Feedback Please

[ChaCha]

Hello All!  I have my site up www.EmbellishedFun.com.  Please give me your honest feedback/comments/suggestions.  I definitely need more and current photos....most are from snaz paints a year ago when I first thought about fp and hadnt really learned/practiced.  I will have lots of pics after this weekend.  (YEAH...first paid gig!) What do you think about the content?  Anything missing?  Also.....If anyone would please, please allow me to use a belly painting pic or two I would sure appreciate it.....The one pregnant person I (barely) know seemed offended that I offered to paint for her.  I am tempted to offer to strangers I meet, but Im sure they will think Im psycho...lol.  Help please!  I could get arrested if I resort to that.  I just dont think they "get it" in the Midwest.....what belly painting is and explaining doesnt seem to work.  I need pics.

[Sherry]

Hey ChaCha... Looking at the site, I think it should maybe have more of a description of what the site is all about and what area you service.  Putting myself in the shoes of being a potential customer, I can't be sure that it's a face painting site.

I think on the titles, "Boys" and "Girls", it might be easier to know what it's describing if it said something like, "Boy Designs", etc.  Thinking as a customer, I thought I might not know what that was about.

If I had any belly paintings to share, I definitely would, but I haven't got into that area yet.   

[ChaCha]

Thank you Sherri.  I did add a banner at the top of the home page and enlarged the buttons to accomodate a better description.  I also added a contact us button on each page....and info on the belly painting page that hopefully will help.  Phew....I can see this is going to be a continuous work in progress.  Now, I'm just afraid it may look too "busy"  ;o)  I am loving Wix though!  I welcome any and all suggestions/ideas

[twink-elle]

Hi Cha Cha, It took a while to get from page to page on the website (probably b/c things were moving). I like seeing a face painting sample on the home page just to get an idea of the talent right away.
New pix will definitely make a big improvement on all the pages, as they are what will sell you and i know for me at least, pix are the most important part of the site.
 I'd suggest waiting until you do your own belly paintings before posting pix in that section as it is really important for customers to see your work on your website not someone else's unless it very clearly says the name of the artist, but then some may wonder why you'd have pix you didn't paint. I'd suggest watching for pregnant moms in the line up at your next gig and offering a freebie, share contact info with them, if they are already into facepainting they may be more apt to let  you paint them. I know some people have offered the service through facebook and had success because there is always a friend of a friend expecting. It helps to practice the belly painting before charging so you get a feel for the belly(how it feels and moves), how a pregnant woman's comfort level is and how long it will take, it can be a wonderful experience but many moms are very uncomfortable in their last trimester and sitting or lying still can be tough. My first experiences were on family members so it made it much easier for me and my nerves. Just my suggestions. Have fun with it!
Danica

[sparklingfaces]

i like it! Very cute

Suggestion would be to add what area you're in, but other than that... how cute is that? did you make it yourself?

[ChaCha]

Thanks sparklingfaces!  Yes, it has been my "pet project" for about 2 weeks now.  I made it with Wix.  I love love love their sites and im not that techy and I figured it out!  $10/mo is what I signed up to pay so it wouldnt have the "free wix site" on it....otherwise it would have been free except for the $15 godaddy domain registration.  It has now become a continual work in progress and am incorporating everyones ideas/suggestions as I go along.  I figure it will be fantastic with everyones input!  Cant wait to get new pics at upcoming events.  I am sooooooo excited!  I just confirmed my 3rd paying upcoming event and I also have 2 upcoming free (advertising/pics/add'l practice will be my pay) events scheduled.  I cant wait!

btw....love your videos!  They have been tremendously helpful to me!  Thank you so much ;0)

[ChaCha]

Okay,  I've made several changes....I added a gallery for upcoming events and decided to share most pictures this way.  And hope that it will set clients up for the idea of pictures to begin with...Once I have prenatal and UV photos, I can clean up my home page and get rid of those buttons and incorporate them into my events gallery.   I'm hoping the way the galleries are set up will drive a lot of traffic to my site and help with viral marketing by persons emailing link to friends/family. 

I love the antimations!  (butterfly on home and cat/dog on Gallery/Woofstock, rocket on Gallery/Rose Hill.
and stork on baby bump.  Hopefully It's not getting too busy.  The butterfly has a mind of its own and doesnt seem to save my settings on speed.  lol....

Thanks for all your help....keep the suggestions coming, I really appreciate it ;o)

[Sherry]

Nice!  You've really been working on it and it's looking good!  I think it's much easier to see what your site is about and what you're offering.  I look forward to seeing pics in the galleries of your upcoming events.