Just about every list of the "Top 10 Web Design Mistakes" includes at least one reference to either
1. Not clearly specifying the objectives of your website, or
2. Not making it obvious what your web pages are about.
Usually both of these things are mentioned. This usually stems from the inability to look at your business or products from the prospective customer's point of view.
Many marketing people confuse their own concerns with those of their potential customers. For instance they think that a sexy manufacturing technique, or the fact that the product uses "materials developed by NASA" will impress their customers. Generally it won't.
This is the classic mistake of confusing features with benefits. Saying that a vinyl banner is made of 13 oz vinyl is a feature. Saying that it is "virtually tear-proof" is a benefit -- namely, that it won't be ripped off its moorings and blown away by the first gentle breeze.
Web designers are just like all other business people in this regard. We have a difficult time stepping back from our little projects and looking at them from the perspective of our potential customers.
First and foremost we should realize that people who visit our sites have no idea what our sites are about until we tell them.
So we should tell them. And we should tell them very clearly and quickly. As Vincent Flanders says in vinyl banner
Web design is the reverse of a magic trick. In a magic trick, you show the audience your right hand and perform the trick with your left. In Web design, you tell them where you're going first -- and then go there. People don't like surprises. It will certainly confuse them and it could make them angry."
Rick Hendershot is editor and publisher of the vinyl banner.
See, works every time. Seriously now, for some reason people... Read More
Don't knock it; "Keep It Simple, Stupid" is a great... Read More
The Questions You Should Be Asking ? The Answers You... Read More
Color is one of the most important but least understood... Read More
It's been said again and again, when it comes to... Read More
Congratulations! You've got a brand new site and it's doing... Read More
Learning how to convert visitors to your web site into... Read More
Web advertising has taken many forms, including those that appear... Read More
There are plenty of web sites out there in which... Read More
What is the relationship between Marketing and Web designing? How... Read More
Traffic to a site can be a blessing or a... Read More
Most people will agree there is nothing more annoying than... Read More
Avoid these mistakes and your site will be steps ahead... Read More
Many people today are tired of the Microsoft software that... Read More
Most of us at times need advice on different aspects... Read More
Dear web site visitor.I can't tell you how glad I... Read More
New Web sites are springing up online by the millions.... Read More
Your web site should always adhere to standards!A professional web... Read More
The time it takes to load your site can make... Read More
CSS is a new option for website designers that have... Read More
Remember the famous line from the movie Field of Dreams,... Read More
Over the course of the last decade, the Internet has... Read More
Designing a website is hard job, and requires you to... Read More
As of September, Smartads went through what so many have... Read More
What do the key words represent?Key words - these are... Read More
There is a widespread confusion among lots of new website... Read More
If you are designing a web site for which the... Read More
It's a fact, Page Not Found, known as a 404... Read More
Web sites that feature products ? especially furniture or other... Read More
If your website is falling through the cracks, the chances... Read More
As a webmaster, you want to keep your visitors content... Read More
When a prospect lands on your website will he or... Read More
Effective navigation stands out. It's clear, obvious, and highly visible.You'll... Read More
Let's face it; the line from A Field of Dreams... Read More
Here is a quick list of components that make a... Read More
There is unlimited possibilities when it comes to designing a... Read More
The title tags of your web pages are more important... Read More
A professionally presented business website is a powerful and essential... Read More
Your website design may be affecting your sales in ways... Read More
It has been said that the best online sales copy... Read More
The best things don't come easy. - QuotedThe finished web... Read More
I want to give you a free web page template... Read More
Reading on the web is different than reading in all... Read More
If there's one thing that I've learnt so far, it's... Read More
If you think it's simply a case of who will... Read More
Even after you've managed to bring traffic to your site... Read More
Since you'll spend lots of time and money to create... Read More
If you've a website but not making a lot of... Read More
Web advertising has taken many forms, including those that appear... Read More
Before doing anything on the technical side, you need some... Read More
Web Design |