A lesson in design
by Janet Legere

Do you design websites or WebPages? Have you put a "sales" page together for a product or service you are promoting?

Even if you haven't, I am certain you will relate to the story I am about to tell.

Not long ago, I registered a new domain for my ebook (The Contact List Builder). At the time, I was quite busy building a couple websites for a new client and didn't put the time into my new site that it needed. 

I did want the site up and going for that weekend so that I could do some promoting for it, and so, I put up a template design I had that had matching colours of my book.  I didn't even think of the ramifications, I thought the template was quite nice, neat and simple in design.

I changed nothing else. The content remained the same - it was a form to complete to be redirected to download my ebook.

I sent out some ads - nothing.
I sent out ads the next day - nothing.

Don't get me wrong, people were still responding to my ad at the same rate - they were clicking the link in my ad - (I always use a link tracker) they just weren't completing the action by filling out the form to download my book.

Previously to this, I received may downloads every time I sent out an ad, without fail. I spent the rest of the weekend wondering why I received absolutely NO response this time.

Putting a challenge to your subconscious is a wonderful thing.  When I awoke the next day I decided to do a test ... a very small test. I copied the original pages I had up to the new site - and guess what? 

Yep, you guessed it ... I received GREAT response, in fact, the downloads actually increased, which I attribute to the change in domain name.

So I was right, people just did not like the new site - somehow it caused them to close the page, rather than fill out the form.

Here are the two pages I am speaking of.

http://www.contactlistbuilder.com/download.html 
This is the site as it sits now, the original design.

http://www.contactlistbuilder.com/downloadorig.html
This is the template I put up (and promptly replaced).

My next challenge is to find a design that will not turn my readers away.  I know design plays a large part in the response you can get from your site, but I had no idea it could turn so fast.  

The right words combined with a good, simple design can make all the difference in the world to your site and your ad campaign.  This was a great experience and taught me the importance of testing and more importantly, following the old adage - "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

I am very interested in your feedback and thoughts on the results I received from this rather impromptu test. Please write to me at editor@sykaroinsights.com with your review, if you are so inclined :-)

And while we are on the topic of my book, if you have yet to downloaded a complimentary copy then I highly recommend you do. Fill out the form here 

If you are an active marketer promoting a program or service, then I recommend you look into purchasing a permanent ad listing in the Business section of my book.

Once your ad is listed in my book then everyone who downloads it from our main site is exposed to YOUR ad!  PLUS - act now and You receive a complimentary personalized copy - FREE of CHARGE - all this for a one time fee of only $25.00. Don't delay another minute - Get your copy today at http://www.contactlistbuilder.com

Until next time - have fun with your web designs and ad campaigns - test, test, and test again!  If you have a story or experience to share, please do!  Send your stories to me, I'll include them in our next publication.

Take care and be sure to enjoy each day to its fullest.

Janet Legere, Publisher/Editor
Sykaro Insights - since May, 2000
http://www.sykaroinsights.com
mailto:editor@sykaroinsights.com 

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