New Band Website!

JoZac21 · #1 02-04-2011, 08:53 PM

So, I got sick and tired of my band not actually having a website, and stumbled onto bandzoogle.com... problem solved.

Let me know what you think... and feel free to download the tunes (p.s. they're copyrighted).

cosmolingomusic.com

ataunton · #2 02-04-2011, 08:59 PM

The page itself didn't do much for me. However, it wasn't a wasted trip because I really like music. More please!

JoZac21 · #3 02-04-2011, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ataunton

The page itself didn't do much for me. However, it wasn't a wasted trip because I really like music. More please!

Looking for some constructive criticism... what was it that didn't "didn't do much" for you? To cluttered? Boring? Let me know!

ataunton · #4 02-05-2011, 12:44 AM

To start, what I meant to say was, I really like your bands music. I definitely want to hear more of it.

Concerning the web page, its just too generic. When I read your follow up post asking for criticism, I couldn't remember anything about it including the bands name. Going back and looking at it again there isn't much that draws the eye in. The front page needs to be more visually appealing. Something to make a user want to click around the site and dig deeper.

With the ability to easily create a web presence through places like FB, MySpace, and twitter an actual website seems mostly unnecessary. On the above mentioned sites the layout is pretty standard. If I go to a bands FB or MySpace I'm not expecting much (visually speaking) and that is ok. It looks the same for everyone.

When a band has a personal web page I expect much more. Your band has great sound, good look (I watched the video), but your page doesn't translate any of that. I'm expecting to see a reason for why I should continue looking around. It's like browsing in a bookstore, what do you tend to pick up? Something that catches your eye, right? The book has an interesting cover, so you pick it up. Then you flip it over and read the back. Then maybe you crack it open and read a page and after all of that perhaps you buy it or just set it down. The point is you picked it up.

For an experiment go to these two websites and see which one makes you want to look around. Pretend for a moment that you don't know anything about either of these companies. Based solely on the very first page that loads, which one seems the most appealing/legitimate/professional?
www.mesaboogie.com
www.acmebass.com

The above, is of course, my opinion. It would be much easier too have a conversation about this over a beer, but since we are on opposite coasts that is not going to happen. Nothing I have said above should be taken as a slam, or as being stated with great negativity. I'm glad I clicked on this thread, because I really am stoked on your bands music.

JoZac21 · #5 02-05-2011, 11:25 AM

@ataunton (ps love your user name lol)

Sorry if I came off as snippy or short in my last post, that wasn't my intention... damn internet not relaying emotion properly.

First of all, I'm glad you like the music... as far as I'm concerned, that's the most important thing, right? But I definitely see your point. I'll get back to work on it... maybe add a few pictures and things to the home page, give people something to look at. Thanks a ton.

Anyone else that wishes to chime in... again, it would be appreciated.

ataunton · #6 02-05-2011, 11:42 AM

I didn't read as being snippy, but that is the problem with communicating on the internet. It is very difficult to judge others overall tone. I would encourage you to throw up a FB page as well. You can display all of the same information in a format that people are becoming increasingly familiar with. Plus as a fan I have the ability to press one button (Like) and then, for lack of a better term, passively follow what is going on with your band. Let's face it, people spend entirely too much time on social websites and you have the ability to inhabit a place where they already are, decreasing the amount of effort it takes to make a connection.

Regarding the user name, thanks. It's actually just my first initial and last name. Though if I'm reading you right, I got that a lot in school. I didn't mind, I'm a big SW fan.

JoZac21 · #7 02-05-2011, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ataunton

Regarding the user name, thanks. It's actually just my first initial and last name. Though if I'm reading you right, I got that a lot in school. I didn't mind, I'm a big SW fan.

Lol... yeah... big Star Wars fan.

We do have a facebook page, and it's been pretty useful in keeping people updated on stuff... I need to add a link on the new site.

Also, I should add for anyone else reading this, that this site is still a work in progress and I've been changing things as we speak.

JoZac21 · #8 02-05-2011, 01:28 PM

So I took your advice and started adding some pics to the pages to give it some extra flash... more to come hopefully. I have a ton of pictures of us, so there's a lot to sort through lol.

rtslinger · #9 02-05-2011, 01:41 PM

Okay I did not get Psychedelic-Soul-Rock band from the earth tones you used on the web page if that is who you are your site should reflect it. Like the music. stripper pole comment could have been left out may stop some people from coming out to enjoy your music. Take a look at other bands sites who consider themselves Psychedelic-Soul-Rock band me you can get some ideas. imo

JoZac21 · #10 02-05-2011, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtslinger

Okay I did not get Psychedelic-Soul-Rock band from the earth tones you used on the web page if that is who you are your site should reflect it. Like the music. stripper pole comment could have been left out may stop some people from coming out to enjoy your music. Take a look at other bands sites who consider themselves Psychedelic-Soul-Rock band me you can get some ideas. imo

Noted... I think I'm gonna remove the word "psychedelic", since I seem to be the only one that thinks this is an apt description of our music... that should fix that problem. I'll have to meditate on whether or not to drop the stripper pole bit... first off, it's true... there are stripper poles throughout the venue... and second, I doubt this will repel anyone... although perhaps you're right... hmmm

mboogiemanusa · #11 02-06-2011, 11:35 PM

Constructive criticism. The home page is hard to read because all the paragraphs and gigs are listed in a vertical format. That is not a natural way to read text. Try to expand the text out horizontally. Make the top bar and your name Cosmolingo much bigger to give your logo more pop. Scrap your gigs listing and try another format that highlights the gigs better. Hope this helps.

JoZac21 · #12 02-07-2011, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mboogiemanusa

Constructive criticism. The home page is hard to read because all the paragraphs and gigs are listed in a vertical format. That is not a natural way to read text. Try to expand the text out horizontally. Make the top bar and your name Cosmolingo much bigger to give your logo more pop. Scrap your gigs listing and try another format that highlights the gigs better. Hope this helps.

Thanks... do you think it'd be better to have a page dedicated to gigs? I've been thinking about this, but I'm worried that it may look to empty, especially during a time where we're not taking a lot of gigs due to recording. Thanks everyone again for the input!

JoZac21 · #13 02-07-2011, 08:41 AM

Monday morning bump...

P.S. reviews from my band members range from "amateur" to "f***ing great"... so yeah... not sure what to make of that.