Hey all,

just completed my own website for my recording studio, Rockerie Records.

Just looking for insight on the usual suspects...usabilty, appearance, etc.

Any thoughts/input would be appreciated.

Two things:
1. I know some people don't dig white text on a black background. It's staying the way it is, so don't bother.

2. Flash isn't exactly my specialty, so I'm still trying to improve the audio player.

Thanks!

__________________
Screen printing, embroidery, & promotional products
Recording studio in Southwestern Ontario

I'll be honest, I didn't click on every page and didn't read the entire site, so if you feel you've already addressed some of the issues I mention or you've answered the questions I pose, just move along.

Lets' just assume I'm a new artist looking for a studio that can take me from rags to riches. One that provides a turn-key, end-to-end solution.

Firstly, I'd change "the Rockerie" tab to read "Inside The Rockerie". It'd be a little more encouraging to click on.

If you're hoping to encourage budding artists to get started, I'd suggest that you make a bigger deal of it. I'd think it might be the premiere focus of the site.

This won't do the trick:
Simply renaming the "Contact" tab to "Get Started" would be much more conducive to clickery.

Artist pics and/or record covers wouldn't be a bad idea either. Had any major successes lately?

As a listener, I'd expect that clicking a record cover thumbnail will allow me to see the song list and ultimately, purchase a CD without going to another site such as the artist's mySpace page.

Link to some of your awards, articles or related technical info.

Is there a specific genre that you cater to? Techno, HipHop, R&B, Rock? Try to feature and group artists in each genre.

Do you provide any value add services? Can you help me get my tracks distributed? Can you help me get airplay? Can you help me market my tracks on iTunes? Tell me.

Got any feedback from an artist you've taken from obscurity to the top of the charts? Tell me.

.02

__________________
.
Printer ink & toner cartridges in Canada | Integrated Web Payroll, Online HRMS Tools with Employee Time & Attendance

I think the first thing you need to do is step out of your shoes and what you like and into the shoes of your target market.

If you are so dead set on sticking to what you think works, then you will never find success..

The colors of the site are a hodgepodge and looks amateur....if I were someone who takes the music business as serious as any other business..... once I hit your site I am hitting the big X in the very upper right corner.... or the back button....

There is a reason why whitespace works......

I would also give Dubbya's thoughts serious consideration....its great stuff...

__________________
Create Your List!!!
Make Money With Twitter!!!

Hey folks,

thanks for taking a look!

We're a relatively green studio as of right now, so we're going to be constantly adding artist photos, and info about people we're working with. Much of the projects we've done haven't resulted in full-on manufacturing of CDs, so we don't have much to offer in the way of things to sell. It is hoped that that will change with time.

Not at this time, but it's something I hadn't even thought of mentioning. I guess we can refer people to manufacturers/production houses we've worked with though.

HAH. Not quite yet. Hopefully someday tho!

This is an argument neither of us is going to win. This is a personal taste thing.

Sure, invert the colour scheme on our site and there's tons of whitespace...it's just blackspace as it is now.

Thanks again!

__________________
Screen printing, embroidery, & promotional products
Recording studio in Southwestern Ontario

The colour scheme is subjective.

Having considered that you're not targeting old farts with bifocals and that your audience is primarily composed of teens and twenty-somethings (most of whom like to see a lot of black), I think you're palette choice is okay.

It could use some work but it's definitely not too far off the mark.

__________________
.
Printer ink & toner cartridges in Canada | Integrated Web Payroll, Online HRMS Tools with Employee Time & Attendance

I like the white on black; I'm not an old fart. My site, like yours, cater to a specific age group. I have to admit that the bold white looks better on black than the normal white.

Would it be against some rule to show your current clients? This might attract some bands which are hesitant on requesting your services. May also help with serps.

__________________
Cheap Skateboard Decks, Trucks, Wheels, T-Shirts, and Gear | Cindy's Pictures | Premier Mentoring Business Scam

Not at all, and in fact we will be updating it as often as possible with info on what we're up to, and what band's are up to that have recorded with us.

Is the speed of the testimonials changing on the homepage okay for everyone to read?

Thanks again!

__________________
Screen printing, embroidery, & promotional products
Recording studio in Southwestern Ontario

Good work! The white font on the black background looks good. But the grey text below is not readable well.

I like your site and the design good luck