Site Evaluation
JaiGieEse
Registered Users Posts: 6 Beginner grinner
I've had a site online - pro level - via SmugMug for some several months. I have followed the many SEO suggestions offered by SmugMug. I have a WordPress blog to accompany the site.
I am seeing a steady and increasing number of site visits. It seems that nearely all of these visits, as reported by Google Analytics, are first-time vists, and most are short visits.
I have yet to make a sale.
I am wondering where I might find someone - a person or a company - to have a look at my site and see whether it is properly set up.
www.jaigieesephotoart.com
http://jaigieese.wordpress.com
I am seeing a steady and increasing number of site visits. It seems that nearely all of these visits, as reported by Google Analytics, are first-time vists, and most are short visits.
I have yet to make a sale.
I am wondering where I might find someone - a person or a company - to have a look at my site and see whether it is properly set up.
www.jaigieesephotoart.com
http://jaigieese.wordpress.com
0
Comments
Do you have any inbound links to the site? Do you participate in any online photo sharing / discussion sites?
Your site overall looks good but I do have some suggestions for improvement.
If you don't want a view to click your top level menu entries - like GALLERIES - don't enable clicking for that top entry. If I click Galleries I expect to see galleries to choose from, not a message telling me how to use the menu.
You have placed text on top of a photo background for your About and FAQ pages. I find that makes the text uncomfortable to read, and the design draws my eyes away from the text. Why not use a plain background for the text?
You are also using a photo background for your galleries. I find this distracting as well. If I look at your photos for a specific date range (for example, http://www.jaigieesephotoart.com/date/2015-5-1/2015-6-31/) I see that you are using Journal style. In this case with the very bright background photo, my eyes are drawn to the background photo and not to the photos from your galleries.
Remove the SmugMug Pro header; that doesn't look professional.
Your FRESH menu entry takes me to an empty gallery. I don't believe you should ever direct a viewer to an empty gallery; either make sure there are some photos in the gallery or remove the menu entry.
Your blog doesn't lead me back to your photo galleries. Why not embed the photos from your smugmug site into your blog so clicking on the photo takes the viewer into your photo galleries?
While a watermark on top of the center of the photo is probably a good method of protection it may also be moving people away from your site. I find that your watermark interrupts my viewing of the photos.
Your slideshow on your homepage is so small that I don't think it's worth showing.
I think a portfolio should be a representation of your best work. Your portfolio description says "Basically, it's a complete look at my on-line imagery collection.". Do you think anyone will take the time to look at all of your photos on a single page?
--- Denise
Musings & ramblings at https://denisegoldberg.blogspot.com
What Denise said. It's very hard to read your home and about me page with that photo background.
I see some nice images but to me I find your water mark most annoying and can't stay long. Lets get those images where folks can stay awhile see them.
Also if simply putting up an image on the internet created sales we would all be rich.
Sam
SEO-wise....What are your keywords? I don't mean metadata keywords. What words are you trying to rank for? Looking at your home page, I really don't see anything that a person would search for. Your <title> element says 'JaiGie PhotoArt - Fine Art Photography'. Do you really thing somebody is going to search for those terms? You might want to read my SEO for the Photographer link in my sig. <img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/mwink.gif" border="0" alt="" >
Images in the Backcountry
My SmugMug Customizations | Adding CSS to Your Site | SEO for the Photographer | Locate Your Page/Widget Number | SmugMug Help Desk
I eventually found out your location - I'd suggest having that more prominent (maybe include it in a "tag" line
I;m pretty sure you are not going to change it, but I think your web name is going to present a problem for casual visitors. There are so many ways people could spell it ... even if they could remember it. I understand completely that it would be second nature to YOU. I'm not sure JaiGeiSe is going to serve you well until you become really well known ... and when that happens you can quite rightly come back and tell me "I told you so"!!
All the very best - you have some awesome images.
www.acecootephotography.com
Also, selling prints online isn't going to happen. You need a physical gallery or tour arts and craft shows. The orders would come from traffic to the gallery or the shows.
Your picture backgrounds are also distracting and I didn't want to spend too much on your site because of that.
Not true. I just got an order last week...but it wasn't from my SM site, it came from my WordPress site...which is more SEO-friendly.
Images in the Backcountry
My SmugMug Customizations | Adding CSS to Your Site | SEO for the Photographer | Locate Your Page/Widget Number | SmugMug Help Desk
Ok, you got AN order. How many do you get for a year?
2: All your background images are distracting. I can hardly pick out the thumbnails
C: I didn't really see anything that I would picture on a wall. Your panoramas are kind of wavy, your people images are badly lit, etc.
There's just too much random text spewed across the site. I don't think many would be bothered to read it. The background wallpaper is also very distracting and makes text difficult to read.
Lastly, there's just WAY to much stuff on your site. I think you have a lot of very nice images and they could potentially be images that could sell, but at the moment it's like going through an endless Flickr feed. In short, it doesn't hold my attention for very long. It's rather difficult to do, but maybe have a think about killing off half of the images you have on there. Just leave your finest work. Maybe even cut down on the amount of galleries too.
