As you're designing your new web site, you'll be tempted with
web design ideas that could turn into fatal mistakes. This is
especially true if your web site represents your business. Below
are five of the most common mistakes to avoid at all costs...
1. Too Many Graphics
Having too many graphics (particularly large graphics), can
cause your site to load entirely too slow. Visitors will get
impatient and often times click out of your site -- never to
return.
SOLUTION: When possible save your graphics as GIF files
(gif.htm) rather than JPEG (jpg.htm). Also, reduce your graphic
in actual size as much as you can without distorting the graphic
or picture.
2. Counters
A visitor counter or hits counter should not be seen on your
site unless you have trememdous traffic. The reason for this is
visitors really don't want to know which visitor they are,
especially if they're visitor number four. There's no benefit to
your visitor, nor is there any benefit to you. The only way
showing a counter is advantageous is if you've had millions of
visitors and wish to display the popularity of your site or
would like to attract advertisers with the large numbers.
Otherwise, you can use this space for a benefit-packed headline
that leads your visitor to another part of your site.
SOLUTION: Most web hosts offer web statistics that reveal daily
visitors, hits, referrers, etc. This feature will let you know
how many people are visiting your site without the whole world
seeing the information. If you're just starting out, make sure
your web host offers this free service.
3. Banners
Limit your banners to the bare necessities. Why? Because banners
are graphics that can slow loading time and are a turn-off for
many surfers on the internet. For most, "banner" is just another
word for "ad" and they avoid clicking on them.
SOLUTION: If you do have a banner or two, place the banner at
the very top or bottom of your page. Or you could place a small
banner in your sidebar. Most people will look at the first
picture they see and then start reading below the picture, so
any writing or links that are above the banner may remain
unnoticed. Also, the banners on your site should be related to
your product or service. Remember, everything on your site
should work together to benefit your target customer.
4. Scattered Web Site
When designing your site, make sure it has a pattern that leads
your visitor. Get several people (friends or relatives) to visit
your site and watch them as they navigate. Notice the places
where they stop (as if they're finished) and also links that
they click on. Organizing your site to lead visitors is very
important whether you're leading them to buy something or just
to click and go to another place in your site. Customers are
silently begging to be led.
SOLUTION: Take a look at the flow of your site. Design it in a
fashion that always continues like this...
Make sure that graphics don't get in the way of your lead. If
the visitor stops in the middle of the home page to click on a
graphic or banner before getting to your sales page, they may
never return. You've got one chance to get the visitor's
attention and keep it. Make the most of it.
5. Generalization
The most effective way of selling on the internet is to
personalize your web site to reach your target audience. Many
web sites are general and try to reach everybody. The reality is
that you can't be everything to everybody. The business owners
who are successful on the web normally have very specific
products or services that target a niche market.
SOLUTION: Make your site as personal as possible. As you're
writing, pretend that you are face to face with the customer.
Present your web site in such a way that the visitor feels like
he just walked into a store in his hometown. Also, stay focused
on your target customer (one who would be interested in "your"
product.)
These five mistakes should be avoided at all costs if you want
to build an effective and successful web business.
Design your site to sell!
About the author:
Candice Pardue, webmaster of Online Success for Internet
Business. Ever thought of designing your own web site? Now you
can learn how to design your own personal or business web site
from home with the Web Design Training Course for beginners.
Simple step-by-step design instructions. Go here for details...
<http://www.webmastercourse.com/>
