Balloon Chat
Uncategorized Boards => Website "Chat" Help => Topic started by: Graham Lee on April 06, 2008, 09:21:45 AM
I was thinking of putting a forum on the front page where we could all help each other with comments on each other's websites.
Trying to help each other with constructive comments on how perhaps your website would look better if you done xyz,
spelling/grammar? problems,
as I know this is not my strong point etc or how to get a website up if your thinking of having one.
So the idea would be to help each other, as websites are a very personnal thing and sometimes we can all be very sensitive about them.
We would only comment on sites that people ask for help.
What should we call the forum if it goes up, how about,
"Website Help"
"Your Website Chat"
Anyone fancy being the first up or I could put one of my sites up, I think I've got six including this forum.
Graham Lee
i could do with some help i realy want to go for it this year befor i send off for some more cards
I think it's important to talk though the options starting with what web site... Get it done for you like I did with a grant http://www.davehickory.co.uk (http://www.davehickory.co.uk) or design your own via html or free software or something like mrsite which I am using and designing for my magic clubs web site http://www.bathcircleofmagicians.com/ (http://www.bathcircleofmagicians.com/) (work in progress).
But most important is buy your domain name I use abcreg but there are loads of places that you can pick them up from.
I would like to know what other twisters use for their web site?
See you learn something new every day as they say,
I didnt know that you could get a grant to help with building a website.
Graham Lee
I got it from Business link http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/ac ... nk.gov.uk/ (http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/home?domain=www.businesslink.gov.uk&target=http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/)
If you cannot do it yourself you can put an add in the local paper to find a schoolboy of 14 to do it for you.
But with the new CMS (content management systems) that exists these days, it's just a breeze to set a website up. But you have to invest some time in reading the manuals, that is true....
For people who don't know what a CMS is, it is a way to build a website in a certain style. Once you have that style then you can add text, picture, whatever you want and the CMS takes care of the look of all the new things you put on.
Once you decided how it must look, the content is managed by the system.
No worries with adding new pages, if things get broken if you delete pages etc etc. The system takes care of that.
My website is build using a free CMS and there are lots of them. The best known is Joombla but there are lots of free CMS systems out there!
Will merge these two topics together as already there is some very good content on helping others with setting up a website.
Graham Lee
Hi
I have 2 sites and working on the third so your feed back would be welcome.
Site 1 is http://www.mrfuzzy.co.uk (http://www.mrfuzzy.co.uk)
Site 2 is http://www.tiptopbirthdayparties.co.uk (http://www.tiptopbirthdayparties.co.uk)
Both of these sites have a lot going on behind them, it can take care of price on request, relative to the area and booking on line with the Tip top site.
Feel free to test the forms to get an idea of how this all works just use "Test" for your surname.
As I said I'm working on the 3rd site so any feed back would be very welcome.
Thanks
Fuzz
Hi Fuzz,
Fantastic looking sites. A couple of small things I will mention:
On the first site, when I clicked on birthdays, I went to your 2nd site, but couldn't find a way to get back to the original one, which means I wouldn't be able to look at the rest of the site.
On your home page, the testimonials link is a great idea. Is there a way you could have them with a play button so it would play right away rather than downloading? I think having to download anything from a website might put some people off. The testimonials sound great and I think it's a shame if people were to avoid them as they might not want to download them.
Apart from that, I think you have two brilliant websites there. Hope you don't mind my comments :)
Billy Wiz
Both sites look great the only thing I would comment on is where you say about wearing makeup that would scare the kids, I don't think other clowns would be too happy with that?
Hi,
I am not an expert on websites but there are some things to consider, if you go down an option like MR SITE serach engines will not pick it up when doing generic seraches like Childrens entertainer in XXXX but if a customer knows your web address http://WWW.XXXXX.com (http://www.xxxxx.com) and types it in the address bar you will come up, wim is probably more expert in the technical reasons why but wesites need to written in a certain way to get you up in the ranking.
My wife who is a childrens entertainer has a mr site and it has been a great start but if you dont get found on google etc you are missing out and pay per click can be a expensive option.;
Dave can you elaborate how yoiu can get grants or funding and how that works?
