What’s in a name? (web presence)
The name game
Disclaimer, I enjoy photography and enough web design to throw my site together. I’m far from an expert at either.
Late the other night I was checking web stats and got an idea. That led me to just flat out Google “eb photography” to see what happens when someone searches for my page instead of just typing ebphotography.com like it is on all my stationary, promotional materials, sample albums, etc. (This is an oddly high way that traffic reaches us when people search for a web address isntead of just type it in the address bar.)
My business’ name is far from unique, I’m very aware of this. I was required to make a business name and logo from my name or initials for a typography class and… hated the idea. When I wrote my initials together it either looked exactly like a video game store‘s logo or a butterfly. Then I scribbled something and fired up Illustrator and made the logo I have today, it stuck immediately. And so the slanty slashy figure 8 was born. I didn’t however, want to name it after my full name and make anyone try and pronounce my last name the way I do (Americanized German pronunciation I presume).
Here’s some of the other “EB Photography” listings that came up.
ebphotography.net – Emma Barnard
Mentions Reading and British English so I’m thinking Great Britain / UK across the pond. I had to look up the website registration to find any name, which totally puzzles me. Wouldn’t you want a prospective client to know who they’re contacting? “Hi is… EB there? Ebb, are you a photographer?” Hey there’s a Nikon camera on the home page!
ebphotography.org – Emily Bitterman
Denver, Colorado is mentioned a few places on the site. I gathered her first name from the email address listed. Script fonts are pretty till you have to read a paragraph of them. Also Photoshop comps with text are completely useless to search engines if you want your info to be found. Once it’s found keep it readable. Also had to look up registration info to find a name.
ebphotographyonline.com – Elizabeth Breakey
Raleigh, North Carolina – finally, a NAME and a LOCATION on the site. Big points.
Attack of the music! I started shutting browser tabs to find out which site was creeping in on my already-playing music. At least it’s bearable. (EDIT: I left this site open the longest so the kids could enjoy the calming music.) The scribbly scripty links were a bit to read at first. Nice flash site a little scrapbook background feel. Nice work too!
http://ebphotoanddesign.com – Elissa Barela
Santa Ana, California phone number lookup. Nice clean site, the “about” page text was miniscule to read though, and I already have glasses. Love the Nikon camera again. I’m no bride but if your “wedding” gallery consists of only ONE posed photo I’d be a little leary. Blog but it hasn’t had an update since last year. Had to get name off registration again.
http://www.ebphotodesign.com – Ellen Burke
Again, the registration info. One working link, and no contact page. Looks like the site was abandoned. Still pops up in the listings so I wanted to check it out.
Tips (Freebies!)
For starters, list your name & location if you want to be found! If people don’t remember if you’re EB Photography listed under ebphotography.com, ebphotography.net or ebphotography.org they can surely remember if they see your name and location.
Make it searchable. Might have to abandon the Photoshop comps, which brings us to …
Make it readable. I’d probably skip 2 of the sites if I hadn’t really, really, wanted to see what they were about.
Keep it fresh. Good reminder to me to keep adding new photos, posts, and interesting bits.
My turn! eBphotography.com
So it’s nice to at least know there aren’t any EB Photography photographers from these sites in this area. Wouldn’t want anyone to get confused. This began as a search to see if visitors who just searched for “eb photography” would know which one to choose if they were looking for eBphotography.com and turned up some really intriguing results.
So for all things equality… rip on my site http://ebphotography.com, it’s only fair. Hit me with your best shot… of constructive criticsm. Since these other EB Photography pages aren’t direct, area competitors there’s no reason I should slack on my work and not get an earful about the good bad and ugly of my own site. Tell your friends, enemies, and your enemies’ friends: it’s open season.
Game on.
eB
