New Website

[Benny Smyth]

I've hired a copywriter to add content to my website, so it's still in the process of being completed, but I was hoping to get some feedback on the overall 'feel' and 'look' of the website, if you would be so kind.

www.bennysmyth.co.uk

The copy that's on there right now is the stuff that I've written that may or may not be overruled by my copywriter.

[Daryll]

Thats better , like it

Cheers

Daryll

[Excalibur]

Overall, I think it's very good, and has the right feel.
Only thing I'm unsure of ( and I'll be amazed if I haven't done it myself ) is writing in the third person. Reads like a CV to me, too impersonal, and I'm sure that's the opposite effect to what you were aiming for.

[yourdj]

Looking at the front page thats been added to my 'good website' folder so you are doing something right.

Is the cleavage shot on the 3rd slide intentional ;) . Did you take them? love the photos, very nice indeed for the purpose!!! I have found the no flash ISO type arty thing very good for my funky DJ business (Phat Events). Grainy Raw file would be even better but cant be arsed with the file sizes LOL. Nice not to have a flash as it saves a fortune in batteries and weight on the camera :p

Will have a proper delve on Monday Out with d-family tomorrow, although its secretly a refit/maintainance of a restaurant sound system, while Ania and the baby go shopping. Pays for lunch. :o

[ppentertainments]

I like the site layout, but (my opinion) there is nothing personal about it and doesn't show your passion. The main reason, as already mentioned, is the third person writing. To be blunt, it doesn't cost much to get someone to do a good website, but you can spot ones that have had no DJ input - and I think customers also spot this, and doesn't make people warm to YOU.

I can see the point for see purposes, as you company name is you name, but think it would read better if it was you writing about you.

As a side subject - have you used web nation for a while and if so how did the site rank in google ? I am looking to get a new site designed, but have heard of people using web nation to find the site doesn't rank well which is a major concern of mine - my site is poor but has excellent rankings.

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

Looks good on mobile but yeah it's very unpersonal.

Put yourself in the clients shoes - do you want to book a dj with a website that sounds like they cant be bothered engaging with you or one that feels like the dj is talking to you personally....

[ukpartydj]

It's not my cup of tea mainly due to black background, but it looks good. I'm only on the mobile version and this is what I noticed:

Your logo isn't centered. May be intentional for desktop but I thought it looked odd.

The photos are nice but some don't seem to have a purpose. Lovely image of b&g with your lights, people dancing isn't of my interest personally more than one doesn't add value IMO. 3rd image as Toby mentioned has a focal point which I personally wouldn't use because of that. Also I personally hate the use of very personal photos of people, the types a photographer would use on their website.

More personal as mentioned... Something to click on or go further with. I went on the homepage, read a line or two, looked at photos then was a bit like.. I want more! But there is no more? Well I clicked on wedding dj in the menu but it felt out of my way and no content yet anyway.

Oh also I cannot read the bits that go over the photos on mobile (unless I really try)

It's got a nice modern, clean and professional look to it though :)

[rth_discos]

As a side subject - have you used web nation for a while and if so how did the site rank in google ? I am looking to get a new site designed, but have heard of people using web nation to find the site doesn't rank well which is a major concern of mine - my site is poor but has excellent rankings.

SEO itself is a separate service, so you'd need to be paying separately to rank well.

However, it does depend what editing tools Web Nation provide - it's not a Wordpress based website, so not sure what control you have over various elements of the website.

[ppentertainments]

SEO itself is a separate service, so you'd need to be paying separately to rank well.

However, it does depend what editing tools Web Nation provide - it's not a Wordpress based website, so not sure what control you have over various elements of the website.
This is one of the niggly things putting me off getting a new site. I paid £75 for mine, it ranks excellently, brings in a far bit work, in fact does what I want, just it is so outdated :(

[rth_discos]

This is one of the niggly things putting me off getting a new site. I paid £75 for mine, it ranks excellently, brings in a far bit work, in fact does what I want, just it is so outdated :(

In a nutshell, it's the content on your website and inbound links that are creating the good ranking.

Your site is based on Wordpress, so to replace your theme with a new one shouldn't affect your Google ranking.

