October 3rd 2002 **************************************** IN THIS ISSUE: DO I NEED A FLASHY WEBSITE? ANOTHER FREE EBOOK FOR YOU! **************************************** Hi Folks! DO I NEED A FLASHY WEBSITE? Do any of you actually wait for Flash intro's to download? You know what I mean - you visit a new website and you see a blank screen and a small 'Skip Intro' link at the bottom. You are now expected to wait what seems like a lifetime, for the webmasters graphic spectacular to download. Ok, if you are using a fast connection the wait won't be as long, but there are still an awful lot of people using dial-up connections (and that includes me - my street doesn't have cable and the telephone lines are the 'wrong type' for a digital connection!) So, back to my original question, how many of you actually wait for the intro to download? If you are anything like me, my guess is not very many of you and most of you will go straight to the 'Skip Intro' link. The reason for making this point is this, I get emails from people every week asking for assistance with building websites and the one thing I can't stress enough is 'keep it simple'. Surfers want the facts quickly - they don't want to be bombarded with complex graphic images swirling around their PC screens. Look at the big sites - Yahoo, eBay, Amazon - all fairly plain, simple sites with neatly laid out links - no big graphics and certainly no Flash Intro's. The reason is because this works - Flash Intro's and other animated image files are merely an opportunity for webmasters and graphic designers to demonstrate their skills. In my opinion, including this type of content on your website will do nothing to assist your business. If anything, it will have people clicking away from it in droves. The most successful website businesses tend to be built around simple sites and often the layout of these sites stays the same year after year. After all, if it ain't broke, don't try to fix it! Keep your site design simple and if it works, stick to it. It is all to easy to get bored with your own site every few months - we are all in search of the perfect website :-) I am as guilty as the rest - I have overhauled some of my sites more than 3 times in the past year. If you still need some convincing that simple sites are the best way to go, take a look at the 3 links below. Although they are all very good sites, the design has purposely been kept basic as this is what works. Oh, I almost forgot to mention, each of the websites below has produced annual income of well over $100,000 for their owners...... www.ebooksnow.co.uk/internetsecret.html www.ebooksnow.co.uk/ebw.html www.ebooksnow.co.uk/scamfree.html And there are many more just like them. Could you join them? Maybe, but just remember - keep it simple! ANOTHER FREE EBOOK FOR YOU! I have yet another free eBook for you. EbookInterviews is a collection of interviews with eBook authors - if you are thinking about writing an eBook this is a great way to pick up some tips from those that already have. The more observant amongst you will notice that there is also an interview with none other than myself. There is also an extremely dodgy photograph - I don't look anything like that......honest! Download your free copy from: www.ebooksnow.co.uk/interviews.html Until next time..... Regards |
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