6 Requirements for Learning Fountains
Excellence on the Internet means building a Learning Fountain that influences visitors by helping them learn. The 6 requirements for excellence are:
1 - Fast Loading
The first and most important requirement is not to keep your visitor waiting. Although many have broadband today, there are still those who have 56k or even 28.8k modems. Keep graphics and other "bells and whistles" to a minimum.
2 - Visitor-Centric
A great number of sites I visit turn me off because they seem to say:
"Look at ME. I am beautiful. I have the latest technology. I am
great"
How do they do this? By telling me that I must buy Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Explorer or some other software in order to properly enjoy the wonders they offer. Or by asking me to register before viewing the treasures they have.
This is what your site should communicate:
"YOU are an honored guest. YOUR needs will be accommodated.
YOUR approval is most important."
You may do this in many ways. A few obvious ones are to have a good menu, make it easy to navigate your site, and welcome participation. At the very least, make it easy to send you email.
3 - Learning Catalyst
This is an extension of the visitor-centric idea. Don't think in terms of information that YOU can supply. Think of the learning that the VISITOR is coming to do. If you assume "the visitor is king" and try to understand who he is, what his learning needs are and how he may approach you, you're on the right track. All you need to do then is organize and present your knowledge in a way that supports the visitor's learning. Because most of us are new to this sort of thing, an experimental approach may be needed.
4 - Focused
Stay on one subject. Don't wander. If your site is about software, don't post baseball scores. Remember the visitor. She is coming for a specific purpose.
5 - Thorough
Cover the subject in depth. Again, from the visitor's point of view. Be as helpful and cooperative as possible.
6 - Interactive (Transaction Enabling)
For a commercial site, your major purpose is to convert prospects into customers or clients. After the visitor has drunk from your fountain, make it easy for him to execute a transaction: register interest, request information, or to make a sale in a secure way. For a personal blog, allow visitors to make comments without red tape (such as registration).
|
