Archive for April, 2011

Of course your website is incredibly clear and easy to use . . . to the person who created it! While you totally understand that “the magic center” is where someone goes to purchase your services, your potential clients may be left scratching their heads.

One of the most effective ways to get a wake-up call on the problems in your website is to watch someone actually use it. I can promise you’ll be surprised at where they go and the conclusions they jump to. Make sure to take off your defensive armor because I have to tell you, this can be an uncomfortable exercise!

What I want you to do is find a local friend or family member and ask them to use your website. The less familiar they are with your site and your massage business in general the better. Ask them to perform specific tasks and speak aloud their thought process as they do it. Instruct them to do whatever you would want a client to do on your site. Don’t give them any hints! The whole idea is to see if your website is easy enough to use to complete the task without guidance. Some examples:

• Find the services that I provide
• Find my phone number
• Sign up for my newsletter
• Have them pretend to make a Gift Certificate purchase
• Make an appointment 
(if you have an on-line scheduler)

You can also have them look through each page of your site and give their feedback on what they understand and what they find confusing. Again, remember to put your defenses down – this is valuable information!

Well how did it go? Did you ask a friend/family member to look at your site? Any surprises?