Are These 12 Common Web Design Mistakes
Costing
You Sales?
Is your web site hurting your business more than helping? Check out the following 12 common web design mistakes to make sure that your web site is presenting a positive first impression with your customers:
1. Pages that load too slowly
Slow performance (taking too long to download pages) is the most commonly
experienced problem with the web. Web sites should be designed to load
quickly by minimizing large images and file downloads.
2. Hard to use navigation
Poor navigation can lead to customer stress, annoyance and impatience.
Customers expect a consistent site layout that is easy to use and remember.
3. Poor text color choices
Using color combinations such as dark text on a dark background makes
it difficult for customers to read and scan text. The easiest color
combination to read on screen is black text on a white background.
4. Overuse of animation
Graphics that flash, or animated characters and logos can quickly become
annoying to your customers, especially if they continue to “animate”
during their visit. Try to reduce the number of distractions competing
for the attention of your visitors.
5. Outdated information
When was the last update to your site? Customers who visit your web
site and see a page that contains outdated information quickly lose
interest.
6. Generic template design
A web site gives your company the opportunity to stand out from your
competitors. You quickly lose your competitive advantage by using a
generic design template for your site that customers have seen on hundreds
of other sites.
7. Pages “under construction”
Your web site is a constantly evolving marketing investment that is
always “under construction.” By displaying pages that offer
no value for the customer, you are losing an important chance to educate
and gain the trust of your customers.
8. Use of splash pages
How many times have you visited a web site with a flashy introduction
and clicked the “Skip Intro” button? If you are like most
web visitors, this happens most of the time. While a splash page can
be used in a positive way, make sure you are not frustrating your customers
on each visit to your site.
9. Broken links
Broken or orphaned links reflect poorly with your customers, especially
if they are looking for specific information and come across a “page
not found” error. Make sure all of your links are up to date.
10. Overuse of frames
When used correctly, frames can be an effective aid with navigation
and consistency. Unfortunately, many sites have misused frame pages
which confuse and frustrate their customers. In most cases, a similar
effect can be produced without the frames. Use frames sparingly, if
at all.
11. No connection with your current marketing campaign
A web site is an important tool in your marketing strategy. Is your
current web site an extension of your marketing campaign? Keep your
message consistent with your customers by making your web site an integral
part of your overall marketing message.
12. Hard to find contact information
Often, a customer has looked over your site and is ready to take the
next step, however they often have a hard time finding a phone number
or email address. Make it easy for your customers to contact you, with
a clearly defined menu tab for “Contact Us” or include your
contact information on each page of your site.
Many times the customer’s first interaction with you is through your web site and your company has only one chance to make a positive first impression. Make sure your site is making the most of that crucial first encounter with a professional web site.
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Founder and principal of jajopa Web Design, James Palmer specializes in designing professional web sites that help companies generate more business. Some of James' clients include The Philadelphia Gas Works, Asher & Company, Ltd, and the Philadelphia Sport, Travel & Outdoor Show. Learn more about jajopa Web Design at www.jajopa.com.