Search Engine Marketing - PPC Management Services

Avoid These 5 Web Site Blunders!

The Web is intended to help people find information quickly and easily. So why do so many sites make it difficult for users to get what they need? While neat design can add impact to your message, make sure the message itself doesn't get lost in the mix.

As president of a copywriting firm that writes and edits dozens of online projects a year, I've come across several common blunders that prevent effective communication via the Web. Here are my top five:

BLUNDER #1: Hiding who you are and what you do.

It's sad that many sites make it a challenge to figure out what they're about. Yes, it may be cool to have a giant dancing logo on your home page, but don't forget WHY your visitors are there: to learn what you can DO for them!

Be sure your home page includes a *short overview* that clearly and concisely describes what you have to offer. It's also a good idea to repeat your tagline or a short mission statement on *every page* of your site. Why? People can pop in and land on an inside page via a search engine/directory link that you may not be aware of. Make sure they know who you are right away.

BLUNDER #2: Writing for print.

Reading copy on a computer screen is different than reading printed text. We read online text more slowly, and we tend to scan rather than read because, visually, the words are harder to digest. Help your users find key words and concepts quickly by making your copy "scannable." Instead of intro paragraphs, use subheads. Use shorter sentences, paragraphs, and pages. Use bulleted lists. And use hyperlinks to give readers more info if they want it.

BLUNDER #3: Writing too formally.

Online readers expect a personal, upbeat tone. If you write like a bureaucrat, you risk turning off many users. Think ACTIVE voice rather than passive. (For example, instead of saying "the computer must be turned on" say "turn on the computer.") Write to your customers like you'd talk to them, and nix any industry jargon they may not understand.

Interestingly, I occasionally see the opposite problem. For example, a respected law firm's site shouldn't shout excitedly at customers as in a sweepstakes offer. Ask yourself: "How do my customers like to be talked to?" and that's your answer.

BLUNDER #4: Designing cryptic navigation.

Unfortunately, many sites don't seem to be truly designed with the end user in mind. Consider why users are visiting your site, then turn those reasons into your main navigation choices. Try to limit them to 8 or less. Then, create sub-navigation within those choices. But if there's an especially popular page on your site, why not put a special direct link from the home page? For example, on the home page of our site, we keep a direct link to our latest article or information about new awards we've won.

BLUNDER #5: Making it difficult to contact you or place an order.

I recently visited the Web site of an acclaimed furniture manufacturer, and I was ready to order one of their renowned ergonomic chairs. I clicked around, found the chair I wanted, and then quickly grew irate. Not only couldn't I find where to order it online, I couldn't even find their phone number to call and order one or find the nearest dealer! The results? One lost customer.

Put your phone number, an e-mail link, and a link to your order form (if you have one) on EVERY page of your Web site. Don't rely on your users having the patience to take a few extra steps. Make it as easy as possible, and they'll be much more likely to follow through (and return)!

(c) 2002 Alexandria K. Brown

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alexandria K. Brown, "The E-zine Queen," is author of the award-winning manual, "Boost Business With Your Own E-zine." To learn more about her book and sign up for more FREE tips like these, visit her site at http://EzineQueenTutorial.com/

MORE ARTICLES:

New Law Firm Marketing Subsidiary Combines Web Design and Search Engine Optimization for Lawyers
For over a year, Adviatech has been providing web design and search engine optimization for lawyers. Now they have launched a subsidiary to specialize on the niche service.

Search Engine Marketing Agency, Target Marketing Solutions, Announces Four New SEM/SEO/PPC Clients
More and more companies are utilizing search engine marketing as a key advertising strategy for reaching potential customers. Through the use of website analytics, search engine marketing provides trackable and actionable data to maximize advertising effectiveness.

Atlanta Search Engine Marketing Firm Prominent Placement is Finalist for Three American Marketing Association Awards
Prominent Placement, Inc., a leading Atlanta search engine marketing firm, received three Atlanta Marketer of the Year (AMY) Finalist Awards from the American Marketing Association (AMA). All three of the firm's entries were selected as finalists out of 130 total submissions.

