Suggestions for my Website? Please contribute...

[etienne]

Hi!

I have a website, for my fledgling music consulting and production company. The company's name is Mic Professional Music, and it is all about providing live music locally. Read more about it at:

http://micmusic.co.za/

Now, I have ideas about this website, but I need help in considering whether they are good ideas or not. Plus, I need as many suggestions as possible.

First of all, it is a way for me to make money. I am a final year student, and in 6 months will be looking to earn a very small living. This might become a vital part of my income. So, how do I market this website to the local South African market?

Secondly, I have the forum on the website. Any ideas how I should use and promote/market the forum? The idea is more that local (South African) musicians will come together and get help on the forum.

Thirdly, how should I expand the user's section? If I manage to get contracts to write music, or for people to perform chamber music at events, should I use the website to contact the people? Should I invite everyone close by who I know are musicians to join? Should I get the website to email them whenever I need e.g. a bass guitarist? (Should I get a function where the person checks what instruments they can play, and then just email all "bass guitarists"?)

Lastly, is the website attractive, functional, and effective? Is it understandable? I wrote all the content, although the design is professional. Is there anything missing or is there anything that is unnecessary?

Any other suggestions would be appreciated too. Thanks so much!

Etienne

(P.S. I live in Stellenbosch, a town about 50km away from Cape Town)

[Havoc]

1,2: no idea how you market a website. I would make sure you are found with Google. Certainly when looking for the service you offer. There should be enough info on the web about that. Another option might be those musician oriented publications. Over here we have one that is free at musicians shop. Putting flyers at such shops might help as well, doesn't need to be elaborate.

3: Risky idea. Some may appreciate it, others will feel this as rather "pushy". You would have to aks and get permission to do so. There might be even legal issue about this. Of course you can ask anyone if they want to use your service. How far are you going to go? Just let them know? Search active for jobs for them and be paid for that? Got contracts?

last: I like the site because it is clean, no flash etc. The only minor point I would remark is that there isn't much difference between "home", "blog" and "news". They are too similar in look and content. Maybe put a direct link to "contact" on the "home" and "services" page? After all you want people that visit those and thus are interested in your services to contact you.

[etienne]

Thanks, Havoc! Your input really helps me a lot! I'm sure that with your perspective I will be able to get my website perfect soon.

[foob]

You have a lot to learn in front of you so you should decide whether webstes and internet marketing is what you want to do in your career. You can certainly make a living off one single website, but mind that succesful internet marketers could be running hundreds of websites.

If i were you, the first thing i would do is to learn about my market. Ar they searching for the service you want to provide or is it something you will have to bring to them? Open a free account with adsense and try playing around with the keyword planner tool. Google keyword research and learn how to "read" your market.

G luck!