From Back2Front - The Web Site People
January 2007 - Vol 1, Issue 2
In This Issue
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Hello Candace Carter,

Happy New Year everyone! 2006 was a successful year for Back2Front with the rapid growth of the company and the achievement of several long-held goals. Many of our clients too had banner years and some of them have even told us that we are in part responsible! Being a part of the success of so many small businesses is what makes this job so wonderful for me personally. After all, our entire business model is based on the success of our clients! So we wish you success in all your plans for 2007, and please do let us know if we can help!
  - Candace Carter

Back2Front Presentations, Workshops, and Speaking Engagements.

Back2Front offers workshops and speaking engagements for your professional association events and trade shows.

Our speakers are experienced web professionals. They are currently working in the field, and are up-to-date with the latest web site technology and trends. Presentations are tailored to your group and time allowed. They are entertaining, informative and appeal to a wide range of business people.

At Back2Front, we believe that people who are well-educated about web site creation and management will make better decisions about their web site, do better in business, and often become our best customers!

Learn More...
Our Newest Clients
Here are a few of our most recent clients:

completekitchens.com

wcmconsulting.com

walrickdisposal.ca
You can check out Our Portfolio for more...
Web Site Know How
Writing for the Web - Chapter One
Catering to Web surfer types.

There are two basic types of human visitors, or "Web surfers", to your web site: Scanners and Researchers. These terms do not necessarily describe types of people but rather the "mode" or "attitude" of any one Web surfer during any one Web-surfing session. Although the needs of these two types of surfers may appear to be diametrically opposed, there is no need to sacrifice one for the other. Both types of surfers can result in new business - if you know how to write your Web site to appeal to them.


Scanners
A scanner is in a hurry, has a specific task to perform on the Web, a goal to be reached, and once this is accomplished, will likely end the session. Scanners need to have information kept brief, to the point, well organized, and accurately labelled. They are not interested in background information, unnecessary detail and will not read verbose text. If they cannot find what they are looking for within a few minutes of scanning through your web site, they will leave.

Researchers
Researchers, on the other hand, want detail, context, and background information. They may even appreciate text with a personality and they love a good read. They are not as time-pressured, their goals are less specific, and the session is open-ended, possibly being continued at a later date. These people may take their time deciding on a purchase, but when they do, they have done their research and are confident in their ultimate choice. However, if you do not offer these people sufficient information on your Web site they may pass your company over for one that does.

Read on...
Web Site Promotion Tips
Did you know that you can list your web site for free (or for a low fee) in many web-based business directories? Most government-run regional web sites offer low cost business listings on their sites for local businesses. There are also privately run directories that offer both free "basic" listings and "upgraded" listings for a fee. Remember, it is important that your site is listed on sites that are in some way relevant to your content. When you list your site in these directories, your location becomes the criteria that makes the link "relevant", so be sure to list your site in the correct regional category. Here are a few sites to get you started:

The Best and the Worst
In this section we will show you examples of the best or the worst in web site design from around the World Wide Web.

This is a classic example of two of the worst web site mistakes you can make. Flash introductory "splash" pages and Mystery Meat Navigation.
The rule broken with both of these practices is:
Never let form interfere with function.

Flash intro pages interfere with search engine indexing - so while the (dubious) purpose of a flash intro page would be to impress visitors, the result is usually many fewer visitors - hardly an effective way to accomplish your goal.

Similarly, Mystery Meat Navigation is the practice of displaying the links to pages on your web site in a hidden or confusing manner. Ask your-self this question: Why would you want to make it difficult, slow, or confusing for your visitors to view the pages on your web site? So it looks cool?

Remember these are business web sites we are talking about. If you want to do business on the web get out of the way and give you prospects and clients what they came for. Do not make them wait. Do not confuse them. And if you need to impress them, - do it with your products or services!

If you have enjoyed this newsletter and know someone who could also benefit, please pass it on!

Cheers!

Candace Carter
Back2Front - The Web Site People
email: candace@back2front.ca
phone: 905 649 6671
web: http://back2front.ca