A couple of us hunkered down and listened to a webcast by the American Marketing Association a couple of weeks back.
I didn't realise it but you can actually still see the presentation online here:
7 Deadly Sins of Website Design
Our takeaways:
Pride – it’s not about what WE have as website owners, it’s about what our customers’ problems are and how we can solve them.
Greed – when it comes to forms, website owners tend to be data greedy at times. Less is More.
Envy – design and write for YOUR customers and don’t always compare your site to what the competition is doing.
Wrath – a confusing path, accessibility or sign up/purchase process angers customers.
Lust – use cool videos and other media.........but only if it enhances the experience.
Gluttony – don't provide too much content.
Sloth – don’t forget to test and optimize pages on targeted segments.......and then test again!
When it comes to search engines, I'm still in love with something my friend Shari Thurow once said:
"You should design your website for people who use search engines, not for search engines!"
So how does your site fair?
Will you be welcomed with open arms at the pearly gates?
Or will you have to endure an eternal life of fire, brimstone and that Slade Christmas song on repeat play?
