| Страници во темата: [1 2] > | Poll: What do you think is the key factor that can make a website attractive to clients? Лице кое објавува дискусија: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "What do you think is the key factor that can make a website attractive to clients?".
This poll was originally submitted by Dmitry Kornyukhov. View the poll results »
| | | | | difficult question | Feb 8, 2013 |
My previous job was to find "good websites" on specific topics and write reviews on the websites.
Well I have to say that now, I am not able to surf the web, what I mean is that I find it terribly boring, websites are boring, with too much information.
I like blogs (some), I like websites of companies which recall the old "yellow pages" (i.e. contacts, info about things) - but just because if I need to contact the company I have the info pretty quickly.
Obviously, being... See more My previous job was to find "good websites" on specific topics and write reviews on the websites.
Well I have to say that now, I am not able to surf the web, what I mean is that I find it terribly boring, websites are boring, with too much information.
I like blogs (some), I like websites of companies which recall the old "yellow pages" (i.e. contacts, info about things) - but just because if I need to contact the company I have the info pretty quickly.
Obviously, being a translator, I use the web a lot, but I think most of websites are not attractive, but only useful and user-friendly, ▲ Collapse
| | | | Theo Bernards (X) 
Франција
Local time: 07:08
англиски на холандски
+ ...
| A bit of most of the the options, so I said 'Other' | Feb 8, 2013 |
In my opinion, a website should have at least an implied promise of quality AND a personal touch (for one person operations, anyway) AND be easy to use/navigate AND - this options didn't seem to be there - it should show a professional attitude towards the industry/target audience it is aimed at AND a rather detailed description of products/services AND it should of course be visually appealing.
The one thing that is not necessary and in my opinion perhaps even counter-productive is... See more In my opinion, a website should have at least an implied promise of quality AND a personal touch (for one person operations, anyway) AND be easy to use/navigate AND - this options didn't seem to be there - it should show a professional attitude towards the industry/target audience it is aimed at AND a rather detailed description of products/services AND it should of course be visually appealing.
The one thing that is not necessary and in my opinion perhaps even counter-productive is feedback from previous clients: if you work under strict self-imposed non-disclosure principles or sign many NDA's (I do both) showing feedback from previous clients seems either unprofessional - you disclose the existence of a professional relationship that you agreed to keep under your hat - or unverifiable: what is a testimonial worth if you don't give the name of the client?
Anyway, that is how I feel what a website should be . ▲ Collapse
| | | | | a combination of several factors, so I selected "Other" | Feb 8, 2013 |
A combination of some of the listed items.
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jacana54 (X)
Уругвај
англиски на шпански
+ ...
| Images of real people | Feb 8, 2013 |
not stock stock photos. To me it makes a world of difference if people are willing to show their own faces on their websites, it makes them a lot more trustworthy.
A few months ago I was contacted by an agency about which I knew nothing and could find no entries here or on Paymentpractices.net. They were offering a very large job. I usually start out with a small job (give a new client limited credit, so to speak), then accept a larger job, and so forth.
In this case, t... See more not stock stock photos. To me it makes a world of difference if people are willing to show their own faces on their websites, it makes them a lot more trustworthy.
A few months ago I was contacted by an agency about which I knew nothing and could find no entries here or on Paymentpractices.net. They were offering a very large job. I usually start out with a small job (give a new client limited credit, so to speak), then accept a larger job, and so forth.
In this case, their web page had the partners' pictures on it, and the text on the page matched what I was able to find about these two people on the internet. One of my team-mates looked at their web page and had exactly the same impression. I'm happy to say that we were right.
But of course, I'm not suggesting that this is a golden rule, and I take Enrique's scam alerts and all my steps for checking out potential clients very seriously. This is simply to illustrate the fact that I like to see photos of the people behind the web page because faces don't usually lie.
Have a good weekend! ▲ Collapse
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No idea! Clients are as different as everyone else...
| | | | | Do clients actually care whether a translator has an attractive website - or a website at all? | Feb 8, 2013 |
I can't imagine agencies would ever look, they just want to know languages, subjects and prices.
Large direct clients are probably going to choose a translator based on recommendation or tender or face-to-face sales work.
I suppose small direct clients - the type that finds a translator in the Yellow Pages - might be impressed by a flash website, and really small direct clients might like a personal touch. But would the Internet be their first port of call? And is this ... See more I can't imagine agencies would ever look, they just want to know languages, subjects and prices.
Large direct clients are probably going to choose a translator based on recommendation or tender or face-to-face sales work.
I suppose small direct clients - the type that finds a translator in the Yellow Pages - might be impressed by a flash website, and really small direct clients might like a personal touch. But would the Internet be their first port of call? And is this the kind of client you really want?