Out of interest, what is it ranking well for, as I can't find it under any local searches to you?

[ppentertainments]

In a nutshell, it's the content on your website and inbound links that are creating the good ranking.

Your site is based on Wordpress, so to replace your theme with a new one shouldn't affect your Google ranking.

Out of interest, what is it ranking well for, as I can't find it under any local searches to you?
Hmm what searches are you using.

wedding dj north east/ county durham / northumberland or most local venues I am on page one when searching ?

It isn't a wordpress site, it is an age old cms system :)

[rth_discos]

Hmm what searches are you using.

wedding dj north east/ county durham / northumberland or most local venues I am on page one when searching ?

It isn't a wordpress site, it is an age old cms system :)

Don't forget if you're searching on your own machine, Google is going to present your own site to you, because you've been on it so many times before.

Search results are different on different machines - so might be worth testing on a friend/family member's pc to see what they get.

I'm assuming your site is http://www.ppentertainments.co.uk?

If so, it very much looks like Wordpress: http://www.ppentertainments.co.uk/wp-login.php

[musicology]

Don't forget if you're searching on your own machine, Google is going to present your own site to you, because you've been on it so many times before.

Search results are different on different machines - so might be worth testing on a friend/family member's pc to see what they get.

I'm assuming your site is http://www.ppentertainments.co.uk?

If so, it very much looks like Wordpress: http://www.ppentertainments.co.uk/wp-login.php

I've just done searches for "wedding Dj North east" "Mobile dj Chester le Street" and "dj hire Northumberland" and I'm not seeing ppentertainments either.
I'm now not trusting my own disco search results!

[rth_discos]

I've just done searches for "wedding Dj North east" "Mobile dj Chester le Street" and "dj hire Northumberland" and I'm not seeing ppentertainments either.
I'm now not trusting my own disco search results!

Turns out that there is a second site, and http://www.premierweddingdj.co.uk/ does do quite well in Google

[musicology]

Turns out that there is a second site, and http://www.premierweddingdj.co.uk/ does do quite well in Google

Can you find musicology if you look for a norfolk dj?

[rth_discos]

Can you find musicology if you look for a norfolk dj?

Yes, bottom of page 1

[musicology]

Yes, bottom of page 1

Cheers. Put my mind at rest!

[Benny Smyth]

Thanks for your thoughts all. I've purposely waited a few days before responding to see what the general consensus is.

The reason that the copy that's on there at the moment is in the third person is actually for two reasons. Firstly, I'm not a fan of the "My name is Dave of Dave Double Decks, and I am X, I can do Y and bring you Z" style. I understand why folk do it, but it really grates against me. Secondly, I believe that the best form of advertising is to have other people talk about you and that's kinda the feel that I am aiming for - that it is someone else singing my praises. Like I say though, my copy writer is on the case with coming up with some content and if they over rule me, then so be it. :)

I'll look to change the third image in the slider. I'll be honest and tell you that I actually didn't notice the thing that Toby and David highlighted (minus ten man points for me) as I saw the folk dancing. Clearly it's because I am a true gentleman and don't notice such things. :p

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

Thanks for your thoughts all. I've purposely waited a few days before responding to see what the general consensus is.

The reason that the copy that's on there at the moment is in the third person is actually for two reasons. Firstly, I'm not a fan of the "My name is Dave of Dave Double Decks, and I am X, I can do Y and bring you Z" style. I understand why folk do it, but it really grates against me. Secondly, I believe that the best form of advertising is to have other people talk about you and that's kinda the feel that I am aiming for - that it is someone else singing my praises. Like I say though, my copy writer is on the case with coming up with some content and if they over rule me, then so be it. :)

I'll look to change the third image in the slider. I'll be honest and tell you that I actually didn't notice the thing that Toby and David highlighted (minus ten man points for me) as I saw the folk dancing. Clearly it's because I am a true gentleman and don't notice such things. :p

Each to their own and if our sites were all the same life would be dull but being in the middle of doing my own wedding planning ( I say middle, it's just around the corner!!!) I've been keeping tabs on what has drawn me to certain suppliers and what has put me off.

