Website feedback, please!

fearlessbirth · 04-05-2006, 02:08 PM

http://www.geocities.com/fearlessbirth/aboutme

Can you guys check out my new 'about me' page and tell me what you think. I know it's not perfect but I had to do something ASAP with it since I'm advertising my site on my cards. Lol

Did I ramble too much? TMI? Does it sound ok?

Thanks for your input (again) girls! I don't know what I'd do without you!

Stacie · 04-05-2006, 03:14 PM

Looks good! My only suggestion would be to change to font color, it is hard for me to read. If you want a color, I would try to match the purple flower you have in your side border. I think that would be easier on the eyes.

The site looks nice, and that's a great pic of you!

loveslabor · 04-05-2006, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fearlessbirth

http://www.geocities.com/fearlessbirth/aboutme

Can you guys check out my new 'about me' page and tell me what you think. I know it's not perfect but I had to do something ASAP with it since I'm advertising my site on my cards. Lol

Did I ramble too much? TMI? Does it sound ok?

Thanks for your input (again) girls! I don't know what I'd do without you!

I liked it! Good job.

DL · 04-05-2006, 04:00 PM

I do agree with Stacie about the font color. If you took one of the purple shades from the flower and used it, that would tie the flower in to the over-all look, as well as make the text easier to read. With your light background, which I like, the text could be a little darker, IMO.

As far as how it reads....it sounds really good! No, I don't think it's too much rambling.

That coming from me--the "Queen of Rambling"!

Nice job, Cathy!

everydaymiracles · 04-05-2006, 05:09 PM

Hi there! I liked what you have done - bright and cheerful. I like the suggestion of a darker font colour too! My only other suggestion is the wording of two points. Don't downplay your experience by saying 'I have only attended 2 births...' You could say on the site -"I have attended births at home and in a hospital setting' - not lying or misleading but no negative conotation (?sp). When you are interviewed (either by phone or face-to-face you can answer questions about the number of births you have attended).
And the other suggestion was about your fee - I have had others mention to me that it is not always a good idea to plant the suggestion of a discount in their minds. Quite often it is the one's who can afford it that will haggle you down (just because they know they can!) and those who really want a doula will find a way to pay. It is then up to your discression whether to offer a discount, barter, payment plan, etc. Hope that helps! Robyn

tlcdoula · 04-05-2006, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by everydaymiracles

Hi there! I liked what you have done - bright and cheerful. I like the suggestion of a darker font colour too! My only other suggestion is the wording of two points. Don't downplay your experience by saying 'I have only attended 2 births...' You could say on the site -"I have attended births at home and in a hospital setting' - not lying or misleading but no negative conotation (?sp). When you are interviewed (either by phone or face-to-face you can answer questions about the number of births you have attended).
And the other suggestion was about your fee - I have had others mention to me that it is not always a good idea to plant the suggestion of a discount in their minds. Quite often it is the one's who can afford it that will haggle you down (just because they know they can!) and those who really want a doula will find a way to pay. It is then up to your discression whether to offer a discount, barter, payment plan, etc. Hope that helps! Robyn

Oh my gosh, you are so right. It really is those that can afford it who try to save a buck. In fact I had a family once who truly could not afford my services - I did the birth for free and then after the birth I felt so horrible because they scraped together $100 and then bought me flowers and a beautiful card. I was so touched, but also felt bad taking the money, but they insisted. I still see the grandma around and she is so sweet!!

fearlessbirth · 04-06-2006, 10:15 AM

Thanks Robyn. I will fix that right away (about the births). I wondered about having that on there. It's just that I had 2 different women ask me about my births (at the end of a lengthy conversation) and then seem disappointed (they also both had never heard of a doula before and perhaps #s are what seems to make a good one. Lol). I thought it might be good to have it on there to get it out of the way. But I see your point.

About the fee...do you think I should keep the $300 on there and maybe list my pmt plan? or put pmt plans available? I was only worried that someone would be scared off by the fee and not call at all...You are right though...I don't want to be taken advantage of.

DL · 04-06-2006, 01:20 PM

This is how I handle it on my website: after I state my flat fee, I have a little statement that shows that I may be able to work with those who cannot afford the flat fee. I say "may", because I'm not guaranteeing anything until I think that I'm not being taken advantage of. Here's exactly how it reads on my website and brochure:

*For those who are income eligible, other payment options may be arranged. I would be happy to discuss this with you, so feel free to ask!

I only advertise my flat fee. Other than that brief statement, I do not go into details about my other options until someone asks me about it. Then I present them with my Sliding Fee Scale (and yes...if in doubt, I ask for 2 months of proof of income). Now...wherever they fall on the sliding fee scale, that is considered their total fee--plain and simple. If they are not able to make that payment in the lump sums (half for retainer, and half 2 weeks after the birth)....then I will work out a payment plan with them, and have them sign the contract reflecting that. For those who do the Sliding Fee scale, the vast majority are fine making those lump sums; only once have I had someone who felt that they needed to break it into even smaller payments. To be honest, I don't get a lot of inquiries for "other payment options" since they know that they would be considered "income eligible, a.k.a.--'low income' " and may be expected to prove it. For the few that have taken the Sliding Fee option, I've felt very good about helping them, and I did not feel taken advantage of.

nocomparta · 04-06-2006, 01:27 PM

I think it sounds great, I like the layout too.

DL · 04-06-2006, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by everydaymiracles

"...My only other suggestion is the wording of two points. Don't downplay your experience by saying 'I have only attended 2 births...' You could say on the site -"I have attended births at home and in a hospital setting' - not lying or misleading but no negative conotation (?sp). When you are interviewed (either by phone or face-to-face you can answer questions about the number of births you have attended)..."

Yes, I agree with this also. I do not list how many births I have attended in any of my written marketing materials. My wording is much like Robyn suggested. Besides, I hope that the numbers will be changing fairly often!