1. Non-Responsive websites:
A non-responsive website is one that doesn’t adjust for mobile devices such as cell phones and tablets. It really frustrates me when I am looking for information on a business, and I get to their website on my iPhone to find that it’s so tiny that I can’t read it with out zooming and scrolling back and forth. If I get too irritated, I just move on to the next site. And if you think I’m just being picky, check out these stats:
- Over 20% of Google searches are performed on a mobile device.
- In 2012, more than half of local searches were performed on a mobile device.
- In the United States, 25% of Internet users only access the internet on a mobile device.
- 61% of people have a better opinion of brands when they offer a good mobile experience.
- 25.85% of all emails are opened on mobile phones, and 10.16% are opened on tablets.
- If a user lands on your mobile website and is frustrated or doesn’t see what they are looking for, thereis a 61% chance they will leave immediately and go to another website (most likely a competitor).
- if a user has a positive experience with your mobile website, a user is 67% more likely to buy a product or use a service.
2. Using Flash:
Back in the day (Adobe) Flash websites were all the rage. Flash moves and makes sounds and it is an experience closer to Television which beats boring old static web pages hands down, besides all you can do with a web page is read it and look at pictures right? Wrong! Users these days come to your site to get information not to be entertained. Here are the drawbacks to using Flash on your website:
- A browser plugin is required to play the animation and about 5% of people do not have it installed and available to their browser. These people get a grey hole in their screen instead of your flash presentation. This includes anyone using an Apple mobile device such as iPhones and iPads. I bet you know someone who does.
- Search engines are blind to Flash. They can not read or infer anything about a flash web site. In other words, bad for SEO.
- Companies tend to use Flash to present their brand ahead of the content on their site. While this may stroke their eg, it does nothing for the casual visitor. When was the last time you really wanted to take a close look at a company logo rather than find out what they had on offer? Content always wins over eye candy.
- Flash can not easily be changed. You will have to return to the source to get text and images changed. Also, special tools are required. To change a Flash presentation you need a $700 program and many, many more hours. If you had some 20 something make your Flash web site, chances are they will have moved on by the time you need to return to them for changes.
3. Thinking It’s Done:
Most of our clients think that once that last change is made to their website and the finished product is approved, that their site is done and they can just sit back and wait for the customers roll in. I always compare this to creating a great brochure and then setting the stack on your desk. After the site is done, now it’s time to come up with a strategy to bring your customers to it. These include:
- SEO (search Engine Optimization) so people find your website when they search places like Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc.
- Social Marketing in places such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc. These days People will look for your business in places besides the usual channels. And the more exposure you have, the more eyes are going to find your website.
One last thing to think about with your “finished” website is maintenance and security. I have seen more than my share of business websites get hacked or corrupted because they didn’t think about security, and have to start over because they didn’t have a current backup. People are just starting to realize the importance of backing up and protecting their computers and this holds true with your website as well. You should make sure your website is being backed up on a regular schedule and is getting the latest security updates.
Christopher Diamond is the driving force behind CDA Tech Pros (http://cdatechpros.com), a full service computer consulting and support firm in the Phoenix area of Arizona. Christopher honed his skills supporting the IT departments in the entertainment industry in California until he relocated to Mesa, AZ in 2005. He now offers the same corporate grade support to businesses in the Valley with a wide range of services including Consulting, Implementation, & Support for Computers, Servers, & Networks, IT Security Assessments & Solutions as well as Website Development.
We here at CDA Tech Pros and Hogfish Studios are committed to making sure our clients get the most out of the time and money they spend creating and maintaining their perfect website. If you have any question about making your website work the best for you please give us a call at 480-422-1243 or drop us an email at mailto:info@cdatechpros.com
Chris is also the Webmaster for this publication as well as the technical guy for Kitchen & Bath Design Chat, Nancy’s podcasts.
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