Lots of people tend to ask for website critiques or for help with their magic websites on these forums. Webs.com has just released these tips for helping make and maintain an interesting and appealing website that is designed to attract and keep an audience:

Check them out, and feel free to add tips of your own

http://blog.webs.com/2010/09/09/5-mistakes-that-spell-disaster-for-your-website/?cm_mmc=WEmail-_-Premium-_-Sept10-_-learn&utm_source=Internal&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=&utm_content=kjmagic33@hotmail.com&utm_campaign=Sept10%20-%20Premium

Google has no photos.
Google mail has no photos.
Google movie times has no photos.
Yahoo TV listings has no photos.

And I visit those all the time. *shrug*

Test it in all browsers:
If you're making your own website, and not using a template from another company, you have to make sure that your site looks acceptable across all the main browsers. Those are the latest versions of Safari and Firefox, and Internet Explorer 6, 7 and 8.

There was a case with DerZauberer's site, for example, where in either FIrefox or IE (I forget which) the content wasn't showing up, due to a slight difference in how the browsers interpreted certain values.

yes indeed...I'm sure you do...but these are mainstream search engines....they differ greatly from a site that's entire purpose is to sell you an entertainment service. Though I can argue that if you go back and check google again...there's an entire tab titled "Images"

Speaking from experience...people are more out to book you for entertainment if they know what you look like. This is why photos are essential for anyone who wants to entertain professionally.

Besides, they're more "web apps" than web sites, and so follow different rules.

The one thing that many people do is have an opening page. You know the one that sys "enter here." This to me is a waste of time and money. When we had our site designed the designer told us about that so when you go to the site the first page has our picture and a description of how we can benefit our customers then the buttons going to face painting, magic, balloon sculpting.

Wow, Paddy, finally something you say that I can agree with.


No, this isn't sarcasm, so don't delete it