Centrical Solutions - Website Troubleshoots

Centrical Solutions began offering Website Troubleshoots 10 years ago - and amazingly, we are still coming across the same, basic website usability problems.

We've listed just a few of the most common things we encounter time and time again - issues which are most probably preventing your prospects contacting you, or buying from you. Click the following links to read more information below.

We hope you can use these to arm yourself before you have your site built or re-developed? This way, whether you use Centrical Solutions or not to build your website, you'll be better educated and informed than the majority of website and business owners (and some 'professional' web developers....):

Note: Centrical Solutions offer FREE website troubleshoots - we analyse your site and give you a simple, concise report which outlines the usability issues and how we can improve them. There's no obligation. Contact Karen for further details and to book your FREE troubleshoot: karen@centricalsolutions.com

1. Amateur graphics and layout

It takes a professional graphic designer to understand completely about typography, colour and layout. The right look and feel for your site starts with... the right look! Don't cut corners here: Invest in some professionally produced, bespoke graphics and use sharp photographic imagery for your site - your business and reputation really are worth it!

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2. Large, irrelevant and slow-loading graphics
Web surfers have the need for speed - so why do so many home pages open with graphics which make no contribution to the effectiveness of the page? In most cases, your home page should be 40K or less in file size - including graphics. Try and keep the number of images you use to a minimum on the home page - clean, clear and uncluttered websites are still a breath of fresh air on the Internet...

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3. Me, Myself, and I
Phrases like our, we and us, together with too much repetition of your company name can cloud your message. Your home page should start with a compelling headline and some benefit laden copy that tells your visitor what you do, but also what's in it for them.

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4. Blinking Banners, Counters, etc.
There was a time when these things were new and impressive - now they are old hat, and in most cases irrelevant, extremely distracting and annoying. Faster Internet speeds mean that some things work okay in Flash, that only served to hinder before, but use your discretion - what purpose does your banner serve? Does it contain a benefit to the customer? Or is it a distraction?

Counters especially have lost their usefulness: most visitors really don't care how many alleged visitors your site has had - they want to know what you can do for them!

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5. External Links on Your Home Page.
This is the equivalent of having a store entrance that offers each its customers, one by one, a choice of doors to go through into other shops. When your hard-earned, targeted, prospect arrives on your doorstep, why immediately show them the way out? If you feel the need to provide external links, place them on a page that can only be accessed after viewing the important "Most Wanted Response' (MWR) pages on your site.

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6. 'Site Award of the Minute' Logo/Banner
The truth is, the majority of 'Web Awards' are meaningless to most of your visitors and would-be customers. Awards are irrelevant, self-serving space-wasters that should be replaced with user-focused information that gives them a reason to stay on your site, make contact and/or buy something from you. If your product or service has achieved a recognised award - that's different. Shout about it, and tell your web visitor on the home page (ideally in the opening sentences) and back it up with testimonials.

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7. Typo and Grammatical Errors
The number of Web pages containing common spelling and grammatical errors is surprising. Your copy is a reflection of your professionalism (or lack of it), your attention to detail (or lack of it) and your commitment to excellence (or lack of it). Why give your visitor any reason to doubt you? Make good use of spell checkers and proofreaders to make sure your copy is flawless.

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8. Under Construction pages
What good does a page that isn't finished do for your visitors? It just wastes their time and could possibly frustrate or annoy them. Also, your site should always be "under construction" in that you should update it frequently. If you have time to put an 'under construction' page up, put an attractive Holding page up instead which at leasts provides a benefit - an email capture to let your visitor know when the full site is completed, address andlocation map so they can visit you if necessary, contact details, etc. It's all about building your brand, and showing your customer that you're thinking of their needs.

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9. Broken Links
This should be obvious, but broken links are all too frequent. Broken links are annoying, frustrating and unprofessional. Why make your visitors fume? Go through your website with a fine-tooth comb and check out all the links, on all your pages, before the site goes live.

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10. Missing Graphics
This should also be obvious, but missing graphics are all over the Web - even on professional sites. Again, check all pages before the site goes live, and keep an eye on it over time to ensure nothing 'drops off'.

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11. Incomplete Contact Information
Yes, spam is annoying, but it still amazes me how many companies wish to remain anonymous and then expect people to do business with them. To maximize your credibility and trustworthiness, you should include complete contact information on every page. Use a physical street address where possible, not a P.O. Box. Provide a phone number and an email address where you can be contacted (not your Webmaster/Webmistress)

12. Plug-Ins/JavaScript Pop-Up Windows
Time has moved on and most computers have the required plug-ins as standard. However, some do not, so it's best to be mindful of this issue. Automatic pop-up windows can be annoying if they appear more than once or don't offer something of value. Don't make it unpleasant for visitors to see what you're offering or how you can help them.

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To obtain your FREE website troubleshoot contact Karen for further details: karen@centricalsolutions.com or telephone 01423 817555. She will analyse your site and give you a simple, concise report which outlines the usability issues and how they can be removed or improved. The service and report is free - there's no obligation to use Centrical to do the work once we've identified the issues.