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Casual Articles - Web Design for the Professional Magician Part I - Selecting the Perfect Domain Name
Every month you write that check to the directory publisher for your ad or program. Do you ever stop to wonder if it’s worth it? Have you had the same one for years? Is it bringing in the type of customer you prefer? Where do you go for these answers?The obvious choice is your local Yellow Page rep. But guess who he or she works for? If you answered, the customer, you’re in for a rude awakening. Let me put it this way; who pays their salary, commissions, and provides their benefits? So they actually work for publisher and owe all their allegiance to them. Therefore, when you ask them for information or explanations, it’s always tempered by that one factor.
www.WebToastyHosty.com/234asdkjfd/No-hire-me.html
Pros
- Full control over design
- Can use server side scripting languages
- Can use databases to dynamically create web pages
Cons
- Lacks your own domain name
- Looks unprofessional
- Hard to remember
- No keywords in URL
- URL has no tie to your USP (unique selling proposition)
Example 4
The final example is the best of the lot. The domain name ends in .com. It also has the keyword 'magic' in it. It is reasonably
There is a crucial element of internet marketing, often forgotten or simply not utilized by work at home hopefuls. Without this element, you may feel like you’re driving a car on a winding highway at a high speed, blindfolded. You could wreck, and never know what hit you. In that scenario, you’re pretty much done. One wreck is all it might take.On the net, however, you can be hit multiple times and never figure out how to avoid being side-swiped or running head on into a tree, unless you take off the blind fold and begin tracking, testing, and following your progress.With internet marketing, it’s imperitive to test your ads and keywords, as appl
The first issue I have with magician web sites is the improper use of domain names. Examine the following list of URLs and select the most professional one:
- www.freewebspace.com/users/losers/reallosers/Hire-me.html (Example 1)
- http://www.Kooool-Magic-2day4U2.tv/ (Example 2)
- http://www.WebToastyHosty.com/234asdkjfd/No-hire-me.html (Example 3)
- http://www.TikiMagic.com (Example 4)
Unfortunately the first site is too common today. It is too long to be remembered. It is also too long to be accurately typed. Who knows what site your potential visitor may end up loading into their browser. More importantly it is unprofessional. With the low cost to register domain names and host web sites, there is no longer any reason to use this type of web site as a professional magician.
These URLs are usually found on business cards with perforations around the edges. If this applies to you, then please listen to this simple advice. Please spend the small amount of money it takes to look like a professional or don't pretend that you are one. Your potential clients are not impressed. They will not hire you. This advice applies to both the web sites and the business cards. Let's review the pros and cons.
www.freewebspace.com/users/losers/reallosers/Hire-me.html
Pros
- It's free
- It's free because your visitors are bombarded with ads (Viva Cialis)
- It's unprofessional. You look cheap because you are. Don't Be!
- It's too loooooooooooooooooooong.
- It too hard to type out without mistkes.
- Too many limits on designs and script usage.
Example 2
The second example shows another trend. The good domains are often taken. Magicians look to claim some Web real estate by getting a domain name with cute names by substituting numbers or misspellings to find a "suitable" domain name. The main issue is that potential visitors may not remember your "cute" name and never find your site. It is better than the first URL, but not much.
This example shows another common strategy. Magicians will use a less common extension such as .org , .biz or .tv. It is my belief that a weaker name with ".com" is better than a stronger name without the ".com". Most people don't understand about domain names. The general sentiment among your potential clients is that .com appears more professional than .biz.
www.Kooool-Magic-2day4U2.tv/
Pros
- It's slightly better than the prior example
- It contains some keywords (mostly misspelled and numberized)
- It's your own domain name
- Doesn't use .com
- Words are misspelled
- Numbers are substituted for words
- It uses too many hyphens
- Too long
- More cute than professional
Example 3
The third example shows the use of a web host without a domain name. With your own host you will have maximum flexibility over web design. The ability to use server side scripting and databases make this a good approach. The main problem is that without the domain name it still looks unprofessional. Even with the great looking web pages, it still appears to be DIY (do it yourself). A weak domain name is better than no domain name.
