Website not generating enquiries...

[Ryu]

Have been tweaking and adjusting my website for Months now (within the somewhat restrictive boundaries of my Mr Site pro package) and in a general sense, I'm happy with it...I could do with a few more photo's, my SEO is slowly improving, but not perfect....but I'm not getting the enquiries I got from the site a year or two back when I DIDN'T deal with all these things.

Maybe its just general malaise in bookings at the moment, but maybe there's something in my site which isn't really selling me in the right way.

So...if you have a spare 5, be as savage as you like and if you can, let me have some feedback as to why my site wouldn't make you contact me!

Thanks for any advice/thoughts offered! :)

www.harlequinroadshow.co.uk

[Megamix]

my initial thought is that the home page is dark and uninviting - doesn't instantly grab me.

[Ryu]

Interesting...Thanks Megamix, I did wonder if the general "theme" could be an issue...I'll add it to the list of things to further review...

[yourdj]

I agree with the general dark comment.
Not bad but really needs some colour and jest in there.

You probably need to do a bit of SEO - I would suggest getting a pro to redesign and optimise it.
for the cost of a gig its a no brainer IMO.

You are also falling into the classic trap of pictures of loads of lighting and an empty dancefloor.

Get some istock pictures of people having fun and project the image of what you will provide fro your client guests.
No one cares about lights and speaker they will just assume you have the tools for the job. :)

Apart from being blurry all this says to me is book our services and no one will dance:

[funkymook]

my initial thought is that the home page is dark and uninviting - doesn't instantly grab me.

I was just about to write exactly the same. Needs a different colour scheme throughout the site.

Your drop down menus are confusing - took me a while to realise the title itself was part of the menu, I thought it was only the options below it.

Weddings should have more prominence - you say your a wedding specialist so make it really stand out and easy to click onto, and you're selling to brides, so make sure it's appealing to them.

I'd edit the dates out of your feedback - it doesn't look good if it appears the latest is over a year old.

Not many very usable pictures in the Gallery - I'd get some stock ones dotted around the site to add some colour and interest until you can get better ones of your own.

Hope that's helpful and not too negative :)

[yourdj]

Weddings should have more prominence - you say your a wedding specialist so make it really stand out and easy to click onto, and you're selling to brides, so make sure it's appealing to them.)

Nothin wrong with negativity - it takes an excellent DJ to take critisism :)

I am a firm believer if a dj wants to and says they are a wedding specialist then thats all that should be on there.
I would target exactly what you want and perhaps set up another site for any other services.

If this is the case loose the black background and have something a bit more pleasing to a female eye.

At the moment you have the following, which in a clients mind may put them off as you look like a jack of all trades. Tom from RSD and the business show always bangs on about the bloke he met at BPM last year who said he was a specialist and must have listed ten events. :p
There is no way someone can specialise in that many kinds of parties so you do not really have a USP just making you another DJ to get a quote from.

Weddings
Parties
Corporate Events
Childrens Parties
Teen Parties
Video Disco

[Ryu]

This is all golden stuff. Thanks for the feedback Funkymook and Your Dj...not harsh at all, its all useable market research from people who are trying to achieve similar things.

So...at the moment I'm getting 6 key things

Theme-ing (Less Dark)
Photo's of Dancing
Specialization
SEO tweaking/Rehaul from a pro (I have grown to hate SEO...or my futile attempts at improving it!)
Sub Menus Restructure
Dates in Feedback

Thanks again. If anyone else has anything to add, again, much appreciated!

[funkymook]

This is all golden stuff. Thanks for the feedback Funkymook and Your Dj...not harsh at all, its all useable market research from people who are trying to achieve similar things.

So...at the moment I'm getting 6 key things

Theme-ing (Less Dark)
Photo's of Dancing
Specialization
SEO tweaking/Rehaul from a pro (I have grown to hate SEO...or my futile attempts at improving it!)
Sub Menus Restructure
Dates in Feedback

Thanks again. If anyone else has anything to add, again, much appreciated!

Actually, thinking about it my first bit of feedback should have been - get a professional to do it!

Take a look through some of the DJ sites on the internet - the difference in the look and quality of a professional site to a 'home made' one really stands out, and that's before you even start considering optimising SEO (if no one finds your site it doesn't matter how fab it is).

And consider how many hours you've spent on it already with little result. I'd say if it isn't working by now time to call in the professionals. It'll pay for itself with the first gig booked through it.

[Ryu]

Actually, thinking about it my first bit of feedback should have been - get a professional to do it!

Take a look through some of the DJ sites on the internet - the difference in the look and quality of a professional site to a 'home made' one really stands out, and that's before you even start considering optimising SEO (if no one finds your site it doesn't matter how fab it is).

And consider how many hours you've spent on it already with little result. I'd say if it isn't working by now time to call in the professionals. It'll pay for itself with the first gig booked through it.

Maybe thats it Funkymook....A simple, albeit wallet hitting solution.

The SEO is getting there, not quite page 1 for some searches (3 on searches like "Oxford Disco") but my web hits have definitely increased....which led me to think that it was the design which was the issue.

