Free Website Content - Avoid These Common Web Mistakes
Webmasters need to avoid making these common
web design mistakes. Website visitors who have a pleasant
experience on a website are more likely to trust the website,
and as such they are more likely to purchase products from
that website. Use the following guide to avoid some of the
more common web design mistakes...
1. Legibility
Use standard web fonts and normal font sizes.
The font color should be dark enough that the reader does
not need to strain to read the text, and not so large that
it screams at the reader. Bold text should only be used
for emphasis and headings.
2. Graphics
Optimize website graphics so they are not
slow to load. Avoid using animated graphics that will distract
or annoy website visitors. Graphics should be clean and
not pixelated.
3. Links
Links should be easily distinguished from
other text on the website. And all links should be tested
to ensure they function properly.
4. URLs
When selecting a domain name, choose carefully!
A number of factors should be considered, not the least
of which is how the domain will "read".
Examples:
www.expertsexchange.com could be a valid website
for "Experts Exchange", but the domain name itself could
also be read as "Expert Sex Change"
www.penisland.com could be a valid website
for "Pen Island", but the domain name itself could also
be read as "Penis Land"
5. Features
Benefits sell; Features do not. Drop any "technical"
lingo, and simply tell users how they will benefit from
using your product or service! I can not say it any more
plain than that. You should use web copy that explains how
your product or service helps, and in very simple terms.
6. Copy
Do not over optimize web copy. Copy should
be written for people and website visitors, and not for
search engines. Keywords and keyword phrases should be used
naturally in your web copy, and it goes without saying that
the web copy should make sense.
7. Novelty Items
Background graphics, and animations such as
animated mailboxes with a red flag that pops up, are a thing
of the past. Times have changed, and the Internet fads of
the 1990s are no longer in. Just because you may like to
reminisce about yesteryear does not mean that your website
visitors will -- they're far more interested in the actual
reason your site exists or the products it supports.
8. Browser Compatibility
Test your website with all of the popular
web browsers. Be sure that your website displays properly,
regardless of which browser your visitor might be using.
If not, you could be losing potential customers without
even knowing it.
9. Global
The Internet is global; do not minimize your
audience by thinking locally. Use country and area codes
on telephone number listings, provide currency indicators
when listing pricing, and offer ecommerce options that appeal
to a wider audience.
10. Retain Control
Never give up control over the content served
on your websites. Lots of webmasters will simply link to
images or content served from other websites, in an attempt
to save on bandwidth and content development costs. But
serving content from someone else's system gives them
control over your website. This can
be a big mistake! For example, what if you are pulling a
graphic from another website, and they suddenly decide to
change that image to something inappropriate? By serving
the contents of others, you are relinquishing control over
an important aspect of your business.
Keep in mind that style isn't everything.
Do not sacrifice SEO for style, and do not sacrifice style
for SEO. There is no reason they cannot coexist. A web designer
not familiar with SEO should not be doing web design. Fancy
graphics and SEO can live in harmony. Avoid the above mistakes
and you will be well on your way to a professional successful
online presence.
About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com
software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and
podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for RecordForAll
http://www.recordforall.com
audio recording and editing software.
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appreciated send an email to sharon@notepage.net
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