|
2. Counters
A visitor counter or hits counter
should not be seen on your site unless you have trememdous traffic.
The reason for this is visitors really don't want to know which
visitor they are, especially if they're visitor number four. There's
no benefit to your visitor, nor is there any benefit to you. The
only way showing a counter is advantageous is if you've had millions
of visitors and wish to display the popularity of your site or
would like to attract advertisers with the large numbers. Otherwise,
you can use this space for a benefit-packed headline that leads
your visitor to another part of your site.
SOLUTION: Most web hosts offer web
statistics that reveal daily visitors, hits, referrers, etc. This
feature will let you know how many people are visiting your site
without the whole world seeing the information. If you're just
starting out, make sure your web host offers this free service.
3. Banners
Limit your banners to the bare necessities.
Why? Because banners are graphics that can slow loading time and
are a turn-off for many surfers on the internet. For most, "banner"
is just another word for "ad" and they avoid clicking on them.
SOLUTION: If you do have a banner
or two, place the banner at the very top or bottom of your page.
Or you could place a small banner in your sidebar. Most people
will look at the first picture they see and then start reading
below the picture, so any writing or links that are above the
banner may remain unnoticed. Also, the banners on your site should
be related to your product or service. Remember, everything on
your site should work together to benefit your target customer.
4. Scattered Web Site
When designing your site, make sure
it has a pattern that leads your visitor. Get several people (friends
or relatives) to visit your site and watch them as they navigate.
Notice the places where they stop (as if they're finished) and
also links that they click on. Organizing your site to lead visitors
is very important whether you're leading them to buy something
or just to click and go to another place in your site. Customers
are silently begging to be led.
SOLUTION: Take a look at the flow
of your site. Design it in a fashion that always continues like
this...
Make sure that graphics don't get
in the way of your lead. If the visitor stops in the middle of
the home page to click on a graphic or banner before getting to
your sales page, they may never return. You've got one chance
to get the visitor's attention and keep it. Make the most of it.
5. Generalization
The most effective way of selling
on the internet is to personalize your web site to reach your
target audience. Many web sites are general and try to reach everybody.
The reality is that you can't be everything to everybody. The
business owners who are successful on the web normally have very
specific products or services that target a niche market.
SOLUTION: Make your site as personal
as possible. As you're writing, pretend that you are face to face
with the customer. Present your web site in such a way that the
visitor feels like he just walked into a store in his hometown.
Also, stay focused on your target customer (one who would be interested
in "your" product.)
These five mistakes should be avoided
at all costs if you want to build an effective and successful
web business.
Design your site to sell!
|
