Here’s a statement that may shock you. No one gives a darn about how great a web site is designed! Does that surprise you? Well, in truth, all anyone cares about when they hire a web designer is whether they can solve their problems and get them new clients. Ask any visitor to a web site what they want from a site and in all likelihood they’ll tell you that they just what to find the information or the product they’re after. So, in fact, it doesn’t matter if a site has great graphics or is filled with fabulous flash animation because the bottom line is this: When designing a web site, your only concern is whether the web site does what it was meant to do, which is to get new business.
85% of Internet Users Are Searching For Answers!
In today’s high tech world, studies clearly show that more than 85% of Internet users will use the web for locating services and information. Which means, in order to bring in new business, a web site must have certain qualities and features that keep customers at the site. Yet, even though most web designers understand that a site is supposed to be functional, when it comes to building and developing websites, many web designers focus more on designing a flashy site than they do on building and developing a site that is functional and helps a business grow.
The Most Important Quality of a Web Site
Naturally, the design of the site should be aesthetically pleasing, but it’s function and content is still the primary key for a successful web site. No matter how well a site is designed, if it doesn’t appeal to visitors, it will not translate into sales, and that’s what most clients are after. That doesn’t mean that a web designer can just throw something together and put it on the web. Of course, the appearance of a site is vitally important, but how the site is presented, its ease of navigation and the content that is used to entice visitors are the most important qualities of a web site. Too many designers still believe that a fancy design is more important. What they discount is that if the message doesn’t communicate effectively, a visitor will quickly leave.
Fancy Flashing Graphics Detract From a Site’s Appeal
When a new visitor lands on a website, of course initially they are interested in a unique, attractive site. They may marvel at the intricacies of the site since most people tend to like pretty things. But when it comes to the value of the website, the majority of visitors are more interested in what the site has to say and what it has to offer. And although many designers know that flash is out of date, they still insist upon putting it on a site. Flash and fancy graphics are simply annoying to the visitor and do nothing to hold a viewer at the site. Simply stated, fancy graphics detract from a site’s appeal and just drives traffic away.
What Draws People to a Site?
If you are web designer, think about your own shopping habits on the web and what draws you in when visiting a site. Does anything about a fancy site make you buy? Do you stop at a site that has overdone flash and graphics and think to yourself that you want to make a purchase? Or is it the easy navigation, attractive colors and interesting content that appeal to you most when you’re browsing the web? When you stop at a site that has a ton of pop-ups and ads all over the site, does it make it more appealing? More than likely just like most visitors you will click away as fast as you came rather than waiting for the ads to finish. People shopping on the web do not have patience for ads and pop-ups.
Does The Color On A Site Matter?
Very often people ask me if color on a site matters. Yes, color on a website absolutely matters. In fact, it is proven that physical changes take place when individuals are exposed to certain colors because colors have the power to stimulate, excite, and even depress. In fact, certain color combinations can be advantageous to a business. While we all have our own color preferences, if you pay attention to what feels inviting and what conveys a message that draws a person in, you’ll choose your colors more wisely. For the most part, it’s best to keep some of the site’s background clean and white, as it’s far more professional and easier on the eye to see clean space.
What Type of Content & Graphics Works Best?
When writing for the web, you have to consider that web writing is different from other types of writing. The content that is included on a web site should be professionally and grammatically prepared, but not overly done. If your company doesn’t provide the writing and your client doesn’t know what they want to say on their web site, choose a reputable writer to work with. And don’t worry about putting too much content on a site, because if someone comes to the site and he or she likes what they are reading, they’ll read on. And besides, rich content with good key words and phrases is good for search engine optimization.
Making a Site Interactive
Feedback on a site is always a good way to find out what a customer thinks about the site and the product or service. Give customers an opportunity to voice their opinion about what’s on the site by including a space for comments. That way, you and your client gain insight into what the visitor thinks and allows you to learn how you might improve upon the site. In addition, with all the concerns we have today about identity theft, you should provide easy access to the company, as clients and customers feel safer when doing business with a company that is easy to reach. Provide access to contact information, and include e-mail addresses, telephone numbers, etc.
How to Make a Site Appealing to the Client & The Shopper!
How you build and design a web site is crucial to the success of your client’s business and should evoke trust, confidence and positive feelings. Rather than concerning yourself with creating something flashy, it’s far better to create something functional that leaves your client feeling confidence in your ability to convey their message effectively. Your primary concern should be to help your client increase revenue, bring in more customers and convert anyone visiting their site into a buying customer. In brief, your website design services should help a client maintain and retain customers.
About the Author
As the Founder and President of Chakery Design, Malcom Chakery has extensive knowledge and experience in the workings of a web based business operation. Possessing great amounts of expertise in regard to marketing, web design and development, Malcom is extremely comfortable handling all details regarding the day-to-day operations of a web site as well as the sales and support of his many high profile clients. With a clear plan in place regarding operational procedures, all aspects of web design, marketing and promotional activities are managed and overseen by Malcom before they are completed. A stickler for detail, Malcom believes in providing greater than expected support, superior customer service, and innovative programs, making sure to go above and beyond customer expectations. You can contact Malcom by phoning him at 1.866.614.7774 or by e-mailing at malcom@chakery.com. You may also visit him on the web at www.chakery.com
