SoHo Websites - Engaging & Easy to Use

admin — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 03:52:05 +0000

Website use should be as easy as spelling your own name. We make site navigation obvious and eliminate any doubt about what product or brand is being offered.

This objective is based on my own 8 second attention span when I scan a new site. My favorite book on webdesign says it all. “Don’t Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability, 2nd Edition

~ Want to create a simple site or redesign one?

~ Want one that engages your users?

~ Want a site that promotes your “brand”?

Check out our promotion:

Special Website Rates – Limited Time Offer

$75 off revising an existing site ($350 value for 6 page site)
Includes free consultation for website planning

25% off the cost of a new website ($500-$700 value; site 6-8 page billboard site) Includes free consultation for website planning and optimized page for search engines (When you sign up for hosting thru www.sohowebsites.biz)

Thank goodness!!

enncourager — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:36:35 +0000

Thank goodness for web folks who appreciate the importance of clarity on a website. I know from my own experience and that of my friends (we’re of a certain age) that so many websites are confusing and time-consuming to navigate. I like it that you combine “engaging and easy to use.” What a concept!! Thanks!

I like a website that:

Sylvia M. — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:36:11 +0000

I like a website that:

Catches the eye and is easy to read.
Is filled with good content and that is clear, concise and to the point.
One that enables the user to get to the information they want as quickly and easily as possible.
Provides valuable, timely information – not just lots of data.
A live website that makes it easy to use.
One that is easy to navigate and easy to understand.
One that allows the user to get to each piece of information they want in no more than two clicks.
And last but not least, one that I will want to return to often!

Quote from: The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr.

admin — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:32:18 +0000

The Elements of Style by Willian Strunk, Jr.
Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. This requires not that the writer make all his sentences short, or that he avoid all detail and treat his subjects only in outline, but that every word tell.–William Strunk, Jr., The Elements of Style.

William Strunks quote is a tall order but one that makes for succinct informative web-writing.

Engaging Web Content**

admin — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 18:49:13 +0000

Effective writing for the web

Keep text as short as possible; readers usually scan
Keep language and grammar simple
Keep your claims credible; do not overstate your capabilities
Keep the text directed to your audience

I’ve kept my tips short and sweet to hit home that writing on the web is different than in print. What you write advertising an event on a flyer, can usually be cut in half for the web.

Think about how you read a site… would love to hear your comments.

References:http://agnradmin.umd.edu/MMS/WebSites/Content.cfm http://www.problogger.net/archives/2005/04/26/tips-for-generating-effective-web-content/

**Writing for the Web is Different from Writing for Print By Cassandra Black

What’s the 8 second web test?

admin — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:02:16 +0000

What’s the 8 second web test?

· 8 seconds to impart value to your visitor.
· 8 seconds to see credibility and stay longer
· 8 seconds to choose your service

Not a long time. But given the exponential growth of the internet and explosion of information, web users quickly decide if a site has value.

So what do you do when you go to a site? Start by using your own searches as a gauge.

My guidelines include:

Overall look – does the site look credible?
Navigation – are the links to information obvious?
Design – does it look simple to use or cluttered?

Seems like a lot to surmise in about 8 seconds but observe how you research a topic and I think you’ll be surprised what you learn.

I invite you to post your comments on what you look for in a site.

If there is something you like or don’t like about my site, don’t hesitate to post. Your feedback is invaluable to me to better provide value to you. Thank you!

What do you know about blogs?

admin — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:48:26 +0000

While I have been in the IT and computer world for 27 years this is the first blog I have created. I am excited and am exploring how this will help my business and help raise the ranking of my web page in the search engines.

I am aware that blogs with frequently added new content, are one of the best ways to raise the your site’s ranking in the search engines. One of the first things I learned is to “Post about what you want to know or learn” (problogger arhives) Makes sense. I will be adding tips and ideas I find that will help to promote business. Please post any blogging tip or idea that has worked for you… thank you!

Make your website easy to use

admin — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:32:26 +0000

Welcome to Soho Websites. Small Office Home Office Websites. What’s your usual mission on the web? For me it’s finding something - information, comparison shopping, or news. Ergo….the simpler the design the better. The less I have to think about the process, the more likely I am to stay and read or compare products.

Please feel free to post ideas about what you think makes a site simple and easy to use!