New Website - Opinions Please

[Ecstatic Events]

Hi Everyone - Hope you are all well :D

I've been putting it off for ages, but I've finally pulled my finger out and had a crack at re-designing my website and logo. I'm looking to merge my two aliases into ONE over the coming months and this is the first step.

I am NO web designer and it's still very much work in progress. But I wanted to open it up to you guys for feedback (good or more than likely bad!)

1. I know it's flash, I DO NOT understand HTML, so this is the best I can currently come up with.

2. It's NOT currently viewable via my domain, theres still some tweaking to be done. Especially with the "Gallery"

3. I know it's hosted by MOONFRUIT (even though It's designed in a completely different "offline" software package) and I know how much some of you guys HATE Moonfruit :D

I wanted to know how it looked from a client perspective, if it navigates easily and if there are any obvious errors to a third eye.

Looking forward to your responses already :devil:

http://basingstokediscos.moonfruit.com

Thanks for looking.

[Cowlinn]

Website looks good to me but a few points.

- Could EASILY be done in HTML with a bit of research, making it load a lot quicker (it's quite slow my end)

- The twitter icon is stretched, this jumped out at me straight away.

- Clicking the logo would ideally take you back to the homepage (It's what I instinctively did.)

- Love the way it's laid out in a square

- Not sure on the font - looks a little squashed to me. Try Verdana, it's easy to read and web safe.

- Not a problem for me, but some people find it hard to read black on white.

- On bookings page you say "Terms & Conditions apply" - Where can I read these terms?

Brilliant start and a really nice design. Like the logo and the square as said before.

I hope you dont take my comments the wrong way (mines a 10 minute jobby and not as good as yours :o), mearly a few things I noticed.

Great start there :approve: :beer1:

[Charlie Brown]

It's incredibly slow and nothing to get excited about IMO. :o

The white font is small, I like the logo, the pictures could be better (slide slow format perhaps?) and the online enquiry form could do with more questions.

If you don't understand HTML, you would be better of paying someone to design the website for you and focus on good SEO.

It's a nice looking site with a cool logo but nothing to get excited about. I think it lacks information too. :)

[discomobiledj]

It's extremely slow. Takes an age to load up.

[Ecstatic Events]

Back to the drawing board for me then.

Thanks for your comments guys.

Charlie, why would I spend an entire day "trying" to do it myself if I could afford to pay someone to do it???? And you need to get out more if you get "excited" over websites ;)

[Cowlinn]

Back to the drawing board for me then.

Thanks for your comments guys.

Charlie, why would I spend an entire day "trying" to do it myself if I could afford to pay someone to do it???? And you need to get out more if you get "excited" over websites ;)

Have you thought about making a Wordpress site?

Plenty of themes readily available and free to download, loads fast and is generally a pretty good option. :)

[Takeiteasy]

Dont EVER use flash... thou SEO can work with flash its 10000times harder to get the results am sure you want

[CRAZY K]

Hi Everyone - Hope you are all well :D

I've been putting it off for ages, but I've finally pulled my finger out and had a crack at re-designing my website and logo. I'm looking to merge my two aliases into ONE over the coming months and this is the first step.

I am NO web designer and it's still very much work in progress. But I wanted to open it up to you guys for feedback (good or more than likely bad!)

1. I know it's flash, I DO NOT understand HTML, so this is the best I can currently come up with.

2. It's NOT currently viewable via my domain, theres still some tweaking to be done. Especially with the "Gallery"

3. I know it's hosted by MOONFRUIT (even though It's designed in a completely different "offline" software package) and I know how much some of you guys HATE Moonfruit :D

I wanted to know how it looked from a client perspective, if it navigates easily and if there are any obvious errors to a third eye.

Looking forward to your responses already :devil:

http://basingstokediscos.moonfruit.com

Thanks for looking.

Erm always interested in helping BUT couldnt get anything just a black blank page:eek: :eek: :eek:

Thats using IE.

Gary ( Shakermaker) can sleep easy ;)

[Takeiteasy]

Oh check out Joomla buddy... its the way forward these days

[Marc J]

Not getting much other than a basic site...but I'm browsing on my iPad which of course has no flash support (and is unlikely to ever have). Something you might want to consider as iPhones are the same.

