- Posts: 5
- Thank you received: 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~ IMPORTANT INFORMATION -- Please read! ~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. The "search..." box above searches the Docs & Forum Posts. The "Search" tab above just searches the Forum Posts. 
Please use these to search for your issue *before* creating a new message topic, as your issue may have been previously solved.
2. Please put your Club # and Club Web Address in your Forum Signature (best) OR in each post to get faster support from us.
Click here to edit your signature at the bottom of the Profile Information tab.
3. Our user and admin docs are available at:
support.toastmastersclubs.org/doc
"There's a doc for that!" 
4. There is an "Opt In" Feature for newly added members. The Opt In document explains the [strike]strikethrough[/strike] member information.
Click Here to View the Post
5. When posting a
New Topic
, please include all relevant details and be specific. When did your issue 1st occur?
What operating system, browser, & browser version are you using?
Did you refresh your browser cache? Are your cookies enabled? Lastly, a
screen shot
is often helpful.
6. Please abide by the
Terms of Use
. We are volunteers contributing our spare time. We are happy to assist you, so long as you are respectful and courteous.
7. We are always looking for new FreeToastHost Ambassadors to join our team and support fellow Toastmasters in their use of the FreeToastHost website system. If you are familiar with the system and have some interest, send a
Send Us a Private Message.
Evaluate Our Website
- SteveTheTechie
- Offline
- Administrator
-
3 years 9 months ago - 3 years 9 months ago #85570
by SteveTheTechie
Replied by SteveTheTechie on topic Evaluate Our Website
When we use the term "above the fold" we are referencing an old newspaper term where the most important information is put at the top of the page ("above the fold" in the 1st page) because that is what people will tend to see first.
In your case, what is above the fold in your home page is information about coming to a meeting. It is necessary information, but you need to consider that many Toastmasters clubs are doing the same thing... So what is different or distinct about your club that would make me want to attend your club meeting vs another club's meeting? Your website should try to reflect what is different or distinct or enticing about your club. Capture my attention with the information above the fold and then ask me to come to your meeting. If you don't do that, well "I" (assuming the guise of some unknown guest) have better things to do with my time than coming to some strange meeting that I am unclear about and with some people that I do not know much about. Don't get me wrong, I am guessing that your club is great and your meetings are enjoyable, but I am just not getting that from a quick glance of your website home page. I am likely to just buzz by your website (and your club) unless there is something there that grabs my attention.
You have good information, you just need to think about how to communicate it in a more enticing way. You can spruce up your plain white website with more colors. You have an interesting photo containing a laptop with a zoom meeting showing (presumably) your club members, but I do not see that until I scroll down past the meeting info. Photos also can contribute more colors. You have some colored text in your home page, but other than that, it is pretty basic.
Your home page caption is good (River City Toastmasters "If you are not having FUN, you are not doing it right"!) If that really reflects the spirit of your club, then perhaps you should use that as the central theme that you have the website reflect. For example, you could include some photos of a fun club meeting that shows your members having fun and learning at the same time.
In your meeting information page, you have the following:
"Sit in on our meeting (and participate) to hear how River City Toastmasters can help you brush up on your communication and leadership skills."
Why can't you just explain that in your website? Why should I as some prospective guest have to spend my valuable time coming to some arbitrary meeting when you could have just explained what Toastmasters and your club is about via your website?
Contact Us is good. Meet Our Members looks good, but I would suggest having your club officers add a 2nd paragraph to their bios telling what great stuff they are getting from Toastmasters. (then the MOM page becomes a better PR tool)
The Club Calendar does not show anything at all--it looks like your club is never meeting. If your club is using the agenda tools, you will have meetings automatically show on the calendar. Otherwise, if you are not willing to put the meetings on the calendar, then you should probably hide it via the Hide Links settings.
Please do not be discouraged by my above comments. You are off to a great start, and with a bit more effort to make your website better reflect the spirit of your club, it can be a really effective tool to attract people to your club.
I look forward to seeing what you come up with and learning more about what makes your club great!
In your case, what is above the fold in your home page is information about coming to a meeting. It is necessary information, but you need to consider that many Toastmasters clubs are doing the same thing... So what is different or distinct about your club that would make me want to attend your club meeting vs another club's meeting? Your website should try to reflect what is different or distinct or enticing about your club. Capture my attention with the information above the fold and then ask me to come to your meeting. If you don't do that, well "I" (assuming the guise of some unknown guest) have better things to do with my time than coming to some strange meeting that I am unclear about and with some people that I do not know much about. Don't get me wrong, I am guessing that your club is great and your meetings are enjoyable, but I am just not getting that from a quick glance of your website home page. I am likely to just buzz by your website (and your club) unless there is something there that grabs my attention.
You have good information, you just need to think about how to communicate it in a more enticing way. You can spruce up your plain white website with more colors. You have an interesting photo containing a laptop with a zoom meeting showing (presumably) your club members, but I do not see that until I scroll down past the meeting info. Photos also can contribute more colors. You have some colored text in your home page, but other than that, it is pretty basic.
Your home page caption is good (River City Toastmasters "If you are not having FUN, you are not doing it right"!) If that really reflects the spirit of your club, then perhaps you should use that as the central theme that you have the website reflect. For example, you could include some photos of a fun club meeting that shows your members having fun and learning at the same time.
In your meeting information page, you have the following:
"Sit in on our meeting (and participate) to hear how River City Toastmasters can help you brush up on your communication and leadership skills."
Why can't you just explain that in your website? Why should I as some prospective guest have to spend my valuable time coming to some arbitrary meeting when you could have just explained what Toastmasters and your club is about via your website?
Contact Us is good. Meet Our Members looks good, but I would suggest having your club officers add a 2nd paragraph to their bios telling what great stuff they are getting from Toastmasters. (then the MOM page becomes a better PR tool)
The Club Calendar does not show anything at all--it looks like your club is never meeting. If your club is using the agenda tools, you will have meetings automatically show on the calendar. Otherwise, if you are not willing to put the meetings on the calendar, then you should probably hide it via the Hide Links settings.
Please do not be discouraged by my above comments. You are off to a great start, and with a bit more effort to make your website better reflect the spirit of your club, it can be a really effective tool to attract people to your club.
Last edit: 3 years 9 months ago by SteveTheTechie.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- welshharp06@yahoo.com
- Offline
- New Member
-
Time to create page: 0.123 seconds