My main findings:

A good looking website is key

Someone who only operates via facebook or has a [email protected] address won't be seeing any of my money

A personal website (i.e. one that sounds like the person is speaking to you - not using the 3rd person) is also quite compelling...

As a somewhat pertinent aside - however many awards you've got or nominations received, I don't really care to be honest.


So there you have it from the horses mouth or the donkeys back end :D

[ppentertainments]

Don't forget if you're searching on your own machine, Google is going to present your own site to you, because you've been on it so many times before.

Search results are different on different machines - so might be worth testing on a friend/family member's pc to see what they get.

I'm assuming your site is http://www.ppentertainments.co.uk?

If so, it very much looks like Wordpress: http://www.ppentertainments.co.uk/wp-login.php

Ahh, my wedding website is www.premierweddingdj.co.uk and that is my main site.

My PP Entertainments one has never ranked, even before I had Wordpress for it, never really looked into it much either lol

[ukpartydj]

Each to their own and if our sites were all the same life would be dull but being in the middle of doing my own wedding planning ( I say middle, it's just around the corner!!!) I've been keeping tabs on what has drawn me to certain suppliers and what has put me off.

My main findings:

A good looking website is key

Someone who only operates via facebook or has a [email protected] address won't be seeing any of my money

A personal website (i.e. one that sounds like the person is speaking to you - not using the 3rd person) is also quite compelling...

As a somewhat pertinent aside - however many awards you've got or nominations received, I don't really care to be honest.


So there you have it from the horses mouth or the donkeys back end :D

I'm in the same boat, we both loved our photographers website as it was just so open and honest and when we met her it was like we already knew her. It inspired me to be less formal with my website.

Although I can imagine some people don't appreciate that style and likely they wouldn't be ideal clients for me though.

Also if Benny you truly did not see what me and Toby saw, I must advise you visit your opticians!

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

I'm in the same boat, we both loved our photographers website as it was just so open and honest and when we met her it was like we already knew her. It inspired me to be less formal with my website.

Although I can imagine some people don't appreciate that style and likely they wouldn't be ideal clients for me though.

Also if Benny you truly did not see what me and Toby saw, I must advise you visit your opticians!

I cant imagine who wouldn't want a more personalised experience though.

Our wedding venue is amazing. Were in fairly regular for drinks and dinner and the manager is always over asking us how we are, using our first names, and the bar staff even know our favourite co jtails now. The gaffer gave us a free round the other week and gave my brother a free meal when a client stood him up for a meeting there.

Flip that, a few pals have got married in mega popular award winning venues - the coordinators couldn't remember their names or date, booked holidays when they'd scheduled in tastings a nd so on

[Benny Smyth]

I cant imagine who wouldn't want a more personalised experience though.

Our wedding venue is amazing. Were in fairly regular for drinks and dinner and the manager is always over asking us how we are, using our first names, and the bar staff even know our favourite co jtails now. The gaffer gave us a free round the other week and gave my brother a free meal when a client stood him up for a meeting there.

Flip that, a few pals have got married in mega popular award winning venues - the coordinators couldn't remember their names or date, booked holidays when they'd scheduled in tastings a nd so on

And on the flip side of that, I have booked a DJ for my wedding who uses third person speak on their website. On top of that, he is providing me with a personalised service as do I with all my clients. I would actually put the level of service I provide with regards to personalisation against anyone's. The venue we're getting married at says that 'X is a stunning wedding venue that has been planning, co-ordinating and catering for weddings since XYZ" They too refer to themselves in the third person but the level of service I get from them as a customer and as a regular supplier is beyond personal.

Just because the website is in third person does not mean that the service is not as personable. :)

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

And on the flip side of that, I have booked a DJ for my wedding who uses third person speak on their website. On top of that, he is providing me with a personalised service as do I with all my clients. I would actually put the level of service I provide with regards to personalisation against anyone's. The venue we're getting married at says that 'X is a stunning wedding venue that has been planning, co-ordinating and catering for weddings since XYZ" They too refer to themselves in the third person but the level of service I get from them as a customer and as a regular supplier is beyond personal.

Just because the website is in third person does not mean that the service is not as personable. :)

I never said that it meant the service is lacking but subjectively what sells "personable" more - 1st or 3rd person speak?

