Vista Point Insights

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VISTA POINT INSIGHTS - July 20, 2006

Welcome to this edition of Vista Point Insights. If you're a new subscriber, welcome and thanks for joining us. If you like what you see and think of others who might like it too, feel free to pass this email on to them.

Abbo

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Final Vista Point Insights

This is the last edition of Vista Point Insights. I'm shifting my focus and will no longer be writing and sending out this e-mail newsletter. It's been a pleasure providing web site tips for nearly three years, and I thank you for your support.

You can access topics from past Vista Point Insights on the Resources area on my web site:
http://www.newvistapoint.com/tips/tipsindex.html

For this edition, I'll leave you with a practical tool you can use anytime...

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Web Tip: Great time for a check-up

Any time is a great time to give your web site a check-up. Is it meeting your needs? Is it meeting the needs of the people who use it? Does it need changes? Will it support your business vision for the next year?

Your web site should be a very valuable resource. The question is whether it's reaching that potential. Does it make the impressions you really want? Is anything about the site negatively impacting your visitors and potential customers? Is it presenting your business in the best possible way?

A yearly web site check-up will tell you what's in good shape and what needs help. Whether you do it yourself or get some help, assessing your web site and making the needed changes will give you and your customers the great resource you both deserve.

Do-It-Yourself Check-up

Are you interested in giving your web site a quick check-up yourself? Here are ten proven guidelines to get you started...

1. Does your web site function quickly and feel fast? Have you tested it with a standard modem connection recently?
2. Does your home page contain a clear tag line that summarizes your web site or business purpose?
3. Is the general information about your business centralized and easy to find, e.g., a comprehensive 'About Us' page?
4. Can you quickly find answers to common questions your customers and potential customers ask you?
5. Is the site navigation well-organized and easy to use?
6. Are link names throughout the site clear and descriptive? Would anyone be surprised by the result of clicking on a link?
7. Does the home page design visually guide visitors to important site features and information, without unnecessary distractions?
8. Are text layouts designed for easy reading on different computers?
9. Is it easy to find your key business strengths, described in clear, simple language?
10. Is it easy to find unique selling points that differentiate your business from your competition?

Did you answer "Yes" to all the questions? If so, congratulations, your site should be in good shape. If not, you've identified some important areas for improvement.

If you want to make the improvements but don't have the time, resources, or experience, I'd be happy to assist you. Give me a call anytime and we can discuss a solution to meet your needs. See the contact information at the bottom of this email.

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Goodies

Two great usability articles...
I've always respected Jacob Nielsen for his clear, insightful perspective regarding web site usability and research. Here are two recent articles you might find valuable for your web site:

"F-Shaped Pattern For Reading Web Content"

Summary:
Eyetracking visualizations show that users often read Web pages in an F-shaped pattern: two horizontal stripes followed by a vertical stripe.
http://www.useit.com/alertbox/reading_pattern.html

"B2B Usability"

Summary:
User testing shows that business-to-business websites have substantially lower usability than mainstream consumer sites. If they want to convert more prospects into leads, B2B sites should follow more guidelines and make it easier for prospects to research their offerings.
http://www.useit.com/alertbox/b2b.html

Quotes...
"Your mind gives you thousands of ways to say no, but there's only one way to say yes, and that's from the heart."
-- Suze Orman

"Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought."
-- Alvert von Szent-Gyorgyi

"Be bold in what you stand for and careful in what you fall for."
-- Ruth Boorstin

"Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you'd have preferred to talk."
-- Doug Larson

"Change is not about understanding new things or having new ideas; it's about seeing old ideas with new eyes--from different perspectives."
-- Dee Hock

"There are people who, instead of listening to what is being said to them, are already listening to what they are going to say themselves."
-- Albert Guinon

Photo page...
I enjoy taking great photographs and sharing them. Here's one of my favorites
http://www.newvistapoint.com/photopage.shtml

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About Vista Point Consulting

We provide selected professional web site services, including specialized web site evaluations, web site maintenance, and photo optimization services.

We're dedicated to helping clients have web sites that are easy-to-use, well designed, and customer-focused. Our back-to-basics approach emphasizes valuable content and great usability rather than flashy design or technologies.

If you'd appreciate working with someone who's down-to-earth, collaborative, and dedicated to helping you have a successful web site, then give us a call today. We'd love to discuss your project.

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Abbo Peterson
Vista Point Consulting
425-277-3305
866-259-0045 fax
info@newvistapoint.com

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