perhaps the recommendations section should be brighter---for some reason the type is dimmer than the others--not good considering this is a very important part of the site :confused:

List of equipment probably not necessary as others have said.

Remove email--it only encourages time wasters who cant be bothered to fill in a quote form.

Dont think this will do you any favours--We offer a hands-on planning process that allows you to get involved as much as you want. Have an opinion you want to share? We always take your requests into account.

I dont consider that full customer service.--you need to confirm YOU WILL PLAY THEM.

There have been many threads on here how to handle inappropriate requests and keep everyone happy ;)

Part of the home page main description is not in bold--I think it should be as I think its easier to read in bold:confused:

I like the music selection idea although im not sure whether people prefer to work off something shorter than 200 tracks?

In particular for Weddings I would expect to see 500 miles and Grease Megamix:confused:

Maybe consider a different list of 100 for Weddings and Birthdays rather than general Discos?

Assuming that list is your own personal one not something compiled by the software supplier?

HTH




Do you own all the tracks stated--you have more Johnny Cash and Alan Jackson than me

How much do these Vistaprint templates cost--might have a use for one;)

[Charlie Brown]

How much do these Vistaprint templates cost--might have a use for one;)

From £3 to £10 a month - including hostage & email.

[CRAZY K]

From £3 to £10 a month - including hostage & email.

Can you buy the template--thats all I need to save time;)

[Charlie Brown]

No, you can't.

[discomobiledj]

Content removed by admin: promoting theft of copyrighted material

[Jason]

Content removed by admin: promoting theft of copyrighted material

I'm very sure that would breach their copyright.

Lots of free CSS based templates online. Most require you to retain the link to the original designer (but may have paid options to remove the link, otherwise you need to leave it there)

Otherwise, Joomla/Wordpress tempates are easy to install.
I used to stick to static pages for sites on only a few pages, but now stick with Joomla for even a 2 or 3 pages site.

[Charlie Brown]

I'm very sure that would breach their copyright.


Of course it would.

[Jason]

Of course it would.

Just to back up your assurance;
http://www.vistaprint.co.uk/vp/websites/terms-and-conditions.aspx#panel14


Web hosting is fairly cheap, and a good UK host can be found for £3.50/month.
Installing Joomla/Wordpress, or even a static CSS design will give you full flexibly, stats, email and a nice control panel.

If you're really on a budget, then I wrote an article for using Google Sites with a domain name, and can forward that.

This means domain costs only.. DJEP/DJI will work, as will YouTube/Picassa galleries. Not as good as a "real" site, but similar to VistaPrint etc

Jason

[CRAZY K]

Content removed by admin: promoting theft of copyrighted material

Its alright I can afford £3 a month.

:Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh:

[discomobiledj]

Content removed by admin: promoting theft of copyrighted material

Surely everyone knows how to do that!

[Corabar Entertainment]

Surely everyone knows how to do that!
There's plenty of people who aren't at all web-savvy.... but, I think you've missed the point: knowing how to do something is a world away from suggesting to someone that they do it!

[thex-faders]

Joomla is free and there's hundreds of free (non-commercial) components, modules and templates available. Our website done in Joomla, www.thexfadersdj.co.uk and I have gradually taught myself the ins and outs of some coding for CSS etc and use photoshop to edit the banners & images used.

And now im working for a media company doing it as well!

Can definitely recommend Joomla and if you need any advice or help there's plenty of people on her to help you. Hosting is very competitive these days and again there's a lot of dedicated joomla servers too.

Good luck
Tom

[Jiggles]

I find Joomlas just a pig really. Its overly big for not much gain. THere are better ones out there that are smaller, lighter and over all nicer to interact with. One of my most popular and busy sites is run on Website baker. :)