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15 Fixes for a Failing Website
By Rick Sloboda
If your Web site not performing, here's
what you can do to improve search
engine rankings, engage visitors and
convert more sales.
1. Align the site with your objectives
Have your business objectives and goals changed since you launched your website?
If so, then you need to revisit your Web site content to ensure it supports your current
businessneeds.
2. Remove useless items
Every item on your website competes for your visitors' attention, reducing the impact
of your key message. Is that welcome message necessary? Are some of those buttons
redundant? Scrutinize every element to help deliver a strong message and
eliminate distractions.
3. Update your information
Keep time-sensitive information on your website up to date. If you don't have
adequate resources, keep time-sensitive information to a minimum.
4. Edit your Web copy for consistency
Businesses often have different people adding web copy at different times, which
leads to inconsistencies. Review your copy from start to finish with a keen eye on
spelling, format, style, narration, tense, flow and so on.
5. Split text blocks into scannable chunks
Massive blocks of text discourage visitors from exploring your website. Break up web
copy with relevant headlines, subheads, bullet points and short, one-topic
paragraphs. Your visitors will thank you by spending more time on your site.
6. Review fonts
Check your fonts to ensure consistent size, style and spacing. Consider using a style
sheet. Fonts optimal for the Web include Arial, Courier, Georgia, Time New Roman
and Verdana.
7. Add new Web copy
Add relevant web copy frequently to satisfy visitors and search engines alike.
Improve search engine rankings and give your visitors a reason to keep coming back.
8. Refresh your graphics
Renew your image with new graphics, charts and photos. Many are royalty free. Type
in terms like "clip art," "graphics," and "free photos" into your favorite search engine
and you're on your way.
9. Make your graphics search engine friendly
Give your images tags with keywords to help improve search engine rankings.
10. Consider your color theme
Go over your colors to ensure they are a part of or at least complement your logo and
brand. Dump backgrounds that make it difficult to read Web copy.
11. Extinguish flashing content
Flashing content irritates visitors and turns them away. It's one step away from
announcing, "Congratulations! You're the 1,000,000th visitor! Click here to claim
prize!" If you want it to make a point, do so with compelling web copy, placement,
font size or color.
12. Speed it up
Your pages should load fast. Don't make your visitors wait 30 seconds or so just to
watch your logo spin around. How many times have you retreated from a site while
waiting for its intro to load? Relevant Web copy is much more likely to grab the
attention of a potential client.
13. Re-evaluate PDFs
Are you guilty of throwing PDFs onto your website to save time? PDFs are designed
for print, not the Web. Unless it's an e-book or a form, offer the information as a Web
page and give your visitor the option of viewing it as a PDF.
14. Leave music to the DJs
Don't blast music at your visitors. It slows access to your site and can cheapen your
presentation. If music is required, hand over the controls to your visitor by making it
optional.
15. Repair or delete broken links
Check all your links and be quick to repair or delete any that bring your visitors to
the '404 file not found' message. If a section is under construction, take it offline.
About the author: Rick Sloboda is a Senior Web Copywriter at Web Copy Plus.
Free web site tool, More web site tips.
By Rick Sloboda
If your Web site not performing, here's
what you can do to improve search
engine rankings, engage visitors and
convert more sales.
1. Align the site with your objectives
Have your business objectives and goals changed since you launched your website?
If so, then you need to revisit your Web site content to ensure it supports your current
businessneeds.
2. Remove useless items
Every item on your website competes for your visitors' attention, reducing the impact
of your key message. Is that welcome message necessary? Are some of those buttons
redundant? Scrutinize every element to help deliver a strong message and
eliminate distractions.
3. Update your information
Keep time-sensitive information on your website up to date. If you don't have
adequate resources, keep time-sensitive information to a minimum.
4. Edit your Web copy for consistency
Businesses often have different people adding web copy at different times, which
leads to inconsistencies. Review your copy from start to finish with a keen eye on
spelling, format, style, narration, tense, flow and so on.
5. Split text blocks into scannable chunks
Massive blocks of text discourage visitors from exploring your website. Break up web
copy with relevant headlines, subheads, bullet points and short, one-topic
paragraphs. Your visitors will thank you by spending more time on your site.
6. Review fonts
Check your fonts to ensure consistent size, style and spacing. Consider using a style
sheet. Fonts optimal for the Web include Arial, Courier, Georgia, Time New Roman
and Verdana.
7. Add new Web copy
Add relevant web copy frequently to satisfy visitors and search engines alike.
Improve search engine rankings and give your visitors a reason to keep coming back.
8. Refresh your graphics
Renew your image with new graphics, charts and photos. Many are royalty free. Type
in terms like "clip art," "graphics," and "free photos" into your favorite search engine
and you're on your way.
9. Make your graphics search engine friendly
Give your images tags with keywords to help improve search engine rankings.
10. Consider your color theme
Go over your colors to ensure they are a part of or at least complement your logo and
brand. Dump backgrounds that make it difficult to read Web copy.
11. Extinguish flashing content
Flashing content irritates visitors and turns them away. It's one step away from
announcing, "Congratulations! You're the 1,000,000th visitor! Click here to claim
prize!" If you want it to make a point, do so with compelling web copy, placement,
font size or color.
12. Speed it up
Your pages should load fast. Don't make your visitors wait 30 seconds or so just to
watch your logo spin around. How many times have you retreated from a site while
waiting for its intro to load? Relevant Web copy is much more likely to grab the
attention of a potential client.
13. Re-evaluate PDFs
Are you guilty of throwing PDFs onto your website to save time? PDFs are designed
for print, not the Web. Unless it's an e-book or a form, offer the information as a Web
page and give your visitor the option of viewing it as a PDF.
14. Leave music to the DJs
Don't blast music at your visitors. It slows access to your site and can cheapen your
presentation. If music is required, hand over the controls to your visitor by making it
optional.
15. Repair or delete broken links
Check all your links and be quick to repair or delete any that bring your visitors to
the '404 file not found' message. If a section is under construction, take it offline.
About the author: Rick Sloboda is a Senior Web Copywriter at Web Copy Plus.
Free web site tool, More web site tips.
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