Thread: Critique my Website Please!

Ok, so I finally put together a website for myself! I made it using Wix, and before I choose a website name and pay the big bucks to remove all the wix ads to make it official, I wanted to run it by the lovely ladies of Bhuz.

I am open to suggestions on EVERYTHING so don't hold back!

Here it is!

Free website built by ej_andrus using My Pro Promoter

PS This is my "This will do until I can afford a website by Dreamstar Studios" website. Someday...Someday.

Yay, you have a web site!! Congrats!

Honest feedback...

Okay, the first picture is really pixellated -- not the "pro" impression you want to give off on the first glance. I know Michael gave us the high-res images from that shoot, it'd be worth it in professional appearance to dig 'em out and use them! Also I think your name should be bigger if possible.

I personally think it 'cheapens' the front page to have your youtube and FB link on the front page (especially with their free web page logo already down at the bottom). it's a good idea, but maybe stick them in the Gallery or Booking instead?

Text: rather than start off with "a belly dancer" (kinda blah) start of with something more catchy. Maybe swap the sentence around "Best known for her electric..., Naima..." or even just "Dallas-based belly dancer Naima..."

Booking and Shows pages look good, though if you could center the Shows box in the white space it'd be even better. :)

Bio page: I love the picture! Maybe add a line about who you've studied with or who your are inspired by. Just needs a little more.

Gallery page: the top center mini-pic is very blurry. With just 6 photos, I'd go with 2 max per costume...maybe swap one of the red one out for a pink dress. I know you have a few more good ones from Michael.

Also, unless the program lets you change the Title tags in the code, everytime to you post the link it's going to say "Free website built by ej_andrus using My Pro Promoter." Just something to be aware of. :)

Ah, thanks so much for all of the suggestions! I agree with pretty much everything here! I need to dig up that CD...I know it's here somewhere, I just can't seem to find it. I have worn that red costume OUT and have so many pics of it...LOL I need to wear my other costumes more often.

Thanks for the suggestions for the text as well. I kept trying to think of different things to write. I have such a hard time talking myself up. I felt really silly writing what's already there...I didn't wanna do too much. LOL

I need to take my butt to bed now, but I'm gonna get up early and work on these suggestions.

Originally Posted by nasila

Bio page: I love the picture! Maybe add a line about who you've studied with or who your are inspired by. Just needs a little more.

I agree. At a minimum. it would be nice to read more about what style you do ("Egyptian" how? Modern? Golden Age? Folkloric? A little of everything? Pure Egyptian? AmCab-Egyptian fusion?) and what props you are good with. You don't have to upload a laundry list of everyone you've ever taken a workshop with (that's both tedious and pretentious), but it's nice to have an idea of what kinds of teachers you like to study with or if you have mentored extensively with someone.

Do you have any testimonials to add to the content? A lot of dancers use someone else's compliments to offset the idea that they are just puffing themselves up.

I agree with Nasila on the picture quality.

I also have an issue with the large FB logo and youtube link sitting in prime real estate, and I find the Follow Me label confusing... if all it refers to is the FB and You Tube links then I'd delete it. If you want those logos on the front page, make them smaller and lower. I myself agree with Nasila about the You Tube button, that might be better positioned in the gallery, where people would expect to find videos. Also suggest you make the name of your facebook page consistent with your professional name.

On the subject of catchiness for the front page: I'm more ruthless than Nasila, I'd start out with
Belly Dance by Naima (large heading)
Dallas, Texas (smaller heading)
To take your event from ordinary to extraordinary, book Naima today! (large text font).

Bio: If you are going to have a bio, I'd suggest more details. What stage shows and TV programs have you been featured in? You don't have to list them ALL, but list some. Also, here might be the right place to highlight your accomplishments in your chosen genre.

Gallery: not sure that the picture of just your torso is selling what you are trying to sell.

Booking: suggest you supply sample prices and a short description of HOW your 'electric stage presence' and 'graceful Egyptian style' is going to enhance their event... something more personal than 'add some fun and exotic spice to your next event!' A Polynesian dancer or a burlesque dancer can also provid fun and spice. What's special about YOU?

Good luck!

Oh boo, I can't view your website on my iPhone because it doesn't support flash. I'm not sure how big an issue this will be, but *I'm* currently web-surfing on a mobile, so others must do so also. I wonder if there's something you can do to support mobile browsing?

I made a beautiful, beautiful Wix page (sob) and have decided not to use it as I got OVERWHELMING feedback from friends that i should not use flash. It slows down many people's browsers, won't work on iphones, ipads, itouch etc, and apparently is an outdated technology that is being replaced by HTML5 (The tech-y stuff, I am not so sure of!). There are lots of other build-a-site programs around that don't use flash. Just something to think about. :)

Awww...I hadn't thought about that. :( I guess I'll have to deal for now, until I can afford to get a real website...

My mind was so focused on the SEO stuff (and wix has some great info on SEO) that I didn't think about the fact that it's a flash sight.

I just got back from vacation and I'm working on all the suggestions now!

Based on the suggestions here, I think you must have made some changes since your original post. The site is nice and clean... I like nice and clean! Maybe consider a different color in the background (behind the window where the info is). That might give it a "framed" finished look.

Still, it's lovely!

Thank you Mihri! I'm still working on it and it's definitely a work in progress!

In which place do you think I need a different background color? Do you mean where I have the text? I don't want it to look too plain!

I made the changes and my site is up and running! If anyone has any suggestions feel free to write them here or PM me! It's a work in progress for sure. :)

Originally Posted by laurasbelly

I made a beautiful, beautiful Wix page (sob) and have decided not to use it as I got OVERWHELMING feedback from friends that i should not use flash. It slows down many people's browsers, won't work on iphones, ipads, itouch etc, and apparently is an outdated technology that is being replaced by HTML5 (The tech-y stuff, I am not so sure of!). There are lots of other build-a-site programs around that don't use flash. Just something to think about. :)

Really, the only technology any version of HTML, 4.whateva, XHTML or 5 supersedes is SGML.

Flash is a proprietary application that is not optimized for web accessibility.

Learn some HTML and CSS and educate yourself about web standards and accessibility. There is nothing cheaper... I did it on a saturday night with a bottle of wine and nothing better to do. I have even posted links to free online tutorials somewhere in the tech forum.

Good luck!