The site is inteded to be an informative site. It informs the viewer about me, what I do, and what I can do for them. Although it doesn't do so in a persuasive way, nor in a clear manner. Am I a DJ? A graphic designer? Ad geek? If you google these words my site doesn't even register. I guess the site is a clear reflection of how unclear I am about my path because I just want to do it all.
I'll start from the face down. Literally.
The splash page takes way too long to load and is too big to fit on most computers. BIG no no in the website business. It tells you nothing about the site and gives no reason for the viewer to view on. Not to mention the huge, unflattering image that took way too long to fix in photoshop. What a waste of time.
An even more waste of time would be to click on the splash page and end up on the home page. Whoever said "Home Is Where Your Website Is" couldn't have been more wrong. This page is never up to date, usually gives the few viewers only a few days to attend 'upcoming' events, and is topped off with more unflattering, self-absorbed photoshops that really nobody, myself included, cares to see.
You have the misfortune of seeing this header through every page, including the bio, adwork, dj and contact pages. Although it might seem they're all the same page because the header is so big that the viewer can't see anything else without scrolling down.
Who is the viewer anyways? Not that I think this website would appeal to anyone, but who is the intended audience? Originally it was directed towards fans, aged 16-25 who wanted to check out my next gig and party to my music. Then I added the ads to let people know that I'm more than just a DJ...that I had a daytime purpose too. Big mistake to try and appeal to the 26-45 year old business person on the same raver site. Opposites do attract but you should never try to attract opposites, not from the same site anyways.
It doesn't matter how many of these stickers I hand out...
....people just don't want to return to a bad website.
Now I could go on about how I embedded too many links and didn't highlight any key points. Or that there is no benefit or testimonials on my site. But instead I'm going to start from scratch.
Next time around I'm going to make 2 seperate sites; one for the DJing, one for the Ad work. I'm going to put key words in meta tags and descriptive tags to ensure that everyone and anyone can find me. I'm going to update them frequently with emotional, conversational copy, perhaps in the form of blogs, that keep people on the sites and keep them coming back. My life is quite the entertaining adventure so why can't my sites be?
Most importantly, my new sites are going to sell me. I'm going to sell my DJ services on one site, with up-to-date event listings and set downloads. While the second site will incorporate all of my advertising and graphic design work, including testimonials and client lists.
So back to the drawing board I go, so that I may fulfil my dreams of being in advertising by day and a DJ by night. But never the twain shall meet again.
4 comments:
What a post, I don't see any person would bash their own site I think you are the first one, which is kinda weird, but you actually talk about what need to be improve on your future websites and I'm really looking forward to visit those new sites, which I think it will be really promising.
I love your honesty Wendy but don’t be so hard on yourself. Most people do not even take the initiative to promote themselves and the talents they possess. I think it is wonderful that you take the time and effort to make people aware of who you are and what you are capable of doing. No one gets it perfect right of the bat however putting that effort in is what is most important. You’ve already described what you need to fix and that is a start to improving your website. I enjoy the graphics on your website, you have lot of photos to look at and the fact that people can listen to a set is great for promoting yourself. Keep up your drive for success; it is very motivating for others.
I think its great that you chose your own website to do. All great websites have to start somewhere, and they can only grow and get better. To critique your own website is a honest thing to do. It's great that you could take the time and even create a website showcasing everything you have done, everything you have accomplished. Keep up the great work.
Jeff
I love how you used the backhanded way of advertising your website....as they say any press is good press...you did a preemptive strike on any criticism...such a great move...Curiosity now will draw people back to that website of yours....awesome promotion via reverse psychology.:)
http://thingsjimmylikes.blogspot.com/2010/11/note-to-my-classmates-i-rip-into-you.html
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