I've got another 10 month on my current package, and the plan was hold back on a pro site, do what I can with my existing package, then invest down the line....maybe I'd avoid a number of problems if I invest now...

[funkymook]

Maybe thats it Funkymook....A simple, albeit wallet hitting solution.

The SEO is getting there, not quite page 1 for some searches (3 on searches like "Oxford Disco") but my web hits have definitely increased....which led me to think that it was the design which was the issue.

I've got another 10 month on my current package, and the plan was hold back on a pro site, do what I can with my existing package, then invest down the line....maybe I'd avoid a number of problems if I invest now...

I'd say priority is getting a good site up and running asap - especially for the wedding market, you want to be getting results for next years wedding season now. Get a professional one created for that.

And how about you change this site to something totally different? If there's anything you really enjoy playing (Motown, Rock, Dubstep etc) turn it into a specialist site that caters for it. You can play around with it as much as you like knowing your core business site isn't going to be affected.

[Ryu]

I'd say priority is getting a good site up and running asap - especially for the wedding market, you want to be getting results for next years wedding season now. Get a professional one created for that.

And how about you change this site to something totally different? If there's anything you really enjoy playing (Motown, Rock, Dubstep etc) turn it into a specialist site that caters for it. You can play around with it as much as you like knowing your core business site isn't going to be affected.

That is a great idea!!. Keep this site for the party stuff, Create a new site for the wedding stuff. I checked out some domains last night....www.oxfordshireweddingdisco.co.uk is currently available...

[funkymook]

That is a great idea!!. Keep this site for the party stuff, Create a new site for the wedding stuff. I checked out some domains last night....www.oxfordshireweddingdisco.co.uk is currently available...

And there's no reason why you can't have links to the other site which helps generate more traffic.

Get that name registered now if you want it (you've just shown your interest in it on a public forum!)

[Ryu]

I now own (or will do once registration is complete) aforementioned domain.

Also, as an interim measure, I've added some pics to the front page...no need for stock photo's, these are actuals from gigs over the last year!

Also contacted a couple who's wedding I did two years back, friends of the family....and...most importantly...own and manage a Web/SEO company. They've pitched me a few ideas before, I figure nows the time to take the plunge!!

Of course, once the new site is up and running, I'll let you know!

[James]

Yup, if web design ain't your strong point, then pay someone to do it for you, definitely

[JAMdisco]

Just a quick one I noticed:

On your 'Frequently Asked Questions' page, the link to "take a look at our packages page to get an idea of our starting prices. " doesn't work.

May be a big deal if people want an idea of your prices (as most would I reckon).

[edit] Just looked at your 'Packages' screen and there aren't any prices anyway lol

[discomobiledj]

For the £100 you paid for the Mr Site Pro package (why pro when you don't have a shopping cart which is what Pro is for primarily) you could have got a template design done and some basic hosting.

[Ryu]

Just a quick one I noticed:

On your 'Frequently Asked Questions' page, the link to "take a look at our packages page to get an idea of our starting prices. " doesn't work.

May be a big deal if people want an idea of your prices (as most would I reckon).

[edit] Just looked at your 'Packages' screen and there aren't any prices anyway lol

Thanks Jaydee...yup, been tweaking that a bit much recently, so need to tidy some links. had prices, changed my mind and removed em again!

[Matty12]

To be fair I would get rid of the website you have now, and pay somebody to do a good job.

If I saw this in public view I would click straight of it and will not be contacting you ever even though you're a good DJ but the website makes you look a rubbish DJ.:o

PS: Pay somebody to do it!

[Ryu]

For the £100 you paid for the Mr Site Pro package (why pro when you don't have a shopping cart which is what Pro is for primarily) you could have got a template design done and some basic hosting.

Yeah hindsight is a wonderful thing. Its in the pipeline.


To be fair I would get rid of the website you have now, and pay somebody to do a good job.

If I saw this in public view I would click straight of it and will not be contacting you ever even though you're a good DJ but the website makes you look a rubbish DJ.:o

PS: Pay somebody to do it!


Wow! Is that really the case?? The website makes me look like a Rubbish DJ??

Looks like I have my work cut out!!

[DazzyD]

I'm not the best person to give website advice (which is why my ideas are currently with a pro site designer and my current site has been dormant for some time) but, from a punter point of view, I'd agree with the dark colours not being very inviting.

The other thing that I noticed that others haven't mentioned is the testimonials. Whenever I see testimonials/client comments where there no names to give the comments some credibility, I think "Oh, yeah? Is that right??" (in a very sarcastic tone!!). Basically, what I'm saying is, give the comments some credit by validating them with a name / venue / function, etc. For example "Harlequin Discos provided the perfect entertainment for the perfect end to out perfect day" - Mr & Mrs Smith, Wedding, Anytown Church Hall. You get the idea.

[Ryu]

I'm not the best person to give website advice (which is why my ideas are currently with a pro site designer and my current site has been dormant for some time) but, from a punter point of view, I'd agree with the dark colours not being very inviting.

