How to Evaluate your Website
There's no point getting technical when you start evaluating your website. There are plenty of improvements you can make just by thinking like a visitor. You can also test it on your friends, family, and current visitors.
The first step is taking an objective look yourself. Then start asking others for their input. You'll be incredibly surprised by what they say.
Here are some questions you can ask yourself to evaluate your website:
Look
- Does it look like we can do what we promise?
- Do we appear trustworthy?
- Is our text large, clear, and easy to read?
- Is our content laid out well and easy to follow?
- Is our colour scheme pleasant and consistent?
- Does our website work in Firefox, Internet Explorer 6 and 7?
Start asking people what they think about your website. The more detail and criticism they give, the better. What words would they use to describe it? Are these the words you want them to use?
Feel
- Is our navigation clear and easy-to-use?
- Do our visitors understand the language we use?
- Can our visitors control moving animations and videos?
- Does the website use flash, etc that may need to be installed?
- Is the website load quickly?
- Is our website pleasant to use with easy to find information?
Give your website to some people that don't know it very well. Then sit behind them and watch them use it. Ask them to find specific information. Ask them to make a purchase. You'll be amazed at the results.
Find
- How do you expect visitors to find your website?
- Do you have a marketing plan for your website?
- Are you taking action to merket your website?
- Is your website Search Engine Optimised?
- Are you using an analytics program to track your visitors?
- Do you promote your website both offline and online?
Marketing is one of the hardest parts of creating a successful website. The bottom line is, you have to take action on a consistent basis. If you have no plan or are doing nothing to promote your website, now is the time to start.
Also, find out if you have website statistics installed already from your web designer. If not, Google Analytics is free and perfect for your needs. Then find out how many people are visiting your website now? Where are they coming from?
Focus
- Does your website give the information your visitor was looking for?
- Is your website focused on your visitors needs, or your needs?
- Is the content clear and compelling so your visitors will return?
- Are you creating a relationship or just trying to sell your products?
- Have you mapped the path that your visitor could take to explore your website?
- What is the Most Wanted Response of your website and is it happening?
Make sure your website focuses on the visitor and what they want. Make your content so fantastic that they'll want to return again and again. Try and make the experience different to all your competitors. Creating a relationship is the greatest achievement you can obtain.
Don't forget that your website has a purpose and be clear what it is. It may be a newsletter signup, a sale, a return visit. Remember to measure how effective your website is.
Time to Take Action
Reading my website will not improve yours. Taking action on what I suggest will. Make sure you commit yourself to taking some action every day, however small, to get the best results.
If you found this information useful I'd love to hear from you. Let me know what you found out from the above steps and don't be afraid to ask me questions. For more free information you can sign up to the mailing list.
