A big web presence without a website. Make sense?

I thought I'd play the "What Do You Think" game for a change.

It seems like a fair amount of services (namely ours) take advantage of practically every "free" listing resource available without even having a website.

Yelp, Craigslist, WeDJ, Openlist, Yahoo, etc, all offer free listings and increase your "search stats". Even many venue websites will list you as well. So, why have a website at all? Is it just a waste of money and time? Is it smarter to go this route or do you view it as "internet leeching". Are they hiding something? What kind of credibility do you think it carries.

Is it professional or amateur?


(I personally don't feel the need to do it, but I find it an interesting practice) :sqcool:

Well when you think about it like this....

How hard is it for most of us to get number one in the search rankings? These other sites almost always rank high when you search for a DJ in XXX market it makes sence to ride thier backs to the top

If you have a website to add to the other rankings it gives you better name exposure and the more you are seen the better off you are. Regardless of how good or bad your site is I think it's a necessary evil.

In my market there are only two of us with a website. The other guy is a single op and has a much better site than mine but when it comes right down to it after searching all the keywords I can think of for my market I am the only one that appears. I also generally appear higher on the search engines wedj rankings for my market

It's easy to calculate what you make from your website but it's impossible to calculate what you lose by not being there

The Information Superhighway requires that you place BILLBOARDS in strategic places.

One's web site is NOT ENOUGH to handle the pipeline of internet traffic.

Its like putting One Billboard at the cross-section of a major freeway interchange.

But the Internet is like LA, with several dozen freeways criss-crossing the area.

You need to be at ALL of the major intersections. Like the different freeways, these billboards have to be placed strategically (for key words).

Not all key words work the same for all sites.

My favorite Google search? "DJ MC in Sacramento" (I hold EVERY non-sponsored slot on Page One)

second favorite? "DJs in Sacramento" (#1 & #3, and three slots on page two)

third favorite? "Wedding in Sacramento CA" (#1-D, #6, #9, & #10, haven't looked at p2)

I'm the "Google Hog"---- the more places you can be UP FRONT.......the more DJs you can knock DOWN to page three!

(Sorry about that Ruben....hehehe)

I'm all over like horses**t on the freebies, and no longer maintain a dedicated site. I get as many or more inquiries from these than I ever did from my site. Why? Same answer that I've always given:


1) If someone has never heard of you, they have no reason to look for YOUR site, so they will be scrolling through the public engines anyway, and I AM listed there. If they have, they already know what you do via referral, ( also, in my case, bar shows), and probably already have your contact info.


2) No one EVER wins the "Ratings Game" - at least not for long....

I'm all over like horses**t on the freebies, and no longer maintain a dedicated site. I get as many or more inquiries from these than I ever did from my site. Why? Same answer that I've always given:


1) If someone has never heard of you, they have no reason to look for YOUR site, so they will be scrolling through the public engines anyway, and I AM listed there. If they have, they already know what you do via referral, ( also, in my case, bar shows), and probably already have your contact info.


2) No one EVER wins the "Ratings Game" - at least not for long....


Still, why not keep a site? They are cheap enough. Can't possibly hurt, and should cost less than $100 a year.

Still, why not keep a site? They are cheap enough. Can't possibly hurt, and should cost less than $100 a year.


Because, as previously stated, it doesn't HELP- at least it doesn't do ME any good. So why bother? Keep in mind that something like 90% of my business comes from referrals ,( private events ) mailings, ( club venues ), and most importantly, club exposure.

Anything I get from the net is just gravy.

I have a great web presence. Just go to Google and write, "DJ Abbotsford"; "Abbotsford DJ"; "Johnny Komitoudis"; or "The Vinyl Spinner" to see.

My website is important for at least one reason, which I know because many clients have mentioned this: I have an updated music list which is easy to read. And it helps to have an entire website, full of all the information that is necessary, instead of just a "music list" page that says, "If you want more information, just go to Google and write, 'DJ Abbotsford'; 'Abbotsford DJ'; 'Johnny Komitoudis'; or 'The Vinyl Spinner' to see.

In summary, the craigslist ads; the mentions on forums; a DJ website; a facebook profile; a celebrity website; and the whatever, all play important roles--at least until I am as cool as Joe C. :)

Get as much exposure as you can EVERYWHERE on the 'net
---
I'm all over like horses**t on the freebies, and no longer maintain a dedicated site. I get as many or more inquiries from these than I ever did from my site. Why? Same answer that I've always given:


1) If someone has never heard of you, they have no reason to look for YOUR site, so they will be scrolling through the public engines anyway, and I AM listed there. If they have, they already know what you do via referral, ( also, in my case, bar shows), and probably already have your contact info.


