What do you think of my website?

[Adam Grunseth]

Hi everyone!

I just got my new website online for marketing my video production company. There are still a few changes I plan on making to it, but for the most part it is finished. I am still working on putting an updated reel together for the site.

I would like feedback from my fellow dvinfoers.... what do you think of the site? Do you see any errors? What changes would you make? Any general suggestions or advice?

Thanks in advance! The web address is JAKK Media

[Andrew Smith]

Video professionals ... that also do web sites on the side???

Is this really a professional video business or are you losing focus on a business level?

Andrew

[Craig Seeman]

Aesthetically very nice.
Problems:

No demo clips.

Focus as Andrew says. Clients want to know you specialize in what they do. It looks like you have impressive video credentials but then why are you doing web design. If you present yourself as an Ad Agency that would be a different story since you can claim both video and online (and print) marketing. Disk creation and dubs also seems to be a somewhat different direction. If you're offering those three services you need to tie them together. In fact seeing all three makes me doubt your production credits.

Basically the website looks great but I think you have to clarify your messaging. Your home/landing page is promoting DVD dubbing and that's not the person I'd trust to do multicamera or ENG/EFP work.

A better lead might be to focus on Production and then have DVD dubbing and site design (once your video is done you want to multipurpose it for online marketing) as ancillary services. Otherwise present yourself as a full service creative agency.

[Chris Davis]

Originally Posted by Andrew Smith

Video professionals ... that also do web sites on the side???

Is this really a professional video business or are you losing focus on a business level?

Andrew

Is it really that odd? That's what we do, in fact our tagline is "Websites, Video, Design Done Right". But then our focus is a marketing company that provides web development, graphic design and video production in-house. I think our website does a good job of tying those services together under the umbrella of marketing.

I can see how you could look at Adam's site and see a company that's all about video, plus they do a little web stuff on the side.

[Andrew Smith]

There's something about video and web design as a coupled service that just doesn't seem right. Can't quite put my finger on it.

It could be that both video suffers from the "Uncle Harry" factor ... and web site work suffering from the "kid from next door" factor.

If you want to be seen as a proper dedicated professional video business, you need to ditch the "have a go" appendage. Do the web stuff under a different business entity if you need to.

Andrew

[David Rice]

You need two separate web sites. One for Web Design the other Video related services. Then link the two.

[Chris Davis]

Originally Posted by Andrew Smith

There's something about video and web design as a coupled service that just doesn't seem right. Can't quite put my finger on it.

It could be that both video suffers from the "Uncle Harry" factor ... and web site work suffering from the "kid from next door" factor.

If you want to be seen as a proper dedicated professional video business, you need to ditch the "have a go" appendage. Do the web stuff under a different business entity if you need to.

Andrew

Are you speaking specifically of the two coupled on the site, or the fact that Adam offers both services? Because your profile lists your occupation as "Graphic design and advertising, web, and video."

We've integrated the services quite well, and I have five employees and dozens of clients that appreciate that fact.

[Andrew Smith]

Yes, I was thinking of mentioning that .... but elected to keep it simple for the moment.

Studio Solutions does
- graphic design and advertising (print work)
- web sites
- video (shoot, edit, deliver)

We're coming from the point of being a design house that can apply the clients branding and message consistently across all mediums. (I can also knock out a radio advert if need be, having previously worked in radio. Doing a voice-over on the spot is also a possibility, though not done often these days.)

Another angle that I take is that 'we' can give the best solution to a problem, rather than a solution from whatever single area of expertise we might otherwise have. I won't go in to the details (too much dang typing) but clients have really appreciated the difference ... the results really worked for the client, too.

Unfortunately for our original poster, he just doesn't have the design firm appearance or pitch. (And I also freely admit to not having gotten around to doing my own web site. I don't even advertise and work comes in by referral.)

Andrew

PS. I also have concrete sealer that I import, and a pharmaceutical product that I am doing the commercialisation for .... but I just don't want to get too complex right now. :-P

[Brian Luce]

Shouldn't a site give the business location and contact info?

I don't care for the HTML graphics either because I think a lot of people have no clue what that is, and if they *do* know what it is, there's a chance they know enough to put up their own site.

I like the site aesthetically though and don't particularly have a problem with mixing web and video services.

