talkmagic.co.uk

Dear All,

I'm just creating a new worldwide directory for magicians. (Yes...I know, yet another one!)

It's just gone live, but I'm after as much critisism as possible, any ideas to make it better, more user friendly, more applealing ...anything, so if anyone has any comments or suggestions, please let me know, I would very much appreciate any constructive or deconstructive criticism!!!

Check it out at http://www.magician-directory.com

It's called The Magician Directory and I'm hoping it will become largest definitive guide to the world’s magicians thus allowing potential bookers to find the perfect magician for their function or event whether they are looking for a local entertainer or an international entertainer.
Adding a profile to The Directory will be free AND WILL REMAIN FREE! I aim to make no money out of this, just the kudos of being the guy who created it and runs it.

Looking forward to the comments.

Regards

Dave Bonsall

DaveBonsall wrote: (Yes...I know, yet another one!)

You do know what question that begs, don't you...?

Tomo wrote:

DaveBonsall wrote: (Yes...I know, yet another one!)

You do know what question that begs, don't you...?

Hi Tomo,

Yes I do, but this one, unlike the others, IS free! and covers the whole world as opposed to just the UK and US.

I hope that will attract more performers.

Dave

Hi Dave,
Just had a look at the site and It does look very simple to use and I like the format. I think you could be on to a winner as long as you can get enough publicity out to the public and it's free to be on there for magicians well you cant go wrong your keeping everyone happy.

I would say, not to lump Wales and Ireland, together into an "Elsewhere in the UK" category.

majortom wrote:I would say, not to lump Wales and Ireland, together into an "Elsewhere in the UK" category.

Good point Majortom, thanks, i'll get on to that today.

Dave

Looks good to me! As lindz says, if you can get the publicity I think it'll be a brilliant resource for all concerned.

Cardza wrote:Looks good to me! As lindz says, if you can get the publicity I think it'll be a brilliant resource for all concerned.

Thanks for the kind comments Cardza, publicising it is going to be the hard thing. Especially as it's a non profit making venture.

Dave

I wish you the best of luck with it. However, publicising it is going to be expensive. There's little point being listed unless people will find your listing. Which means that you need your directory at the top of the search engines for all the major magic search terms (that potential bookers will search under). Getting your site in such a postition will cost you a lot of money.

You're nearest competitior is something like http://www.corporatemagicians.com and they charge magicians to be listed.

Up to 3 regions: £50 per annum inclusive
Up to 5 regions: £60 per annum inclusive
Up to 7 regions: £70 per annum inclusive
Up to 9 regions: £80 per annum inclusive

The money goes towards advertising on google.

Without a source of income, you are going to have to pay all the advertising costs yourself and continue to do so, which unless you've got really deep pockets is going to be a problem.

Duncan doesn't advertise Corporate Magicians on Google, he's just done his job well as an SEO.

The more people who register on Magician Directory and link back to the site, the better google will rank it. It should eventually be highly ranked, but only if I get the people registering on it. It's a catch 22.

I may pay a bit to advertise it once or twice just to get the initial influx and then see how it goes from there.

Dave

Duncan doesn't advertise Corporate Magicians on Google, he's just done his job well as an SEO.

Well if he doesn't advertise on Google someone does If you look at the screenshots below you'll see Corporate Magicians are sponsered links.




Directories don't carry as much weight SEO-wise as they used to do. Google has been pretty much ignoring links leaving directories as well as mutual recip. links. So getting people linked in your directory to link back will do little for your position in the SERPS. Basically google doesn't like directories. The trouble is you won't be able to pay a little and then stop paying. The minute you do, you'll disappear form the SERPS.

consider yourself pride of place on my homepage.

copyright wrote:

Duncan doesn't advertise Corporate Magicians on Google, he's just done his job well as an SEO.

Well if he doesn't advertise on Google someone does If you look at the screenshots below you'll see Corporate Magicians are sponsered links.

...well i'll eat my words!!! I had looked to see if he was advertising and couldn't find anything, obviously I'm pathetic in my research!!

Thanks for your advice, I'm going to soldier on though, I have a few ideas that might help.

Regards

Dave

Oh! and thanks magicdiscoman!!

It doesn't cost a single penny to get search engine exposure.

No need for 'pay per click' advertising.

No need for 'paid-in directories'.

For a start, ask the people who are advertising in your directory for a link. If their own pages are indexed in Google, your site will be found.

I've got 12 sites listed in Google for clients without a penny being spent on SEO. But then again, I've been studying SEO for about 6 years, and I know what makes it tick.

All the SEO companies are going to charge you for stuff which you can do yourself if you have a basic knowledge of HTML, and you're not afraid to ask for linkbacks.

Google Adsense works well if you're SELLING off the page, but it costs money, and is only good at driving fast, profitable traffic to your site where you need a high visit-to-purchase conversion ratio.

Good luck with it all!

following on from what siege quite rightly says, you could release an ad pack, so that people can use your own banners with a range of sizes to suit from small 80x40 tags up to full banners.

Asking them to link back to your site is not much to ask of them in view of them getting a free service which will help their traffic to increase as well as you own.

Mutual back scratching instead of payment will be readily accepted by most.

I hope this venture turns out well for you