Create A User Friendly Web Site

A common tendency when optimizing a web site for greater traffic is to focus too much on the search engines. The result can be a very unfriendly web site.

The truth of the matter is that focusing on making a web site user friendly is exactly what the search engines want to see. Their goal (aside from world domination) is to present their end-user with an up-to-date and accurate list of web sites that match their search terms (keywords).

There are some things that need to be done specifically for search engines . . . but they tend to be things that the user can't see, so they won't interfere with creating a user friendly web site.

Here are some pointers on creating a user friendly web site.

• KEEP IT CLEAN You need to make sure your web site is clean. This means easy to read and not cluttered.
  
  Things like un-organized content, pop ups, excessive advertising and other annoying bells and whistles can be very distracting . . . not to mention out rite annoying.
  
  For the sake of the search engines you need to make sure your code is clean. Your visitors will never see the code, but bad code can cause a search engine to skip indexing your site.
• MAKE IT EASY TO NAVITGATE The obvious thing here is to make sure you have a clear menu established that allows your visitors to find the information they are looking for within a click of two.
  
  Another very important thing to include with your navigation is links to social media. Make it fast and easy for visitors to share your content with their networks.
• PRESENT A CLEAR IDENTITY Have you ever landed on a web page that was so obscure you had no clue what it was about? If you have, I am sure you didn't stay very long.
  
  If it had been a brick and mortar store . . . I bet the door wouldn't have finished closing after your entrance before you were out on the street again.
• DELIVER WHAT YOU PROMISE It is important that you give your visitors what they expect to find when they get to your site. 
  
  If you find visitors to your web site leave quickly . . . it is a good indication that you are not optimized well for search engines. It is an indicator that your web site is being mis-categorized.
• DON'T GIVE VISITORS TOO MANY CHOICES This applies to multiple things . . . if you offer too many options for a product they can purchase online they may become confused. A confused shopper won't buy.
  
  If your intention is to drive your visitors to take an action like making a phone call or stopping in at the store . . . be clear and direct on the approach. Tell them exactly what you want them to do and give them few and clear choices.
• MAKE THE BUYING PROCESS SIMPLE Don't make your customer jump through unnecessary loops. The fewer clicks the better.
  
  Customers that get frustrated will abandon their shopping cart and spend their money elsewhere.
• HAVE FAST LOADING PAGES I can't tell you how many times I have gotten to a web site that loads slowly or worse yet just sits and spins with little or no content appearing on the screen.
  
  People will not stay . . . they will move on to your competitors site that loads quickly and allows them to find what they are looking for.
  
  Watch out for elements that take to long to load, videos and graphics are leading offenders. There is a right way and a wrong way to include graphics and video on a web site. Background music is a waste of bandwidth, not to mention highly annoying to most visitors.
  
  Another thing to watch is the performance of your server.  Discount hosting providers often have issues with server performance due to overloaded servers and understaffed IT departments.

Creating a user friendly web site will help to make you more successful. If your competitors have non-user friendly web sites . . . your web site will help you stand out in the crowd.

back to top

Tip of the Month

Communicate from the inside out.

The typical way a person communicates is from the outside in. (What, How then Why.)

Example of poor communication:

"We build web sites (WHAT) using the latest technology and current best practices (HOW) for businesses that can't do it themselves (WHY) . . .  will you let me build a web site for you?"

Turn that around and start from the inside out.

Example of good communication:

"We help Small companies do the things that make large companies successful in  a way the small company can afford." (WHY)

"We maintain low overhead costs, keep current with technology and best practices while we advise our clients how to apply what is available to them in a cost effective way." (HOW)

"We build web sites . . . Can we build a website for you?"(WHAT)

Successful people and companies think from the inside out . . . it works.

back to top

Quotable Quote

Criticism of others is futile
and if you indulge in it often you should be warned
that it can be fatal to your career.

Dale Carnegie

back to top