I've built a new website for a very specific show. You can see it here

http://www.thebadscienceshow.com

Rather than getting feedback on the website itself I would like to know what your impression of it is.

What sort of show do you think I am selling?
Does it remind you of anything?
Does it look like I am qualified to provide this service?

Of course, if you notice any spelling mistakes or layout errors, please send me a PM!

Hi Nicholas,

I'll take the first stab at your questions:

What sort of show do you think I am selling? It looks like you are selling a high school assembly program the "uses humour and magic to demonstrate dubious scientific claims." Pretty clear from the home page.

Does it remind you of anything? Given the show description further down the home page, it reminds me of a sideshow.

Does it look like I am qualified to provide this service? No problem there as your bio gives your credentials.

I know you don't want feedback on the site itself, but rather our impressions of it, so let me say my first impression is that the show might be a little "creepy" for an educational program. I get that impression from the skull and crossbones in the header graphic, the walking on broken glass photo, and the "nail in the head" photo. Also, the black background adds to the "dark" "creepy" impression.

The only elements that seem to indicate that the show might be "fun" are the photos of the "mind reading chicken" and the photo of the students who are smiling.

I don't know what works in schools in your country, but in the USA, schools look for shows that are a bit more uplifting and positive in their appeal. Based upon my initial impressions of your show from the site, I can find a few reasons someone might raise an objection to this show for a school.

If it were my show in the US, I would downplay the sideshow feel of the show, and emphasize the science angle more, especially how the show teaches students to be critical thinkers and better consumers of "scientific" stories in the media. I would probably focus on "Good Science" as much as "Bad Science." I would get rid of the skull and crossbones at the top of the page, change the background to white with black text (readability will improve), and I would put more "fun" photos higher on the home page. Finally, I would add testimonials from schools that emphasize not only the educational angle, but also that the show is fun.

I think you are on the right track with the website, but it just needs some tweaking for more positive impressions.

Jim

Thanks Jim -

The 'up lifting and positive' style of USA high schools is not quite the same as Australia and the UK where I do most of my work

However, the FUN side of things is VERY important. I'll put more photos of kid's having fun near the top.

I don't think the site looks that "fun" from an overview.

The one thing which stood out in my mind is the last claim. You have done the show for over 30,000 students world wide. Ok. In the United States anyhow schools regularly have over 1,000 students in them. Many have well over 2,000 students in them. 30,000 is not that large a number of students to have done the show for.

If you are trying to promote "critical thinking" you may want to consider this. I am not saying pad the claim, but I am saying that in America 30,000 students can be easily reached in 15 shows. It is just not that big a number here.

Now in the UK and Australia I have no idea if this is the case.

If I was structuring the show, I would use bad science as an example, then show the "good science" as a counter point. Not only exposing the bad science, but showing the real thing. You may already be doing this I have no idea.

I am not sure what the skull and crossbones is all about but seems out of place (in America) for an educational program.

I will say this, I think that it is a fantastic idea, and that it would definatly sell to schools around me. No doubt. Very cool concept.

Thanks guys - I think I'll redesign the site to make it a bit more fun.

Danny
I perform the show for groups of 50-200 at a time. This is usually one year level. This allows me to come back to the same schools each year rather than having to wait six years!

However, if the numbers are not exciting enough I'll remove the reference.

Nicholas, I think you have to be very sure that you know what you are talking about if you're offering this as an educational experience/event. You have to get your terms right. Some ( I didn't look at them all so I'll refrain from saying 'all') of the examples you give as illustrations of bad science aren't bad science at all. They're simply not any kind of science they are just dubious claims. I would have thought that a Bad Science show would focus on what is bad science and what is not, you seem to have a 'Don't Believe Everything Your Told' show.

In this respect I get the feel that the website is selling something that falls between the cracks.

Having said that it all looks very good.

Cheers Neal.

Neal -

I've performed the show for the past several years to great success so the content of the show isn't an issue. I can assure you that I certainly know my stuff!

Accepting 'dubious claims' and 'believing everything you are told' are examples of bad science.

The show explores dubious claims but then explains a) how they often fail an application of the scientific method b) how existing scientific explanations can offer other explanations.

If you'd like more information about the topic I can suggest the book Bad Science (recent book, no connection to my show) and Critical Thinking by Brook Moore.

if you head over to Stand The Test, you can find a detailed description of the show.

Hi Nicholas,

You don't have to defend your product to me.

I was merely answering the questions you asked. viz:
"What sort of show do you think I am selling?
Does it remind you of anything?
Does it look like I am qualified to provide this service?"

Have a good gig in Edinburgh.

Neal

I've had a play with a redesign which I am not entirely happy with but thought I'd share the work in progress for your thoughts.

There are a few formatting problems and I'm not sure it's fun enough but it gives you an idea.

I prefer my original design but this will give you an idea!

I would say that, as a buyer, I would assume this is a magic show geared for Halloween. I would be impressed favorably that you are qualified.

As a buyer, I would like to see a short video of your performance.

By the way, I really like the pictures of "happy audiences". Showing that sells the benefit rather than the feature as they say.

Charlie

Thanks Charlie,

I got rid of some of the 'spooky' imagery and made it a little more education themed.

I think I might leave the rest of site for now. (with the exception of typos!)

When making your own website, it reaches a point where you have to stop working on it. Otherwise, you may as well just pay someone to make it for you!