However, not being a client, not having an active website, and not having done any active sales work in the Internet era, I can only surmise...
And a website is a very cheap form of advertising, so I suppose there's nothing to lose.
Apart from these endless ******** freelance translators sending you their CVs every day... ▲ Collapse
| | | | DianeGM
Local time: 08:08
холандски на англиски
+ ...
A combination of several factors, some mentioned in the list and some others
I think for translators the text of the website itself has to be important (e.g. the style of the languages used, clarity of message, etc.)
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Sebastian Witte
Германија
Local time: 07:08
Член (2004)
англиски на германски
+ ...
| Personal touch, uniqueness, needs to convey trustworthiness and dependability | Feb 8, 2013 |
Also, the unique selling proposition of the service provider needs to be identifiable.
Bells and whistles are not needed. The website does not even have to be state of the art, technically, keeping it simple is key, even if conveying the message "In our marketing we use technology that was outdated 9 years ago" might not be a good idea.
| | | | Muriel Vasconcellos (X)
Соединети Американски Држави
Local time: 22:08
шпански на англиски
+ ...
The website should showcase the provider's past experience.
When clients come to me through my website (www.murieltranslations.com), they always say something like, "I was impressed by your experience in . . ." I think that's what they're looking for.
| | | | Ty Kendall
Обединето Кралство
Local time: 06:08
еврејски на англиски
| Depends on the client.... | Feb 8, 2013 |
People are drawn to different things, I'm a sucker for quirky or impressive visuals, so I tended to focus more on this in my own website design.
I don't think there is one definitive "key factor", there are things which appeal more to certain people, but you need a bit of everything to make it work to "capture" a wide audience.
| | | | Kitty Brussaard
Холандија
Local time: 07:08
Член (2009)
англиски на холандски
+ ...
| A combination, preferably also including client references/testimonials | Feb 8, 2013 |
Before launching the restyled and renewed version of my website, I asked various end clients to provide feedback on the results. All end clients responded very positively. This provided me with some valuable insights, such as the need to allow visitors to request a quote directly from the homepage by including a clearly visible and easily clickable link to the quote form elsewhere on the website. I also asked various end clients for permission to include them as references on my client page. Mos... See more Before launching the restyled and renewed version of my website, I asked various end clients to provide feedback on the results. All end clients responded very positively. This provided me with some valuable insights, such as the need to allow visitors to request a quote directly from the homepage by including a clearly visible and easily clickable link to the quote form elsewhere on the website. I also asked various end clients for permission to include them as references on my client page. Most of them were more than happy to be listed on this page, provided I included a link to their own website. Those that declined were mainly notary firms and other clients with a strict policy in this area. ▲ Collapse
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| User friendliness :-D | Feb 8, 2013 |
Having said that, defining what user-friendliness means will depend on many different factors.
This is what I look for:
Clear headings 'above the fold', i.e. on the home screen, with links to where you can find more details.
Facts, not blurb, in print that is easy to read on screen.
A versatile search function that actually finds what I am looking for.
Indicative visuals that serve as landmarks and tell me what the site is about.
No flim... See more Having said that, defining what user-friendliness means will depend on many different factors.
This is what I look for:
Clear headings 'above the fold', i.e. on the home screen, with links to where you can find more details.
Facts, not blurb, in print that is easy to read on screen.
A versatile search function that actually finds what I am looking for.
Indicative visuals that serve as landmarks and tell me what the site is about.
No flimmer, and no need to show the entire office staff looking like professional models, carefully arranged with a politically correct person from each continent...
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If we are specifically talking translators' websites, then your languages, specialist areas and an envelope or link so I can contact you by e-mail.
A little background about your experience.
A logo or picture or two to relieve the plain text.
Your VAT number, please, if we are going to do business.
No need for half a dozen tabs with two lines of text behind each - I try to avoid RSI from extra mouse clicks... and advertising for your web-designer as well is an unnecessary distraction.
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Practical, with B2B in mind. Call me crabby, but I may visit dozens of websites in a day, and I like the sober, informative ones best!
(Edited to try and practise what I preach  )
[Edited at 2013-02-08 11:42 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Audrey Pate
Италија
Local time: 07:08
италијански на англиски
The best web sites are those that I label "gumph-free". There is nothing worse than visiting a site with a lot of fancy bla-bla-bla about how good they are at this and that when you still don't have a clue what they do or how they do it. I prefer sites that are user-friendly but are most of all straightfoward and describe their services and/or products clearly.
| | | | | user friendliness | Feb 8, 2013 |
While the others are all very significant as well, I said User friendliness. Badly designed, clunky or overly busy sites, sites that have too many graphics and java, bad links etc, just alienate me. It's like going to a store or restaurant with bad service. I don't care how great the food or clothes are, bad service and I never return.
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