Website critique

[Shaun]

There's been a few recent 'Website Critique' topics and I always pick up good pointers from them. So....I thought I'd offer my own site up to your comments and opinions.

Latest additions to the site are:

Gallery - Not much in it at the moment, I'll be adding more content to it shortly.

FAQ - The FAQ content is still a work in progress.

Venues - Inspired by 'Vectisvibes' venue system, Marc implimented a venues database on the website.

Also added some animation to the silhoutte in the main site image.

Just want to publically say a MASSIVE thank you to Marc for all the time and energy he's put into the site lately. Really appreciated mate :approve:

OK guys....do yer worst!. Looking forward to hearing your suggestions, comments and critique :)

www.elitedj.co.uk

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Personally, I love your site. It is the epitomy of professionalism and looks fantastic and classy, with just enough info.

I spent 6 months before I sorted my site out looking through other DJs sites deciding what I didn't want and yours wouldn't be featured on any counts!

The only slight critism is that it looks fairly small the way it displays.

Good work Marc and Shaun.

[mikeee]

And it's got a google rating of 4 / 10, which apparently is very good.

[PropellerHeadCase]

I like it very much, and I checked it at 600x800 so I see see why it's the size it is (even if that screen size is probably the exception these days). Only thing I'd say is that there is the possibility that some people (mothers of brides I'm thinking of, in particular) may find the animated gif a trifle risqué.

Other than it's all informative and brief, easy to read and all-in-all, well done.

The venue database is nice, too, do you use it when charging for particular venues?


I like yours, too, Darren, except that there's too much on each page, you have to scroll down way too much to get to everything, for my taste anyway.

I like your on-line music lists, too. By the way the bottom of your 2000s list is screwed up, some funny tab/centreing things going on.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I like yours, too, Darren, except that there's too much on each page, you have to scroll down way too much to get to everything, for my taste anyway.

I like your on-line music lists, too. By the way the bottom of your 2000s list is screwed up, some funny tab/centreing things going on.


Yeah, that's because I added to the newest list and it wants me to add the whole list rather then a couple of lines for some reason.

Oh, by the way, it wasn't my site under scrutiny here, thank you. :mad: ;)

[Shaun]

Daz, Mikeee, Alan...thanks for the feedback :).


Keep 'em coming guys.

[rob1963]

I think it's an excellent site.

Very professional looking & definately one of the best I've seen.

Just one small comment...the text seems a bit small, or maybe I just need stronger contact lenses! :D

[Shaun]

Cheers Rob,

The down-side of the site design is I'm limited to how much text I can display. If I make the type larger it means I'll have to take away content. I had to find a happy medium. I Understand what you mean though.

[DJ Frankie]

How much you paying these Shaun :D I think its rubbish!!! Only joking ;) , mate its been nicely thought out and very informative. Youngsters could learn alot form your site. Good one.

[Shaun]

Cheers Frankie.

It's nice to get positive feedback. All credit goes to Marc though. Apart from the text content and a little graphic design he's responsible for building the site from the ground up.

Cheers for the comments everyone, nice to know i'm on the right track with the website. :approve:

[Marc J]

Thanks for the comments, I know the site's been live for a while but it's good to get some feedback on the new features.

There's still room for another two links in the navigation... :)

[Shaun]

Latest addition to the website......

* Live Support.

This is only visible if an 'Op' is online.

[Marc J]

That's used up the last two slots :)

On ecommerce sites this kind of thing gets a lot of use and improves conversions, so it'll be interesting to see if it gets used on your site...

[LastMinuteDJs.net]

Have only seen it on one other disco website - a certain Watchdog famous DJ we all know and love.

He was using it the night of the Watchdog show - basically grilling everyone who came on the site. Who are you? What do you want? Are you a DJ?

[Thames Valley Discos]

just wondering if you have had it designed professionally, why you have free scripts in it?
Looks very nice though and nice colour. i also like the picture section looks very nice

[Marc J]

just wondering if you have had it designed professionally, why you have free scripts in it?
Looks very nice though and nice colour

To test the concept. No point spending money on a script license if it's not going to be used...if it does get used Shaun will no doubt settle on one of the many paid solutions and change to that.

And anyway, just because a site is professionally designed, doesn't mean you can't use free scripts! Take a look at the Porsche Brazil (http://www.porsche.com.br/) website, then have a look at the source...you'll see the whole site is built using Joomla (http://www.joomla.org), one of the best open source (free) CMS scripts available!

Software is one of the few cases where you don't necessarily "get what you pay for". In many cases the free solutions happen to also be the best. The server running this forum runs on open source software, as do around 75% of ALL websites!

[Shaun]

just wondering if you have had it designed professionally, why you have free scripts in it?
Looks very nice though and nice colour

Do you mean the 'Live Support' script?.

The live support is open source and offered 90% of the options that the others offered, although we looked at several 'paid for' applications we decided to try a 'tester' out to see if it's worth the expenditure. The one I'm using has been disected (graphically) as the original just looked absolutely terrible, once I'm finished with it, it'll look unrecognisable from the basic open source we started with. If the responce to the addition of the Live Support is favourable, I'll more than likely try a more sleek appplication. For now though this is basically a trial.


*edit...You beat me to it Marc.


p.s: Thanks for the feeback Paul :)

[Thames Valley Discos]

I was just curious as to why, i know lots of sites use them, so calm down:D

[Shaun]

I'm always calm....it's a curse :)

[Thames Valley Discos]

I'm always calm....it's a curse :)
Sorry i meant Marc;)
the site is very nice, and my question was mearley for my benefit as i,m having another site designed at the moment and free scripts cropt up in a meeting.

[Marc J]

I think he meant me :D

Sorry....Just re-read my post and I got a bit defensive :o

[Shaun]

It's not like you Marc...lol. You're probably the most laid back person I know (after me that is :p)

[Marc J]

It's not like you Marc...lol. You're probably the most laid back person I know (after me that is :p)

It's OK....it's passed :)

[Thames Valley Discos]

the live help is a good idea though

[Marc J]

Funny you should mention about free software cropping up in a meeting.

Here's how the subject was raised in the the latest meeting with Shaun: Click here (http://www.wittycomics.com/comic/22232)

[Jiggles]

Here's how the subject was raised in the the latest meeting with Shaun: Click here (http://www.wittycomics.com/comic/22232)


PMSL!!! :D :D :D The best so far that has to be!!!

[Shaun]

:lol:

That's pretty much how the conversation went :D :D

[Marc J]

i also like the picture section looks very nice

Have a look at this thread (http://www.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=5622), there's a post on Page 2 with download details.

[Marc J]

One month on, any news on the Live Support front Shaun? Does it see much action?

[Shaun]

So far...not a huge deal to be honest. Usage of the 'Live Support' by visitors to the site has been low, however, I've had one confirmed booking due to being able to answer the customers queries there and then. All in all, I'm still glad the live support's been implimented.

[pulsemobiledisco]

Very impressive website Shaun. Looks very professional.

Sam

[Shaun]

Thanks for the kind comments, Sam. :)