This is advice that universities and arts organisations should look at too. I get so frustrated when I can't find the right contact details, the name of the person in a particular department and HATE those 'contact us' forms - just give me an email address or phone number. Gov.uk are guilty of this too - I'm sure it's something to do with the amount of contact they get but it's so hard to get help and communicate with an actual real life person sometimes. Of course I have databases and contact lists but these need updating. There have been times when I've needed to contact someone specific at a university/college/school and I have to go through the gatekeeper receptionist rather than leave a direct email - it slooooows everything down. Universities especially only think of one audience for their websites - potential students. Very annoying. I get what 'filmactor' is trying to say but the spirit of the advice is to use clear contact information in an obvious place that people can find it.

megomerrett , Arts admin , 03/11/14 , 356 AP

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88c00905-92e2-4271-a035-a3d800b89d0c

I enjoyed this piece, it gives good information AND it reminded me I've yet to update my About Page to reflect I'm now a full-time freelancer (d'oh!)
One thing I've learned is I think About pages don't need to be too 'clever'. Sure, you can make 50 jokes and describe yourself as a 'kooky wordsmith specialising in all things grapey' but most people would rather just read "I'm a freelance journalist and wine writer" instead.

Laura Jane Vickers , Writer , 22/02/13 , 671 AP

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b382f765-2584-41ff-96d4-a16d01187baf

Nowhere do I suggest there needs to be a 'one size fits all' approach. Call it what you will but I think a page like this is important. This article came about because a lot of people go about it the wrong way, I hope this guide is useful to some of the people making the five (believe me VERY) common mistakes.

SianySianySiany , Writer , 21/02/13 , 755 AP

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ad772f5a-ba0f-4ad9-87c5-a16c00d9fd99

I think it's misguided to unequivocally advocate a "one size fits all" approach. To insist that you must have a page called "About Us" as opposed to the approach I suggested earlier, which is to regard each website on its own merits and to construct it in a way that meets user expectation seems too set in stone.

Of course people don't always have time to search for stuff on a website, which is why I made the point that what a site visitor is looking for should be easily and obviously accessible. I explained that good navigation and well organised content would fulfil this.

At the same time I suggested that websites differ depending on what one needs to achieve from them. In my case, as an actor, my aim is to attract casting directors and production companies and make myself appealing enough for them to consider me for castings. The three key areas that a casting director would want to see about me when visiting my site is my list of acting credits, my professional headshot gallery and video evidence of my work. I do have an "About Us" type of page but I call that page my "biography". This is where a casting director who, once they've reviewed the other information about me, can find out more about my background. Calling this page "biography" is generally accepted practice in my field and is what a casting director would ordinarily expect to see.

The point being that a good website will both serve its purpose and meet user expectation. I find this view more useful than stipulating that a website must always have a page called "About Us". The "About Us" information is still there, but in a way that's relevant, engaging and still easily accessible to the visitor.

filmactor , Actor , 21/02/13 , 193 AP

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9f908319-ccb3-4740-af63-a16c00d025b2

Urgh. Website music.

Related: I've never written about the gorgeous hotel that decided a POEM WRITTEN BY A GUEST should be on their website but their prices shouldn't.

SianySianySiany , Writer , 21/02/13 , 755 AP

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a18cfa18-beb8-428d-8080-a16c00bd590f

Good piece. A huge no-no that, believe it or not, people still do is pre-loading background music on sites. Not only is it annoying, you're instantly alienating anyone who doesn't share your taste (sorry, photographer who had Newton Faulkner's 'Smile' on his portfolio page, I'm never going to be your customer...). Same with acting showreels that still have trip-hop from the 90s as a backing track....it looks like you haven't worked since then. A real pet hate is cutesy navigation - 'Buzz Me' instead of 'Contact', 'Greetings' instead of 'About'.

maxinefrances , Journalist , 21/02/13 , 469 AP

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cce1b7b5-9ad3-4077-92ef-a16c00b75980

Actually I think it is important to have a specific about page. Whether it's a good thing or not, people look for information quickly and this is where most people expect to find it. I don't always have time to search through a site or show reel, but I will read an about page first. It might not fit in with your idea of a website for someone in the arts, but they are important and when they're done well, they're a brilliant tool.

SianySianySiany , Writer , 21/02/13 , 755 AP

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4754aed4-c104-4687-8e80-a16c00b5f984

People most certainly look for information to find out about someone, something, a product or a service. As long as the information is easily accessible, well written, well presented within an easy to navigate website, then that will engage the visitor and encourage them to browse the site longer, make the purchase or the conection, ie. fulfil the desired call to action. It's not important to have a specific page named "About Us" but more important to look at the bigger picture and ask yourself the question: what do I want my website to do and is it achieving the prescribed goals with desired outcomes?

filmactor , Actor , 21/02/13 , 193 AP

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