Cont: What not to do on a website.

I scout websites about 9 hours or so a day. I have done this for years now. Not looking for anything other then how other website owners set up the first page on a website.

It never seems to amaze me that some website owners and believe or not
web developers, leave so many important related material out of  the homepage.

I have noticed along my journey, so many websites that have no telephone number listed. Why would anyone want to venture in to buying a product from a website owner that "hides" important information from the public. Another thing I have noticed, "Click Here" to enter on to our homepage. If I have to go knock on a website to let me in, do you really think feed readers are going to be able to knock (click on) to be able to get to the main page to read and index in to the search engines. NO, feed readers are not humans, they can not click to do something. I have seen so many website, with no right click. (this is where you can not right click on an image and save it or words used onto your own computer). The idea behind this is great, but for those who do not have an email program selected inside a computer, there is no way to copy and paste a company email address, let alone try to figure out how to reach the website owner. Which brings me to my next issue, no contact us page, or blank form inserted in to the website, so those who would or need to contact the website owner can leave questions, feedback or inquire about product details. No name on pictures inside the homepage. Or music that plays so loud that you can't even focus on the website words or the products they are attempting to sell. How about what I refer to as the maze websites, ever been on one of these, where you have to keep clicking to actually get to the product price..

I wonder, what were these website owners and developers were thinking, when they invested time and money to create an online website to sell products.

How about the homepage, that goes on and on and on.. Or the websites that display Google ads. Do you really want to buy products from someone who is trying to EARN money by promoting another companies products, instead of there own. Are these website owners, just that broke.

I could go on and on about the wrongs of homepage first impressions. Yes, all website pages are first impressions. The normal website viewer spends less then 30 seconds on any homepage, you have either attracted the attention the first time, or that customer is gone and on to the next website buying from that other website.

Have you ever searched out a keyword in google, msn, yahoo, aol, etc. Looking for a certain product and up pops someone's website that does not fit those keywords you were looking for. You typed out gardening tools and a website for purses comes up. People remember things that upset them, more then anything else. Do you really think this upset person is going to return one day and buy a purse? It's bad business and nothing gets around faster online then the spreading of the word of someone's bad business. People talk about things that set them on fire !

Remember this, your homepage, is your branding image, it is what speaks to online customers about what your company and products are really all about. It draws them in, wanting to read more and see what you have to offer. If you don't capture the attention of someone with in those first 30 seconds, they are gone and will not return.

A pole conducted last year of ladies who shop online (82% of the purchases made on-line are LADIES). Agreed that the most "eye" appealing websites are those that feature a baby, a lady with a smile or both on the top of a website or close to the top. Second was the back ground color, of light pink, or a cream white and pictures that are soft to the eyes with no borders. Third was an easy to navigate website and fourth was a phone number.

If your traffic is high, but no one is buying your products, you might want to really take a closer look at your homepage/ index page from a buying customers perspective. Do you follow suit to what online buying customers demand, or did you set up your website the way you wanted?

Come back later this week, when I will be addressing: As a website owner how to increase your customer service to produce more sells.