[Ecstatic Events]

Thanks once again for the comments.

I will pay a professional to do the job, eventually ;)

I did say I was NO web designer.

[marting]

looks very good to my untrained eye so much so i had a go myself....

[Charlie Brown]

Charlie, why would I spend an entire day "trying" to do it myself if I could afford to pay someone to do it???? And you need to get out more if you get "excited" over websites ;)

I put myself in a B&G's point of view. Unfortunately, your site doesn't stand out (in comparison) to other competitors.

A quality website is the same price as a good wedding. That website will generate 20+ 'good weddings'

It's easy. :o

[Matty12]

I like the logo......


But hate the website I.M.O.:o

Sorry.:o :)

[Cowlinn]

...That website will generate 20+ 'good weddings'


I don't think it quite works like that, Chalrie.

[Booche]

I don't think it quite works like that, Chalrie.

I aggree how do you get that conclusion Charlie :confused:

[Charlie Brown]

I don't think it quite works like that, Chalrie.


I aggree how do you get that conclusion Charlie :confused:

Well Martin (Vectis) has managed to secure me 35 weddings for 2011 (so far)

I don't do wedding fayres or spend a bomb on other marketing, apart from UKbride and £20 a month to Yell.com. Unfortunately, they haven't generated me any work. Getting professional websites made has been the best thing I've ever done for the business. I know other VV customers will agree.

[Cowlinn]

Well Martin (Vectis) has managed to secure me 35 weddings for 2011 (so far)

I don't do wedding fayres or spend a bomb on other marketing, apart from UKbride and £20 a month to Yell.com. Unfortunately, they haven't generated me any work. Getting professional websites made has been the best thing I've ever done for the business. I know other VV customers will agree.

I know it's worked for you, but if getting a website made was going to guarantee at least 20 weddings, everyone would have done it by now. ;)

[Charlie Brown]

I know it's worked for you, but if getting a website made was going to guarantee at least 20 weddings, everyone would have done it by now. ;)

I couldn't agree more.

Once I posted my new CBE site on MDD at least 9+ members decided it was time to have a revamp on their own website. Nobody has complained...apart from the amount of work their getting. :sj:

It's not rocket science. What do you do when you're looking for something/someone/a service/a location....you Google it. If you're high up in the Google ranks (something a web designer would do for you) and have a decent site...people WILL make enquiries...Then it's over to you to sell yourself and make sure they book you and not Joe blogs.

Some forum members complain/mention a lack of enquiries via there website. Normally they would have made the website themselves or not have good SEO etc.

A good decent website will guarantee you some bookings. Fact.

[Cowlinn]

A good decent website will guarantee you some bookings. Fact.

I'm sorry but that is just not true.

[Booche]

Anyway :ontopic:

Site looks good to start with apart from the mentioned bits mate

Im a hater of moonfruit and free sites :( nothing to do with the guys that have them etc just feel like your site should be one of the important aspects.

Keep up the good work mate :)

[discomobiledj]

It's not rocket science. What do you do when you're looking for something/someone/a service/a location....you Google it. If you're high up in the Google ranks (something a web designer would do for you) and have a decent site...people WILL make enquiries...Then it's over to you to sell yourself and make sure they book you and not Joe blogs.


A good decent website will guarantee you some bookings. Fact.

Seo, yes a web designer will do it....for a nice fee.

As for website guaranteeing you business, absolutely no chance. Nothing is guaranteed unless you do it for free, and even the it's not a cert.

[Charlie Brown]

Seo, yes a web designer will do it....for a nice fee.

As for website guaranteeing you business, absolutely no chance. Nothing is guaranteed unless you do it for free, and even the it's not a cert.

Martin does it included in his fee (which isn't unreasonable considering the amount of help/advice/out of hours support/help you get)

Why have I, Neil, CW Entertainment's, Steve, Martin had so much work from his sites then? :confused:

It's certainly a sound investment for any serious business. Your website is your shop window.