[Chris Davis]

Originally Posted by Andrew Smith

We're coming from the point of being a design house that can apply the clients branding and message consistently across all mediums. (I can also knock out a radio advert if need be, having previously worked in radio. Doing a voice-over on the spot is also a possibility, though not done often these days.)

Are you the Austalian version of me (or am I the US version of you?) That describes me and our business, including the background in radio...

We also design and build controllers for automated feeding systems, but that's not something we promote on our website! That has kind of an odd background story (with an Australian component) but it's the project most likely to make me rich.

[Roger Van Duyn]

I think the site looks good, but my first impression was that you are primarily a dub house. Is that the impression you wanted to give?

If you primarily are a content creator, I suggest you make a change. Likewise if you are mainly interested in freelance camera work, make a change. If you are primarily into web design, make a change.

Not that I'm all that great myself, but it probably makes sense to highlight the main type of work that you are after. Honestly, at the first glance, your site gave me the impression you are mainly after dubbing work.

Hope this helps.

That's part of the reason the first thing people see on my site is my ugly face holding the camera. I want people to know that I want to shoot!

Later on, they can see that I also edit. Think about the kind of work you want to get hired for.

Hope this helps.

[Craig Seeman]

I agree with Roger. You're leading with dubs. That undercuts your other work in my opinion. If you do multimedia work you should lead with that. There's nothing wrong with doing multiple things but you really need to tie it together into a message.

[Andrew Smith]

Hi Chris,

Automatic feeders? That's one thing that should really work in America. Sell one with every fast food purchase ....

(ducking)

Andrew :-)

[Tim Polster]

Adam, my input is that you need to show people instead of tell them.

Looking over your website makes me think you do not have a lot of experience because you do not have any examples of any type of work on the site. Just a few jobs you talk about.

I don't see a problem with offering more than one service. Who does not do everything these days?

I also agree you need to lead with what is most important to you and what you want to be known & hired for.

BTW, Disc Makers offers $1 DVD deals with the printing & packaging. This is for 1000 pc but still, it is tough to compete or impress on duplication pricing.

I will also add, only a few pages to a site makes it look like a basement business. Your are stated web designer, make it larger and put more into it.

Good luck and the best thing about web design is that you can make it better tomorrow!

[Keith Dobie]

Website looks pretty nice, all the links seem to work, and I couldn't find any spelling mistakes.

Brian Luce hit on an important point earlier in this thread. Tell people where you are, and what your service region is. When asked to evaluate a website, it is the first thing I look for. I see there is a very small "Contact Us" link at the very bottom of the page, and at the end of two of the sections. That could be more prominent, and could even be a main menu selection item.

You list your phone number as (541) 937 - JAKK (5255) . I would lose the "JAKK" and just list your phone number, since the viewer doesn't need help in remembering it like they would on a radio ad.

I think it would be worth having a writer or editor (or just a friend who is good with words) go over your text. They will suggest changes that might not seem obvious to you.

For example: "One of the reasons clients like Orion Multimedia and CBS News hire us to produce content for national broadcast is because we offer superior quality acquisition." The word "like" has two meanings and is confusing. Also in the HD Production section it says: "We were also able to provide the large number of DVDs they required in only a couple weeks." That needs fixin' too.

Will your potential customer know what "ENG/EFP Production" means? How about "On Location Video Production" instead? It looks like you will have a range of customers, from people who know exactly what they want to those who have no clue. I would keep the industry jargon to a minimum and try to make it all crystal clear and friendly for the average person.

For example it says: "We offer full broadcast quality cameras with a high data rate work flow." I'm not sure customers are impressed with a river of bits flowing along, but they might like to have "Full HD broadcast cameras that produce pristine images." (or something similar).

How about editing? Scripting, consultation, planning? What are they going to do with their good looking video? How about helping them get their video onto YouTube or their web site?

In the "Disc Creation Services" section, I see a "disk" that has snuck in there.

Problems with CLIENT'S vs. CLIENTS' on the disc page.

And finally, who are you? How about an "About Us" section. Show them your picture. Maybe write a few lines about your background? I can't find any names or photos on the website. It seems impersonal.

It's a good basic design and you're off to a good start. Good luck!