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Why the Worst Web Sites Are...well, the Worst
Author: Martin F. Perez  | Posted: 13-04-2008 | Comments: 0 | Views: 6 | Rating: (73)  (?) 
PC World recently put out an edition of the 25 worst sites for the year. These sites are considered the worst for many reasons - bad design, spacing, weird formatting, and odd linking are a few of the reasons these sites call out for a "boy, are we bad" award of some type. Of course, some of the sites had even more - shall we say, dubious - reasons for being considered the worst.
But what if a site isn't obviously bad? You know, there is an old saying about how hard work can make up for many misgivings, but even that old adage has its limits.
Read on as I give you the down low on how to reveal whether your own site might be in line for the Worst Site award!
There are three main considerations you need to address immediately, if you are to avoid the pitfalls of the worst sites:
Don't over promise.
It is easy - especially on the Web - to over promise and under deliver the customer experience. One of the main ways Web sites do this is by getting a visitor involved, but falling short on the delivery. For example: You do the right thing with a newsletter sign up form and promise valuable take-away, but then your newsletter content is not ready, in an auto responder format, or delivery is sparse and infrequent.
One of the keys to strong affinity and loyalty build is to never break trust with your visitor. Every time you promise something and don't deliver - as minor as it may seem - will hurt you. Promising and not delivering will always hurt. You may not see or hear it...but then, that might be the point.
Avoid bad navigation.
You would not believe how many sites there are with poor navigation. They have too many links, ask people to click through too many things, and confuse people with things that look like links, but aren't.
This means: never underline something that is not a link. It also means: make sure your links go somewhere. This means: Don't make people click on things just to make them click.
Don't over-personalize your Web site with cute family pictures, or self-serving items.
It is true that people are somewhat voyeuristic...but only about people they care about. Chances are you are not one of those people - especially, if you are trying to sell them something.
Bonus point #1- Don't link to other people unless you know why you are linking.
Yes, links are good. No, not all links are created equal. It is a good idea to create valuable content, and then link to user publishing sites - linking creates more Web relevance. It is bad, however, to create valuable content and then link to "mom's t-shirts Bazaar," especially if you are selling a personalized service.
Bonus point #2 - Never, ever promise people you will get back to them within a day. You won't.
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Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/internet-marketing-articles/why-the-worst-web-sites-arewell-the-worst-385682.html
About the Author:Owner and President of Merge Left Marketing, a marketing and brand consultation business. Focused on developing your brand, web site development and marketing collateral.
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