SDG Web Agency Blog

There is a long list as to why websites fail, but I think by giving you just the top 3 reasons why your website fails, the rest won't matter, its broken. Act on it!

#1 Top Reason Your Website Failed - No Call-to-Action

You got them on your site, now what do you want them to do. What's the one thing you want visitors to do when they go to your site? Here's how you can make it so:

• Have an obvious button that takes the visitor to the next page YOU want them to go.
• Have an obvious button for each page unless its the final destination.
• If its not a link, any downloadable stuff, needs to be obvious as well.

#2 Top Reason Your Website Failed - Too Much Going On

Just imagine 3 people talking to you at the same time. Some websites out there do the exact thing, they put too much information "above the fold" with different colors and images, getting you to see everything all at the same time. Here's what you need to do:

• Prioritize your information, the top being the most important, from left to right.
• Minimize your images. Use it intentionally and let it complement, rather than just decorate.
• Minimize your text. People don't read much on the web. Keep it short and simple.

#3 Top Reason Your Website Failed - Lacking Credibility or Authority

You may have a great looking site that gives users a proper flow to get them to the ultimate page on your site, but if you can't convert the user into a customer, or a buyer, then you've failed. Most of the time, the reason why that happens is because you don't answer the question, "Who are these guys?" Here are some tips to increase credibility:

• Answer the question, "Who are you?".
• Have a way for users to contact you. An email or phone number would be nice, especially an address, if possible.
• Answer the question, "Why should I trust you?".
• Provide valuable information that is useful to the user.
• Spread the message and get guests posts or interviews with the media.
• Provide real to life testimonies.

The first time I use a group couponing service by LivingSocial, and I get a bad taste. I was initially excited because I finally was able to find a useful coupon that I really needed. I don't need discounts to luxury items I don't use, I just needed an oil change and some other work for the family van.

This is a story of how dishonesty can kill your business, and utilizing huge couponing deals won't save it...

If your business sucks, people will know, and they won't reluctantly share the bad news to others. They may purchase once because of the discount they got, but they may never return.

So here's the story folks...

Got a notice from LivingSocial about an oil change and wheel balancing coupon offer, so I paid over $60 and saved $100 or so. Not bad.

Made an appointment, but had to reschedule, yet they were really nice about it.

As I was waiting already for nearly an hour and a half in their lobby with FREE wireless (good job), I happen to stand up and see the mechanic putting back my hubcaps on my wheels. I noticed they put the nice shiny part faced down on the rough surface (not good). The last one he put on, he had issues with, so he took out the ring inside of it,  and adjusted it, while it was nicely laid on the rough surface (that's bad). Once he did that, he installed it on the wheel, and he still had issues with it.

Needless to say, he ends up punching the hubcap in causing two big cracks on opposite ends. Its obviously ruined. I didn't react right away, and merely sat down, hoping that my eyes were deceiving me.

I tweeted about it right then & there, you can see it below:

A few minutes later the acting manager was approached by another employee in the front desk, and he was making some punching actions with his fist, and the acting manager looks at the direction of my car. So I'm assuming, at least he knows and can do something about it. (Not sure if he did really know, but who punches when they talk.)

About 5 minutes or so passby, and the acting manager calls my name and says I'm ready to go. I asked testingly, so "How did it go, any issues?", and he replied about how my wheels were "towing", and kindly illustrated the issue with a toy car he had underneath the counter. That was nice!

He kindly thanked me, and I returned the favor, and walked reluctantly to my car. First thing I noticed, the hubcaps were filthy. I came in the place and it was spanking shiny. I just bought it 2 weeks ago, after waiting months not getting it, because I wanted a certain one. I didn't want to go cheap and get it at Walmart.

Judgement time, and there it was, the nicely cracked hubcap (picture below), that is obviously ruined covered in grease. So I carefully walked back and told the acting manager, and he didn't seem surprised. He looked at it, and I told him that I saw the guy do it. He went back inside to got his phone and took a picture. He asked me where I got it and that he would get a replacement. He said he'd take care of it, and I went on my merry way.

Got a call back from him when I got home, and he said he got a similar one, and that I'd have to come into the shop so they can install it for me. I told him, that would take another hour of my time to do that, since it took me 20 minutes getting there each way. I suggested he ship it, and he boldly refused to do so.

I reluctantly told him I'd passed by when I was in the area to get it fixed. Being non-confrontational in person, I boldly told him over the phone that I wasn't happy with it, and that I had to tell him about "the incident", and that it seemed that they knew about it. He offensively said he didn't know and blurted out, "I don't give cars back broken, if I had known about it, I'd fix it there and then".

Is it me being picky not wanting them to install it, since they broke it in the first place?

What's the moral here...

This is what should of happened if they wanted me the customer to be happy & possibly win their loyalty:

1. The mechanic should of told the acting manager. (Honesty pays, dishonesty does too, but the outcomes are totally different.)
2. The acting manager should of got a replacement before all the work was done.
3. Made sure to check the work before the customer does. Dirty hub caps...come on, it takes a few minutes to clean that up.
4. Be honest with the customer about the foulness, and...
5. ...Apologize for the inconvenience & extra time.

They lost a potential loyal customer. 

And no coupon in the world will make me go back. And you figure, if they wanted my business, they would attach those nice stickers underneath your window to let you know when you need another oil change. 

It was a failed attempt to utilize the power of offering coupons.

Lastly, no bad riddance or anything of the sort to coupon sites like LivingSocial, Groupon, and now Facebook Deals & Google Offers. I think they are great. Just choose wisely!

We are proud to announce once again our involvement with XBM (ExtremeBusinessMakeovers.com) this year. So come on over and find our booth. Aside from being a great client, our friend Thom Scott, the man behind this great event, is a man we love and admire. This year, the panel of speakers, are Joel Comm, Kevin Eikenberry, Dr. Rick Ernst, Scott Ginsberg, and more.

All around, its a panel that will touch almost every facet of small business. I am personally looking forward to hearing Trey Pennington and Thom Scott, on their topic "The Power of Purpose/The Power of Story".

Come by our booth and get a chance to win a raffle prize. Hope to see you there.

Extreme Business Makeovers
April 29th to May 1st, 2011
Orlando, Florida
http://ExtremeBusinessMakeovers.com