Why Ugly Sites Sell More Than Pretty Ones

What the heck is going on lately? Most internet websites I go to now, all I see are pretty graphics everywhere. I see moving images, I see crazy JAVA, things flying around.

Don't get me wrong, some of these graphics are truly amazing - I love to see them! But, that's the problem! I only love to look at them, when I'm done looking at them, I LEAVE! Lately, there's been a disturbing trend of everyone spending huge amounts of money on web graphics. The problem? There is NO proof that this really helps your sales!

As a matter of fact, one of my biggest money makers is a consulting service...

www.SingalMarketing.com/consultingte.html

...I put that page up in 5 minutes (after writing my copy). Believe it or not, but even being such a high priced service - that page converts about 2.5% - of course I get very targeted traffic...

LOOK AT HOW UGLY IT IS!!!

BUT, it has content! It has great copy, it's got my face, my voice and a great service - the ACTUAL key ingredients to making a website that sells...Now, the problem is that most people are very logical - you would THINK that a good looking site should sell more - it makes sense right?

You expect that a good looking site probably increases your credibility - I mean, come on, it shows your visitor that you REALLY mean business, yadda yadda yadda...But, again, look at MY site - I'm selling a high priced consulting service to business owners - I'm actually selling my expertise in the internet business world. Yet, the site design (or lack there of) seems to have NO influence.

Just so you know, I DID try a nice fancy design for that page. You want to know what happened to my conversion? It plummeted down to 1.4%! Now, that I've got your attention, let's look at why it is that a prettier site probably sells less:

1. More graphics take longer to load.

Not everyone has fast internet yet - actually, most people don't. No one wants to wait for hours for a site to upload!

2. More graphics distract your visitors from your message.

Your graphics can actually work against you because your visitors spend more time focusing on them than they do focusing on your copy! Remember, it's your COPY that sells - so if the visitor isn't reading the copy - he/she is NOT going to buy. Period.

3. Some visitors may not like the colors, you may be sending the wrong message to different cultures.

Just because YOU love the colors of your graphics and you love the color scheme of your website does NOT mean that your visitors do too. There it is, those are the three MAIN reasons to keep your website AS neutral AS possible.

------------------------------------------------------
So, remember, PRETTY does NOT always equal more sales!
------------------------------------------------------

Ugly sites DO sell and will continue to do so. What matters is what you're selling, your own expertise, and your copy writing. In the end, the best way to know what works best for your visitors is to TEST, TEST, and TEST some more!

Until next time,

Anik Singal
http://www.AffiliateClassroom.com

This article is written by Anik Singal, founder of AffiliateClassroom.com. Anik Singal has developed his own affiliate system that helped him earn well over $10,000 in just 60 days. Now, he's looking for a few students to train one step at a time.

---

A Great Banner Only Needs Simple Things

To create your own great banner, you only need five... Read More

Web Advertising: 10 Little Known Tricks To Help Convert Your Traffics To Buying Customers

You may not believe it, but people still judge things... Read More

How to Create an Enjoyable Web Page Design

Novice and professional designers alike ? you may probably be... Read More

What You Should Ask a Web Designer Before You Hire Him

You've thought about it and you're ready to go. You're... Read More

Web Site Turn Ons

When you develop a sales brochure, you have a mental... Read More

What Your Website REALLY Says About You And Why It Matters

Everything you say and do says something about you. This... Read More

Give Your Website A Chance

I often wonder how serious people are when it comes... Read More

Web Design: Should You Hire Someone or Do It Yourself?

So you need a website. You are not sure if... Read More

Web Crimes: how to avoid common website design mistakes

Thinking about designing your own website? Think again about adding... Read More

The Newbie?s Guide to Small Business Web Design

You've got a concept for a business, are excited about... Read More

Web Site Templates and Their Benefits

Unarguably, the most important part of your website is content.... Read More

Why Stock Photography is a Great Resource for Web Business

A picture is worth a thousand words.And it still is... Read More

Excellently Constructed Websites

Want to see an excellently constructed website? As a writer... Read More

The Key to Getting More Magic Shows Booked Online

This article is the result of a conversation I had... Read More

How To Start An Internet Business ? Designing For Usefulness

The first step to starting any Internet business is conducting... Read More

Long Copy Sales Letters on the Web: Hype or Not?

I have written before about long sales copy on the... Read More

Creating Personal Web Sites (Part 2)

This is the second part of a two-part article about... Read More

Website Registration Roadmap - How to Create Your Own Website in 7 Easy Steps

Creating your own website is actually easy in today's world... Read More

15 Website Elements That Attract Visitors

Here is a quick list of components that make a... Read More

Tips On Effectively Organizing Your Navigation

Not all links are created equal.While all of your links... Read More

Website Design: Secrets Of Professional Website Designers Revealed

What colors do you have at your website?Can they make... Read More

Five Common Web Design Mistakes

There are often many mistakes encountered when creating a webpage... Read More

Design Your Site For Your Customers

The most important person that you need to please when... Read More

Whats Wrong With My Website?

I ask myself that question about once a month.My website... Read More

How to Make the Online Sales Copy for Your Website More Conversational

It has been said that the best online sales copy... Read More

Website Design Considerations

Q: Should I build and maintain my business Web site... Read More

Stop Sabotaging Your Sales

Do your web pages, sales letters or personal presentations include... Read More

How to Create A Homepage That Works

Want to know what the worst thing to say on... Read More

5 Ways To Automate Your Site

Automating your online business is one of the most important... Read More

Web Design for Dictators

No question about it, web design is an art. Finding... Read More

How to Create a Favicon for Your Web Site

One of the simplest things you can do to give... Read More

Why Use Professional Web Site Designers For Your Next Web Development Project?

Probably you know someone who has created a web site... Read More

Use Feng Shui Techniques To Design a Harmonic Website For Your Business

By following feng shui guidelines and techniques, you can build... Read More