Customer Web Experience

When building a new website (or upgrading) it is critical you build with the user in mind. Your #1 goal is providing a pleasant web experience for your visitors – a web experience without time constraints or frustration. I’m talking about Web Usability or making your website work well for your visitors. Remember…a website doesn’t come with a manual. And if it did, no one would read it anyway.

Here are 3 things you should do right now if you haven’t already.

1. Remove “Under Construction” Pages
   If a page is under construction – that’s exactly what it is – it’s not ready. If you were reading a book and you turned to the next page and it said, “Under Construction”, I highly doubt you would purchase or continue reading the book. Same as a website – If it’s not ready, don’t put it up. One exception: A website “coming soon” page is okay…as long as its true.
2. Provide Consistent Navigation
   If you don’t you’re losing your audience. Provide a consistent navigational menu on every page so visitors can click thru your website no matter what page they’re on. Navigation is like the “I Am Here” star. Your visitors need to know where they are, where they can go, and where they’ve been.
3. Remove All Underlined Words
   The only underlined words should be links. It is very confusing for your visitor when they see a word that is underlined and they can’t click on it. If you need to emphasize a word, bold it, enlarge it or CAPITALIZE it.

Remember, you only have a few seconds (7 seconds if you really want to know) to capture your visitors attention and get them to stay. If your site is filled with errors and other time consuming tasks they’ll go elsewhere or may stay and become frustrated on your site. Make your website intuitive and as simple to use as possible.

Does your website pass the blooper test?

Read “Don’t Make Me Think” for more info and tips.

Mike Swartz says, “Check it out.”