It’s amazing how much          technology has changed in 10 years.  The Internet — that ever-changing communications         organism on which so much global commerce relies on today — is still evolving and changing the way companies, organizations and audiences interact.  Most companies have Web sites, but many are ready to re-evaluate their sites as their audiences’ capabilities evolve alongside  technologies. During this process, don’t get swept up in the new and sexy looks technology offers and forget the real purpose of your site, and ultimately, the users of your site. To keep your site modern and functional ask yourself the following questions first, then proceed on to exploring appropriate flashiness: Is your site… Fast? How many times have you given up on slow-loading sites and moved on, rather than wait? 64% of people still use dial-up  access at home, and only 69% have broadband access at work. What does your audience use? Will your site load quickly on a dial-up connection? Internet usage polls show people will wait, on average 8 to 10 seconds before they…click….

Easy to enter? Ever get a prompt that insists you download a flash player, or one that notifies you that your computer is not [“insert tech term here”]-enabled to show you a site? With respect to monitor screens, size does matter. Not everyone has the time or desire to take extra steps just to visit your site; you can lose people before they even enter your site if you make it too complicated. Keep it simple. Compatible? While the majority of surfers use Internet Explorer and a PC, keep in mind that some visitors to your site might be browsing from a MacIntosh platform, or using Netscape. Does your site accommodate platforms and software other than the ones you use? Not sure? Always test your site on multiple platforms and browsers.         Trim? With respect to monitor screens, size does matter. The average monitor is 800 x 600; the width of your site should be the same. If your site is bigger, that’s okay, but make sure text and navigation don’t drop off if minimized. Even users lucky enough to have larger screens often surf in smaller windows.

Easy to navigate? Is your Web design so clever and quirky that navigating it is difficult?  The best sites are informative without resembling a maze. Use a search engine or site map in addition to clear navigation. Equipped with accurate        contact info? There should be a phone number, e-mail address and a mailing address listed for your company — yes, all three! A  visitor should be able to find the numbers easily. Up to Date? Make sure your content, press releases and news are up to date. Has your company changed any addresses or phone numbers? Have you discontinued a service or product? Nothing is more irritating to a visitor than finding outdated information on a Web site. These are only a few of many guidelines to make your Web site as successful as possible.  If you’d like to learn more about improving your company’s site, contact us at (770) 522-8855. Hayslett Group can enhance your online presence to work seamlessly with your other PR and marketing tools!