Sell your website Now! Fast same day listings with up-to-the-
minute tracking statistics, and a Sell Guarantee. Come see why
were the only website exchange recommended by Internet Magazine.
Featured Ads starting at $29. Plus, find out how much your site
is worth with a Website Appraisal.
Is A Picture Really Worth A Thousand Words?
By Jamie Kiley
The great debate: how much copy you should have on your site,
particularly on the home page?
Do you subscribe to the idea that a picture is worth a
thousand words--and therefore images, not a lot of text,
should be the main thrust of your home page? Or do words have
more power to capture a visitor's attention and compel them to
buy--meaning you should aim for powerful copy?
As a graphic designer, my natural inclination is to create
graphically-rich, light text websites. Since I'm focused on
what a site looks like visually, I like using impressive
images, bold splashes of color all over the page, and not very
much copy. The end result is an attractive, visually-appealing
site, with very few words.
However, I've learned that I have to balance this inclination
with a cold hard reality: what appeals to me as a designer is
not necessarily the same as what visitors need.
The main problem with websites that don't have any copy is
that they fail to quickly and effectively communicate the
three points that all commercial websites must get across: You
must explain what your company does, what the benefits are of
using your product or service, and why prospective customers
should purchase from you.
These important pieces of information can only be conveyed
vaguely, if at all, through images. While pictures are often
very useful in reinforcing a message, it's difficult to
succinctly drive home these important points solely through
images.
Claim Back Your Identity : Get A Personalized Email Address
In today's world your email address is your identity. But its
difficult to make it personal. Let V3 personalize your email
address. Trade your "j_doe43@yahoo.com" or
"johndoe9837@hotmail.com" to ... johndoe@i.am?
Come to V3 and choose from more than a hundred options to
personalize your email address. Plus get unlimited, ad-free
email forwarding. And all of that for free!
On your website, visitors want specifics, and they want them
quickly. They want you to tell them exactly what you can do
for them, and they want to know right now. You must
specifically state what you do and explain how your product or
service is going to make your customers' lives better. You
have to spell out why people should buy from you versus your
competitors.
Particularly on a home page, you must catch a visitor's
attention and give them a reason to stay on your site. If you
don't do this immediately, they'll be gone.
For this purpose, words are far more effective than images. In
almost all cases, pictures cannot communicate the message
nearly as specifically or quickly as well-chosen words can.
It's important to remember that the web revolves around
information. People use the web to find out what they need to
know, to be informed on topics that are important to them.
That almost always means they are looking for text. They want
explanations, answers, reasons, and motivation.
I firmly believe that pictures and images enhance a website,
but they should be used to provide a tasteful, professional
frame for your copy, not replace it.
It is true that web users are notorious for having short
attention spans and not wanting to read large amounts of copy.
However, the problem is that most of the copy on websites
today is vague and not enticing. It's focused on the company
rather than the customer. So it should be no surprise that
visitors avoid reading it.
The solution does not lie in eliminating text-based
communication; it means we have to work harder to capture
interest with copy. People DO read copy that catches their
attention.
If visitors are met with paragraphs that are focused on them,
that are rich with benefits, and that are formatted in
easy-to-read chunks, they are much more likely to be drawn in
and to act on your offer.
Don't focus strictly on graphics. Go for copy.
About the Author
Article by Jamie Kiley
There are 605.6 million people online. Can they find your
business? Jamie Kiley creates powerful and engaging websites
that make sure YOUR company gets noticed. Visit
http://www.kianta.com for a free quote.
