Learn About Websites
10 Easy Website Fixes

As I travel to conventions and visit with people the same questions keep popping up over and over again. People ask me, “How can I make my website better?” Or, people say, “My website doesn’t work. Why is that?” I’ve been asked, “What is a domain name?” Increasingly folks wonder out loud, “How can my website be in the top of the search engines?” (this is called Search Engine Optimization)

When I view people’s websites there are a few common mistakes that are repeated on 95% of the websites. To help you improve the performance of your website or to guide you while you build a new website here are ten considerations to keep in mind. If you follow these suggestions your website will perform much more productively and efficiently.

1. Own your own domain name: Gosh, this is a big one. Numerous times we have people wanting to switch website vendors to find out they do not own their own domain name. Their current website provider owns the domain name or the telephone company owns the name. If your business is not listed as the REGISTRANT then you do not own your domain name. To find out if you do own your domain name go to www.godaddy.com and look at the bottom for WHOIS. Click WHOIS and type in your domain name for example mine would be www.beyondindigo.com. It will tell you who is the owner (called REGISTRANT). If it is not in your name contact your current provider and ask them to switch it into your name. It is your asset — you should own it.

2. Make Sure Font Size Is Flexible: If people can’t read what is on your website they will move to some other site. Make sure that the font on your website is flexible. This means, for instance, that if people have chosen LARGE on their browser your website text comes up as LARGE too. Your website might not look the prettiest at this setting but people can find out what you offer.

3. Content Should Be Web Friendly: This means one concept to a page with no more than 400 to 500 words. The content should be broken into smaller paragraphs with some bullet points if possible.

4 Skip the Front Intro Page: This is the page with just a picture, or moving pictures that say skip intro on them. You have four seconds to capture the reader’s attention. Studies have shown that you loose up to 50% of your traffic with each click people make. If you have an intro page you have potentially lost 50% of your viewers — and they have not even viewed one thing you have to offer.

5. Proper Use of Flash Technology: Basically, use Flash technology (i.e. moving pictures and sound) sparingly. Flash is great on entertainment sites. Studies have found that people see Flash and think content is not important. If you do use Flash have it loop through only once.

6. Contact Info is Visible: Make sure that people know how to contact you and that it is on every page. This seems to be a no-brainer but I have seen websites that never have a way for people to contact the owner of the site.

7. No Music or Sounds: Studies indicate that 80% of people hate music on the website. They will hear the music and leave. Studies have also shown that people surf the web the most Monday through Wednesday from 9 to 5. If you have music on your website and a person is viewing it at work his or her colleagues will know right away he or she isn’t working!

8. Match Website to Business Flow: Make sure your website doesn’t try to reinvent how your business day flows. For example, if you personally don’t check email now on a daily basis don’t add an email link on your website. If your people email and you don’t check it then they will be disappointed when you don’t answer. This will leave a bad taste in their mouth and you are liable to lose business.

9. Navigation is Crucial: When looking at your website view it through the eyes of your potential user. Your user is thinking only of him or herself. They want to know what your website has to offer them. If your website starts off with ABOUT US, STAFF etc. the user is turned off. This is harsh but the user really doesn’t care much about you — at least at first. They want to know about the services you offer, what you can do for them, what your building looks like, and most importantly, they want you to understand that they are grieving and hurting inside. Build your navigation on the website accordingly.

Interaction is Key!!! You have to give people a reason to return to your website. If there is nothing to do and nothing changes people will not come back. We have found that interactive grief support tools work the best to get return visitors. However, just having online obituaries is a start. The more you can offer your viewer the more they will want to return.

Now you are armed with ten items to help improve your website. Good luck!