Back in 2005, I shared about how some websites are losing money because they were announcing the commonly used message; Under Construction. Today, many Malaysia website owners, entrepreneurs and managers are still having the same mentality.
If the webpage isn’t ready or prepared by the appointed deadline, they would say…
Nevermind, it’s a small matter. We could just put the message “Under Construction”.
The luckiest client I’ve seen avoid this pitfall replaced and suggested this message…
We are currently reviewing the content of this webpage.
but this also makes you and your company lose credibility.
As I mentioned, the 2 main things a Malaysia corporate website lose are:
- Money (or business opportunities)
- Credibility
Money or Business opportunities
The reasons of having a corporate website are simple. You want brand exposure, product information sharing and business opportunities established. For every hour, minute or seconds (for some) their corporate website is working around the clock assisting them to find business opportunities. So when a business opportunity views your under construction message, they’ll either assume your business isn’t ready to do business with them or you have no responsibility towards delivering a finished product.
Credibility
First impressions count and we’re not talking about the design aesthetics of even the website. Credibility could come in other forms like testimonials. However, if even your testimonials webpage is under construction than what credibility would be left for you.
End of the day, your corporate website is losing money and credibility whenever you have an under construction message. And, adding the image which blinks under construction doesn’t help. Which is why again I’m going to say, take it off or come up with a better message.
This is a chance for your marketing team or copywriter or even website designer to recommend innovative ways to lead your users away elegantly. Yes, lead them to another webpage within the website which could help them (and is not under construction) or add a call-to-action your users would jump on given the chance.
Here’s one of the examples I’ve recently found:
It is that easy! So start doing it already.
And if you’re thinking to revamp, rebrand or redesign your corporate website and want an intuitive alternative method besides the dead old under construction message then contact us at Simpleet Solutions.
At Simpleet Solutions, it’s made for users.
nice….
Last last, promote own service, wakaka…
Well, at least you read it until the end. :)
Besides, not many companies actually stand up to the client and say, “if you love your company then you’d better not have the under construction message there”.
Then again, there are clients who still simply refuse to listen.
Good article.
Been a really long time since I’ve seen you, Bel. Very busy with work I assume. :)
Interview your customer also one way to increase conversion!