Is Your Web Site Too Hard?
Is your website too hard?
Take the ?Easy Test? to see if your website is as visitor friendly as it should be! Websites often fail to produce the desired results. This can be because visitors find them too hard to understand or navigate. Here are some potential usability problems to avoid.
1.Hard to find
Is your website easy to locate? Do you promote it everywhere, (i.e. business cards, invoices, envelopes, etc.) and is your site search engine friendly? Do you promote the benefits of visiting? Is your site address easy to remember and easy to type? Does your url contain easily misspelled words? Is it complicated by repeated letters, i.e. ?theentity?? Are there numbers, which can cause confusion, i.e., ?1shopping? or ?oneshopping??
2.Hard to engage
Do you make it easy for visitors to understand why they should read on?
You have only a few seconds to persuade visitors to begin reading your message. Unless your home page immediately provides an obvious ?why buy from us?? benefit, visitors are likely to leave?wasting the time and money you spent attracting them to your site.
Home pages should begin with headline that immediately communicates you are familiar with your visitor?s problems and can help them achieve their goals.
Time-consuming animations, vapid ?welcoming? statements, and ?brag and boast? claims, usually turn visitors away.
3.Hard to decide
Do you make it easy for visitors to decide what to read next? The best web sites have a clear and immediately identifiable focus and sequence. Many home pages, however, offer so many navigation options that visitors are paralyzed and choose to leave.
Studies have shown that, if you offer grocery store visitors an opportunity to sample 6 jams, 30% of customers will eventually buy one. But, if you offer 16 samples, response drops to 3%!
4.Hard to return
Do you make it easy for visitors to register for your e-mail newsletter, so you can invite them to return? Unless you obtain your visitor?s e-mail address and permission to contact them in the future, you?ll probably never see them again! Many web sites offer visitors an opportunity to sign-up for their e-mail newsletter, however, only a few offer a meaningful incentive to sign-up. Without an incentive, without showing or describing the benefits of registering, why should visitors sign up? Most e-mail in-boxes are already filled with unread newsletters!
5.Hard to read
Is your message easy to read? Easy reading is more critical onscreen than in print. Problems that might be overlooked on paper are critical online.
? Long lines of text are difficult to read and make it easy for visitors to lose their place at the end of each line. Limit line length to 2/3?ds the width of the screen.
? Keep sentences and paragraphs short, and add extra space between paragraphs.
? Frequent subheads break body copy into short, bite-sized chunks. Each subhead ?advertises? the following text and provides an additional point for visitors to begin reading your message.
6.Hard to print
Do you make it easy for visitors to print important articles and descriptions?
Links to ?printer friendly pages,? correct line-and page breaks?add perceived value to your message and make it easier to share and read your message offline.
You don?t need to offer a printer-friendly link of every page, just key articles or important products or upcoming events.
7.Hard to share
Do you make it easy for visitors to pass-along important articles to others?
An ?E-mail this to a friend or co-worker? link can expose your message to others who may join your opt-in e-mail list.
8.Hard to contact you
Do you make it easy for visitors to contact you? Do you include full contact information on every page, i.e. phone, fax, e-mail, and postal address? Avoid a single ?contact us? link that only loads the visitor?s e-mail program. Give visitors multiple chances to call, fax, or mail a letter!
About the Author
Roger C. Parker knows the secrets to promoting your business one page at a time. Find out the simple way to keep in constant touch with your customers, while saving you time and money. Visit www.OnePageNewsletters.com for your three free reports.
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Holiday Readiness for Small E-Commerce Sites
The holiday season is here again and big e-retail sites are armoring themselves to prep their sites for holiday shoppers. If you own a small e-commerce site, chances are you don’t have the budget to engage the service of consultancy firms to improve your holiday sales. Nonetheless, on your own initiative, you can implement some no nonsense, common sense changes to your site to raise holiday sales.
(1) This may not be obvious to you, but how your visitors scroll on your site has a bearing on your conversion rates.
(a) According to a NetConversions’ study, an average of 30% of site visitors do not scroll vertically. What this means to your e-commerce site is that if your crucial product information and buy button are below the fold, you may risk losing potential sales from this group of surfers.
(b) The problem is even more acute if your site requires horizontal scrolling. The same NetConversions’ study indicates that about 92% of visitors never scroll horizontally. Therefore, it is essential to design your page with variable screen width.
(c) Do you offer larger images of your products? If you don’t, consider adding one right now. People who are shopping often prefer to click on an image to see its larger version before purchasing. If you do you offer the option to click to see a larger image, you may also consider adding a pay button on this new page. This will make it more convenient for shoppers to make that purchase.
(2) This is actually an old “trick” practiced by many e-commerce sites. You analyze your site to determine which products are receiving the most views and purchases. Once you obtain the answer, present these products more prominently on your site.
(3) Using the same principle as the tip just mentioned, data mine your site to determine which products are usually purchased concurrently. You can then either package them or merchandise them together.
