Top 10 Webpage Mistakes (or, Why The Internet Bubble Burst)Written by Dale Armin Miller
1. Not knowing, before you design your webpage, why anyone (besides you) would feel compelled to visit it. 2. Not knowing, before you design your webpage, why anyone in their right mind would return to your webpage on purpose. 3. Lack of focus. Not knowing one, single thing that visitors come to your page to have satisfied. (If you actually have more than one way of satisfying visitors, then, unless they are *intimately* related, put them on separate pages. Better yet, separate sites. Think infomercial rather than search engine. Think television show rather than channel surfing.) 4. Not knowing --and, therefore, not taking it into account before you design your webpage-- how people will get to your webpage. In detail. (What did they see and how did they happen to see it? What did they click and why did they click it?) 5. Not understanding that trying to please everyone pleases no one. 6. Being afraid to repel visitors. (Even though it was likely designed by some, U.S. Small Business Administration website probably repels people who say "Later, Dude." America Online is actually proud that nerds hate America Online. XXX.com is designed to repel your grandmother.)
| | Does Your Site Qualify for a Web Site Award?Written by Donna Sweat
Most entrepreneurs are constantly upgrading and changing web site content and design. But how accurate and professional is content as a whole? A great way to find out is to apply for a site award. .No Kidding! You'll be amazed at information you may not have. This includes a broad range of items consistent with site design. I started my home business eight months ago and finally tried for an award about two months ago. I was rejected of course and reason was lack of contact information and a lottery link, plus an affiliate program not consistent with their idea of a professional, quality web site. I did not reapply for this particular award again. I continued to upgrade and change my site content and design until a couple days ago when I noticed an award of excellence on a web site and decided to try again. This time,I was rejected again, but for a new reason, in addition to no contact information or hours of operation,I had NO PRIVACY POLICY! This time I took things a little more seriously.I went to their qualifications site and read them.I do not know how I went this long without a policy. The contact information was in my newsletter for eight months and yet I failed to put it on my web site because I was skeptical about viewers seeing my personal information! I immediately went to my site and added required information and then reapplied...My site now carries a banner for Award of Excellence for a Pennsylvania business!Now if indeed I have held your interest to this point, hold on for some very important information that will give you prestige and your visitors will feel confident at your site.Take this list next time you update or do any changes to your site. 1] Be sure your contact information is on your main web page.[Company name, your name, address, telephone and /or fax, and e-mail address. 2] Add your hours of operation.If you are a home-based business, set hours to time you are available. I set mine from 9am-3pm.EST. [Include time difference.] 3] Compose a Privacy Policy.I will share mine as a sample to view. http://www.homebizandmore.homestead.com/privacy.html Include your sincere promise to protect your potential customers from SPAM. Keep their information confidential!
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