TOPIC:

uppercape.toastmastersclubs.org/

I am enjoying learning the new features of FreeToastHost. It just keeps getting better. When I added the new counter feature in Nov.2014 we had about 200 visitors by the beginning of Jan.2015. Somehow the counter reset to zero but since Jan. 2015 we have had 327 unique visitors!

I am amazed that we are getting this much traffic. We are also getting inquiries through the website and occasionally this results in new members. I would appreciate comments on how to improve our website. Thank-you.

Ed, VP of Education
Upper Cape Toastmasters Club
Falmouth, Massachusetts

First Impression:
Photographs of members!

Homepage:
I like I know when the next meeting is immediately. I had to scroll to the third paragraph to find out where this club is. I would have liked that highlighted "above the fold" as it were.

The introduce yourself here indicates more of a discussion forum than an e-mail link that it is. I am not certain I would have been willing to introduce myself via e-mail before I first joined TM.

Meeting Information/Directions
I like this page. It has all the information I need.

Meet Our Members
Give the number of member photographs on the homepage, I would like to see more member profiles on this page. Those listed have done a good job!

Club Calendar
I am not a big fan of the calendar used, although I note that there is a speech-a-thon coming up. Given it's the fifth Tuesday, I guess that is helpful to the club/prospective members. May I suggest then having the meetings for the balance of the TM year on the calendar; yours stops at the first meeting in April.

Membership
I like this page. Helpful description for the prospective member. One thing you may consider adding is a link to the application, in case a prospective member desires to complete it prior to attending the meeting.

Hit Counter
I am not a fan of the hit counter, although others are. I find Google Analytics a better tool and it does not display publicly.

I think you have done a good job highlighting your club and providing prospective members the information they need/seek.

I too am enjoying learning all the features of FTH. I have been working on my clubs web site for 3 years, collecting good ideas from other FTH sites.
Here are some ideas for your consideration.
Apparently when people visit a web page they have itchy fingers and will look for links. They will not linger reading slabs of written material. I didn't go past any of the first sentences in a paragraph. Realising this you can understand that maybe less is more. For example, When and Where we Meet could be a link to the Meeting Information/ Directions page.
One feature of your home page I will try to use is the "introduce yourself here" link. That has a very nice inviting ring to it.
Looking at your home page I have a suggestion. Under the photo of your club with happy encouraging faces I would make a simple statement to the effect. " Our friendly club is a fantastic group which will help you to become a better communicator and leader." Leave all the names and portraits to the Meet Our Members page.
Of course I have visited dashboards.toastmasters.org/ClubReport.aspx?id=00008310 and realise you are a vibrant club.If I lived near by I would join so your website has been effective as it is.

Love the pictures

What I'd polish up: Under the 15th anniversary pic - maybe once you start naming everyone, make that font smaller - yes people like to see their name - but those of us just visiting the page - we don't know them so the first sentence in that blurb is what's important to the casual visitor..

as suggested by someone else - move the when/where/etc up to a more prominent spot.

Keep up the good work.

Darlene
154.toastmastersclubs.org

EdR,

In order to continue to have this forum section be useful into the future, we need to request that everyone contribute to it.

Therefore, we are implementing "Get an evaluation, give an evaluation." . Basically, we are requesting those who have received a website evaluation give a Toastmasters style website evaluation for at least one other club that has requested an evaluation in this forum section. (You get to choose which club website to do the website evaluation for.) Just post your impressions: things you like about the website, and areas for improvement. Everyone has something to offer... just trust your instincts.