So, who are you trying to benefit from those changes you just made, or are contemplating making, to your website? What, or who, is driving those website updates? Are they being made because of any of the following?
- You, your boss, relative, or friend, saw or read about, what they feel, is a cool feature on another website.
- Your ___________ (fill in the blank) took a class on web design, and the instructor said __________(fill in the blank).
- Several businesses similar to yours have large photos at the very top of the page, and rank well in Google Search results.
- Several businesses similar to yours have small photos at the very top of the page, and rank well in Google Search results.
- Several businesses similar to yours have no photos at the very top of the page, and rank well in Google Search results.
- Several businesses similar to yours have videos at the very top of the page, and rank well in Google Search results.
- You read on Facebook that you should __________(fill in the blank).
- You read on a blog with SEO tips that you should __________(fill in the blank).
- You saw a Tweet that said you should __________(fill in the blank).
- @@@@@@@ (Celebrity name withheld) had a guy on her TV show talking about having a YouTube video on all your main pages helping in Google rankings.
What often is forgotten is your target audience. Ask yourself, will the changes make your site more attractive and/or more user-friendly for your target audience? Is your website better because of the changes? Do those changes better describe the benefits of your services, or the quality of your products? How will your audience perceive you, your company, or what you offer?
When reviewing our client’s websites and prospective changes, we sometimes have to remind them, they are not the users, nor are we. We are changing their website for their target audience, not us, or the boss, relative, friend, or someone on TV. It is the website visitor we should be considering.
Are you making changes to your website for yourself, or for your target audience? There is only one correct answer.