What's happening to good web site design? Somehow we creative types at interactive and traditional ad agencies have run amuck - we're building web sites that may dazzle the senses, but don't really communicate much about our client's business or products and services!
1. Somehow I don't think anyone has a burning desire to spend 30-60 seconds on the Index page of a web site while another fancy Flash animation loads, complete with snazzy graphics, audio, and way cool cutting edge graphics - not!! People want to get real information, not razzle-dazzle graphics showing how great a developer is using the latest whiz bang technology!
2. I thought Frames went out of style like adding a .com to your company's name. Apparently not, as there are still lots of web sites using Frames - forcing users to see a web site with mix and match (bad) graphics, odd menus and just a plain ugly interface.
3. I some times wonder if some of my fellow design geeks all own Adobe stock, or they are just trying to make sure HTML disappears as a content standard. The last thing many people want is to sit and watch as their 56 kbps dial up struggles with opening a doc in Adobe's proprietary PDF format - many click off and are gone to the next web site. Content should be offered in HTML or Word format, both of which open instantly - no, I don't own any Microsoft shares!
4. Another popular time waster appears to be designing web sites that require people to list all of their contact points, including first born children, their dog's pedigree - etc. Registration forms should be short and no more than 4-5 entries that just require fundamental contact information.
5. What's the value in running contests, games and other technology-enabled multimedia content on a web site? Recent studies have indicated most of the online user community isn't interested in a web site that drives branding - they simply want information about a company's goods and services.
6. The web is a wonderful medium for customer acquisition but it also works as a valuable tool for building dialogue with customers - approx 75% of the online community does not mind filling out short forms that ask them questions about goods and services, or providing feedback. More sites should ask people for their opinions and reviews - they don't mind sharing them and these comments provide valuable insight.
7. Content is still one of, if not the most important variables in good web site design. Today's savvy surfer doesn't want content presented in book form; they want short paragraphs with lots of white space, not long textual columns in a type font that forces anyone over 30 (perish the thought there are people on the web over 30) to put on their glasses and squint at the screen.
8. We marketing types jumped on the community bandwagon 12-18 months back - you couldn't read an article about web site marketing unless "community" wasn't included as a buzzword du jour! Well, times have changed, or maybe we all came to our senses - today's web user wants baseline information they don't want to chat with other users via web site or read about shared interests - give them information in "content bytes' and let AOL worry about building a community!
About The Author
Lee Traupel has 20 plus years of business development and marketing experience - he is the founder of Intelective Communications, Inc., http://www.intelective.com, a results-driven marketing services company providing proprietary services to clients encompassing startups to public companies. Lee@intelective.com
Geneva ohare limo service .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareA website should firstly be searched out by visitors before... Read More
You've made your website, added a great title and keywords... Read More
Does your website make a good first impression? Is the... Read More
Chris, a new consulting client, asked me to help him... Read More
You've designed your logo, and you're ready to print your... Read More
There is no doubt that reprint articles can serve lots... Read More
There are plenty of web sites out there in which... Read More
If you're not getting a lot of traffic to your... Read More
Designing your website means you have to be creative, plan... Read More
With the advent of the Internet a whole new vista... Read More
Creating an appealing, functional, and effective Web site is much... Read More
Want to know what the worst thing to say on... Read More
Remember the famous line from the movie Field of Dreams,... Read More
CNN.com's designers have gone out of their way to make... Read More
When designing your website, remember to avoid useless and confusing... Read More
Whether a business has just got off the ground or... Read More
Should Generating Revenue From A Website Be The Prime Motivator?... Read More
Last Thursday afternoon I was working on a garage door... Read More
I'm sure you've all heard the saying 'Build it and... Read More
Not too long ago while looking for businesses that do... Read More
Most of us at times need advice on different aspects... Read More
Squeeze pages are a very hot topic in the internet... Read More
QUESTION: We promote our web site in all our... Read More
Your web site has been up for a few months... Read More
Everybody talks about the importance of testing your sales copy... Read More
Biggsville wedding limo ..When I purchase something from a web site I first... Read More
What is web usability & why is it important?Web usability... Read More
One of the most popular methods of traffic generation is... Read More
There are more than billions of Web Sites, running Online... Read More
Not all links are created equal.While all of your links... Read More
To build a website, there are four methods to choose... Read More
They may look cutting edge, but if you want a... Read More
Just because you are a small business with an even... Read More
I once created a notepad-like editor. It is possible with... Read More
Not too long ago while looking for businesses that do... Read More
When you begin the design of your Web site, one... Read More
Everyday we hear that another company goes out of business.When... Read More
There are literally thousands of different options, styles and formats... Read More
Do you want to use unsafe web colors without offending... Read More
Nope. You certainly don't need a website.But you don't need... Read More
One of the most frequent questions I get asked about... Read More
An attractive and user-friendly Web site is crucial to attracting... Read More
If someone doesn't know you personally, will they trust you... Read More
~A man [woman] is a success if he [she] gets... Read More
Whether you're hiring a designer who has created 10 sites... Read More
You spend time and money promoting your website; but what... Read More
Hello, how is your website doing?Are sales flowing in?If you... Read More
The ability to create simple, attractive and functional web pages... Read More
Most people will agree there is nothing more annoying than... Read More
If you've just finished building your new website (or revamping... Read More
Web Design |