Out here in the wild lands of the internet you still can see some of the aging Web 1.0 methods of online marketing.  Methods like pop-up sign-up windows, and dancing American Idol figurines..just to mention a couple of the more than a hundred ways to get someone to click off your site.

I read everywhere online where experts in SEO’s and Internet Marketing talk about the things a person, place or thing needs to DO..but not too many people talking about the things they should Not be doing to attract attention to one’s self, place or thing.

Since it is assumed everyone knows the “do’s” then maybe a quick glance on some of the “Don’ts” will help out those who care about their future online.  Here are just a few of the things I have found from the reaction of people I have interviewed to find what they look at when they come online.   What they say they are seeing is causing them to not to come online.

Startlers

The Startler category has to do with web-sites that use the auto music or auto-run Flash presentation.  I love the creativity it takes to develop these outstanding looking web-sites but agree with the 98% of the people I have rinterviewed it does waste their time.  Most clicked off within 2 seconds for a few reasons…

• The load factor..not everyone is on a T1 line.  During the sites I used to review the time it took to load the screen’s presentation was the same about time to took for paint to dry. These effects are keeping viewers from seeing your business.  Even though they are very professional done presentations they only work if YOU (the business owner) are physically there to announce to those viewing the presentation they are going to see.  BUT, for the millions of people who are looking for information on your site when they get a presentation thrown into their face without asking for it..CLICK..”no time for this, I need to find a Golf Resort to hold my 1500 guests”
• The Music or voice over. With the internet now being more accepted in the corporate work place, having a loud music or James Earl voicing over the Welcome that blasts out of the desk top speakers will result in the fastest click off ever.
• Not looking to be entertained a much as the consumers are looking for the bottomline..what they came looking for first is..who are you, what makes you different than the other 100k sites Google tells me I need to read to find out information on the issue I have and how much does the product or service cost..

There are other forms of Startlers that business people should Not use.  The auto run video’s.  No matter how much the high dollar internet marketers tell you and attempt to prove to you in all kinds of unverifiable statistics that the auto run video drives business to the bank these stats do not provide for the millions of other consumers who WOULD meet you at the bank if the auto video was turned off.

NOW…I did not say videos are BAD or to NOT use Video’s..did I?  Just turn the auto run off….PLEASE!  I and everyone else would love to have the opportunity to check out your video once we see WHO YOU ARE.   If there was a video telling us who you are, then that would be an asset instead of a deterrent.

Other startlers that rank up in the top 80% of things people clicking off has to do with any visual image or graphic that may have any Sexual connotations.  Things that I am sure the people in the fitness arena might find normal attire in a gym is actually going against their marketing plans.  A person appearing on the screen wearing tight spandex shorts or skin tight workout clothes, leaning on a golf driver…then doing a video wearing that attire….please.   YIKES, that was a startler for me also and yes, I lasted about three seconds and that was even pausing a second to ask WHY?

Check This Out…

Not since the new buzz phrase “8 More Years” have I grown tired so quickly of reading the come-on phrase “Hey, Check this out..” from some guy who thinks a photo of him leaping through the air tells me who he is.

There is a better way to get someone’s attention than just blatant snake oil salesmanship.  Again, this method of marketing is what newbies to the internet are hit with by the internet markets who are clueless to consumer’s interest.   The fact still remains that gimmicky photos and avatars are, to say the least, very distasteful.  Especially when what these misguided individuals offer is either of relevantly no interest or was a virus link.

Self-Photo-phobia

Putting cartoon characters or stick figure in profile avatars has now become a game of who can be the most absurd.  Now it is mutating the image of themselves as being popular.  Is it funny? Does it get attention? Does it impress anyone?  And the questions go on.

For those who are just coming online seeing mostly images of a Mules Butt for the person face and with a name like Mauffullacrap send these people way beyond being startled and straight to being insulted.  Same goes for the cartoon characters and abstract illustrations.

Being creative is good, being artful shows creativity but the shock-rock and shock-jock effect went out of style with the caveman commercials.  Reality is reality and not what you see on TV.  The need for knowing who exactly is doing the talking or as it is put in the business world, who is doing the selling, is paramount to social media marketing today.

All of this deceptive style of marketing is running people offline.

These are just a few of the Don’t people still are using to get attention.   As a result he attention they are getting generates a negative image.  If you are really truly interested in yourself and in your brand becoming solid in the market, then there has to be some seriousness kept and maintained.

Out here in La-La-Land, business marketing does not mean being ridiculous.  If you can avoid these Don’t you will be doing the Do’s.

Let me know how I can help.