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NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
One of the design flaws of http://www.conman.com.au is that I have limited space on the front page.
Now that I've added my video, I'm limited in text I can use to sell myself. Do you think I should: a) Not have the video on the front page? b) Have limited words on the front page? c) redesign it so that I have more room. i.e. so it looks like the other pages more? Posted: Mar 7, 2010 9:52pm I moved the video for the time being. |
ScottRSullivan Special user 874 Posts |
First of all, I still love your design. One of the best in the business. What should be done?
Here's one hint. Count the words on this front page: http://www.apple.com/ But that approach might be a bit difficult, so here's a second idea: Perhaps try this, is have a small thumbnail for the video and then when they click it, the video pops up, over the website. It's like those photo galleries where you click the picture and the background gets dark as the photo enlarges over the page (that's called the lightbox effect). |
Ken Northridge Inner circle Atlantic City, NJ 2392 Posts |
I don't understand. I thought having a lot of text was very important, especially for SEO.
Secondly, my web site building allows me to make my front page bigger. Is that not an option on your program?
"Love is the real magic." -Doug Henning
www.KenNorthridge.com |
Scott Burton Inner circle 1131 Posts |
The design of the home page is unique, eye-catching, fun, professional, and fits your theme very well. However, its also visually "busy" and is hard for the reader (or perhaps just me haha) to know what to read or look at first. Even with the small amount of text, I believe that the text gets hidden in the design (brown background) and will be the last thing to be looked at.
I am torn as I both love the design but realize that it could be beneficial to make it less busy and more focused on your intended message. I like the white notepad look of the other pages as it create a better focal point for the reader and it is flexible enough to allow you to add more content as you are looking to do. Perhaps this would be the best route and the best of both worlds. |
ScottRSullivan Special user 874 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-03-08 06:46, Ken Northridge wrote: I agree, text is GREAT for SEO. But we have to realize that sites have to be designed for PEOPLE and efficient use of whitespace helps guide the eye. It's a balance between the two. |
Thom Bliss Loyal user Southern California 271 Posts |
I'd go with c).
I don't understand why you can't have a larger home page. Is there a problem with the host or the site-building software? I haven't seen your video. If it's worth showing, if it's up the the standards of the rest of your site, you certainly want to show it. If I had a great video, I'd certainly have it on my home page. You certainly want to include text on your home page. Search engines can't search or index the contents of your video. Actually, search engines are kinda dumb. Figure out what the people who should be hiring you are looking for (Magician in Australia? Corporate speaker in Melbourne? Educational shows in Australasia?), then tell the search engines that's what you offer. Then tell them over and over. I think much of the stuff on the "background" page should be moved to the home page. I liked the folders. I've seen similar tabs before, but yours look better than others I've seen. That said, the folders never seem to open (the graphics, not the pages). Instead, we see a lot of stuff in front of closed folders. Also, when you have a lot of content (such as at http://www.conman.com.au/entertainment/), you might want to have the torn from spiral notebook look repeat several times, for different sections of the content. When I opened the "education" folder I expected to see something about YOUR education. Instead, I found information about your educational shows-programs. Perhaps some relabeling is in order. Also, I have only a vague idea of where you perform. All of Australia? Just Melbourne? Most of the world? I tried to find your site using Google Australia (google.com.au). You were among the top 10 for "magicians Australia" and "magicians Melbourne;" but not among the top 100 for "Magicians Sydney." I did find you under "Magicians Canberra," (33) probably because you mentioned the Times Canberra somewhere on your site. If you perform outside of Melbourne, of want to, you should mention the cities, states, territories, countries, whatever, where you want to perform. I really liked your site. Thom . |
NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
Ken and Thom - When I provided my designed with a brief, I expressed a desire to have the text printed on the front of the folder. Of course, this limits the text that appears on the folder. If I write too much text, it vanishes! (which is far better then having it go off the folder onto the 'desk'.
I think a piece of paper on the front would be good. I'm thinking of re-labelling the tabs as follows:- Backstory Entertainment Educational Blog Contact |
TheMagicianGuide New user Wheat Ridge Colorado 90 Posts |
I like the contrast of the red and green dice/chips on the bottom.
use the same contrasting colors to draw their eye to what you really want them to see on your homepage first - we have larger monitors and those are pushed off the screen in a larger browser/screen setting too. Very nice overall though!
TheMagicianGuide.com - National Magician Directory.
The Magician Guide is part of Kids Party Resource network of childrens entertainers and event rentals. |
lou serrano Special user Los Angeles, CA 671 Posts |
I'd also go with C.
The current home page, although nicely designed, doesn't grab my attention. It doesn't have a true focal point, so I'm not sure what to do with the information. I'm not even captivated to want to read the other information. If you're just looking to build your brand, I think it's does the job well. if you're looking to convert viewers into paying customers, then the other pages have a better design for conveying more information, and can do a better job of converting prospects into customers. Respectfully, Lou Serrano |
Jay Mahon Special user 983 Posts |
You could have more catchy headings for that, or a big CAUGHT ON TAPE link to a video. You might be able to turn your mugshot into an animation with you blinking and turning your head a little bit. Might cause people to click on it.
J |
NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
I'm still finding a balance between eye-catching themeing and practical communication. For example, "confessions" sounds better than "blog" but "blog" communicates better.
If anyone has any general suggestions for the site, please feel free to give them. |
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