2) No one EVER wins the "Ratings Game" - at least not for long....

Joe - I do very, very well and have always been #1 in Calif and NC for my market which was DJing and SEO and now just DJing ;) I win everyday - honest!

Get as much exposure as you can EVERYWHERE on the 'net
---


Joe - I do very, very well and have always been #1 in Calif and NC for my market which was DJing and SEO and now just DJing ;) I win everyday - honest!


Don't doubt ya for an instant, Dave. was just talking about me. I ROCK in my area- big name, great rep, and a LOT of personal exposure. Like I said, I really have no need for the net- it's just a bit extra.

For me, its all Internet -OR- WOM.

they go hand in hand.....Many sites seem to operate in a vacuum from one another: people who swear by Yelp, folks who use Merchant Circle, peeps who prefer City Search.

I like the "freebies and horsesh1t" analogy because it fits in with my "pile of excrement" metaphor.

The internet (like all other prospect streams) is a big pile of doo-doo. Your job is to get the prospects to WANT you above all others.

ORM - Online Reputation Management - is the way to ensure the GOOD prospect stream.

its part of WOM.....but more powerful because it reaches 1000's of prospects, whereas the typical WOM referral will touch 10 prospects (if you're lucky).

Don't doubt ya for an instant, Dave. was just talking about me. I ROCK in my area- big name, great rep, and a LOT of personal exposure. Like I said, I really have no need for the net- it's just a bit extra.

I agree with you though Joe - I could still get a ton of jobs without a website ;)

I don't work very hard getting my site listed on other sites. I do take the occasional free listing when I see an easy opportunity. But, I mostly pay for my listings on sites like Respond, WEDJ, Gigmasters, Decidio and a few others. I do very well in SEO. When determining how well you do with SEO, you should ask yourself: 'What would I type in Google if I was looking for a DJ'? When people say they are #1 when you search under (for example) 'DJ Wes in Memphis'. That does not impress me. Any time you search under your name or your business name, you better come up #1. anything less would be unacceptable. Now, if you can come up #1 under 'Memphis Wedding DJs' or 'Memphis DJs', then you've done something. Even if you are on the top 5, you've done well. But, you must be generic in your search terms. That's how you determine if you have done well. Btw, my PR went from two to three recently after some minor tweeking of my title page.

Thanks, Hank.

Just some thoughts here... nothing on the Web can substitute for a professional company website domain. Referral listing options are all well and fine but they should direct prospects to the company website, not just provide phone numbers and location.

A good example (or poor if you will) of late is MySpace. Nothing irritates me more than clicking on a Google search link and being taken to a MySpace page. Honestly, if an artist is selling records hand over fist, why doesn't he have a website domain? If one has the time and tools needed to pimp up a MySpace page, he has the time and tools to build a company website.

The company website can be a very useful tool for prospective clients and your business. If set up properly, it can do much of the selling for you.

Thoughts?

Honestly, if an artist is selling records hand over fist, why doesn't he have a website domain?


Fred,

This question is self answering, and the answer goes for me as well: If an artist is selling records hand over foot he doesn't NEED a dedicated site. If he is on MySpace, he's there to kill spare time, or play online. He probably doesn't consider the time used there as business time.

Since MySpace is a login service, it really doesn't do much for the advertising business person.

Please note that though I type "he", it is for easy posting. "He/She" gets a bit wearisome, but it is implied.

I don't work very hard getting my site listed on other sites. I do take the occasional free listing when I see an easy opportunity. But, I mostly pay for my listings on sites like Respond, WEDJ, Gigmasters, Decidio and a few others. I do very well in SEO. When determining how well you do with SEO, you should ask yourself: 'What would I type in Google if I was looking for a DJ'? When people say they are #1 when you search under (for example) 'DJ Wes in Memphis'. That does not impress me. Any time you search under your name or your business name, you better come up #1. anything less would be unacceptable. Now, if you can come up #1 under 'Memphis Wedding DJs' or 'Memphis DJs', then you've done something. Even if you are on the top 5, you've done well. But, you must be generic in your search terms. That's how you determine if you have done well. Btw, my PR went from two to three recently after some minor tweeking of my title page.

Hey Wes - You should try working with Realtors they still think people are looking for real estate to live in - personally I prefer a house ;) I don't accept Realtors these days....