Like I said, you have some good work in there, but your website at the moment is not doing you or your images any favors.
Follow me on:
Instagram | Facebook | Flickr
Also, it can be maddingly difficult to make changes in a page's design. This weekend, I updated my home page - among others - to include an announcement of new products. It took several hours of experimentation to get it to work - sorta - like I wanted.
I would really appreciate more flexibility.
As it was, when I decided - upon recommendation of some trusted friends and fellow photographers - to add calendars to my product line, I discovered that SmugMug's storefront doesn't include same, even thouigh my chosen lab - Bay Photo - does. I queried SmugMug, and got a response that said something to the effect of "No, we don't include calendars - maybe in the future."
Given the choice of waiting on SmugMug or getting on with it, I researched and discovered a "Buy Now" button mechanism provided by PayPal, and so, my new calendar page uses same.
I plan to offer photo books, via Blurb. I am now wondering whether those will go through the SmugMug storefront.
SmugMug's customer service is fast, courteous and generally useful. Methinks they need to generate some more flexibility and product offerings if they wish to make more money from me.
"JaiGieEse" is a phonetic play on my initials - JGS. Many years ago, when I first began to develop a web presence, my primary focus was graphics design, so I came up with a logo - GraF/X Design. After some time, I ran a web search, and to my dismay, I got PAGES of links to similarly named sites.
So. Then I decided to rename my business - "JonDesign," again, a play on my name. A short while after I'd reworked everything, I ran another web search, and again, came up with, to my surprise, many more similar sites, including one fellow who designs some sort of graphics database, and who'd locked down every possible variation of "JonDesign" for use in web addresses.
After much head-scratching and searching, I came up with the idea of using a phonetic play on my initials (JGS). Web searches show NO ONE else is using this name, or anything vauguely like it. At first, while I was still doing free-lance graphics design, the new company name was "JaiGieEse Imagery/Design."
Then I retired the graphics design bit and focused solely on my photography, and so altered my company name to "JaiGieEse PhotoArt." Still comes up clean on web searches, and I rather enjoy being unique, y'know?
As to my online portfolio, well, yes, there are a lot of images there. Which is EXACTLY why I've sorted some of them out into specialty galleries.
Again, NOBODY is going to search for your NAME to buy prints online. You need to think as a customer.
Images in the Backcountry
My SmugMug Customizations | Adding CSS to Your Site | SEO for the Photographer | Locate Your Page/Widget Number | SmugMug Help Desk
+1 on that.
Just as an illustration, I would never write JGS phonetically the same way as you do.
For me, it would be JayGeeEss or JayGeeEs
I realise it is unique and that seems to be very important to you.
You just need to realise, that it comes with some serious limitations in getting people to find/remember you.
"Unfortunately, SmugMug doesn't allow for nearly as much customization as I'd like. It would be nice if text boxes could be adjusted to have their own backgrounds."
Perhaps you could ask in the "New Smug Customization" thread. There are some excellent volunteers there who could probably solve that for you.
http://www.dgrin.com/forumdisplay.php?f=64
In this thread they suggested to use HTML content blocks instead of Text Boxes ... and then use css code to format it as you wish
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=238760&highlight=text+backgrounds
This site gives the basics for changing background colour or to make the background an image of your choice:
http://www.w3schools.com/css/css_background.asp
As I said, the wonderful members here will be able to give you the specific code
www.acecootephotography.com
You can use HTML/CSS instead. There are several people here that can help you with the CSS stuff.
Images in the Backcountry
My SmugMug Customizations | Adding CSS to Your Site | SEO for the Photographer | Locate Your Page/Widget Number | SmugMug Help Desk
Using photos as background for photos takes away from the photos you are attempting to showcase. Again, the background draws my eye away from the photo.
You can easily see in the pricing module in smug that Blurb books can't be priced. You will need to handle these in the same way that you handle your calendars.
--- Denise
Musings & ramblings at https://denisegoldberg.blogspot.com
Good luck.
Bryan
Gallery: https://eldonshea.smugmug.com/
Well, now. Many of the comments generated by this thread are informative, helpful, and welcome.
Others, not so much.
I noted that someone said that the SmugMug pricing module won't allow for sales of Blurb books. Hm. I am a little confused about that, as it was SMUGMUG that connected me to Blurb to begin with. But no matter. If I must use the PayPal approach in the case of books, so be it.
At any rate, I have made some changes. I've edited the text entries, shortening them noticeably. As to the person who's accused me of self-indulgence, well, gee, how does one describe oneself otherwise? After all, the page is about ME AND MY PHOTOGRAPHY.
I've also changed the gallery styles to the SmugMug style, which does make for a less-cluttered page. I've also "plained-down" my page backgrounds.
So maybe these changes will help.
www.jaigieesephotoart.com
http://jaigieese.wordpress.com
Anything that takes the eye away from where you want it to travel is an issue, imo - whether it's in the image itself, or the way it /they are being displayed. Over the years I've had many, many discussions with mrs pp (retired special needs teacher) about this sort of topic - especially when preparing resources for people with impaired vision.
