Internet Marketing: 10 Deadly Sins of a Poorly Designed Website
By Dean Mercado
Face it. There are tons of websites out
there but very few that actually pull their weight and get results.
Effective website design is not easy. If it was, every business
that put up a website would realize enormous success. It takes many
different skill sets to pull together a killer website.
That being said, here is a list of website
design sins for your edification. Consider these deeply and I
highly recommend you make sure your website doesn’t commit them.
Website Sin # 1 – Website does not have
a crystal clear objective. Why do you have or want to have a
website in the first place? What do you want it to do for your
business?
Website Sin #2 – No clear call to
action. This sin dovetails on the previous one. Once you are
clear on your website’s objective, make it real clear to your
visitor what action you want them to take. Clearly spell it out.
Trust me, leave no room for interpretation.
Website Sin #3 – Website does not have
a means to capture visitor’s contact information. You are
missing a tremendous opportunity to gather prospects who are clearly
interested in what you have to offer – hence qualified prospects to
market to going forward. Do whatever it takes here. Offer what we
call an “ethical bribe” in exchange for their contact information.
Website Sin #4 – Website doesn’t give
visitors a reason to come back. Unless your website is a
one-time sales website, you must keep it chock full of new and great
content to keep it producing for you.
Website Sin #5 – Website has no
substance, all style. Dovetailing on the previous sin, focus
should be more on adding valuable content as opposed to having
flashy animations. Flashy animations may wow your visitors once (if
you’re lucky), but great content starts building a relationship or
dare I say a dependency on you. Bottom line you’re adding value to
your prospects.
Website Sin #6 - Website has an “it’s
all about me” mentality. Keep the copy conversational in tone
and focus clearly on what’s in it for your visitor. Make them feel
that it’s all about them – make them feel special.
Website Sin #7 - Website is
inconsistent with your “Brand”. Your website does not have to
be the best looking site out there. It is far more critical to be
consistent (same overall look, feel and design as your other
marketing materials).
These next three sins are absolutely
inexcusable and should not require much explanation. Nothing will
frustrate your visitor more and detract from your credibility
faster.
Website Sin #8 – Poor or inconsistent
navigation. Don’t make people think. Make it real easy for
visitors to find what they are looking for.
Website Sin #9 – Dead links. This
is a credibility killer. Always do what you say you’re going to
do. It is amazing what people can read into a dead link – the worst
being that you simply don’t care enough about you visitor.
Website Sin #10 – Slow website. I
know, it’s hard to believe but not everyone is using high speed
broadband Internet connections yet. A little compassion here goes a
long way.
© 2005 Online Marketing Muscle -- All
Rights Reserved.
Dean Mercado is an Internet marketing coach, strategist, author,
and speaker. Dean and his company Online Marketing Muscle help
entrepreneurial professionals leverage the power of Internet
marketing to turn their businesses into money magnets. Visit
Online Marketing Muscle for many more Internet marketing tips. |
