Take the Ten Second Test Drive

A pointer on how to determine if your site is communicating its goal effectively.

When you're designing a Web site to which you want to attract more and more visitors, do your best to check it out as a first-time visitor would. Within 5 to 10 seconds, the home page should communicate the gist of what your company or organization does, what kind of products you're selling, or perhaps the hobby you're showing off. If not, your visitor may get itchy and go on. Above all, never force the user to click to another page to understand who you are or what you're trying to communicate.

If you are selling a product or service, having a catchy slogan or a picture that communicates through metaphor is fine. But somewhere on your home page, plainly state what you are or what you do.

Your goal: Make your message brain-dead easy.

	Take the Ten Second Test Drive This article is excerpted from Yahoo! SiteBuilder For Dummies by Richard Wagner (For Dummies - A Branded Imprint of Wiley Publishing, Inc., 2005). Used by arrangement with Wiley Publishing, Inc. Buy the book

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