Top 10 WWW Mistakes

1) Letting technical people design your web site.
Designers specialize in engaging the user, by making the content visually pleasing, and easily accessible.

2) Not providing interesting and useful content.
Don't make the mistake of considering your site merely an interactive version of your printed brochure.

3) Stale content.
It's important to update your content regularly to keep your customers coming back for more.

4) Minimal use of graphics and photographs.
Let's face it, we all want to be entertained, and graphics and photographs are visually entertaining, and can be very informative as well.

5) Designing your site to look like all of the other sites.
Take the time to develop your own unique style, and you may be surprised at the effect it can have on your success.

6) Not promoting your site.
Tell everybody about your site, including your colleagues and business partners, and be sure to include your URL on your marketing materials.

7) Using text links for navigation.

Graphics can be an excellent way to provide navigation through information that would otherwise be boring and fact intensive, such as a list of worldwide locations.

An image map can link users to the information they need, rather than supplying a lengthy list of text with links.

8) Slow-loading graphics.
Image and site optimization is crucial when it comes to providing information in a time efficent manner.

9) Inconsistent navigation.
You want your users to know where they are located within the site at every step, and give them the options needed to get to where they want to go.

10) Not spending time upfront designing the architecture.
A little bit of time and effort up front can make the difference between an ordinary, temporary web site, and a successful site that allows you room to grow.

Copyright 2005 BellaCOMM.   All Rights Reserved.
Updated April 28, 2005