5 Reasons Websites Don't Work: Part 3

Design and Layout

Have you ever gone to a web-site and been so overwhelmed by the hodge-podge of information or graphics on a homepage that it just makes your head spin? The result is usually a rapid exit. Unfortunately 90% of the web-sites on the Internet fall in this category. Many websites are designed absolutely horribly! The days of letting Johnnie’s cousin who knows Web Design Pro 3000 are over…unless you want to turn people off.

Here are a couple of thoughts:

• Hire a professional designer that knows how to build and design great websites. I have heard the quote, “you can pay now or you can pay later, but either way you’re going to pay!” Pay the money upfront to hire a professional or you may pay later by losing your audience.

• Keep your website simple. Don’t overwhelm your visitor with so much information or flashing graphics that it confuses them. While newspapers are decreasing in readership they do have proven layouts of how people like to read. Follow their example.

Ineffective design and layout for any web-site kills sales, usage, retention, functionality, and any hopes of connecting with your audience!