Norm
I walked into BL to talk to someone and one thing lead to another
Websites can be easy to do yourself if you don't want an all singing all dancing site. I built my current site myself including all the image manipulations too (http://www.thefacefactory.co.uk (http://www.thefacefactory.co.uk)) using Frontpage. Although Frontpage is no longer supported by Microsoft so if you have Windows Vista you will not be able to run it. It is much the same as any other windows program in that it is very logical how to do stuff.
I have also used Dreamweaver but that is slightly harder to use especially if you have never tried web design before.
The best thing is you can set up your own metatags to whatever you like and are not limited to how many words you can use.
One other thing is if you are having problems even showing up with Google you can register your site with them directly which will help them pick it up quicker and once it recognises your site you can also add further information so that your website comes higher up the rankings. I have done this and if anyone types in "face painter stevenage" I generally come pretty high on the list ;)
I am by no means an expert but hate things getting the better of me so have persevered but am really proud of what I have acheived.
SEO (Search Engine optimisation)
My copywriter says keyword density should be no more than 15% or Google thinks we're keyword stuffing.
Fuzz
ok i have made one with a bit of help (alot of help)
http://cashmagicballoons.weebly.com (http://cashmagicballoons.weebly.com)
we did it on http://www.weebly.com (http://www.weebly.com) its free and at the end you can even get your own site name with out the weebly bit at the end we found this site easy to use when i got the hang of it
Hi Cashmagic
Some points.....
Check your I's
Example What i do. Should be What I do there's a few others as well.
Also I have been taught to "Take out the I's and put in the You's"
As a prospect I want to know how you can help full fill my needs.
You say "Please take a look around the site i make custom made balloon sculptures and can cater for any event big or small"
I would say "Welcome to my site please take a look around to see which balloon sculptures would suite your event...Have something special in mind? Just ask Your name (what is you name?)
Check you fonts and spacing some seem bunched up.
Personally I do not like Youtube on sites can you rip it and host it yourself?
After someone has subscribed to your email have a page thanking them.
Better still use an Autoresponder to follow up.
Let me know if you want a live example.
Testimonials..Testimonials..Testimonials..You MUST use them.
Finally No phone number...Why?
I hope I have not been to brutal....Just want you to have a Fantastic site.
Fuzz
Quote from: "Fuzzy"Personally I do not like Youtube on sites can you rip it and host it yourself?Fuzz
Hi Fuzz,
I use a Youtube clip to promote my show which really has helped secure bookings in the past. I would love to be able to add the clip without using Youtube. Do you know how to do it please?
Thank you,
Billy
:oops: didn't even think about my number
and i am still adding pics on i have put on Testimonials now thanks for the tip
Hi Cash
You site is looking a lot better.
Personally I prefer the black font on white background. you have lots of good colour photos and I feel colour fonts takes it away from the pics.
Regards you phone number why have landline & mobile?....Also why mobile first?
What is your call to action?
Do you want them to phone you? Call your landline? Call your Mobile?
Let me know your answer as this is very important.
Suggest you put a testimonial and your call to action on each page.
I have just noticed that the top balloons spell out welcome a lovely touch any way of changing the colour to make it stand out better?
Back to you Cash
Fuzz
Phone
Hi Billy
Regards the video/flash.
Converted the DVD into a flash file then uploaded to site.
I believe there are tools for downloading a Youtube clip and saving it as a flash file which you can then up load it to you site.
Google should give you some solutions.
I'm working on putting more audio & flash on my new site so if come across any good tips/software I'll share.
Fuzz
I want people to ring my mobile as i am all way out thats why I put it first and people text me as well I put the home number on as this tells people I am in lincoln and some people dont like to ring mobiles
The sign was made with them colours as that is what i had a lot off but when I go to a jam I am going to make a new one brighter I thought about one with neon balloons and use a black light to make the sign jump out of the page
Hi Cash
I understand your concern about people not calling mobiles, I'm one of them.
I get people calling me on a land line then leaving their mobile for a call back.
Here's what I do which may help you.
One landline phone number which goes into my office.
When I am working I redirect the call to my mobile.
My mobile has a message that is relevant to the day (ie; Weekend " Have a FUN packed Weekend") telling them that I am busy working and to go to my website and leave a message so I can call them back.
Now this is the clever part I do not answer the call always let it go to voice mail.
A text message is sent as well saying " Sorry I missed your call. I am at a party. For details of my FUN packed shows please go to http://www.mrfuzzy.co.uk (http://www.mrfuzzy.co.uk). Best Wishes Fuzzy
This message is saved as a template and is sent whether it's a landline or mobile.
