What turns you off about MA websites?

There used to be a time when, if I came across a martial arts school's website and its design seemed too "slick," I would assume the school itself wasn't very good. While a school website that looked OK but not great, meant the school itself was probably pretty good.

My reasoning? That the school owner was too busy actually teaching MA to work on a website.

My opinion is changing these days due to a few factors. But what's yours? When you come across a school website for a system you know little/nothing about, do you judge that system based on their website? And what is it that turns you off about the site?

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"Pain can be a great teacher of compassion and humility."~ Unkotare-san

"Whatever the case, it proves that countless disasters can be prevented by simply assuming everyone you're working with is a moron." ~ Adam Brown, 5 Tiny Mistakes...

“	Originally Posted By: Sammygirl My reasoning? That the school owner was too busy actually teaching MA to work on a website.	”

But surely the nicer the website the less likely that the owner herself actually made it as opposed to paying someone to make it.

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Wolfgang says:

I could think of a million better things to do in Japan for a month besides jumping off of picnic tables. - x893

I hate sites that have it all, except the stuff you're looking for...

so I voted: Just gimme the address and phone number already?

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“	Question Authority. Question Society. Question Reality. Question Yourself. Question your conclusions, your judgments, your answers. Question this. If you question everything thoroughly enough, the truth will eventually hit you upside the head and you will know. But here’s a warning: It won’t be what you imagined. It won’t be even close.	”

all hail Martyr Fakka

I voted with chief. A site can be cruddy or flashy, but if it doesn't tell me what I need to know, I'm done with it and heading over to the school to get them to tell me in real time. And maybe get some pad work in. Maybe some sparring. Or to get my head beaten in. All of which you aren't gonna get on a web site!

Just look at Mystic Joseph's website, that's enough for me to go against flashy sites.
If it's well designed, but not full of BS, I'm fine with it.
You can usually tell if it's BS by checking to see if they have any Chi Killing moves.

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If the problem has a solution, worrying is pointless, in the end the problem will be solved. If the problem has no solution, there is no reason to worry, because it can't be solved.

I don't like my schools website. I can't even say exactly what I don't like about it. I guess it is too well- marketed/ commerial in its feel. It seems cheesy to me. I think beknar has it right. You really can't get a feel for a school by the website. You have to go to the school.

On the other hand, a lot of good schools go down the tubes because they don't know how to market themselves properly, so that is the other side of the picture. (and by properly- I mean marketing well so that they are successful without comprimising their quality)

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I must not fear.Fear is the mind-killer.Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration.I will face my fear.I will permit it to pass over me & through me.& when it has gone I will turn to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.Only I will remain.F.Herbert

“	Originally Posted By: Seh You can usually tell if it's BS by checking to see if they have any Chi Killing moves.	”

Shucks

Better remove my 30 page section on killing with Chi, throwing Chi Balls, eating homemade Chi Balls, killing with Chi Balls and all my Chi Ball recipes

just make sure it's accurate. I've got better things to do with my time than mail "contact us" adresses that don't respond, turn up for "beginners welcome" classes that don't happen, or arrive for workshops it turns out only "disciples" are welcome to.

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Consider Phlebas, who was once handsome and tall as you
High mountains are a feeling
I don't need to sell my soul, he's already in me

in my view the worst are site's that don't work properly or give you any usefull
infomation
you know when you spend a long time looking and still can't find what you were looking
for ...

mad4dos

“	Originally Posted By: Mei Hua Shucks Better remove my 30 page section on killing with Chi, throwing Chi Balls, eating homemade Chi Balls, killing with Chi Balls and all my Chi Ball recipes	”

Sorry to disappoint, bro.


You can always give Chief a call, I'm sure he's got some sweet things he could show you.

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If the problem has a solution, worrying is pointless, in the end the problem will be solved. If the problem has no solution, there is no reason to worry, because it can't be solved.

“	Originally Posted By: aaradia I don't like my schools website. I can't even say exactly what I don't like about it. I guess it is too well- marketed/ commerial in its feel. It seems cheesy to me. I think beknar has it right. You really can't get a feel for a school by the website. You have to go to the school. On the other hand, a lot of good schools go down the tubes because they don't know how to market themselves properly, so that is the other side of the picture. (and by properly- I mean marketing well so that they are successful without comprimising their quality)	”

By the way, what is your schools web site address? I want to check it out.

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Mark
Liberalism is a mental disorder. -M. Savage

I believe this is it

White Dragon Martial Arts - San Diego's Leading Kung Fu & Tai Chi School

That's actually not a bad site, IMO.

It's got that Google map with the little doohickeys to show all the locations.
The layout looks really clean.
There are no spinning symbols or dancing pandas or whatever.
Fairly direct text, no speechifying -- maybe my biggest pet peeve, when a school owner goes on and on for 30 pages about his personal philosophy of martial arts, the universe and everything.

__________________
"Pain can be a great teacher of compassion and humility."~ Unkotare-san

"Whatever the case, it proves that countless disasters can be prevented by simply assuming everyone you're working with is a moron." ~ Adam Brown, 5 Tiny Mistakes...

“	Originally Posted By: Mei Hua I believe this is it White Dragon Martial Arts - San Diego's Leading Kung Fu & Tai Chi School	”

That's it allright.


A disproprortionatly high amount of the pictures are students and instructors from my particular schools location. I guess because we are the oldest one.

The best part of the site is the picture of one of our advanced insctuctors in a deep one legged knee stance. Even more impressive when you know she had serious knee surgery!

“	That's actually not a bad site, IMO. It's got that Google map with the little doohickeys to show all the locations. The layout looks really clean. There are no spinning symbols or dancing pandas or whatever. Fairly direct text, no speechifying -- maybe my biggest pet peeve, when a school owner goes on and on for 30 pages about his personal philosophy of martial arts, the universe and everything.	”

If that is your pet peeve, you probably would hate our GM's website! I like it because it has lots of history and stuff like that though. Although the "fights of GM Wong" area seeems a little unecessary.

__________________
I must not fear.Fear is the mind-killer.Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration.I will face my fear.I will permit it to pass over me & through me.& when it has gone I will turn to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.Only I will remain.F.Herbert

Yeah, I just -- it drives me nuts to read through reams of text. My feeling is, if I'm interested enough in the school to sign up, I'll probably be there long enough to learn about most of that history, anyway. If I don't sign up, it's only interesting to me as research, and good researchers go and ask the source directly ... the Web is only a guidepost.

__________________
"Pain can be a great teacher of compassion and humility."~ Unkotare-san

"Whatever the case, it proves that countless disasters can be prevented by simply assuming everyone you're working with is a moron." ~ Adam Brown, 5 Tiny Mistakes...