Incidentally, I suspect she'd also have something to say about your choice of phonetics too - but I've not asked her.
I work on pics in a neutral background environment ... do you? If so, why remove this from your viewers?
I have very narrow (my problem, I know) photographic tastes / interests, so the only gallery I'll comment on is the FF and F one. I'd hope / expect? to find something other than pics of wildlife taken in controlled / captive settings within a site that has 'Fine Art / PhotoArt' associated with it ... although I've no real idea how either term is defined
pp
Flickr
I didn't mean to be accusatory and I regret you took it that way. However, I still think that if you want to sell photos, your entire site should be about your photography first, and about you second. I think you have it the other way around. Don't get me wrong; I have nothing against healthy ego. Mine is doing quite well, thank you. I was simply expressing my opinion that a display of ego by any artist unknown to me is a bit of turn-off, regardless of how good his/her work is. When your resume has a list of exhibitions and publications where your work has been displayed, it will be a different story. Anyway, it's just my opinion. I thought you were asking for opinions. Take it for whatever you think it is worth.
p.s. A couple of years ago I considered stepping up from mere hobbyist, so I reserved a web name that included the term "Photoart". I've never used it and don't think I ever will, because to me it now sounds a bit pretentious. If the work is truly "art" I shouldn't have to call it that. The viewer will know. Same for if it's not.
Good luck with your venture.
Bryan
Gallery: https://eldonshea.smugmug.com/
Yes the website is yours so it is about you. However you are selling images not yourself. If I come across anything from the creator that spends time explaining images I doze off. The truth is people who come across your website do not care about your thoughts, your background, or explanations. They just care about good images. Anything else is a distraction. You have been given sound and honest advice but got defensive. You can hold on to your pride or try to improve your website.
"I work on pics in a neutral background environment ... do you? If so, why remove this from your viewers?"
Oh, I see. I am not to do anything you don't do. Excuse me fior not realizing your grasp of the magnificent.
Phonetics choice and impaired vision??? REALLY? That one escapes me. Please do realize that the decision as to what is my company name and how I choose to spell same is MINE and mine alone.
As regards your comments re: wildlife photos. Are you saying that I am not to photograph animals if they are found within "controlled captive settings?" If I find a critter fully in the wild, and I feel such will make for an effective image, I will certainly press the shutter. But should I find a critter in a park or zoo or aquarium, and I also see an effective image, well, gee, I'll capture that image, as well.
I do thank those who've commented here honestly. I've sought suggestions dealing with real issues. I am much less interested in whether my style of photography or my choice of presentation agrees with your personal taste, and really, if you insinuate that what I do in any area offends you for reasons that you alone possess, um, I'm not at all interested.
You can do whatever you want to with your site. You asked for an opinion and you have received them. You have to decide if you are doing it for your own personal enjoyment or do you actually want to run it as a business and do things that will attract customers and give them what they want.
The advice of selling potos of animals in the wild is sound advice. Buyers are going to be more apt to buy wildlife prints over animals in kept areas.
And I have stated, more than once, that I am grateful for the suggestions and advice to which you refer.
But I am not certain that all who've answered have done so in an honest manner. I mean, when someone starts telling me that people with disabilities will not look kindly on my company name, I have to draw the line.
And again, pal, I'll shoot animals when I choose how I choose.
Now, if anyone else has something to add without making personal statements or jabs, please chime in. Otherwise. I'm done with this.
Denise (and others) have had some great suggestions to which I'd add "less is more". The site is pretty busy with lots of places to click and read. Simplify & make the site more consistent. Your blog should look like your SmugMug site too.
There are varying opinions on this, but, I'd probably cut down on the selection of available prints-freshen them up once and a while and don't stop adding new stuff-just limit what I can choose so that I'm more likely to choose something. Same with the calendar and other products-design one and sell that.
In places you use links, hide the URLs. Instead of http://youtube.com, use video.
Lastly, even a well designed website won't sell prints on its own. You need to develop your brand and market that. Find other pros, look at what they're doing and emulate that.
Yes and I think there is a list somewhere on SmugMug's pages that will direct you to them. Otherwise, Google is your friend
Good luck.
I never said you couldn't and it wasn't a personal attack. You are choosing to sell prints to the general public and you asked what to do to make it successful. IF you actually want to make money from this then you sell what the general public wants. The general public appreciates wildlife over zoo animals when it comes to art prints. Of course if someone likes lions then there isn't another way of getting that shot in the wild unless you go on a safari. However, zoo shots are easy and there are tons out there. Good wildlife prints are in shorter supply because they are harder to get. It isn't a personal statement against what you like to shoot.
When I do family sessions there are things I would LIKE to do to make it more creative but the general clientele doesn't care for that. I do run across some that want more creative shots and I oblige. The off the wall stuff I save for personal projects or clients who want that.
So the choice is yours. If you want to photograph zoo animals and that is where your heart is, knock yourself out. If you are wanting to make money with animal shots then wildlife is going to be bring you in more money.