Good Design Implies Credibility
Finally, I get to make a post. I’ve been very busy, and haven’t had time to. Shaune suggested that I do one about some of the techniques we use on our websites…
I don’t think so.
We’ve spent too much time on them to just give them away. I can’t even count how many times arguments erupted about how to do a certain element in a direct response fashion, while keeping it decent looking. I still don’t really like direct response design - but I’ve grown accustomed to it, and see it’s potential.
When your information is presented in a clear, concise fashion people will tend to read it. The problem is that most direct response sites are poorly designed, look cheap, and do not imply credibility.
A recent study states:
“Web designers have as little as 50 milliseconds to capture the interest of potential customers.”
“…first impressions can influence subsequent judgments of website credibility and buying decisions.”
You may have 7 seconds to get their attention with copy, but if the’ve already made up their minds because your site looks like a scam, all the top-notch copy in the world isn’t going to help a single bit.
I feel that all of the sites I’ve done with Shaune have taken the direct response design “standard” and elevated it to something that doesn’t look “scammy” or poor. They imply credibility - that’s why we have the response that we do.
Even now I’m working on a design that uses current design trends, and combines them with direct response layout.
Too much effort has gone into making all the various techniques work together to give them away.
Sorry Shaune, no free techniques for the readers.
Take care,
David
Comment by Shaune
April 11, 2006 @ 4:13 pm
David has attitude?
Who knew!
: )