SEO Link Building and Copywriting Service Relaunched by Search Engine Optimization Firm Brick Marketing
Brick Marketing has realized the importance of incorporating and combining link building into all aspects of online marketing for each of their clients. They have since re-launched their link building service for those interested in introducing online marketing in their business model.

Why PPC And SEO (Search Engine Optimization) Are The Most Popular Web Site Promotion Methods
There has to be a reason why PPC (pay-per-click) ads and SEO (search engine optimization) are the two most popular website promotion tools on the World Wide Web today. As a matter of fact, it is not too difficult to figure out why these two website promotional methods are so popular. It is quite simple ? they work. Actually they are very fast and effective in getting traffic to a web site. Internet Marketing can be overwhelming for some but if you leave it to the reputable professionals you can expect great results. Picture this situation. You select a few keywords come up with some attractive headlines and then launch a PPC ad campaign with Google Adwords. The next thing you know is that your site is receiving a steady flow of traffic...

Search Engine Optimization Firm, Epiar Inc., Unveils New Paid Search Advertising Service
After months of testing, Epiar has taken pay-per-click (PPC) advertising to the next level with the launch of its new service to the general public. Epiar is introducing the service at the New York Search Marketing Expo Conference Oct. 6-8.

Search Engine Marketing Agency Launch Mobile Search Marketing Service
With close to 3 billion mobile device users worldwide, Search Engine Marketing Agency Neutralize has responded to client demand with the launch of Mobilize.

Search Engine Optimization Firm, Brick Marketing Revises Search Engine Optimization Service
Brick Marketing, an internet marketing company, has recently revised and re-launched their search engine optimization services to adjust with growing trends. Brick Marketing has acknowledged that a revision of this product and the way it was offered to our clients had to be revised in order to stay competitive with other agencies. Potential customers can now be accustomed to similar pricing strategies has other players in the industry. The online marketing industry is a very fast moving industry with changes occurring sometimes over night. In order for firms and consultants to stay in a competitive range a watchful eye must be kept on all offerings in order to be able to provide only the best solution for clients.

Engine77 -- Search Engine Internet Optimization Firm Unveils New SEO Technology and Service
Infinidigm, Inc., a search engine optimization, search engine marketing, and software development firm, announces its cornerstone search engine marketing and search engine optimization technology-based service called Engine77. Engine77 is a robust software platform and service used to optimize web sites, perform market research, and develop sites based upon the analysis.

Search Engine Optimization Company Announces Expansion in Business and New Marketing Strategy
Within the past two years Keyword Performance LLC, a creative search engine marketing firm, has tripled in size, offering new services and gaining large company recognition.

Twelve Horses Expands Search Engine Optimization, Search Engine Marketing Services
Through hiring SEO expert Eric Morgan Twelve Horses has expanded its service offering to include SEO. Twelve Horses is a Reno based company that currently provides web design, web development, and email marketing services to clients on a national basis.

Search Engine Marketing Firm iProspect Wins at Search Engine Strategies Awards
iProspect Client Microsoft Small Business Center Wins Award for Best Business to Business Search Engine Marketing Campaign

Icelandic Internet Marketing Firm Invited to Speak at London's Search Engine Strategies Conference
Nordic eMarketing's Director of Internet Marketing, Kristjan Mar Hauksson, has been invited to present at the Search Engine Strategies Conference and Expo 2007 in London, England.

SpiderSplat.com Expands Search Engine Marketing to Include Social Media Optimization Services (SMO Consultant)
SpiderSplat, a leading provider of Search Engine Marketing, Pay-per-Click marketing and Keyword syndicated press releases, has expanded its offering to now include Social Media Optimization services. This new service called the SMO Consultant, offers clients the ability to have the opportunity to dramatically increase traffic and turn visitors into paying customers when used with SpiderSplat's SEM services.

Internet Marketing Agency Reveals Search Engine Optimization Secrets
If your web site doesn't have a Top 10 search engine ranking, you're missing out on approximately 85% of the Internet users who are looking for the exact products or services you offer.