9 Website Design Myths That Have Nothing To Do With Web Design

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The problem is there are no simple “right” answers for most Web design questions (at least not for the important ones). What works is good, integrated design that fills a need—carefully thought out, well executed, and tested. -Steve Krug, Don’t Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability.

1. MYTH #1. If I build it.. they will come. The statement should be when I build it.. I still need to show them the way.
2. MYTH #2. With a website I can reach everybody and everybody will want to do business with me. Don’t think to market to a demographic. Think more about marketing to a tribe who shares and refers and talk about you with their friends.
3. MYTH #3. Once they see my website, they are going to call me right away! You must build trust first. Many customers need to feel comfortable before they’ll they’ll buy.
4. MYTH #4. I should include every detail I have and let them decide. Resist the impulse to provide lots of choices. Customers SAY they want lots of choices, you think that is a good thing, but too many choices means they won’t buy at all. (Source: Neuropsychologist Susan Weinschenk)
5. MYTH #5. The more pages the better. Solve your customers biggest problems first. Each page should solve your customer’s problem, build their trust, and direct them to purchase or contact you.
6. MYTH #6. The homepage is the most important page. Statistics show that lower level web pages are viewed more often than the homepage.
7. MYTH #7. The more cool stuff I have the better and clients will stay on my website longer. Keep distractions to a minimum you’ll keep the primary message.
8. MYTH #8. I just need some stock photos. Remember earlier when I talked about trust? Putting generic faces on your website might be an obstacle. The more of your personality or company culture the better.
9. MYTH #9. With my new website, success will happen overnight. The most difficult part has yet to begin. Your website is a stepping stone. You’ve just taken the first step.