Benefits: The prospect has only one number to right down and remember.
The client is assured that I can be contacted on the day.
I can change mobile numbers without changing stationary.
Simply 1 number remember.
I have a strategy (which is different to others) for the voice mail as well if you are interested.
Hope it helps Cash.
Fuzz
Hi all,
I use a web design site called Moonfruit (http://www.moonfruit.co.uk (http://www.moonfruit.co.uk)). Its very easy to use and I can update my own website very swiftly and easily. I can add photos, graphics, and of course, text etc. There is also scope for an online shop, password protected area, and so on.
//http://www.CircoRidiculoso.com if you wish to have a look at my website.
Costs about £60 per year + domain names. No adverts and I can have up to 5 sites on this package.
Just thought I'd throw that in the pot of ideas!
best wishes
Danny
Quote from: "Fuzzy"Hi
I have 2 sites and working on the third so your feed back would be welcome.
Site 1 is http://www.mrfuzzy.co.uk (http://www.mrfuzzy.co.uk)
Site 2 is http://www.tiptopbirthdayparties.co.uk (http://www.tiptopbirthdayparties.co.uk)
Both of these sites have a lot going on behind them, it can take care of price on request, relative to the area and booking on line with the Tip top site.
Feel free to test the forms to get an idea of how this all works just use "Test" for your surname.
As I said I'm working on the 3rd site so any feed back would be very welcome.
Thanks
Fuzz
I really like the Birthday page, the layout is better than the shared borders on the other pages. I tend to keep all pages laid out in the same way to make it more user friendly – Take a look at http://www.milotheclown.co.uk/milo_friends.htm (http://www.milotheclown.co.uk/milo_friends.htm) if you click on any of my links to external sites they open within my site so I don't loose any traffic.
Looking good though.
Milo
Quote from: "Billy Bongo"Hi,
I am not an expert on websites but there are some things to consider, if you go down an option like MR SITE serach engines will not pick it up when doing generic seraches like Childrens entertainer in XXXX but if a customer knows your web address http://WWW.XXXXX.com (http://www.xxxxx.com) and types it in the address bar you will come up, wim is probably more expert in the technical reasons why but wesites need to written in a certain way to get you up in the ranking.
My wife who is a childrens entertainer has a mr site and it has been a great start but if you dont get found on google etc you are missing out and pay per click can be a expensive option.;
Dave can you elaborate how yoiu can get grants or funding and how that works?
Norm
You need to sort out your meta tags and it can take a while for your site to get picked up on searches. I use MS Frontpage (see my other post about this) and I can write my own meta tags with this software (meta tags are key words to be picked up in searches and you can also set the text that is seen when your site is found). Most Hosts also have a meta tag tool too. Once you have set your metta tags you need to submit your site via a free website submission service, which will enter your site to just about all of the major search engines, go to the smaller ones too as they are sometimes linked to google etc.
Then make sure your profile on forums such as this one include a link to your website, the more links you exchange with other sites the more likely you will be picked up.
Hope that helps a bit?
Quote from: "YvonneH"I built my current site myself including all the image manipulations too (http://www.thefacefactory.co.uk (http://www.thefacefactory.co.uk)) using Frontpage. Although Frontpage is no longer supported by Microsoft so if you have Windows Vista you will not be able to run it. It is much the same as any other windows program in that it is very logical how to do stuff.
I use MS Frontpage on Vista with no problems at all? Are you running the latest version?
I designed my website (//http://www.blackpoolballoonentertainer.co.uk) myself using Xbuild.com, an easy to use website builder. It's drag and drop and very search engine friendly.
How I Optimized My Site:
' Blackpool Balloon Entertainer ' could be found in:
* H1 Tag on homepage
* Domain name
* Site Title
* Page Title
* Keyword meta tag
* Site Description meta tag
* Page Description on homepage
* Image alt text
Three days later my website was found by Google (etc.) when people were searching for Blackpool Balloon Entertainer and many more words and phrases.
Please Note: I have since changed my site title and H1 tag. I'm hoping to be found by ' Hire Kids Entertainer in Blackpool. I'm pretty sure that my site will still be found under Hire ' Blackpool Balloon Entertainer, as the keyword is in the domain name.