Club Website Review

[Fish]

I have been tasked with looking at our current website and compiling a thorough report for the management committee with the view of updating the site and then implementing those changes myself if agreed.

I can assure you my list of changes is considerable, covering many areas, but it's sometimes quite difficult when your'e so close to a club to overlook areas of the site and struggle to look at it as someone scanning it for the first time, especially when looking for somewhere to play when in the area either in a small group or large society or even as a potential new member application.

As a member my view and use of the site is totally different to someone not able to log in and whom is looking to find information, so some impartial opinions are required.

So, with fresh eyes, can you take a look at the current website and [constructively] please highlight to me what you can't find which you think is important, what you don't like, either in how it is presented or its tone or it's ease to navigate and find key information.

https://www.coventrygolf.co.uk/

Thank you.

 

[fundy]

Think its pretty comprehensive in terms of content (didnt see a scorecard, tend to like to browse one in advance), if anything theres probably too much on there, however the layout is clunky and badly organised imo and the home page is very dull, doesnt make me want to look around

Think admitting the dress code is open to interpretation isnt the best of ideas

The gallery is poor and doesnt give a great impression, pics are too samey and dont give an overall opinion

Some of the wording makes it feel as though the club is a bit stuffy (which it used to have a reputation for?) and could do with lightening up a little bit


That said its better than most golf club websites as it is

 

[Neilds]

Just make sure it is updated regularly, particularly in winter with the course status

 

[Lord Tyrion]

When we changed our company website our web designer told us you have 5 seconds to grab someone before they move to another site. Hold that thought when you look at your front page, does it grab? Same with the other pages.

I deliberately looked via my tablet so that may affect the view I had, the layout. Bear that in mind though, the website has to suit all formats, lots of people view via tablets or phones now.

I found too much of each page taken by text. Your course looks lovely, show it off. On my tablet the pictures are small and the text dominates. Every course website tells you it is nice, pictures prove it. Lovely holes make me want to play a course, show them. Same with the clubhouse. It is a long distance picture, what does the bar look like? That is what I care about.

I think the current site has fallen into the trap of trying to give too much information and it drains the joy from the site.

In summary, far more pictures of the course on the main pages. Don't rely on people going to the gallery or hole by hole section. Reduce the dominance of the text and ideally reduce the amount of text. Make the text more efficient.

Good to see your club is taking this seriously. My clubs website is terrible with no interest in updating it.

 

[Crow]

Agree with much of the above in that the information is there, it just needs presenting in a more inviting way.

The main things I look for when I go to a course website are:

• Scorecard - Like Fundy I couldn't find one.
• Course guide - This was decent enough with hole plans but a few pictures to go with each hole are good too.
• History - I found a little bit about the course designers but nothing about how the club was formed or notable players from the past.
• How to find the club - This page had a link to Google Maps which is good but didn't have the address or postcode, something most people will want for their SatNavs. (I admit that this can be found at the top of all pages but it's in small type and not very stand-out colours so not obvious).
• Course Gallery - Just 7 pictures? And even those are pretty poor.

Having said the above, it's far better than many I've seen, take a look at ours if you want to see a bad website.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Main thing - it’s boring , functional and does what it says on the tin , the colours are dull and the picture doesn’t grab

The information is good , missing a scorecard

Flyovers are good

It’s a standard IG website looks like

So you need to refresh the front page , make it less “busy” more and better pictures in better light to try and grab the attention

Ignoring that it’s Royal St George’s look at how many words are on the front page

https://www.royalstgeorges.com/#section3

It entices you to log into the place and explore

We have the same problem with our website but they won’t listen

 

[fundy]

Main thing - it’s boring , functional and does what it says on the tin , the colours are dull and the picture doesn’t grab

The information is good , missing a scorecard

Flyovers are good

It’s a standard IG website looks like

So you need to refresh the front page , make it less “busy” more and better pictures in better light to try and grab the attention

Ignoring that it’s Royal St George’s look at how many words are on the front page

https://www.royalstgeorges.com/#section3

It entices you to log into the place and explore

We have the same problem with our website but they won’t listen

yep that grabbed me

 

[Wolf]

Main things for me.

• Social part of the website. Maybe pedantic but the picture of the old boys and girls having fun whilst this shows sociable activities, it can lead to some younger people thinking it's to old for them. Same for the casino event could be said some older potential members maybe put off by the images. I don't think you need pictures of people doing anything just perhaps decent breakdown of upcoming events.
• 2nd point on that all the events that have been listed are long gone, this needs updating regularly soon as an event been held remove it and replace it.
• Same goes for the pictures of the pro shop, doesn't work for me as kit changes like the weather so unless new pics are uploaded regularly it makes it look like you only carry old stock. Plus the picture of the pro makes him look no more than a Mars bar salesman, I'd recommend a picture of him in the course or putting green make it more relatable to golf.
• I'd agree with fundy about the dress code policy part as well, plus the fact it states who to report a breach to, that doesn't make it welcoming to a visitor, that should be kept in house as a members policy
• Why is the diary under the visitors section, I'd remove that and have it in the members instead just each day have a headline as to what's on for potential bookings to see.
• As others point out where is the scorecard.
• Also as LP states its a very busy front page and nothing grabs the attention
• You've a good looking course but only a handful of images it's not being showcased at all
• Also show off the practise facilities you're club mentions them in 3 small lines after talking about lockers etc
• Lastly the whole thing is drab in appearance and really wordy nothing there holds the attention on any part of the site at all.

And now my thumbs ache after typing all of that. Sorry its such a long reply but you did ask 😂

Still a lot of club websites are generally terrible ours isn't great either.