(4) Give your visitors a clear and conspicuous Unique Sales Proposition (USP). An USP is a compelling statement that tells your visitors why they should buy from you rather than your competitors who sell essentially the same products or services. The similarities between your products and your competitors’ might be just a fragment of your prospects’ perception, but it is still important to inform them why you are different. Specifically, it means telling your prospects what they would gain by giving you the business. Remember, prospects all have the same preoccupation: what’s in it for me?
(5) Customer segmentation is your key to driving ROI. This pertains not only to sales conversions but also to acquisitions, such as having visitors successfully signed up for subscriptions. Analyze the difference between “successful” visitors’ behavior and “unsuccessful” behavior. Then find ways to cultivate “successful” behavior on your site.
(6) Give shoppers the option to change their mind. For example, after a shopper adds an item to your shopping cart, offer her the option to remove the item later. This makes it risk-free for shoppers to add items to your shopping cart without having to worry that they can’t have second thoughts.
(7) Alleviating anxiety and building trust are important. Therefore, you most probably already have assurances and guarantees on your site. But where you place them is as important as having them in the first place. For example, if you have a liberal return policy, it works best if you place it on your checkout page. Putting it on your homepage, on the other hand, won’t matter that much.
(8) Use suggestive selling to up-sell and cross-sell. This will increase your average order. Suggestive selling works especially well during the holiday season when shoppers tend to buy multiple items at one go.
(9) Create a gift center. Instead of offering gift ideas all over your site, aggregate them into a special gift area. The key to making your gift center successful is to provide gift selection tools and ease of shopping.
(10) Since it is the holidays, offer gifting focused services such as wrapping, boxes, cards etc.
Implement these tips now and you could make this holiday a bountiful one for yourself and your visitors.
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Looking around for COUPON CODES can get tiring! So we found the perfect site that has several hundred of the LARGEST online retailers. This site has all the latest coupon codes, free shipping deals, discounts, overstocks, clearance items. The best part is that there are NO "memberships"!!! You don’t have to fill out any long forms, or supply any personal info. Just click on the link for the deal you are interested in! We will take you right to it. Simple as that.
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Amber and Sterling Silver Vintage Style Bracelet for only $119.00 (was $245.00 and you save 54%) at My Jewelry Box
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Looking around for COUPON CODES can get tiring! So we found the perfect site that has several hundred of the LARGEST online retailers. This site has all the latest coupon codes, free shipping deals, discounts, overstocks, clearance items. The best part is that there are NO "memberships"!!! You don’t have to fill out any long forms, or supply any personal info. Just click on the link for the deal you are interested in! We will take you right to it. Simple as that.
Make sure to share this site with all your friends! No reason why everyon can’t save a little money! They are always adding more coupon codes, percent off deals, and free shipping… so check back often!
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Use coupon code DISCSPFSCJ during checkout to get Free Shipping on all orders.
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Looking around for COUPON CODES can get tiring! So we found the perfect site that has several hundred of the LARGEST online retailers. This site has all the latest coupon codes, free shipping deals, discounts, overstocks, clearance items. The best part is that there are NO "memberships"!!! You don’t have to fill out any long forms, or supply any personal info. Just click on the link for the deal you are interested in! We will take you right to it. Simple as that.
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Today I had the pleasure of attending a Yankees game at Yankees Stadium, while the NY Yankees were out of town. (They’re currently losing 5-4 to Texas as I write this post.) So what was I doing at the House that Ruth Built while the Yanks were gone? I was watching my good buddy Jeff […]
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Automobile Buying and Financing can be Fun
While it?s true that the act of buying and financing a vehicle can be stressful for the ill-prepared, there is no reason why the process can?t be fun for everyone else. Applying for automobile financing is a pretty easy procedure; you just need to know how to go about it. This article offers some tips on how to make automobile buying and financing fun.
Shopping Online
Financing doesn?t have to be a painful process, especially with the availability of the internet for loan rate shopping. Finding a great rate and being approved for an automobile loan can be as easy as a few minutes online and a couple of clicks of the mouse. This means no stressful waiting period to see if the dealer can get you financed. With secured financing in hand, the visit to the dealership can be a delightful experience.
Shopping Through Multi-Purpose Websites
Some lenders offer both car-seeking and negotiating services, meaning if you secure financing through them they?ll actually assist you in finding and buying a car. If you?re not quite ready to delegate so much power to a lending company, there are other options for people who don?t care for dealerships. There are websites which enable people to research, pick out, and purchase a car, all without ever speaking with a dealer face to face.
Going to the Dealership Prepared
If you?d rather buy a car from a dealership but don?t want to deal with the salespeople, you can always find the car you want online and then buy it from the dealership. Most car dealers have an online stock of their inventory, so you can see if they have the car you want before you go. Additionally, if you do your financing online, you shouldn?t have to spend all day buying your car.
