For those interested in seeing Europe without the constant, hectic bustle of tourism, relaxing cruises on the Rhine River have proven to be a hit. In addition to a never-ending opportunity to learn to speak German, here is a list of several fun activities to partake in during a Rhine River cruise: Allstate: This town includes a medieval castle, a parish church dating to 1794, a historical museum, and numerous delicious restaurants. Glattfelden: Situated on the River Glatt just above its junction with the Rhine, this town is the hometown of Swiss writer Gottfried Keller and is frequently referred to in his novel “Der grüne Heinrich.” Over an old stone bridge is the nearby old town of Eglisau. Rheinfelden: A little town of 7,000 inhabitants situated on the left bank of the river, Rheinfelden is home to a popular salt-water spa, ancient walls and towers, the Fricktaler Museum, and St. Martin’s Church, which dates back to the 15th century. German Beer: Germans produce the best beer in th...
Every business has a website where potential clients can read and learn more about the company and the products it offers. Out of these countless websites, only a small percentage are really great. Most of them fail in one way or another to create a positive experience for the user.
How do you know if your site turns people off before they even get a chance to learn about your brand? If you are guilty of any of the following, it may be time to revamp your site before it's too late:
Playing automatic music
The only good reason for having music on your site is if you are selling it. If not, don't waste the time and effort including it. People want to peruse your site in peace. Accosting their ears as soon as they land on your home page is a good way to make them leave quickly, perhaps never to return. If they do want to listen to music, they will choose something from their own library.
Offering external links that don't open in a new window
This is a very common mistake, but luckily easy to fix. Always make sure that any external links on your site open in a new window so that the user is able to get back it easily. If the link takes them away from your site, it is possible that they won't be back. Don't take that chance-- have your webmaster fix any of these links now.
Failing to include social media icons
Every business has at least Facebook and Twitter these days (if you don't, you have some serious catching up to do). Make sure that your customers can easily access your social media pages easily. You want to engage people through these channels, so place icons in a spot where they will get noticed and used.
Making navigation too complex
When a visitor finds your site through a web search, it is possible that they may enter through a page other than the home page. If this happens, is it easy for them to find their way around to key areas like your contact page? Leave the innovation to your products and keep link placement as simple as possible. Users may get deterred and leave your site if they can't quickly locate what they are looking for.
Including too many graphics and information
Your website is a major representation of your brand. It should convey that you are both professional and a leader in your field. This is not the message you are sending if your site is overcrowded with too many words and graphics. The best (and much more modern) approach is to keep things clean and concise so that visitors can easily find value and meaning in your brand. You can include some of those cool videos, visuals and widgets, but use them sparingly! And remember quality, not quantity, when it comes to website content--your users will thank you for it.
How do you know if your site turns people off before they even get a chance to learn about your brand? If you are guilty of any of the following, it may be time to revamp your site before it's too late:
Playing automatic music
The only good reason for having music on your site is if you are selling it. If not, don't waste the time and effort including it. People want to peruse your site in peace. Accosting their ears as soon as they land on your home page is a good way to make them leave quickly, perhaps never to return. If they do want to listen to music, they will choose something from their own library.
Offering external links that don't open in a new window
This is a very common mistake, but luckily easy to fix. Always make sure that any external links on your site open in a new window so that the user is able to get back it easily. If the link takes them away from your site, it is possible that they won't be back. Don't take that chance-- have your webmaster fix any of these links now.
Failing to include social media icons
Every business has at least Facebook and Twitter these days (if you don't, you have some serious catching up to do). Make sure that your customers can easily access your social media pages easily. You want to engage people through these channels, so place icons in a spot where they will get noticed and used.
Making navigation too complex
When a visitor finds your site through a web search, it is possible that they may enter through a page other than the home page. If this happens, is it easy for them to find their way around to key areas like your contact page? Leave the innovation to your products and keep link placement as simple as possible. Users may get deterred and leave your site if they can't quickly locate what they are looking for.
Including too many graphics and information
Your website is a major representation of your brand. It should convey that you are both professional and a leader in your field. This is not the message you are sending if your site is overcrowded with too many words and graphics. The best (and much more modern) approach is to keep things clean and concise so that visitors can easily find value and meaning in your brand. You can include some of those cool videos, visuals and widgets, but use them sparingly! And remember quality, not quantity, when it comes to website content--your users will thank you for it.
About the Author:
Jonathan X. Livingsworth is a media writer in the world of marketing. If you are interested in working with the latest in marketing he suggests you check out this Lead Generation Management. You can learn more about this revenue marketing company at http://www.pedowitzgroup.com.