www.WebToastyHosty.com/234asdkjfd/No-hire-me.html
Pros
- Full control over design
- Can use server side scripting languages
- Can use databases to dynamically create web pages
Cons
- Lacks your own domain name
- Looks unprofessional
- Hard to remember
- No keywords in URL
- URL has no tie to your USP (unique selling proposition)
Example 4
The final example is the best of the lot. The domain name ends in .com. It also has the keyword 'magic' in it. It is reasonably
Many of our clients are in service businesses, such as realtors, financial advisors, interior designers, attorneys, salon and spa professionals, home health care, therapists, consultants, accountants, computer services, and several more.Service professionals have to work harder to promote themselves. Why? Because they are selling themselves, not products. Many times service professionals don't advertise, or have limited advertising opportunities. Some marketing activities are even regulated by the industry they are in.If you're a service professional, you know that publicity can be a crucial factor in your success because it helps you build credib
These URLs are usually found on business cards with perforations around the edges. If this applies to you, then please listen to this simple advice. Please spend the small amount of money it takes to look like a professional or don't pretend that you are one. Your potential clients are not impressed. They will not hire you. This advice applies to both the web sites and the business cards. Let's review the pros and cons.
www.freewebspace.com/users/losers/reallosers/Hire-me.html
Pros
- It's free
- It's free because your visitors are bombarded with ads (Viva Cialis)
- It's unprofessional. You look cheap because you are. Don't Be!
- It's too loooooooooooooooooooong.
- It too hard to type out without mistkes.
- Too many limits on designs and script usage.
Example 2
The second example shows another trend. The good domains are often taken. Magicians look to claim some Web real estate by getting a domain name with cute names by substituting numbers or misspellings to find a "suitable" domain name. The main issue is that potential visitors may not remember your "cute" name and never find your site. It is better than the first URL, but not much.
This example shows another common strategy. Magicians will use a less common extension such as .org , .biz or .tv. It is my belief that a weaker name with ".com" is better than a stronger name without the ".com". Most people don't understand about domain names. The general sentiment among your potential clients is that .com appears more professional than .biz.
www.Kooool-Magic-2day4U2.tv/
Pros
- It's slightly better than the prior example
- It contains some keywords (mostly misspelled and numberized)
- It's your own domain name
- Doesn't use .com
- Words are misspelled
- Numbers are substituted for words
- It uses too many hyphens
- Too long
- More cute than professional
Example 3
The third example shows the use of a web host without a domain name. With your own host you will have maximum flexibility over web design. The ability to use server side scripting and databases make this a good approach. The main problem is that without the domain name it still looks unprofessional. Even with the great looking web pages, it still appears to be DIY (do it yourself). A weak domain name is better than no domain name.
www.WebToastyHosty.com/234asdkjfd/No-hire-me.html
Pros
- Full control over design
- Can use server side scripting languages
- Can use databases to dynamically create web pages
Cons
- Lacks your own domain name
- Looks unprofessional
- Hard to remember
- No keywords in URL
- URL has no tie to your USP (unique selling proposition)
Example 4
The final example is the best of the lot. The domain name ends in .com. It also has the keyword 'magic' in it. It is reasonably
Remember ezimerchant's five ingredients to online success? These were: • Getting found on search engines • Establishing your product in a niche or vertical market • Creating a great Unique Selling Proposition • Exceptional customer relationship management • PatienceIn this ezimail issue I want to cover the topic of establishing your product in a niche or vertical market. A niche market is a focused, targetable portion of a market frequently not addressed by mainstream providers.Why should you bother to establish a niche market? Because of the great advantage of being alone there; other small businesses may not be aware o
Example 2
The second example shows another trend. The good domains are often taken. Magicians look to claim some Web real estate by getting a domain name with cute names by substituting numbers or misspellings to find a "suitable" domain name. The main issue is that potential visitors may not remember your "cute" name and never find your site. It is better than the first URL, but not much.