If you send your clients an e-mail response which do you use... I reckon I know the answer.

[Benny Smyth]

If you send your clients an e-mail response which do you use... I reckon I know the answer.

Apples and oranges. The website is a general form of advertising aimed to appeal to as many people as possible. The email reply is part of the service delivered to a specific individual. Of course they would differ.

[rth_discos]

The website is a general form of advertising aimed to appeal to as many people as possible.

Wrong. The website is designed to reach the niche that you market to.

That niche should know that your service is exactly what they are looking for.

In fact, the clients you don't want to work for should be put off by your website.

My website is purposefully designed to highlight that I am not a cheap DJ - in fact I'm the most expensive in the area. Those on a budget will click away quickly.

Just because a venue has generic third-person text doesn't mean you have to. Whilst they may provide excellent, personal service, they're not communicating it effectively on their website.

10 years ago, just having a website was enough.

Now, everyone has a website, so it's about having an exceptional website that will make it stand out.

Benny, I'm so pleased you've got a copywriter involved, as it makes a massive difference.

Many people are now understanding that it's worth paying a designer to build the site - but are still letting their site down with bad words (often written by themselves).

[Benny Smyth]

Wrong. The website is designed to reach the niche that you market to.

That niche should know that your service is exactly what they are looking for.

In fact, the clients you don't want to work for should be put off by your website.

Let me qualify - appeal to as many people as possible within your target market.


Whilst they may provide excellent, personal service, they're not communicating it effectively on their website.

I'm sorry, but I cannot agree with this statement. I'm not saying what I have written is effective, and the copywriter will get the veto, but I have seen many examples of services being spoken about in the third person that portrays very well the level of service that they provide. There are a lot of examples of services falling down on this but that doesn't mean it cannot be done effectively, and as someone who has used the services of individuals who use this technique I can very much vouch that it can be done effectively.

[Excalibur]

Just because the website is in third person does not mean that the service is not as personable. :)

Excalibur begs to differ. ( You see what I did there)? :Laugh:

[yourdj]

I like the site, its a little masculine (must have been done by a bloke) but its nice and as i have said the photos are good. If the site was mainly 3rd person, I would want to know who I am booking (personally) - my one criticism is that you don't look very friendly on the photo about you section and your nephew looks like he is on his phone. i think a really nice portrait of you all not Djing as well smiling would really attract brides.

This is ours the photo is from our Photo Booth. its a little cheesy, but the business is designed to be friendly and personal. The sort of people you would want to invite to a dinner party (or wedding). If it was phat events then I would make the photos a bit more trendy, which would suit your business better. http://yourdj.co.uk/meet-your-southampton-dj/

18179



Just because the website is in third person does not mean that the service is not as personable. :)

Ours isn't, but its backed up with a lot of personal videos and loads of real testimonials.
The advice section also helps make it more warm & we are really busy. :)




In fact, the clients you don't want to work for should be put off by your website.

Our "no cheese guarantee" is a blinder in picking people that don't want naff music. :p
Also 'if you looking for a cheap DJ then, perhaps we are not the right service for you?'



Also if Benny you truly did not see what me and Toby saw, I must advise you visit your opticians!

I don't think gentleman comes into it, i am just good at looking at photos. I would notice a massive crotch bulge also, which would probably help you more if your trying to attract mostly brides. For the record, i find women who hang out their cleavages like that repulsive. I wont say anymore for fear of upsetting someone (this is when you tell me its your sister LOL). :p

[DazzyD]

Thanks for your thoughts all. I've purposely waited a few days before responding to see what the general consensus is.

