Appearance, Usability and Search Engine Visibility are vital to any Web design and E-commerce enterprise. To achieve and maintain these qualities, website creators have to be focused, plan, implement and update regularly. The importance of website accessibility is often underestimated. Here are some common blunders, which can easily be avoided. 1. Missing search function tools - Website users like to save time and prefer using a search function, instead of browsing through an entire website to find what they are looking for. 2. Slow download time - Not all Internet users have a high speed Internet connection. If your site takes too long to download, your followers may go elsewhere. 3. Non-scannable content - Most Web users do not read entire pages. They scan for keywords and interesting, eye catching phrases. If you leve out features such as headings, link text, bold text, bulleted lists and short paragraphs, your site may become boring and will soon be deserted. 4. Unrecognizable link text - Knowing where to find the next article, shopping cart, check-out, or payment page is vital to website success. Make your links visible, because not every visitor likes to go treasure hunting! Avoid confusion by: • Keeping non-link text in the same colour. • Separating text-based-links from graphic-based links. 5. Badly designed 404 Error pages - 404 Error messages occur when a page or URL has been moved or removed, or when a user types in an incorrect URL. When you have to set up a 404 error page follow the following guidelines: • It is unlikely that all Web users know what a 404 error message means. Therefore, title the page in a way everyone understands. • Explain why there is an error and that the user is not at fault. • Offer a call-to-action solution. Include links to the previous or home page, site map, and frequently visited pages. 6. Unclear visited links - Web users prefer to know which pages they have already visited when exploring a new site. Website designers achieve this by making visited links change colour, e.g. from blue to purple. 7. Do not use frames - Using frames has many disadvantages, such as: • URL's and pages cannot be bookmarked, • Pages can be unprintable • The back, refresh and history buttons do not always work • Across frames, visited links do not change colour 8. Links stay on the current page - When main- and sub-navigation links are not disabled users are stuck on a page and cannot use the back-button. It is confusing and annoying. 9. Do not hide important information in images - If you have a message to convey, do not incorporate it into your pictures. 10. Exploring unconventional Web designs - Users do not have time to learn how to navigate through new, difficult or eccentric websites. They simply want to get their information, or order their goods. Avoiding or correcting these simple mistakes can make a tremendous difference in the success of your website and business. Further, this will decrease you time on site and bounce rates which will effect your SEO camapign. Also, test your site frequently and keep your content fresh!
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