|
/pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> |
The Brutal Truth
Not too long ago while looking for businesses that do web design I stumbled upon website. It looked great. It had cool pictures arranged in a grid. But I couldn't figure out what to do next. So I moused over one of the pictures. Nothing happened. I moused over another picture. This time some words came up.
I felt like I was playing Myst. I can't stand Myst. I felt frustrated. All I wanted to know was how much they charged for designing a web page.
Why do people build websites like that? It's because they don't understand how the web works. The brutal truth is people don't care how great your website looks. What they care about is what your website can do for them.
People generally use the web to find information, be entertained, find a solution to a problem, or buy something. Anything that hinders them just causes frustration. People aren't interested in flashy websites. They're interested in websites that can give them what they want.
The key is to be visitor-centric. Allow me to give you an example:
Let's say you own a fast-food outlet and you want to put up a website. The question you need to ask is why would people visit your website? Some answers are:
1. They're checking out local fast-food outlets and what to know what you serve and how much you charge. 2. They're hungry and looking for a place where they can get some quick food. 3. They're looking for a fast-food outlet that delivers.
On the main page of the website I would have a catchy headline, menu with prices, an easy-to-find phone number, a location map, and if applicable, a "Yes, we deliver!" in big bold letters. I would put information such as who you are, how long your business has been around for etc, in an "About" page.
After you've put up your website you need to try it out. Test it as if you were an actual visitor. Ask yourself, does it give you what you want from a visitor's point of view. If you wanted to know the price of a hamburger could you find out quickly and easily?
Here's another example:
Let's say that after doing some research you discover there's a niche market for people wanting information on cigar boxes - where to find them, how to make them etc. You also discover that there's not that many websites about cigar boxes. So you decide to create a website that's all about cigar boxes.
Again, the question is why would people visit your website? The answer is to find information about cigar boxes. The answer is simple enough, but you'll be surprised at how many people would build such a website with the information on cigar boxes buried in some hard to find place.
On the main page I would have a catchy headline and a listing of articles on cigar boxes with links to other pages on the website. Under each listing I would have a short description to let visitor's know what the article is about. I would also have a search button. That way, if someone was looking for information on how to make a cigar box they could find the information quickly and easily.
I would not full up the main page by telling my visitors how fantastic my website is. Nor would I waste my visitors' time with a flash intro. They don't care. What they care about is what your website can do for them.
A quick word on flash intros: the vast majority of people skip flash intros. And nearly everybody skips the flash intro the next time they visit the website. Unless you have a strong reason for putting a flash intro on your website, don't. It'll only serve to frustrate your visitors and you will lose potential customers.
Here's an exercise you may like to do. Find two movie directory sites. For each one see how long it takes you to find out who directed the movie "Fight Club". Now ask yourself what was the better website. Was it the flashiest looking one or the one that allowed you to get the information you wanted the easiest and fastest?
Don't waste your money and time trying to make your website look the best. There will always be people with more time, money, and resources to make their website look better than yours. It's enough that your website creates a professional image. Concentrate on being the best website for your visitors. Fulfill their wants, not yours.
It's really no different to any other kind of business. Those businesses that give people what they want will prosper. Those that don't will not.
Remember, always be visitor-centric. Focus on giving your visitors what they want.
Find out how one web site averages over $27,000USD in revenue per month with only around 100 visitors a day. Visit kdaviesnz.com and download this essential *FREE* report today!
Using CCS to Eliminate Tables
CSS or Cascading Style Sheets has opened up tremendous possibilities for improving web site designs, web page layouts and adding new features. The HTML code can be made shorter, cleaner and simpler by CSS resulting in faster loading of web pages, and making them more accessible to search engines. Here I am narrating my experience with only one part of CSS - using it to eliminate tables.
Tips On Effectively Organizing Your Navigation
Not all links are created equal.