 

[Wolf]

Main thing - it’s boring , functional and does what it says on the tin , the colours are dull and the picture doesn’t grab

The information is good , missing a scorecard

Flyovers are good

It’s a standard IG website looks like

So you need to refresh the front page , make it less “busy” more and better pictures in better light to try and grab the attention

Ignoring that it’s Royal St George’s look at how many words are on the front page

https://www.royalstgeorges.com/#section3

It entices you to log into the place and explore

We have the same problem with our website but they won’t listen

Yep that will do it indeed. Never seen there website before but my attention is grabbed and scrolling it just because its enticing. If only we could have that to ours is just as drab as the OP just different colours.

 

[Slab]

This is gonna sound worse than intended but essentially it’s just the text and the pictures I see as the primary areas letting an otherwise solid website down. Most of the functionality/features are there

The majority of the text reads like it was written by an actual (or aspiring) estate agent, so it lacks the same connection to reality that estate agents suffer from
The pictures have already been mentioned as a weakness, nice course & autumn might show in a single shot but it shouldn’t dominate the gallery with leaves all over the place etc. A photographer really needs to take the shots and edit them professionally

The site ‘would benefit from’ (see what I did there) proof reading throughout. As a single example from the dress code; “Tailored shorts, worn with socks designed specifically for golf, are permitted” Do the club really mean your socks have to be specifically designed for golf?

This is a personal thing but I always prefer the pro to write the content for his/her own page/s
Also is there any reason the ‘catering’ (jeez I hate that word to describe a restaurant) don’t have a menu on the website?
I also like to see a piece/page from the head greenkeeper (they are too important to miss off)

Overall it just comes across a sterile and detached & the upcoming events listed are all past now so it shows its not maintained

 

[Italian outcast]

In addition to others (e.g., 1 NO scorecard!!) in general it remains a bit uninspiring (IMO)

On the Annual subscriptions page - A few things
1. It does not say what qualifies for certain categories and what that means

• What is an honorary playing vs non-playing
• How old is a senior
• if categories are closed why list them etc

2. The LHS navigation bar is the LHS Navigation for the 'Clubhouse page' - thats a simple fix but should be made

3. Language needs some work - often simple eg., 'Price per day is £70.00 and Golf Buggies are available to hire at £25.00 per 18 hole.' - should be holes
language/sentence structure is poor

"Throughout the week, apart from Tuesday morning which is Ladies Day, tee times are available – please ring ahead to ensure course availability.'

• Do you want visitors - this is the most important info (not when your Ladies day is)
• It should read "Tee times are available throughout the week, apart from Tuesday morning which is Ladies Day – please ring ahead to ensure course availability.

Thats it from me

 

[craig l]

Poor visitor booking. having to create an account first is not for me.

Cheers

 

[Grant85]

I would say concentrate on the following;
* more stylish design and look (ultimately this is subjective, but more minimalist layout with good use of menus).
* better images taken in good light (dawn or dusk)

Appreciate these things are hard to do and might cost some cash depending on what kind of web templates you have, or who is willing to spend the time learning them.

look at squarespace as a good web hosting / template site.

 

[Aussie Swinger]

Have a look at my old club back in the Uk’s Homepage, simple, great pics and just makes you want to go and play the course. I live in Australia now with great courses. But looking at that homepage back there in Cornwall still makes me realise how much I miss it. www.mulliongolfclub.co.uk

 

[Fish]

Thank you for all your quick replies and observations, you have all confirmed many points from my own comprehensive list of concerns plus a few new ones, which I wholeheartedly agree with.

I don't think there has ever been such a relevant adage, in 'Less is more'.

Volunteers are so important to golf clubs and should always be encouraged to step forward, but in some areas where a club requires to reach out to new revenue streams in an effort to attract new visitors and hopefully members, certain areas of how the club presents itself must be done by people who have experience and proven skill sets in those areas, if those people are not available, then you simply outsource it to a professional company.

Yes that's a cost, but a cost that will be recouped very quickly, otherwise you end up with a product like we have currently, which is rammed with editorial waffle and becomes laborious to read and navigate around and possibly puts more people off than entice them to pick up the phone!

Thank you

 

[bobmac]

Photos, clickable photos and lots more photos.
Photos of everywhere.
Entrance
Car park
Locker rooms
Practice areas
Putting green
People OF ALL AGES enjoying the facilities/on the course/in the bar
Photos of Junior/ladies coaching.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Scorecard as others have said but as an additional suggestion, why not get the caterers to put a menu up

 

[Deleted member 25172]

Have a look at my old club back in the Uk’s Homepage, simple, great pics and just makes you want to go and play the course. I live in Australia now with great courses. But looking at that homepage back there in Cornwall still makes me realise how much I miss it. www.mulliongolfclub.co.uk

I've never played it, but the website do make me wanna pack my bags and go down to Cornwall.

If I was you @Fish, I'd give Mullion a ring and ask who has created their site and how much the cost was.

 

[IanM]

Most of it is ok and what you would expect... I generally don't delve in the detail when looking at club sites, but think it needs more to make me want to go there!

- I am sure the club isn't called "Coventry Golf Club No Joining Fee" (put the special offer on a banner)
- The pictures would not inspire me to go there. (Taken at time of year when no clear fairway definition etc etc) Mullion is a good example and we ( Newport Golf Club ) had a pro do the photos and one of the members is a drone video geezer, so he did that.
- The flyovers are helpful, but not sure about how they were done..


It's a functional site, just needs a bit more sparkle.

 

[Coffey]

I've never played it, but the website do make me wanna pack my bags and go down to Cornwall.

If I was you @Fish, I'd give Mullion a ring and ask who has created their site and how much the cost was.

http://www.golfworking.co.uk/ created it.

Says at the bottom of the page, most websites say who created it at the bottom.