The reason that the copy that's on there at the moment is in the third person is actually for two reasons. Firstly, I'm not a fan of the "My name is Dave of Dave Double Decks, and I am X, I can do Y and bring you Z" style. I understand why folk do it, but it really grates against me. Secondly, I believe that the best form of advertising is to have other people talk about you and that's kinda the feel that I am aiming for - that it is someone else singing my praises. Like I say though, my copy writer is on the case with coming up with some content and if they over rule me, then so be it. :)

I'll look to change the third image in the slider. I'll be honest and tell you that I actually didn't notice the thing that Toby and David highlighted (minus ten man points for me) as I saw the folk dancing. Clearly it's because I am a true gentleman and don't notice such things. :p

On the point of speaking/writing in the 3rd person, I don't really get why anyone in a personality-orientated industry such as ours would not want to blow their own trumpet, so to speak. A DJ's USP is the DJ him/herself and if that DJ can't shout about themselves from the rooftops then I'd question their belief in themselves. If you don't believe in you then why expect potential clients to do so? Testimonials come along in the testimonial section of a website. You don't need them in the opening narrative.

That's my opinion, anyway, and everybody has their own. It would be interesting to do an experiment and run two identical websites side by side but changing the narrative in one to the third person and just see how effective they are compared with each other. I'm "retiring" this weekend so maybe that's an experiment someone else may wish to take up!

[ukpartydj]

Thinking about it some DJs are awful at writing their website.

I'm not great at face to face meetings, I nearly always get the bookings but I've brought my fiancée with me twice and she's pointed out some real "why would you say that" things I never noticed I did.

Maybe Benny isn't a good writer?

[funkymook]

I like the 3rd person approach Benny’s used.

Imagine reading half a dozen sites with the usual 'I am...’, We are..’ etc and then coming across one written in a different style, it gets the attention. And by repetition it’s also getting Benny’s name firmly stuck in their minds, there’s not a company name and then a separate DJ's real name to remember either.

There’s also something about contacting a company and getting a reply from the person it’s named after. I’ve experienced that on two occasions recently while planning my own wedding (one a jeweller and the other a tailor) and dealing directly with the companies namesake really added to the experience.

I actually think he could go a bit further with the name/brand concept.

[Vectis]

There’s also something about contacting a company and getting a reply from the person it’s named after.

I second this. A quite recent NaD example springs to mind. A DJ signed up using his own name which was quite an unusual name, but very catchy, memorable and might be found in a thesaurus against 'trustworthy'. He got a lot of bookings in a very short time for a new member, with good feedback following on. Then he changed the company name to Someshire Events (or something similarly meaningless) and the booking rate dropped off considerably.

Now it could be that as a new member he was undercutting like crazy, but having just had a peek through some stats I can say that isn't the case.

So although an isolated example, this supports Martin's supposition and is something I'm looking forward to trying with a future project.

[ukpartydj]

I like the 3rd person approach Benny’s used.

Imagine reading half a dozen sites with the usual 'I am...’, We are..’ etc and then coming across one written in a different style, it gets the attention. And by repetition it’s also getting Benny’s name firmly stuck in their minds, there’s not a company name and then a separate DJ's real name to remember either.

There’s also something about contacting a company and getting a reply from the person it’s named after. I’ve experienced that on two occasions recently while planning my own wedding (one a jeweller and the other a tailor) and dealing directly with the companies namesake really added to the experience.

I actually think he could go a bit further with the name/brand concept.

I've just gone back through the suppliers I've booked and their websites. To my surprise, it's exactly as you say - every single one is "we are a professional comapny" or of that style. Not a single "I'm David, here's what I do", which is my approach. None have the 3rd person approach either which I associate with artists and more famous people so I guess it's not a stupid idea potentially.

Interetesing point, so basically the company inflates their brand using the 3rd person, they now sound like a big deal but when you contact them they provide that personal service... It could work with the right sorts I guess.

[yourdj]

He got a lot of bookings in a very short time for a new member,

Maybe this explains why YOUR DJ, gets loads of enquiries and Phat events gets next to nothing. :p

We are working on Phat this year and I will bear this in mind as its quite definitely 3rd person.

[Benny Smyth]

Okie dokey.

The third slider should be remedied before Christmas (hopefully), and I have changed my 'profile' picture in the About section. It, as was it's predecessor, is a temporary solution as I need to book in a studio shoot (I can't use the previous shoot as I'm no longer that 16 stone fat sod in those pictures!). I agree with Toby that the last image wasn't all that welcoming (my nephew, in his defence, was controlling the lighting but there's no reason for anybody but me and him to know that and he does look like he is on his phone), but I'm hopeful this new one is a bit more inviting. :)