[Cowlinn]

Martin does it included in his fee (which isn't unreasonable considering the amount of help/advice/out of hours support/help you get)

Why have I, Neil, CW Entertainment's, Steve, Martin had so much work from his sites then? :confused:

It's certainly a sound investment for any serious business. Your website is your shop window.

A sound investment, maybe. Guaranteed work, no.

[Charlie Brown]

A sound investment, maybe. Guaranteed work, no.

So we have all had a reasonable amount of work by fluke?

[Booche]

Come on guys this is meant to be for Mike's website not discussing work and website work etc

[Cowlinn]

Come on guys this is meant to be for Mike's website not discussing work and website work etc

Since when have you been a mod, Dave?:confused:

[Booche]

I'm not and never said i was but surely you know these things by now.

[Cowlinn]

I'm not and never said i was but surely you know these things by now.

I suggest you just worry about yourself, and let the mods do what they gotta' do ;)

[Booche]

Ahh :Censored: it no worries feel free to carry on......


I'm done.

[Corabar Entertainment]

For crying out loud!

Please grow up, stop sniping at each other and get back on topic.

You should be able to play nicely without a mod or admin telling you to!

[funkymook]

I suggest you just worry about yourself, and let the mods do what they gotta' do ;)

And I suggest you take good advice from whatever source it comes from!

Now back on topic please!

[Charlie Brown]

:o

TBF - It's all relevant. Somebody has asked for advice on their website...my advice is to have it professionally done by a web designer.

[Cowlinn]

if you cant help him out then don't post, simples.

Website looks good to me but a few points.

- Could EASILY be done in HTML with a bit of research, making it load a lot quicker (it's quite slow my end)

- The twitter icon is stretched, this jumped out at me straight away.

- Clicking the logo would ideally take you back to the homepage (It's what I instinctively did.)

- Love the way it's laid out in a square

- Not sure on the font - looks a little squashed to me. Try Verdana, it's easy to read and web safe.

- Not a problem for me, but some people find it hard to read black on white.

- On bookings page you say "Terms & Conditions apply" - Where can I read these terms?

Brilliant start and a really nice design. Like the logo and the square as said before.

I hope you dont take my comments the wrong way (mines a 10 minute jobby and not as good as yours :o), mearly a few things I noticed.

Great start there :approve: :beer1:

I'd say that's pretty helpful.


And I suggest you take good advice from whatever source it comes from!

Now back on topic please!

I don't feel my posts were particularly off topic, now they are though!

[Corabar Entertainment]

My patience is wearing really thin with every time we say / do something / make a moderation decision that people have to post in reply / query / complain / disagree.

Any more, and I'm just deleting.... and God help anyone who posts anything up about their post being deleted!

Now: :ontopic:

[Takeiteasy]

Not getting much other than a basic site...but I'm browsing on my iPad which of course has no flash support (and is unlikely to ever have). Something you might want to consider as iPhones are the same.

Which is where joomla wins again :)

[DJDC]

I'm not website literate but saw an offer through photoplus (canon) magazine on 1and1 paid nothing for the 1st year then only £5-10 per month only cost me the domain name £10, and managed to create a whole site in a few nights, with email accounts etc. It was my first attempt but I managed to do what I have now, and have worked out how to change it, getting higher google rankings is a little harder though but If I paid more time to this and imrpoved it through their software options I could do better. I have managed to get in on the first page on google searches under mobile disco birmingham at least once! However I tend to refer clients to it for info on me at their leisure and I only use the Facebook page for photo uploads.

[Marc J]

Not getting much other than a basic site...but I'm browsing on my iPad which of course has no flash support (and is unlikely to ever have). Something you might want to consider as iPhones are the same.

Which is where joomla wins again :)

:confused:

That's not even relevant. Joomla's a CMS, one of many, and CMS templates can include Flash elements. True, you wouldn't get an all-Flash site with Joomla, but then there are very few methods where you would (moonfruit, webeden, or actually using Flash to create it, for example).

[Ecstatic Events]

Lol - There are a select few that spoil (entertain in some parts) other peoples forum viewing.

Thanks for the comments guys - HTML, HOSTED and content that gets you EXCITED is the way forward.