The other thing that I noticed that others haven't mentioned is the testimonials. Whenever I see testimonials/client comments where there no names to give the comments some credibility, I think "Oh, yeah? Is that right??" (in a very sarcastic tone!!). Basically, what I'm saying is, give the comments some credit by validating them with a name / venue / function, etc. For example "Harlequin Discos provided the perfect entertainment for the perfect end to out perfect day" - Mr & Mrs Smith, Wedding, Anytown Church Hall. You get the idea.


Cheers Dazzy,

The feedback thing is interesting. I had dates of the functions on it previously, but understand where you are coming from. I have made a point of mentioning that all my feedback is available on request, and that I have advocates available for potential customers to speak with directly.

Its all useful feedback though...thanks!

[Ryu]

Well, made a few tweaks, including a fundamental colour shift...certainly a lot brighter....might be a bit marmite for some. Hey ho...its a stop gap, we shall see...Thanks again all for any feedback offered.

[discomobiledj]

Well, made a few tweaks, including a fundamental colour shift...certainly a lot brighter....might be a bit marmite for some. Hey ho...its a stop gap, we shall see...Thanks again all for any feedback offered.

Cruel to be kind, but it looks like a child put it together! You're better off putting a holding page up saying "New website coming soon, for a free quote contact ryu @ harlequinroadshow. co. uk or call XXXXX XXXXXX"

[Ryu]

Cruel to be kind, but it looks like a child put it together! You're better off putting a holding page up saying "New website coming soon, for a free quote contact ryu @ harlequinroadshow. co. uk or call XXXXX XXXXXX"

Aww come on now, I have see way worse, although admittedly many better.

Your own site isn't massively different...

[surround sounds]

I must admit the website is not great but i agree its not the worse i have seen..
Many of the photos are to dark and on some pages the text is in yellow and it does not stand out..

[Corabar Steve]

Ryu, please change your signature so that it complies with the foum rules. Thanks.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Get a pro involved, sorry but I don't think that site does you justice.

[Ryu]

Steve - apologies, should be compliant now

Most everyone else - I'm getting the message ;)

Hopefully this one will be around for a short time only!

[Matty12]

Get a pro involved, sorry but I don't think that site does you justice.

:agree: Sorry but its true!:o

[Corabar Steve]

Thank you :HappySteve:

[discomobiledj]

Aww come on now, I have see way worse, although admittedly many better.

Your own site isn't massively different...

:eek: How do you work that one out?

[Excalibur]

Aww come on now, I have see way worse, although admittedly many better.

Your own site isn't massively different...


:eek: How do you work that one out?

Gentlemen. Please take note that while we encourage polite, reasoned and informed debate, we will not tolerate insults and derogatory comments. If this shows signs of descending into :handbag: then offending posts will be deleted without hesitation. Thank you.

[Ryu]

:eek: How do you work that one out?

Well, the picture and picture comparison actually helps my point. Massively Different to me would be...

12936

I'd say your website would be a more refined mature type of the same cheese.

If a Child could create the website on the left...it wouldn't exactly take a university degree for that same child to create the one on the right??

[Excalibur]

After post #33, we're getting perilously close to crossing the boundaries I mentioned. For the last time, I repeat:


Gentlemen. Please take note that while we encourage polite, reasoned and informed debate, we will not tolerate insults and derogatory comments. If this shows signs of descending into :handbag: then offending posts will be deleted without hesitation. Thank you.

[Vectis]

:eek: How do you work that one out?

Well at risk of stating the bleedin' obvious (but not wanting to promote infighting)...

[Ryu]

Those were the similarities I'd spotted. Thanks Vectis.

In any case, Discomobiledj's original point does have validity (it was the stones/glasshouses nature of the critique I took issue with) there are no doubts I need a better, pro design for my site and am currently looking at my options.

Anyone know any good webdesigners? ;)

[Matty12]

Well, the picture and picture comparison actually helps my point. Massively Different to me would be...

12936

I'd say your website would be a more refined mature type of the same cheese.

If a Child could create the website on the left...it wouldn't exactly take a university degree for that same child to create the one on the right??

I think its the opposite your website is far worse! just pay somebody to do it yes it mite cost £300 but you'll get your money back within 2 / 3 gigs.

[Ryu]

Read the post above yours. I will be doing that.

Probably worth taking a look at the definition of the word "opposite" though.

[yourdj]

I think its the opposite your website is far worse! just pay somebody to do it yes it mite cost £300 but you'll get your money back within 2 / 3 gigs.

Or one if you charge £300 a gig :p
And half if you charge £600 :)

[Vectis]

Why oh why do most DJ's measure expenditure in "gigs" ?? :confused:

You're running a BUSINESS here folks!!

(mind you I suppose it's no different than other unofficial units of measurement, such as 'football pitches' or 'double decker buses' :p )

[Corabar Entertainment]

Why oh why do most DJ's measure expenditure in "gigs" ?? :confused: ...and I'd just love to know how these DJs make 100% profit on said gigs! :p