As a regular part of my job, I am often searching company websites for various kinds of information. While it seems to me to be only common sense for websites to offer basic information about the companies they represent (including a physical address, telephone or email contact info, and store opening hours), I have certainly found many business websites that don’t share this attitude. Some will simply be missing one key piece of information (I have your address, but what’s your phone number?), while others will leave you entirely in the dark (“Coming Soon”? WHAT’S coming soon?). Still others sport scary typos, grammatical errors, and writing that makes you cringe.
I’d give you examples, but I’m trying to protect the guilty from being unfairly singled out here. Let’s just say we’ve all seen them before. They’re the websites that give me the willies, not because they’ve got horrible design flaws or spinning JPGs from the 1990s, but because they’re so close to being good that it hurts me to see them screw it up so near the finish line.
People, I know you know this, but I’ll say it anyway: SPELLING COUNTS! All computers are equipped with a spell-check button, and yet people don’t push it. How could it be any simpler?
It's enough to make you want to scream! ("scream" photo by Flickr user Melle_Oh)
I know, I know. I’m guilty of it myself. You’re sure it’s all okay. You haven’t seen any little red lines. You just know you used the correct form of “their / there / they’re.” You’re smart. You’re savvy. You just misspelled “savvy.” Your company now looks foolish. You probably just lost a sale.
Does spelling count that much in the real world? Yes, it really does! When I see glaring typos on a website, I typically leave. To me, it’s a sign of negligence, and if a company is negligent about their appearance, then what else are they skimping on? Security measures for credit-card shopping? Customer service? Getting your package to you in a timely fashion? You just never know.
So basically, my point is this: having a website that is professional and error-free is hugely important. And yet there are plenty of people out there DOING EET RONG (to use a LOLcats expression). Don’t let this be you!
And, to be extra helpful, I’ve even instituted a new web-only special here at Laura Roberts Creative Services. For a limited time, you can have your website looked over by a professional copy editor and proofreader for the mega-low price of $149.95. With the WEBSITE CLEAN-UP I’ll go over your whole site, page by page with a fine-toothed comb in search of sneaky little errors. I’ll tweak your text, rid you of typos, and even double-check your English (great for French, Spanish, German or other non-native speakers looking to hook up with an English-language audience). It’s a steal at $149.95, particularly if you’ve got a site with tons of pages. So give it a whirl! You’ve got nothing to lose but the typos.
What are you waiting for? Click here to learn more, or to sign up now!
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