The Importance of Choosing Your Website Keywords Carefully
The importance of choosing your website keywords carefully is very high. The reason for this is many search engines rely on keywords, at least partially, to help determine the rank of your web page when certain keywords are searched for. As a result, you want to make sure you know how to utilize keywords properly so that you get the most benefit from this wonderful tool. However, if you do not know what you are doing keywords can work against you, so make sure you know exactly what you are looking for and what you need to optimize the text on your website in order to increase traffic because due to keyword inclusion.
6 Reasons Why Web Templates Are Todays Trend
As the Internet blooms at an alarming rate, so as the number of websites out there. Appearance, layout, presentation and loading times are just a few of the main essential characteristics of a successful website. It would seem that it is generally manageable if you own a wide level of knowledge on web / graphics design. But the main question of today's online trend, is how you can eliminate the need of going through the traditional web designing processes and timeframe.
Your Website Visitors - Will They Stay?
I'm sure you've all heard the saying 'Build it and they will come'. Although that may have been true a few years ago, now we must work, and work hard, to get visitors to our websites.
Flash Design Adds Website Versatility
You have probably viewed many Flash-based components while surfing the Internet. Most smooth animations on websites and in banner ads, short films, and presentations are built in Flash. Macromedia Flash is a powerful and adaptable software program. It enables Flash web designers to incorporate sound, movement, and interactivity that cannot be achieved with standard HTML websites.
How Do You Make A Website?
No, that's not the real question. The real question is "How in the Heck Do You Make a Website???"
Breathe New Life Into Your Half-dead Website By Using Words That Sell
This article may come as a surprise to you.
Creating the Perfect Website - A beginners Guide
Are you looking to create the perfect website? A complete novice when it comes to HTML, CGI, FTP and all the other associated pieces that make up the website puzzle, then this article is definitely for you.
7 Reasons Why Using CSS is a Must
CSS is a new option for website designers that have been using HTML and tables for most of their web designing careers. Of course, it is a huge change and requires learning a new language and skill, however most people are saying CSS is worth it and it will give you more control, options, and is easier to edit. Consider the following 7 reasons why using CSS is a must and see if it convinces you to change your method of web design.
Why Content is King of Website Design
If there's one thing that most web site developers can agree on, it's this: content is king.
Designing Beautiful Artist Websites ? 12 Tips To Showcase Your Art
1. Who needs an artists website?
Converting Print Advertising For Use On The Web - A How-To
Contrary to the beliefs of some, advertising for web and print are very different. Converting print ads for use on the web is very tricky. What has been very successful on paper may have no impact at all on the screen. When I am asked "How do I convert my print ads to web?" my answer is simple: don't! Web and print are so vastly different that I believe you should never build your web pages based on a print ad.
You Had Me At the Search Engine
You've likely heard of the movie, Jerry Maguire, with its famous line, "You had me at hello." Jerry Maguire was luckier than web sites we find in search engines. Many web sites don't attract user devotion at the first word, let alone after scanning the home page.
The Monster Garage of eLearning
Good Web Design ? What Is It?
There is unlimited possibilities when it comes to designing a website. Flash, Database, content management, Client Login, etc,etc. A question to ask yourself when deciding how to do your website is:
What to Ask Your Web Designer
If you need a web designer, but have no clue about the typical web design process, I am quite certain that you must be feeling a bit overwhelmed about what to expect. As web designers, we oftentimes have a myriad of roles to fill when working with their clients, but as the client, you always have a right to know the complete design process up front. Let's talk a bit about what questions you may want to ask a potential design firm before they get started on your website.
Choosing A Web Designer : A Plan to Guide You Through The Minefield
Choosing a web designer can seem like a daunting task. They come in all shapes and sizes ? from freelancers working at home to glossy new media agencies, and there is as much variation in prices and service as there is in size.
Keep Your Navigation Consistent!
One of the single most important aspects of effective navigation is consistency. Why? There's a simple reason.
Do Your Website Yourself - 4 Simple Steps to Get Your Dreams on the Web
Many people hire professional web site designers for as much as a thousand plus USD! You can, and very easily, make a web site for almost one hundredth of that price, and probably in half the time. Here are 4 easy steps to get you started.