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Dance Website for Critique

 
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rubiirene

posts: 34

Jun 17, 2009 11:54 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Hello everyone,
 
I`d love some feedback on my website!  I want it to be warm and inviting. 
 
 
Thanks so much!
 
rubiirene6/17/2009 12:13 PM


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Rubi Wiswall
Dance Instructor
http://www.rubifirstdance.com
asEZasABnC

posts: 64

Jun 17, 2009 12:32 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Hi Ruby and welcome to StartUpNationa as well as the Web.

Your site is just as you are, and as you request...warm and inviting.

However, those are two attributes that I have never been associated with.... as my cousin Barbara says:  "Most salespeople are charming and insincere."  I am, on the other hand, brutal and frank.

I have some Search Engine Optimization observations I can share if you are interested.  You can contact me privately (send message) if you wish to continue.

Michael





asEZasABnC6/17/2009 12:28 PM


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DIY SEO Coach and Mentor
WordPress Tutor
colinhowe

posts: 4

Jun 17, 2009 12:43 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Really nice and simple site. It`s great that you`ve not cluttered it up with junk like too many sites do!
My only suggestions/critiques for you are:
  • It takes a little digging to find out that the lessons are based in Philadelphia (I rarely look at the title bar)
  • The photos coming out of the frame is a fantastic touch
  • The top menu could probably do with being a little bigger
  • The fact that the consultation is free could probably do with being highlighted better - whenever I use a site I like to know how much it is going to cost without starting contacting people... knowing it is free makes me want to contact you! :)
  • Have you ever seen feedbackarmy.com ? It`s a great way to get some feedback from total randoms although it does tend to be on the overly positive side ;-)
Hope that helps! Good luck with the site! :)

RulZ

posts: 4

Jun 18, 2009 1:47 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Hi Rubi,

I was wondering what did you use to create the website and the photos?  I agree with the comment above, the photos coming out of the frame is awesome.

Thank you. :)



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Rully K
DublinNet
info@dublinnet.net
vwebworld

posts: 1237

Jun 18, 2009 2:10 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Simple is good.
 
I thnk the header image has a lot of wasted space and it`s red, so it really stands out.
A narrower red area would be nice and would bring up more of the page content into view...
but keep the couple siloette the same size.
 
There are some things to do for SEO and putting the styles into a stylesheet. You might re-work your home page content to note the area your serve. Pricing? Do you work 1 to 1 with the couple or is it in a groups of couples?
 
It might be purposeful, but the photos appear to be old / faded.  I agree cropping the image so there appears to be an overlap is a nice touch.
 
You might consider a contact form rather than just a link to you email. It is a little more user friendly.
 
~Roland


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Web Design | Best Beef Jerky | ecommerce articles | Follow vwebworld on Twitter
Renfield

posts: 5

Jun 18, 2009 5:26 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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I agree with the guy above with regards to wasted space.  It looks nice but in all of that space I would include a picture of yourself, some snippets from your testimonials and where you`re located with contact information.  You can easily fit all that on the homepage without it getting too cluttered.  Also, and this is just my pet peave, you have a link to your homepage on your homepage.
Renfield6/18/2009 5:20 PM
CraigL

posts: 9051

Jun 19, 2009 1:22 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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I like the top banner, but have to agree with the comments that it`s too deep...thick? It definitely produces a warm feeling, but it`s also detracting from quickly seeing the main message -- dance lessons.

The other thing that concerns me is that it seems to be an extremely limited niche. Dance lessons only for brides and grooms? Do you offer any other kinds of dance lessons, for any other types of people?

What I`d also like to see would be some sort of "quick summary" on the home page, in case I don`t want to read everything. That could be done with bullet points, or perhaps more elegantly by using sub-headings to separate each of the three paragraphs.

I also agree with the comment that you should have your geographic location more easily visible. Perhaps under your signature on the home page, Dance Instructor, then below that, Philadelphia, PA.

All in all, I think you`ve achieved the goal of warm and inviting. But that gets people to look at the site. There ought to also be some depth there. Maybe some nice photographs to tell a picture to go along with the words?
Colchester

posts: 14

Jun 20, 2009 12:15 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Hello,
Not selling anything Here.
I am a American Heritage Brander.
Your domain name is long and alittle confusing.
I would recommend. " RubiSlippers.com"
I would also call your business and website, Rubi Slippers.
You would then have a very reconizible historical name. with just a play on the word Ruby
Which everyone could remember very easy.
I would also recommend creating a theme for the site. say " Victorian Wedding ".
Why? Because original Victorian Images are public domain.
You are also selling yourself. Your Front page should be a huge image of yourself, in a very fine ball gown.
Look up Realtor Women, and See how they promote themselves.
You should have beautiful music. on your website.
With video movies of couples dancing with you instructing.
If you need help with the images or website,
Go to www. Getafreelancer.com. I use graphic designers from Bangladesh. $4. per hour.
regards,  
 
Colchester6/20/2009 12:09 AM
matherwis

posts: 21

Jun 23, 2009 12:04 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Hi Rubi,

I was wondering what did you use to create the website and the photos?  I agree with the comment above, the photos coming out of the frame is awesome.

Thank you. :)




Just so happens, she got the design from my own startup.  Web-Wis-dom

Everyone is giving great feedback, we will certainly re-visit the design with Rubi based on some of this.

All the best!
matherwis6/23/2009 1:57 PM


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Mather Wis

Web Wis dom --Philadelphia Web and Branding Design

HiShine -- Philadelphia Cleaning Service
DisplayLady

posts: 3

Jun 23, 2009 12:09 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
Points: 0   Vote
Rubi,
You got a lot of great advice - I agree with most of it.

As someone having challenges with SEO, get some help doing the things that will put you near the top of the 1st page of the major search engines.

Good luck!

DisplayLady6/23/2009 12:04 PM


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Assisting companies with the creation of effective trade show and event communication
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