Saturday, January 24, 2009

Why Your Web Site Stinks

By Matthew Henage

Here is a list of possible reasons why your website stinks.

You Built Before You Planned

The most common reason for not planning is to save time. Not planning your website when you start creating it is like having someone build a home without any blueprints. Without blueprints or a website plan, you'll end up with results that stink. The best reason to plan out your website before having it built is to save time and money.

You Forgot to Budget

If you didn't budget out your website, you've made an awful mistake. It is better to scrimp a little on your web design so that you actually have resources to get targeted traffic to your site. If your budget is small, start small but keep it well rounded build some sales and build up each portion evenly. You need to budget for web design, content, web development, SEO, Internet marketing and public relations.

You Forgot to Do Cross Browser Testing

Your website looks great in Firefox, but looks awful in Internet Explorer or vice versa. With problems like this, you are presenting a destructive image to half or more of your audience. Make sure your website works in Internet Explorer 6-8, Firefox 2-3, and Safari browsers. Heck, It couldn't hurt to check it out in Google Chrome as well.

Your Lacking a Singular Voice or Direction

One of the things that made Google the most used search engine is because they knew why people were went to their site, and they gave it to them. The equation, give people value + make it easy for them = online success. Too many sites on the web have too much clutter on their website. Make your layout clean, your navigation intuitive and your content valuable.

Your Website is Worthless

Do you find that your customers come and go but never stick around very long or return to your site? You'll find the most probable reason for this problem is your website has no apparent value to your audience. You need to understand who your audience is and what they are looking for on your site in order to make your site of value to them.

You Make Your Audience Wait

Your website is slow or it has an splash page (intro) to get to the actual content. Whatever it may be that is making your potential clients wait, it is not acceptable. Give them a first rate service, and please them with quick content and you'll see them come back for more.

Your Web Design Runs Haphazardly

Form follows function, and if your website is for your business the function of your website is to make more money. If you focussed on how good your design looks, over a design that persuades your visitors to make a profitable action your running a risk. Your web design should tell a story about your company. But first you need to create a story that influences your audiences to do what you want them to, and then you need to tell that story through your web design. - 16890

About the Author:

No comments: