How much is a web site worth?

[anne]

It isn't worth much at all if people don't find you!I'll be available at the rally if you want to learn about some of the things you can do yourself to help boost your visibility on the web. You can do it on a shoestring if you know what your doing. I've built 2 very solid web businesses from scratch this way. I'm now in the process of building a third one. Since I'm a google qualified web geek, I figured I'd share some of my knowledge with you if you can use it, so I'll be available for consults if you are interested.Just come find me in the lounge, usually with a coffee in my hand in the day time, or a Beck's if its night time. : )

[hummingbird]

sounds good, Anne! I'll be asking you for some advice, to be sure!

[ragani]

Sounds intriguing! We already have good web presence, but I'm always up for learning more tips and tricks!Can't wait to see you at the Rally again this year!! Love to you!Raags

[anne]

I'm looking forward to it as well! And that Indian Food that we bought last year as well - we must have another lobby Indian take out festival : )

[fullbirdmusic]

That's very generous of you! I won't be at the Rally, but I'm also available in a similar capacity. I'm a certified Web Designer and I just overhauled my own website (although it's not a "business site" in the traditional sense, like Amazon) but it's just what I need for my own artist website. A solid web presence (with appropriate logos, branding, and presence in many areas) cannot be underestimated. The data on your sites must also remain current. I was on several prominent musicians' sites (they're well-known mostly in Germany) the last 2 days and I have to say that all three of their sites sucked. I mean really. It doesn't take much effort, but just maintaining a current schedule (one had dates from 2008! is very important. Cheers,Wes

[anne]

Hi Wes - Agreed! I concentrate mostly on advanced SEO work - I can design sites / logos / etc (as I grew up in print shop owning family, and they all do that work still - but I don't find my joy there.I take peoples sites and teach them how to get found (or do the work for them, if thats what they prefer) - full seo packages if that is what they want, coaching on how they can do it themselves. What I explain to them is that they can have the perfect name, look, sound, logo, web site, pr package, etc but it doesn't matter if people who don't know they are there can't find them. I help them be found.PS - I can't tell you how many company web sites that I've worked on in the past that were time-sensitive, and hadn't been updated in 2 or 3 years, just like your musicians sites Cheers!!!

[fullbirdmusic]

Cheers, Anne! Yeah, that's great stuff!I don't make money from designing sites; I'm not sure I like it very much Silly me, eh?! lolYeah, out-of-date sites upset me the most. How do they expect to get customers and keep them if they don't have dynamic content? Too few understand that! Good luck to you!Wes

[hurican]

Building websites isn't just for geeks anymore. Building websites is part of my day job, so I still have some of those geeky qualities. hehe.I code about 1/2 my site and let joomla do the rest.http://www.joomla.orgMany hosts (godaddy, startlogic, etc...) have joomla pre-installed and can be switched "on". Boom, you have a site. Joomla has two phenominal components Community builder which is a web controlled User login and heirarchy system, and Music Collections, which is a complete pre-designed (also web controlled) music / artist / profile management system.Joomla is free, community builder is free. The only thing you would have to pay for is Music Collections, which is about 50 bucks.There is also Jamroom. http://www.jamroom.netJamroom looks like a simplified version of Joomla, designed only for music archives and profiles. This costs anywhere from 50 or so, to a few hundred, depending on the license you buy.The only thing that would require any technical knowledge would be installing them.So imho... websites don't have to cost much at all.My own website http://www.theaftereffekt.com costs the hosting fee, and a couple of 20$ web utilities. (It is still in the process of being built, but mostly functional).

[anne]

I agree completely on the "cost" of website design, they don't have to cost you a ton of money to build. You mentioned some great tools in your post. Of course, having good design and good writing skills are a plus, and using the right platform for your sites objectives is a good idea as well when you are developing a site. Joomla, wordpress etc make life much easier for people to focus on content rather than coding. Helping site owners be consistently discovered by new visitors is what I do, and what I teach people how to do it, and that coaching is focused on that individual's objective for their web site. Since we all spend a lot of money on gear, lessons, pitching songs etc - all which are good investments - I'm just offering my expertise in this field to my fellow taxi members. Just flag me down at the rally I'm happy to point you in the right direction

[hurican]

I could definitely use a lot of instruction in SEO and marketing. I wish I could make it to the rally, but many "forseen" circumstances prevent me from going. Hopefully next year!