According to a 2008 Internet survey conducted by the Center for the Digital Future at the USC Annenberg School for Communication, “eighty percent of Internet users age 17 and older consider the Internet to be an important source of information for them.”
Key findings from the survey regarding Internet usage include time spent online, media use and trust, consumer behavior, communication patterns, and more. Such conclusions indicate a marriage between the Internet and the world’s consumers.
With regards to Internet marketing, statistics such as these should turn your attention to how well your website is serving the needs of your clients.
Often website usability tends to take a backseat when trying to get a marketing campaign off the ground. Instead, concepts such as social media, SEO, or the latest “trade toys” are on the forefront of the minds of marketers.
As important as it is to stay on top of the trends of the trade, it won’t make much of a difference to your consumers who land on your website, only to leave because they couldn’t find what they were looking for.
Considering the usability of a website takes you back to the basics of Internet marketing. No longer is a flashy, colorful website going to be enough to keep a person on your site if the work on the back-end doesn’t reflect precision design.
One of the goals of Internet marketing is to turn site visitors into consumers. With regard to this statement, we offer a few tips to decide if it’s time for you to reassess the usability of your website:
- Understand that any page a visitor lands on should be considered a “home page.”
- Keep all aspects of your website product-centered so users have an opportunity to purchase every click of the way.
- Use clear, consistent wording throughout your site when referring to products and/or services.
- Make sure all your navigation is clear and any links are current.
- Don’t forget to include a site map, especially if your site has multiple pages and is heavy on content.
- Make sure your contact information is updated.
- Be clear and transparent about the pricing and delivery of your products and/or services.
- Remember to check for spelling and grammatical errors which can quickly turn visitors away.
- Keep a minimalistic approach with your design. Use plenty of open space and keep it visually appealing.
- Check to see how compatible your website is on multiple browers and platforms. (i.e IE 5, 6, 7, Google Chrome, Firefox, Netscape, etc.)
Remembering these suggestions can lead to a well-designed, highly usable site, leaving your user with a satisfied experience.
The experts at OneIMS will guide you through a variety of available options to develop and deploy powerful website. For more information, contact OneIMS today at 1-888-ONE-IMS1, or send an e-mail to info@oneims.com
