Don’t Scare Visitors Away- Give Your Website A Reality Test
It is hard to effectively promote a book or speaking services now if the author or speaker doesn’t have an effective website, even if sales are typically closed off-line. But, there is still the misconception that having a website is just a matter or purchasing a template or finding someone on Craig’s List.
There are a number of tests you should place your website through to make sure it is doing what it should, even if you don’t have a complicated or showy website. With the Internet making the world our marketplace, and more and more people using websites as part of their marketing, competition can get rough.
First impressions are key on the Internet. And that impression can last less than a minute as click pleased page viewers come and go. What would you say in answer to these questions about your website?
Do People Know Where They Are Straight away?
Does your logo have a visual meaning and describe your business? People will see before they read, so you need to grab their attention straight away. Make sure you use a wide variety of pictures and images to convey the result people will get from using your services.
Words are vital as well, though, so make sure your company name is clearly visible immediately and that you have a tagline that tells people what you do. Communicate immediately on every page with a strong title that tells them where they are and what they can expect.
Being creative and unique is fantastic in a website, but don’t be modest. Make sure your visitors are aware of who you are and what you can offer them straight away.
Have you checked out your computer on various viewing platforms and browsers?
In the world of computers, nothing is made equal. What looks fantastic on Firefox might be a mess on Windows Explorer, and even on different versions of each. Make sure you check. Question people you know and trust to view your website on at least 5 different monitor sizes, Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 operating systems, and on PC as well as MAC computers.
If you cater to customers who use mobile devices a lot, check both a Blackberry and iPhone as well. You may be bowled over at how different your site looks on all the platforms.
How functional is your website?
Slow loading pages are the most annoying thing a potential visitor can experience. In most cases, that potential customer clicks away before even seeing what you have to offer and becomes a ex- potential customer before you know it.
Take the time to go through your entire website page by page as though you were your ideal customer. How quickly do your pages load? Do all links work and direct to the pages you want them to direct to? Are there spelling errors or grammatical no-no’s you have to right? Is your contact information readily available?
The ultimate goal of this Website Reality Test is to make sure that your potential customers are welcomed into your site rather than driven away. Make it simple for them to get around your site, find what they want (and what you’re selling) and become your customer.
Be sure to visit ProfessionalSpeakerPromotionOnline.com to learn much more about successfully promoting your professional speaking career online. Click here to get your own unique version of this article with free reprint rights.
