Austin Texas Advertising

In verbal communication there is an 8 second rule that applies to first impressions. One must make a good impression upon first introduction within 8 seconds in order to be remembered with a positive feeling felt by the new acquaintance. This rule is often true with presentations, websites, resumes, and ads. A website is really all of the above, or at least can be all of the above and the rule still applies. Within 8 seconds of a viewer laying eyes on the page, their attention has to be directed to the sale, information, or image that the site is built for.

Some would commit that there is another 7 seconds available for online viewing, bumping the total time up to 15 seconds, but this is still a short amount of time. Unlike T.V. commercials which will have repetition through out the viewing hours spent behind that box, the website will only have the one likely encounter with the viewer. This adds to the bounce rate of a site, meaning that the viewer leaves with out coming back from the entrance page. The entrance page is often called a landing page, so imagine just that. If you were a bird viewing a good area to land in order to find what you needed, would you pick a spot that was all trees, no water, or food? Would you pay to land? Would you want ads flashing at you all of the time?

I imagine viewers as wise eagles, scouring the landscape for a quite, calm and simple place that will provide sustenance or entertainment, just so long as it caters to their tastes. This is almost an impossible task of fortune telling, given the variables behind displaying a web presence. Getting from the bottom of the forest floor to the top of the trees to even be seen is a daunting task, not to mention preparing a nice place to land once your there.

1) Remember that your readers are new to your information and they deserve a K.I.S.S.
Keep It Short and Simple ( the military inserts stupid for simple )

2) Images are important only if they are descriptive and functional.

3) Stay on point with text to the end message. Describe everything thoroughly.

4) Make a good example right away of your purpose for the website, put your best foot forward. If you have an attractive staff, their picture and contact info should go on the front page or be available on any page.

5) Make all information highly accessible or visible on every page.
Project information including:
phone numbers,
address,
guarantees,
customer service numbers / address
tech support
and if you are dealing with someones money it would be better to put up a toll free number right below any purchasing cart or credit card submission areas.
Viewers want to know that someone can be reached easily if there are any problems.

6) Use social networks to validate you or your employees reputation.