VO-BB - 19 YEARS OLD!

[RickReid]

I'm in the process of revamping, revitalizing and simplifying my website. I've been looking at your websites for inspiration and ideas, so I figure I should ask you what you think, too!

Here's a link to my new website-in-progress:

http://web.mac.com/rickreidvoicetalent/iWeb/RickReid2/Welcome.html

Thanks for your help!

[Jeffrey Kafer]

I like it.

It tells exactly what you do and what you offer. The demos, both audio and video, are right there.

It's a surprisingly clean, well-organized look despite all the content you have. I like how your page is a single page. no navigating. Everything is right there.

Nicely done, sir.
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Jeff
http://JeffreyKafer.com
Voice-overload Web comic: http://voice-overload.com

[louzucaro]

Cool...

The only thing you might want to consider is turning the bulk of the graphics text into HTML text, or else adding HTML comments with the same text so that it can all be parsed / indexed by the search engines.
_________________
Lou Zucaro
http://www.voicehero.com

"Well, yeah, there's my favorite leaf!"

[chriswagner]

Rick,

Looks pretty good! It has a nice theme running through it.

Chris

[RickReid]

Lou,

That's a smart idea about html text. I'm using Apple's iWeb software. It's a really simple (limited) program. I'm not sure I can have html text on the page, but there must be some way to imbed it as comments. I'll work on that. Thanks.

[RickReid]

Chris,

I'm riding the html short bus.

I just looked at the html code for my site with my Firefox browser. There are commands that look like this:

<img src="Welcome_files/shapeimage_6.png" alt="To schedule a recording session or arrange an audition, call Rick’s agent nearest you:"...

Does the "alt=" tag make the text available to seach engines?

Thanks for your help.

[CarynClark]

I think it's great!!! Very well done!!

A few comments... and these are kinda nitpicky - it's my two cents, and you can give me change back!!
- I would not underline "your message delivered!"... maybe I'm old school, but for me and the sites I manage, underlining text is reserved for links. Perhaps you can increase the font size of those words to make them pop?

- a little wordsmithing. Lead with your experience and do the math for people... I might re-word your paragraph to say:
For over 20 years, Rick has been speaking for national TV networks, radio & TV stations, and regional and national advertisers. He brings...

- your demo and video links: I'd put a little more space in betwen each link in your box, and maybe change the color to something other than gray. It initially gives the appearance of a non-functioning link. I'm kinda visual, so without seeing it, it's hard for me to suggest a color, but maybe yellow, since your tag line is in yellow in the red box? Again, not sure.

I like it!!!
_________________
Caryn Clark... The Hip Chick Voice!

"A positive mental attitude and having faith in your ability is quite different from being irresponsible and downright stupid." - Dave

[ConnieTerwilliger]

Looks real nice - I agree with Caryn's comments.

And the only other comment is to ask if getting your own domain name is in work? That is important.
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Playing for a living...
www.voiceover-talent.com
YouTube Channel: http://youtube.com/connieterwilliger

[chriswagner]

Rick,

Yes, the ALT=" " is readable by the search engines. And is a worthwhile thing to have.

I don't know much about iWeb, I'm sure I have it on my mac-mini, but what I do in cases where the site is mostly flash or images, I place all the text in a layer and hide it. That way the search engines can read it, you don't need to see it.

Chris

[RickReid]

More fantastic suggestions! Thanks!

Connie -- I do have www.rickreid.com that forwards to my site on mac.com. The URL I sent is only temporary until I get everything just right. Thanks, though, for raising the question. I appreciate how thorough everyone has been so far.

[Donovan]

I would also recommend getting a media player, so that the demos don't take the visiter to a new page. It seems it is best to not ever take them away from the main message (your site).
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Donovan

www.DonovanVO.com

[Hart]

I've split off the debate between Chris and Jeffrey and moved it to the chat section as Web Design Debate
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Hart Voice Overs Blog
Brian Hart Productions

[richgates]

I would also use meta tags to add keywords. That will also help with results from search engines.

[Mike]

OK. Just my own ¥2......

It's very clean and very user friendy......

but,

It's very bland. There's nothing there that's going to burn into my memory. It kinda feels like you've taken a look at other peoples websites to see what you should be doing, rather then looking at other peoples sites in order to see what you can do differently. Work on the assumption that everybody who visits your site is also going to see another 20 VO sites. Is yours going to be the one they most remember?

There is often a big difference between a web designer and a graphic designer. That difference is usually in how well your website is remembered by visitors. And in this business we have to make people remember us by any means possible, right?

And..

"He brings life and character to every script in a way that's sure to get your message delivered."

Every script? really? How many VO's can deliver EVERY possible script to the satisfaction of the client?

In the real world; none.

Quite a number of VO sites promise a level of satisfaction that simply cannot be guaranteed. When I see a site that says "I can do it all..." then I move on without even listening to the demos, because I'm thinking "Oh no you can't."

Don't make any promises. Let the clients hear what you can do and see who has trusted you with their product. If they then think you may be suitable, then great.

Just a few things to think over.

I'll leave you with a smile to let you know that I'm really a warm hearted and supportive kind of fellow......who just gets a bit anal about websites.





Maiku
_________________
www.michaelrhys.com

"If grass could run, cows would look like tigers."
Murray Wiggle

[RickReid]

Some excellent points, Mike. This reminded me that I have a cousin who runs a commercial art business. I think I'll give him a call. I probably should get professional help on the next incarnation of my website.

Thanks!