If only I were a teenager again, this Disco'ing lark would be easy :)

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Sorry guys but no wonder Mike doesn't post much on here. He has asked for comments on the look of his website and all of the answers he was looking for were more or less in the first page and a half of replies. Since then it's been the usual suspects arguing and going off topic. Someone who isn't a Mod suggests that you get back on topic and he gets grief for saying it.

I guess that the comment earlier on in the thread that said "Gary (Shakermaker) can sleep easily" meant that I have nothing to worry about in terms of competition. For the record, myself and Mike do not compete with eachother for business as we network with eachother. There are too many Disco suppliers in this town and a lot of them are (in my opinion), rubbish.

I'm sure Mike appreciates (some of) the comments as that's why he posted in the first place. Again, for the record....my website is not professionally done and I also don't claim to be a web designer either but it works very well for me. I personally like Mike's logo and he has had a cracking idea in getting the name because search options will work well for him. Ok, flash isn't that great, that's been said loads of times and he knows it but I am sure once he gets his head around HTML, it will all look better.

Go for it Mike!

[Ecstatic Events]

Well put Gary, and I agree with what you have said.

I've bit the bullet and www.basingstokediscos.co.uk now points to the site hosted by moonfruit. To a "holding page" whilst I jazz up the previous contents.

Booche, out of interest - How would you of known the site was a "moonfruit" site if I didn't post the address with the moonfruit domain? I have purposely made it look very different to a "typical" moonfruit site. I have only used thier "contact form" tool - Everything else has been created in Swishmax.

I'd be interested to hear you ellaborate on the reasons why you HATE moonfruit?

Gary, I will start posting more now I have an increased focus on pushing the business. But it has to be said, the majority of members really seem sound, like-minded individuals. But there are the select few that deter me from wanting to become a bigger part of things.

As you were :)

[discomobiledj]

Mike,

When you redo the site try and steer clear of Flash, a little bit is ok, but remember that Google can't "read" flash objects (or pictures) so will only pick up basic bits from your site.

Good Luck!

[Charlie Brown]

But there are the select few that deter me from wanting to become a bigger part of things.


Because I suggested you fork out £300/400/500 (average £33 in monthly instalments) to get the site professionally designed with good SEO work? After 12 months the site is yours to keep or pay £15/20 to have it managed/hosted?

These are the general prices I found when weighing up which web designer to work and go with.

[Ecstatic Events]

Because I suggested you fork out £300/400/500 (average £33 in monthly instalments) to get the site professionally designed with good SEO work?

Sorry Charlie - You have lost me?

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Mike, No problem mate.
As I said, you have hit the right mark by getting the domain name and that can only be good and it will be a massive launch pad for getting things moving because you will get the traffic.
It doesn't matter what the site looks like at the moment in my opinion because it's the traffic that matters most and the business that will come your way because of the searches people will do in our area (ok, as long as the tags etc are done properly too).

You could also look at it like this and this will be something that we'll more than likely talk about properly when we meet up soon....[Edited]...Actually, I think I'll save my ramblings for when we do talk.

[Marc J]

How would you of known the site was a "moonfruit" site if I didn't post the address with the moonfruit domain?

I know the question wasn't directed at me, but I'll answer anyway - most all-flash sites posted on here are either Moonfruit or Webeden based. I'd have had a guess at one or the other from the intitial blank page with "LOADING" at the top right.


I have purposely made it look very different to a "typical" moonfruit site. I have only used thier "contact form" tool - Everything else has been created in Swishmax.

Yet it doesn't (or didn't) look any different, since it was still done using Flash (i.e. Swishmax).


I'd be interested to hear you ellaborate on the reasons why you HATE moonfruit?
See http://www.forum.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24216, http://www.forum.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/showthread.php?t=23430 & http://www.forum.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/showthread.php?t=23293.


...Google can't "read" flash objects...

Strictly speaking not true - http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2008/06/google-learns-to-crawl-flash.html (from 3 years ago). Generally speaking from an SEO POV you are much better steering clear of Flash, though, not to mention the people viewing from a workplace where the IT department has disabled Flash.

[funkymook]

But there are the select few that deter me from wanting to become a bigger part of things.