This example shows another common strategy. Magicians will use a less common extension such as .org , .biz or .tv. It is my belief that a weaker name with ".com" is better than a stronger name without the ".com". Most people don't understand about domain names. The general sentiment among your potential clients is that .com appears more professional than .biz.
www.Kooool-Magic-2day4U2.tv/
Pros
- It's slightly better than the prior example
- It contains some keywords (mostly misspelled and numberized)
- It's your own domain name
- Doesn't use .com
- Words are misspelled
- Numbers are substituted for words
- It uses too many hyphens
- Too long
- More cute than professional
Example 3
The third example shows the use of a web host without a domain name. With your own host you will have maximum flexibility over web design. The ability to use server side scripting and databases make this a good approach. The main problem is that without the domain name it still looks unprofessional. Even with the great looking web pages, it still appears to be DIY (do it yourself). A weak domain name is better than no domain name.
www.WebToastyHosty.com/234asdkjfd/No-hire-me.html
Pros
- Full control over design
- Can use server side scripting languages
- Can use databases to dynamically create web pages
Cons
- Lacks your own domain name
- Looks unprofessional
- Hard to remember
- No keywords in URL
- URL has no tie to your USP (unique selling proposition)
Example 4
The final example is the best of the lot. The domain name ends in .com. It also has the keyword 'magic' in it. It is reasonably
Your Visual Vocabulary consists of the secondary design elements that are used in conjunction with your logo to form your brand identity. Your Visual Vocabulary is composed of the graphics, font styles, colors, and even the type of paper you choose.Once you have determined the elements to use in your Visual Vocabulary, it is important to use those elements consistently throughout all of your marketing materials. This consistency will make your entire set of materials look like a family. Having a consistent set of marketing materials makes you look more organized and professional. It also makes your business more memorable, because the repetition of the con
www.Kooool-Magic-2day4U2.tv/
Pros
- It's slightly better than the prior example
- It contains some keywords (mostly misspelled and numberized)
- It's your own domain name
- Doesn't use .com
- Words are misspelled
- Numbers are substituted for words
- It uses too many hyphens
- Too long
- More cute than professional
Example 3
The third example shows the use of a web host without a domain name. With your own host you will have maximum flexibility over web design. The ability to use server side scripting and databases make this a good approach. The main problem is that without the domain name it still looks unprofessional. Even with the great looking web pages, it still appears to be DIY (do it yourself). A weak domain name is better than no domain name.
www.WebToastyHosty.com/234asdkjfd/No-hire-me.html
Pros
- Full control over design
- Can use server side scripting languages
- Can use databases to dynamically create web pages
Cons
- Lacks your own domain name
- Looks unprofessional
- Hard to remember
- No keywords in URL
- URL has no tie to your USP (unique selling proposition)
Example 4
The final example is the best of the lot. The domain name ends in .com. It also has the keyword 'magic' in it. It is reasonably
Have you ever heard a sales person complain about prospecting? "Prospecting is the worst. I hate it. Nobody answers their phone. The spam filters are probably catching all my e-mails."It's probably true. The prospect you are trying to convince to use your product or service does delete their voicemail messages and their e-mail messages. How would you like to call an extra 10-20 people back everyday? Or write an extra 10-20 e-mails. Come on. Let's get real. Why don't you try responding to 10-20 strangers everyday. That's right. I said strangers.If your prospecting to people who don't know you then you are a stranger. How could they possib
www.WebToastyHosty.com/234asdkjfd/No-hire-me.html
Pros
- Full control over design
- Can use server side scripting languages
- Can use databases to dynamically create web pages
Cons
- Lacks your own domain name
- Looks unprofessional
- Hard to remember
- No keywords in URL
- URL has no tie to your USP (unique selling proposition)
Example 4
The final example is the best of the lot. The domain name ends in .com. It also has the keyword 'magic' in it. It is reasonably short and memorable. It doesn't have any misspellings, hyphens or number4word substitutions. The "tiki" is part of the magician's character concept and is utilized in other marketing efforts. It helps differentiate him from other magicians. The web site is a retro sixties tiki lounge approach. Very unique and very cool. :) We will examine this site in more detail in later articles dealing with effective web promotional strategies.
www.TikiMagic.com
Pros
- Professional looking URL
- Domain name uses keywords
- Domain name uses USPs
- Easy to remember
- Full control over design
- Can use server side scripting languages
- Can use databases to dynamically create web pages and other great uses.
Cons
- Requires more time to maintain
- Requires a little money to register domain name
- Requires a little more money to host
Conclusion
This concludes Part I of Web Design for Professional Magicians. If you have not already done so get your own domain name. Search Google for many cheap places to do so. Email me if you are having trouble with your domain name or registering it. The key points for selecting domain names:
- Try to get a .com domain name.
- Keep it reasonably short and memorable.
- Avoid misspellings and word substitution (4 instead of for).
- Limit the use of hyphens.
- Try to incorporate your USPs and keywords in the name.
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