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Caleb Wiles Inner circle Indianapolis, IN 1132 Posts |
Hey guys,
I'm working on updating my website. The old version is http://www.CalebWiles.com The new site can be seen at http://www.CalebWilesMagic.com My designer is building this on a custom Wordpress site. It isn't finished, but I thought I would ask for your thoughts so I an implement the changes during the design process instead of having to go back and change things later. The blog and magician's only section still need the most work. I'm having him tackle the pieces meant for potential clients first. Any comments you have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Caleb
Check out my Main Event project (DVD or Download).
"Magicians, stop what you're doing right now and pick this up!" - John Guastaferro "Caleb Wiles is the real deal!" - David Williamson "...my very highest recommendation." - John Carey |
aussiemagic Special user 937 Posts |
Hi Caleb,
I think the site looks pretty good. One thing that I didn't particularly like was how you had "Did someone mention a party?" with a picture of cocktail glasses, and then directly under that you are advertising an educational show. I really like the use of "Did someone mention a party?" but it doesn't seem consistent with someone who does a "mathemagic" show...I would be inclined to make them into separate sites. Just my initial thoughts. I need a lot of work done on my sites! Best
How to become a professional magician:
Click here |
aussiemagic Special user 937 Posts |
One more thing, I would be inclined to put your picture up the top in the header rather than a picture of hands holding cards.
How to become a professional magician:
Click here |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Caleb,
As aussiemagic said, you are mixing to many things on one page. Your home page should just tell who you are and what you do. You name should be at the top and the largest thing on the page. Then you can put the party banner under that. No need to mention a magicians only page on the home page. Nothing really shows magic on the home page. A viewer should be excited by a magical looking page. No mention of what your main target close-up intimate magic or stage, parlour type of shows. There is nothing that says or tells the person, I found the site I am looking for that fits my needs and will look for more informatation to see if you are a fit for my event. Your original site had the same problems as I have mentioned. I know you can and want to do it all, but that is not how people buy. Each page should be devoted to each type of magic. You need to re-think what you are trying to accomplish and your market. |
jackturk Elite user 463 Posts |
I agree with the gentleman from Ft. Wayne. Your site looks
great, is totally professional, and well-written. But who is it for? As a magician, I'm definitely interested in your card effect offers. And all your "Reviews" seem to relate to your product offerings. But as a potential party/meeting planner, there's only a smidgen there for me. You have the "Services" section which talks about hiring you as a magician - but even there, you include a section about doing lectures for magicians. Not something I want for my Christmas party at Steelside Ball & Bearing. So my top suggestion is create TWO sites - one for magicians where you sell your products and services and another for potential customers of your magic show services. --Jack
"59 Ways To Recession Proof Your Entertainment Business -- FREE!"
http://www.GetLeadsLikeCrazy.com "How To Make $25,000 a Year Doing Birthday Parties Part-Time" http://www.magicmarketingcenter.com/birthdayPT |
Ed_Millis Inner circle Yuma, AZ 2292 Posts |
Get Seth Godin's "Knock Knock" PDF guide to building web sites.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%2B......2+%2Bpdf He likens each page to steps leading up to the main entrance. Each step is there for only one reason - to get you closer to the door. If you put more than one step on a page, you risk confusing the customer. A page can be a montage display case of a bit of everything, but it should only have one clear message - CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE. Like the restaraunt menu cover showing photos of so much good stuff - that's not where you buy from; it's job is to make you want to open the menu and find the section you want. Just a thought or two. Ed |
gadfly3d Special user 963 Posts |
I like the site, the only suggestion I would make is that when you go to the booking page the contact information is lost among too much other information. I think that page should be simply dedicated to how they can contact you.
Gil Scott |
Ed_Millis Inner circle Yuma, AZ 2292 Posts |
The firewall and antivirus on my home computer say your site is "suspicious"???
Might want to have your designer check into it - could scare off people. (XP Pro SP3, IE 7, ZoneAlarm free, AVG free, Spyware Terminator) Ed |
Caleb Wiles Inner circle Indianapolis, IN 1132 Posts |
Thanks for the comments, guys. I really appreciate it. I will pass your thoughts on to my designer.
Ed, that's weird that it says it's "suspicious" as it's just a wordpress site. I'll definitely pass the info along as well. Caleb
Check out my Main Event project (DVD or Download).
"Magicians, stop what you're doing right now and pick this up!" - John Guastaferro "Caleb Wiles is the real deal!" - David Williamson "...my very highest recommendation." - John Carey |
Magicray69 Veteran user Tampa Bay 369 Posts |
Even though the critisism is constructive. I really like your site. It is easy to navigate and exudes a warm, friendly image. I think you did a great job. Love the trick demos, very well done and you left me asking for more. Good work!
There was a time I had the blues,
the reason was I had no shoes. Until I met upon the street a man who had no feet. |
MikeClay Special user Atlanta GA 761 Posts |
WELL DONE Implementation of Wordpress
I 2nd Jack's comments the only on page factor I would change.. add a star or something behind the phone # or bold the CALL NOW to draw the eye more... or move the did someone mention a party block above the section about you.. (TEST IT) easy way to see if that helps is .. setup google webmaster tools and then install the A/B split testing for wordpress and test the current header with one that emphasizes the # more and change the # to a google voice # on both so you can track how many of each # calls in ..
its ok.. balloon dogs don't bite
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Caleb Wiles Inner circle Indianapolis, IN 1132 Posts |
Thanks for all of your suggestions. The site is pretty much finished. We still need to work out some issues on the magician's only product page. Does anyone know if you can set up a shopping cart with Paypal. Right now, the customer can only buy the products one at a time. I'm trying to find a workaround.
I've been blogging like crazy. Check out the magician's only blog for magic reviews, performance videos, and more. Let me know what you think. Caleb http://www.CalebWilesMagic.com
Check out my Main Event project (DVD or Download).
"Magicians, stop what you're doing right now and pick this up!" - John Guastaferro "Caleb Wiles is the real deal!" - David Williamson "...my very highest recommendation." - John Carey |
Joe Mauro Inner circle 1133 Posts |
Very bright, colorful and fun to surf.
~Joe
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Scott Burton Inner circle 1131 Posts |
Hi Caleb,
I really like your site. Nice, clean, and professional. Well above most sites out there IMO. If I were to suggest anything: - I'm not big on highlighting cards in the header. I believe this reduces you to being about "tricks" rather than the entertainment or you as a unique and valuable entertainer (which is what people will hire you for - not for the tricks). However, the header does look good and you feature some nice stuff about you right below it so I don't consider this a major issue overall. - I didn't see any testimonials. I consider testimonials (video, audio, and/or text) to be the most important element of any web site. If nothing else, a website needs testimonials to show the great results you provide. |
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