Take a quick sec to look at my site?

[sirkinm]

I love podcasts, so I've been working on a little site where I highlight the podcasts that I enjoy. I only have about 25 podcasts listed, but if you have time, would you take a little look? I would appreciate ANY feedback, because I have very little experience in website design.

It primarily serves to bring recognition to these podcasts (I want these podcasts to stick around, so hopefully my site can bring in some listenership). I'd also love to make a spare buck, so if you have suggestions for monetizing beyond my little Amazon affiliate adds, let me know (I have almost zero experience with such things). I am planning to add a "How to podcast" section, which I thought might bring in some hits.

Thanks for taking the time!

Mikespodcasts.com

[SimonaRich]

I would remove that doll figure graphic of the homepage. I like the design, it is very clean. Instead of Amazong affiliate links, I would advise to place adsense - you will earn more this way.

[sabrefist]

Is that an xbox live avatar?

I agree with SimonaRich, although it is kinda cool, you should remove the avatar. Also I don't think adsense is a good idea. Although they are probably good for already established sites, I don't think they will benefit you in the long run, it's probably the worst paying exit route for your visitors at about 5 cents for every visitor that leaves that way.

It's probably less likely they will return if they leave through adsense. Here's a thought: if a visitor leaves your site on the same page they entered, did you really provide anything of value?

Select a few products that are relevant/that you believe in. Those amazon products on the right match your site well. If a visitor exits your site for a good product that you have recommended, they are more likely to reember you.

Answer this: are people who visit your site, generally going to be more interested in Stock trading or podcast guides? Don't lose your visitors for 5 cents.

I've got a couple of ideas regarding the content as well:
1. I think you should give us more information about yourself on the front page, let people know why your podcast recommendations are the best. Tell them you will work hard to review the latest podcasts.
2. The two posts in the category 'academic' could benefit from being split into two categorie: writing and psychology (or spirituality).

If you work hard and think big while providing links to quality podcasts, this could become the place where everyone comes to check out the latest episodes of their fave podcasts.

p.s. I've bookmarked the site as I would love to see how it grows.

[SimonaRich]

Originally Posted by sabrefist

Is that an xbox live avatar?

I agree with SimonaRich, although it is kinda cool, you should remove the avatar. Also I don't think adsense is a good idea. Although they are probably good for already established sites, I don't think they will benefit you in the long run, it's probably the worst paying exit route for your visitors at about 5 cents for every visitor that leaves that way.

It's probably less likely they will return if they leave through adsense. Here's a thought: if a visitor leaves your site on the same page they entered, did you really provide anything of value?

Select a few products that are relevant/that you believe in. Those amazon products on the right match your site well. If a visitor exits your site for a good product that you have recommended, they are more likely to reember you.

Answer this: are people who visit your site, generally going to be more interested in Stock trading or podcast guides? Don't lose your visitors for 5 cents.

I've got a couple of ideas regarding the content as well:
1. I think you should give us more information about yourself on the front page, let people know why your podcast recommendations are the best. Tell them you will work hard to review the latest podcasts.
2. The two posts in the category 'academic' could benefit from being split into two categorie: writing and psychology (or spirituality).

If you work hard and think big while providing links to quality podcasts, this could become the place where everyone comes to check out the latest episodes of their fave podcasts.

p.s. I've bookmarked the site as I would love to see how it grows.

About the adsense. It depends which topics you are writing about. I write about PD topics and I use adsense and I am getting paid around $0.50-$0.99 for the click, the most I got for a click was $3.15. All you have to do is block low paying advertisers from advertising on your site.

Adsense is much better for a new site than Amazon, through which you are likely to earn nothing if your site is new.

Those visitors that are not that interested in your site will leave your site anyway, so why not get paid for them leaving your site?

Those that are interested in your site will subscribe to it in some way (blog or newsletter), so you should not worry that those visitors that like your site will never find it again.

[David Cain]

I think it looks great Mike, but I agree the avatar is a bit creepy and distracting. I would put your welcome message "above the fold" so that the user doesn't have to scroll down to see it.

You should be selling ipods! ipods sell well these days and the price is high enough that your affiliate commission will be substantial.

I also think you should have a blog/news section as your Home, to keep podcast lovers coming back. You can announce the addition of any new podcasts there and people will see it in their RSS reader.

I think your site has a lot of potential, Mike. Podcasts are going to explode as a medium soon.

One more suggestion: an attention-grabbing shortlist of five outstanding podcasts ("must listen" or something) should be above the fold on the home page. They should be good enough that anyone who listens to them will come back and subscribe to your site.

Nice work!

[SimonaRich]

Originally Posted by David Cain

I think it looks great Mike, but I agree the avatar is a bit creepy and distracting. I would put your welcome message "above the fold" so that the user doesn't have to scroll down to see it.

You should be selling ipods! ipods sell well these days and the price is high enough that your affiliate commission will be substantial.

I also think you should have a blog/news section as your Home, to keep podcast lovers coming back. You can announce the addition of any new podcasts there and people will see it in their RSS reader.

I think your site has a lot of potential, Mike. Podcasts are going to explode as a medium soon.

One more suggestion: an attention-grabbing shortlist of five outstanding podcasts ("must listen" or something) should be above the fold on the home page. They should be good enough that anyone who listens to them will come back and subscribe to your site.

Nice work!

What a great advice. And that's the best description of that avatar that I would ever think of - it does look a bit creepy

That makes me think... I should also put my podcasts somewhere where people would be able to access straight away.

[sirkinm]

Thanks for the great tips everyone -- I'm def gonna put them in action. The top five "must listen" is a great idea -- I considered it before, and hearing you echo it seals the deal.

Yes, it's an Xbox Live avatar . I guess my thinking was that having an avatar (I don't want to put my own image up) would make it feel more personable, like I have an identity.

I'm really encouraged by your everyone's comments. I obviously have a long way to go.

Simona is right in that a new site can expect nearly nothing from Amazon -- I've had sites before that generated exactly zero. Still, I thought it would be appropriate for this particular site -- I'll see how it goes.

Yes, iPods -- I'll put that in there!

[sabrefist]

I think making the site more personable by having an identity is a good idea, maybe instead of using the avatar though,you could get someone to create a nice unique cartoon version of you. Having a 'host' gives it that friendly human touch that's so lacking in websites today.

I guess in the short term adsense is a profitable for a new site. But in the long term nothing beats an honest relevant reccomendation when it comes to building and maintaining a trusting relationship with your visitors. I've been to so many websites where I can't see the content because I've been bombarded with adsense ads, I like how your google ad is non intrusive though this will probably minimize the clickthrough.