Engineered Business Solutions | Volume 6 | Issue 2 | Newsletter January 2006
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Qualified Lead Generation from the Internet - Part 2

User-Centric Web Sites! Even on the web, one traditional marketing law continues to prove itself  true: “The Customer is Number One.”  When marketing on the web, you have to understand that Internet surfers are impatient and you’ve got 8 seconds to give them what they want. Let's discuss how to create a User-Centric Website.

Usefulness - Needs of Web Surfers
First of all, make your site useful.  Sounds easy, but yet so many web designers fail to fulfill this criteria.  A useful site must have a high standard of quality in addition to specific content for a relevant audience.  Update your images and content frequently.

Make sure that first time users and even repeat users find the content they are actively searching for, by providing:

  • Reference resources
  • Useful links
  • Relevant content

    • Ease-of-Use - " So easy, my grandma can use it. "
    A site should be easy to use.  Your site must enable the user to clearly navigate throughout your site as effortlessly as possible.

    The idea is to have your visitors dig deeply into your site.  Studies have shown that visitors, who have had long sessions on a particular website, develop a certain level of trust. This trust level eventually leads to being a future customer.

    Here’s a checklist on how you can ensure ease of use with your website:

  • Show users their location on your site, through highlighted navigation.
  • Give a strong purpose and mission through a site theme.
  • Consistent design and layout helps visitors formulate a sense of professionalism from your company.
  • Make your text "scannable".  Write in short paragraphs and use bulleted points to get your point across.
  • Give the user an option to search your site.  Use the Google search bar for your site – it’s easy, saves time and is accurate.

    • Be Engaging
    Your site must be able to engage a visitor through attention-grabbing content and graphics.

    Be sure that there is an effective use of white space, allowing users to “breathe” on your web site.  Place dynamic content and a small flash file to supplement the theme of your site. 

    Gain My Trust
    Lastly, the most overlooked user-centric principle in web design is trust. Provide a secure environment that gives your users a sense of an open and honest relationship.  Incorporate a:

  • Privacy Policy whenever personal data is being collected.
  • Encryption is present when financial information is acquired.

    • By taking these measures, you can assure yourself that you can build a trusted relationship with your visitors.

    Use icons that inform the user if a link will take them to a document or software download.  Let them know the file size of all downloads. 

    With all these measures taken in addition to apparent contact information, you will have a website that will give you more clients than ever before. 

    EBS has state-of-the-art web design and site marketing solutions including professional search marketing, optimization and online business consultation. We have a unique, tailor-made solution for your business, based on YOUR goals.

    Call us today for more information & a FREE Quote!

    HELP:  For help with Website Design & Search Engine Optimization or other IT issues  give us a call or email EBS and we will be glad to be of assistance:  713.522.3480

    NOTE: You are receiving this Ezine as an EBS Client.  If you do not wish to receive Technology Bits Ezine please respond and let us know and we will remove you from the list.

    WEB DESIGN TIPS
    Things NOT to have your site:

  • javascript
  • text scrolling
  • excessive animated .GIF's
  • under construction signs
  • page fade-ins

    • 3 Questions you MUST have answered to keep visitors on your site.

  • Why should I visit your web site (without spending any money)?
  • Why should I return to your web site?
  • What separates you from your competition?
    		•
    INTERESTING BITS
    Warner Bros announces legal movie download service

    Called In2Movies, it will be the first P2P-based download-to-own platform to offer consumers legitimate content day-and-date with the German language DVD release. With the initial rollout, consumers will be able to download movies and television shows to their personal computers.

    In2Movies is intended to launch in March 2006 and will initially feature more than 80 Warner Bros new releases including "Batman Begins", "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", "Must Love Dogs", "The OC", "Friends", "The Little Polar Bear - The Mysterious Island" and "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire".

    For professional, cost effective help with your computer and network issues - Windows, Linux, Exchange, VPN, security, email, backup and search engine optimization, for all of your systems needs; please give us a call.

    3311 Richmond Ave. Suite 317
    Houston TX 77098
    Toll Free: 800.524.9095
    Tel: 713.522.3480
    Fax: 713.524.0871
    contactus@engsolutions.com
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