Does Your WordPress Blog Set Up Really Need All The “Pretty” Stuff?
Do you know what’s effective on your blog and what’s unnecessary?
Do you know what features and functions your audience responds to and what turns them off?
Many blog owners go overboard.
They utilize every bit of “pretty stuff” available. The goal, presumably, is to provide a great user experience. Unfortunately, they end up accomplishing the opposite. So…
How Much Pretty Stuff Does Your Website Really Need?
This may sound incredibly silly… but every single feature on your website needs to have a proven function and purpose. Sometimes that’s not so easy to identify. Generally, if it doesn’t help you achieve your goal then it’s best to get rid of it. Here’s why:
- Most of the pretty stuff will distract from your overall goal and purpose. For example, if you want a visitor to make a purchase then a flash graphic is generally nothing more than a distraction.
- Most of that pretty stuff will slow your website down. A fancy graphic or internal program slows down the upload time. If it takes too long for your site to upload then you’re going to lose potential visitors. That’s certainly not good. If your website doesn’t upload in a matter of seconds, ten or less, it’s time to shrink files and eliminate heavy graphics.
- Most of the pretty stuff don’t offer tangible value. Think about it for a moment; what value does a fancy website graphic add to your customer’s experience? What value or benefit do they gain? If the answer is nothing, then get rid of it. Simple low resolution jpegs get the job done just as well.
An add-on feature or function is good when it adds value to your visitor’s experience.
For example, a social networking feed can be superfluous on some websites. However, if it helps build your following and create a community it can be a good feature. Some bells and whistles make sense.
Decision Time
So how do you decide if a website feature is relevant? How do you know if you should keep it or eliminate it? Ask yourself the following questions:
- Does it enhance your visitor’s experience?
- Does it help you achieve a business goal?
- Does it slow down your website upload time?
- Does it distract?
If you’re unsure, consider testing and tracking the data. Install the feature and then review the data. Take a look at how long people remain on your landing page. If they spend less time on your page, then the new feature may be the reason.
If possible, test the feature itself. Are people interacting with it? What do they do once they’ve interacted with it? If people are staying on your website longer with the new feature, what action are they taking?
Are they buying more?
Are they signing up for your opt-in list?
Are they reading more content?
Some pretty stuff will offer value. They support business growth. Know your audience, your goals and the purpose of each add-on feature. Pay attention to the data.
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