9 Website Design Myths That Have Nothing To Do With Web Design
Transcript:
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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)
- 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.
- MYTH #6. The homepage is the most important page. Statistics show that lower level web pages are viewed more often than the homepage.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
I completely agree, especially number 4.
A minimalist approach soothes the customer’s frenzy at decision time.
Yes… Resist the temptation to throw in every option.