9. Do graphics through-out your Direct Mail package support copy? Do they make copy more readable? Do they make it better? As television "improves" script from radio, so Direct Mail graphics must make copy better.

10. Does your reply device include a summary of your full story? Does your card, fax-back form, application, sign-up sheet, coupon say everything? So your reader knows what they are suppose to do next?

11. Have you made your very best offer? Do you have a reason for your reader to reply...now!? And is it pointedly clear?

12. Is it easy to reply now? The easier you make it more likely you are to gain a response. Give options on how to respond; phone, fax, E-mail, walk-in, drive-through, computer, mail it...every possible option.

13. If YOU are recipient mentioned in #1 of this list...what would YOU do with your Direct Mail? Would you respond? If so, why? If not, why not?

Answer these questions honestly and bluntly. If you don't like answers, don't mail it. Change it. Successful Direct Mail takes practice - but it's well worth it!

Larry Brophy has helped thousands of businesses find more buyers for their products and services the past 20+ years. He's the resident webmaster at: http://findmorebuyers.com, your TOP source of targeted sales leads.

Instead of additional web pages, I recommend pop-up windows. Not annoying pop-ups that appear without your permission, but only ones that appear when you click on a link.

Simply because after you close out a pop-up window, you're still on main sales page. That way, your prospects have to see your sales message. With too many web pages, you may lose your prospect's attention. Or worse. You might send them to another company's website!

Question #4: "Do You Think I Should Have Flash Animations?"

Look, I have customers that ask me all time about whether they should have fancy Flash animations. (In case you didn't know, Flash animations are short movies that designers use to impress you with.) Usually, customers get this "smart" idea from other designers they've contacted.

Fancy animations don't make money. At least not for you! They only make money for your web designer.

Think about it. Most people don't have high-speed connections. So when they get to your website and an irritating animation appears, they just throw their hands in air and go elsewhere. That means you just lost out on a possible sale.

Question #5: "Will You Turn My Website Into A Work Of Art?"

A website shouldn't showcase your web designer's talents. Instead, it should showcase your product and sales message.

If you want to make money, you need to choose a web designer who won't drown your product and sales message in a sea of graphics.

Conclusion

A website design shouldn’t overwhelm your prospects with fancy animations, sounds, or images. Or look like a work of art or an Easter egg hunt.

But your website should have a professional look and feel. It should also be easy to navigate and put your sales message in center stage. It should be designed to sell.

Rich Marazsky is the Lead Designer at LogicalWebsites (http://www.LogicalWebsites.net). He has over 7 years experience in Design, Marketing, and Online Advertising and has designed sites in many diverse industries including herbal medicine, financial newsletters, web hosting, and direct-response.