Website review - my studio opens this week!

[tentoes]

Sat Nam!

I am opening a new studio in Brisbane, Australia. I have recently put my website online and I would really appreciate hearing your thoughts about its use as a marketing tool.

Ten Toes Yoga & Natural Health

Thanks!

Rachel

[Administrator]

First, I like the opening page although I would like to see some more specific benefits.

Second, the weakest page is your beginners page.

Get right into the juicy benefits of yoga. Don't complicate minds with
different styles of yoga.

To a beginner - yoga is yoga.

They don't know the difference between Kundalini, Kripalu, Ashtanga, or Hatha.

And they don't care.

What is the difference between all the different types of Yoga?
Many schools of Yoga have developed over time, usually around a particular Master who has agreed to take students and share the teachings. In recent times, Yoga teachings have reached the West. Some of the more commonly known types of Yoga are: Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Iyengar Yoga.

You are complicating things for beginners.

The other thing is I don't understand why your web designed used frames on this website and makes the client scroll down in the frame.

Frames on websites are yesterday's technology. I imagine you've invested a great deal of money in the site but I would not be eager to have frames on my site. Search engines hate them.

Over all, your site should do fine but you must change the beginners page.

Shanti.

Harlan

[lashannasmall]

Here is my website. It is drab but cheap. I just want to make sure the actuall words are effective. Thanks in advance for the critique.

Wellness From Within - Home

[Administrator]

Okay, first thing is....

I CAN"T READ IT!

Because it's appears like this.

Bet you can't read what I just wrote. Because it's white type on a white background.

Here's what you did.... gray on white. It's not much better and hard to read.

Will you marry me? We've never met but...

Second: check out a video Sara and I did a few months back:

http://www.buildyouryogabusiness.com/ideas.html

You go about 3 lines on your website and ask them to book an appointment.

That's like asking them to marry you.

There's no wine, no romance.

Just straight to the point.

Let's see a rewrite.

Shanti.

Harlan

[tentoes]

Thanks Harlan, for taking the time to look at my site (Ten Toes Yoga & Natural Health) and for your thoughts.

I hear your concerns about my beginners page and I've moved it around so the benefits are 'up front'. I still plan to edit some of the text when I have time, too.

One of the first questions I get from prospective students who are new to Yoga is "what's the difference between all the different types?" so I felt it was important to leave the answer in there (albeit at the bottom!). Perhaps this is because my studio offers different types and beginners are trying to work out which class to try.

I don't know why my web designer chose to use frames, but I'll discuss this with her. (No, I didn't invest a lot of money...I just have a talented friend who was willing to work for a little cash and balance of payment in classes!)

I've been getting loads of enquiries and subscriptions via the website, which is encouraging!

Thanks again for your help. I learn so much from the forum and your newsletters. I am fortunate to have found you at the beginning of my Yoga Studio career!

Rachel

[tentoes]

Hi Harlan,

I followed up with my web designer and she said she hasn't used frames to design my website. (In fact she detests them and doesn't understand why they are still even taught, let alone used!)

I'm hoping that my site will soon start to be returned in organic searches (esp. Google and Yahoo). If you know of a good guide on website optimisation or have any 'quick win' tips for this, I would be grateful to know.

Thanks for your help,

Rachel