Because I suggested you fork out £300/400/500 (average £33 in monthly instalments) to get the site professionally designed with good SEO work? After 12 months the site is yours to keep or pay £15/20 to have it managed/hosted?


I think it was a general comment Charlie, not aimed at any one person in particular. :)

Personally I think Charlie's site is excellent, and it obviously works very well for him - definitely worth a good perusal (not for copying purposes of course) for anyone doing their own.

[Takeiteasy]

:confused:

That's not even relevant. Joomla's a CMS, one of many, and CMS templates can include Flash elements. True, you wouldn't get an all-Flash site with Joomla, but then there are very few methods where you would (moonfruit, webeden, or actually using Flash to create it, for example).


Joomla is optimized for iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 & iPad's

[Ecstatic Events]

An obvious lurker has reared his head again...

This email I received made me smile, obviously down to my post.

Wednesday, 13 April, 2011 15:02:02
Web Hosting
...
From:
Tom Lovick <[email protected]>
...
Add to Contacts
To: [email protected]

Hi Mike-



I have seen your website and heard that you were looking for a new site.



If you like I can offer you a very good deal on web hosting packages, I can offer you our unlimited hosting package for only £29.99 per year and wed design from just £100, This can include a template design with your logo, for Joomla, Wordpress and blogger.



I look forward to hearing from you.



Thanks,



Tom

Horizon Hosting

www.horizonhosting.co.uk

Thanks but, no thanks Tom.

[discomobiledj]

He might not be trading for much longer if the Asa have their way....but you didn't hear that from me!

[Ecstatic Events]

He might not be trading for much longer if the Asa have their way....but you didn't hear that from me!

After all that nonsense with him letting a client down on her 50th Birthday. I'm surprised he had the balls to send me that mail.

Complete joker IMO :cool:

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Seeing as he is also banned from the site I hope people are not passing on members information to him.

[Shaun]

Tom is no longer a member of this forum so no longer has the right of reply in response to any posts about him. With that in mind I ask that you don't discuss him any further on the forum.

Thanks in advance for your understanding on this matter.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

That's fair enough Shaun but if you don't mind me asking, is there any possibility of someone having multiple logins on this forum? It's either that or someone is feeding information.

[discomobiledj]

That's fair enough Shaun but if you don't mind me asking, is there any possibility of someone having multiple logins on this forum? It's either that or someone is feeding information.

You can view this thread without logging in.

[Marc J]

Joomla is optimized for iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 & iPad's

I'd say it's templates / themes which would be optimised for different devices / browsers, not the underlying CMS in use.

To say Joomla itself is optimised for these is just wrong. Perhaps the default template is (I don't know), or the admin system, but neither of these are particularly relevant as most people don't use the default theme(s) and the admin side is not public-facing.

[Ecstatic Events]

Tom is no longer a member of this forum so no longer has the right of reply in response to any posts about him. With that in mind I ask that you don't discuss him any further on the forum.

Thanks in advance for your understaing on this matter.

In all honesty Shaun - Does it really matter???

I will respect the forums wishes. But that guy has more front than Brighton.

[Takeiteasy]

''But that guy has more front than Brighton.'' PMSL:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

[Corabar Entertainment]

In all honesty Shaun - Does it really matter???

I will respect the forums wishes. But that guy has more front than Brighton.
Understand totally what you're saying, but we do try to apply the sale rules and guidelines across the board, and seeing as he hasn't got the right of reply, it's best we don't say too much on the subject on the public forum.

[Ecstatic Events]

Understand totally what you're saying, but we do try to apply the sale rules and guidelines across the board, and seeing as he hasn't got the right of reply, it's best we don't say too much on the subject on the public forum.

Thats the last you'll hear from me about the said banned member - pinky swear (as my two girls often say!)

[Corabar Entertainment]

:lol:

[ppentertainments]

Seeing as he is also banned from the site .
I never knew that, where have I been to miss that :confused: :confused:

[Charlie Brown]

Tom has several accounts on here.

He has told me he can access the forum from school, his dad's home etc.

[Corabar Steve]

He has one less now, & he's stupid boasting about it. We will find out & it will bite him on the bum.

Now....



BACK ON TOPIC PLEASE!