Top Ten Mistakes Web Sites Make: Summary

Good afternoon. I've been at the PC since 7:00 am and
decided it was time to take a break and gab with friends.

Last time I wrote to you, I touched upon the importance of
compelling sales copy, and the challenges most folks have
writing it. This week I want to summarize the top ten
mistakes most businesses make with their web sites and I
want to suggest a method to rate your own web site.

SUMMARY

Over the past few weeks I have been invited to visit many
company's websites and to provide some constructive
feedback to them on ways to improve them.

I think you need to start off with the right frame of mind:
your web site is a critical part of your marketing and
promotion, and you need to treat it that way.

The Yellow Pages are dead (or dying depending upon the city
you live in). 95% of folks use Google to find what they are
looking for, and if you don't make it easy to find your
website, and if your website does a mediocre job of selling
you then you're doomed. Plain and simple.

Make your site is easy to read and navigate so people can find
the information they are looking for quickly and easily.

Always put your best foot forward when it comes to design
and copy – hire a professional whenever you can. It pays
dividends. You stick to your key strengths and let an
expert in design and copy handle your site for you.

Use your site to build loyalty and a sense of community
among your customers. Stay in touch with your subscribers
and never, never stop marketing to them.

Update your site frequently to keep the site compelling and
informative, and always maintain a watchful eye on your
competitors.

The best way to self-rate your site is to list the categories
or criteria on one side, and then rate them honestly on a scale
of 1 to 10 -- the higher the score the better your site responds
in that category. Base your scores by comparing your site to
your competitors. It's hard to miss the truth this way. If you
want me to rate your site for you, email me. But don't get
defensive when I do.

GOOD NEWS

I wanted to also share some successes with you. In addition
to churning out a bunch of new web sites, radio and TV
commercials, email series and sales letters, I've received
some great news from some of my clients.

Matt Lisk, author of The Burrito Diet, wrote to say that
the press release I wrote for him, attracted the attention
of America Online, and as a result he has become featured
on their Mens Fitness section!

Jennifer Jones, CEO of Seed Technologies, wrote to say a
press release I recently did for one of her clients got
picked up by a major industry publication in the valve
niche. Her client is very happy.

We're getting ready to launch a new web site for Breathe
Easy Duct Cleaning and Clean Dean's Chimney Sweep here in
Tulsa, and recently broke ground on Allied Marine's new web
site for their dock business. Elmers' Restaurant, a popular
Tulsa BBQ joint, is getting ready for us to start work on
their web site. We've completed out first truck wrap
design, and we're looking forward to seeing ESPO
Construction's new truck driving around the streets of
Tulsa. We're developing a web site and other marketing
materials for WayPoint Private Capital. And we're meeting
with a ton of other new strategic partners as a result of
our new relationship with SpiritBank. Things are busy and
we like'em that way.

GOOD PRODUCT

I recently came across a very cool tool that I wanted to
share with you. I haven't had time to write an extensive
review, but if you want to boost your subscribers to your
newsletter then you need to strongly consider this very
slick but inexpensive tool to add some polish to your
subscription form on your web site:

Flash Optins

You will like what you see.

Until next time,


Steven