Visit Car Loan Sense to view our Recommended Auto Loan Lenders online. Also, visit Car Loan Sense for more information about Automobile Financing.
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Weight Loss With Small Changes
It can be intimidating to follow a weight loss plan, right? Sometimes there are so many rules, and so many major changes in your life required. Is there another way? Not just another diet or plan, but a whole different approach?
Try Small Changes To Lose Weight
If a diet or a complicated weight-loss system is just too overwhelming, try making a small change instead. For example, develop the habit of eating celery or another low-calorie food before any other snacks, so you don’t eat as much of the junk.
Is this going to do much for you? No, not by itself. It is a small change you can handle now, though, and once it becomes a habit, you can make another small change. Motivation comes easier for easy steps, right? Then, when you take enough of them, you’ll be getting somewhere.
Easy Steps Towards Weight Loss
1. Park farther away from the store, so you start walking a little. It’s a whole lot easier to find parking this way, too.
2. Stay away from people who encourage you to eat too much. Maybe even eat with people who have small appetites.
3. Don’t ever shop when you are hungry. You’ll buy more - and more snacks. Get in the habit of eating right before grocery shopping.
4. Switch from sugary soft drinks to flavored water. The carbonated ones are delicious.
5. Start taking short walks each evening. Walk the dog, or find a friend to walk with.
There are dozens more small changes you can make. Create your own list, but start just one new habit now. When that becomes a normal part of your life, start another. It’s difficult to say how many changes you’ll need to start losing weight, but these are easy steps if you take them one at a time.
About the Author
Steve Gillman writes on many self-improvement topics. You can get more weight loss tips, and subscribe to a free weight loss newsletter at: http://www.99WaysToLoseWeight.com
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Finding Life Insurance Quotes For Adult Children
Shopping for life insurance quotes for adult children isn’t any different than it is for adults or seniors. Underwriting issues can vary a little but essentially life insurance quotes for adult children follows the same routine.
Where we do see a difference is in qualifying. Some companies don’t allow you to buy more than (2) times what the adult parent has, other companies may use other multiples. Underwriting also considers the premium paying capabilities of the person being insured and etc.
A certain amount of caution exists when companies receive applications for children. A simple explanation on the back of the application will normally set everyone at ease. Being a advocate of carrying insurance myself I bought a liufe policy on my 12 year old son simple to get him started at an early age and lock in his rates forever. It also started a modest savings plans built into the policy.
We included a feature to be able to buy more over the years at certain intervals with the guarantee issue feature that if for some reason my son couldn’t qualify because of a health issue the company had to issue the agreed option amount. Normally we don’t consider those issue to ever come into place but I knew that things like that happened.
Guess what, (20) years later that son got married. After the wedding and the smoke cleared they bought a condo, settled in and my son decided he should purchase more insurance. Over the (20) period prior to marriage he had had migraine headaches and the issue was never resolved as to why so the doctor prescribed vicodin for pain relief. When Robert applied for the newly wanted additional insurance he was told no because of the pre-existing condition.
We remembered the guarantee option on the policy I bought him years ago and he exercised that option, was issued as promised at normal rate, no questions asked.
So I certainly encourage anyone to find life insurance quotes for adult children. You just never know what lies ahead.
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about adult children life insurance
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Product Review: Personal Dad Pen
Bring a smile to someone you love with a unique and special gifts from Ann’s Personalized Gifts!
I had the chance to see up close just how personal gifts from Ann’s Personalized Gifts can be. The pen I received was not completely personalized, but rather a ready-to-purchase pen, but it still was personal to me since it was for my dad.
The pen features a rotating message window, which rotates when clicked. The four phrases on the #1 Dad Pen are:
- I Love You - World’s Greatest Dad - Thanks for Being There - My Biggest Supporter!
In addition to the rotating window, along the top it said “#1 Dad”. It was given to my dad as a “just because” gift, to which he responded “cool!”. It was much appreciated. Funny how small gifts, no matter how small the cost, can be so appreciated. Also available are #1 Mom, Birthday, Over the Hill, and Friendship pens.
Personalized Celebration Pens are also available at Ann’s Personalized Gifts. These are completely personalized, and have a minimum order of 20. I was given the chance to peek in their catalog, and there’s pens for just about every occasion you can think of. Some of the many styles include:
- Wedding (several different styles) - Baby (several of both girl and boy) - Party (balloons, hearts, princess, and more) - Graduation - Anniversary - Church Events - Any occasion
Price depends on quantity ordered. Each pen has the same 4 rotating messages (like the non-personalized). Working with Ann, owner of Ann’s Personalized Gifts, is fantastic.
Details on personalized pens and other gifts can be found at: http://www.Anns-Personalized-Gifts.com
About the author:
Kara Kelso is the owner of Mom’s Market, a family friendly shopping directory featuring product reviews. For more reviews, please visit: http://www.momsmarketonline.com
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