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Have you heard this one... if you build it, they
will come! But
will they keep coming back? Part of the answer lies in just how
attractive and user-friendly your Web site is. Compared to a few
years ago, it doesn't take very much to build a Web site these
days. Just about anyone can create a Web site using MS FrontPage
or Netscape Navigator Gold (or some other Web page-building
program) and minimal knowledge of HTML.
If this is your case, you could be missing out on sales because
your site is too hard to navigate. You are still missing out on
the basic principles for having a site that works, it has to have
the three I's; it must be informative, interactive and
interesting.
Here are some simple tips for turning your mediocre site into a
user-friendly one that brings in new customers and increases
revenues:
(1) Know Your Audience.
This is not just a cliche. Many sites fail to take into account
how their visitors use the Web. Your Web pages should be designed
so that a novice can easily navigate them. People want what they
want when they want it. Some say that the average person will
give you only 11 seconds to catch their attention before they
move on to another site. See ya!
(2) Keep Paragraphs Short and Conversational.
People scan the Web. They don't sit and stare, for fear of
falling asleep! The typical screen shows only 15 lines at a time.
Therefore, sentences should be no longer than 12 to 15 words and
paragraphs two to three sentences long. I personally have
problems if there are too many paragraphs having more than five
lines.
(3) Validate Your Site.
Putting your business logos and slogans (which should be
trademarked) on your pages gives your site credibility. If your
site or ezine has received positive exposure from happy and
satisfied customers who have used your services and/or products,
be sure to mention it on your home page. Don't bury it somewhere
in back pages of your Web site.
(4) Cut Down on the Graphics.
Graphics look pretty, but if they distract attention from
important messages or take forever to download, people won't
frequent your site. Even banners should be used sparingly. One of
the worst things that you can do for your site is to fill your
home page up with bright, flashing and blinking banners, some
which have nothing to do with what your site is about.
(5) Include Contact Information.
Nothing can be more frustrating for your prospects and customers,
than wanting to contact you and not having a clue as to how. If
at all possible, provide your email address, mailing address, fax
number and phone number. You may even want to let your visitors
know the best time to contact you by phone. Don't limit how your
visitors can contact you, let them decide how they want to
contact you.
(6) Include Surveys, Coupons and Q & A Sections.
These are good ways to track visitors and get to know your
customers. Ask for email addresses to send them new product and
promotion information, not just solicitaions. Provide them with an
informative ezine or newsletter related to the theme of yourWeb site.
Not asking for your visitors email address is a cardinal sin of email
Internet marketing. Get permission, so you can contact them again!
If you don't, they may never come back to your again.
(7) Include a Privacy Statement.
We live in a society where privacy is a BIG concern. If you're
asking for your visitor's private information, such as their email
address, phone number, credit card information, snail mail address,
annual income, etc., it's imperative that you have a privacy statement.
It should tell your customers exactly what you are going to do with
the information that you collect. And most of all you should abide
by what you say in your privacy statement. Because if you don't,
you could ruin your business and your reputation.
Michael Puccino edits and publishes the weekly ezine STEAL
THIS SITE and runs a webmaster resource site of the same name at: http://freebie.at/steal_this
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