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April 10, 2006
Pat Velte, my Web guru, has come up
with "10 Common Mistakes on Artists' Web Sites." She's agreed
to share them with you today:
1. Busy
Backgrounds
Don't use any background image, texture or color that is busier,
brighter or more colorful than your art.
2. Navigation Buttons
Avoid buttons, especially ones that look like gelcaps. Use text, not
graphics, for navigation links.
3. High Resolution Images
The Web is low resolution. Adjust image brightness/contrast after
reducing its size for Web display.
4. Not Composing Like an Artist
Moody=Muddy. Contrast rules on the Web. Putting dark images on a
dark background is like hanging your painting in a poorly lit bar.
5. Trusting Your Mac Too Much
Love your Mac, but review your Web pages on a PC since that's what
most of your visitors will be using. Text doesn't always appear as
designed.
6. Horizontal Scrolling
Say no to scroll! Design for a screen resolution of 800 x 600 or
expect a lot of people to miss what's on the right side.
7. Small Fonts
You'll insult everyone over 40.
8. Long Lines of Text
Instead, use columns that help break up the page.
9. Underlining
Save underlining for your hyperlinks. Use quotation marks, bold, or
italics in place of underlining within your text and titles.
10. Text in Muted Colors
Again, contrast rules. Strong contrast between text and background
is a must. Practical (readable!) should win over pretty.
Read more about
Pat and
her work. Lest you think that's enough to think about, I have
additional mistakes posted on the
Art Biz Blog.
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KNOW THIS
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Your Web site is
often the first thing people see. |
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THINK ABOUT THIS
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You only get one chance
to make a first impression. |
| DO THIS
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Take a critical look at your Web
site. Are you making a good first impression? Or is it stopping
visitors in their tracks? Make a list of everything that
you'd like to improve, then set deadlines for making those
changes. You don't have to do everything at once. Each small
step gets you closer. |
| I apologize if you are getting two copies of the
newsletter. I assure you only one is sent. It looks like
they are upgrading my delivery system and must overcome a
few glitches in the process. Thank you for your patience. |
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ART
MARKETING
ACTION CIRCLES
These special groups are
for you if you are ready to focus on your marketing and seek the
help of your peers (and me!). Starting in May, we'll be
"meeting" (on the phone) every other week and supporting each
other in between. Applications are now being accepted. Read
more. |
SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION
Begins Monday, April 17
Are you promoting yourself as best you can? Every artist needs to
know the basics for self-promotion. More importantly, every artist needs
to use them! Your $50 investment in this class includes a discussion
group, telegathering, and lifetime membership.
Details
NEW TEAM MEMBER
I'm thrilled to announce that Shari Cornish has joined the
ArtBizCoach.com team. Shari is an artist and virtual assistant (VA) in
Vermont. When I was looking for a VA, she was the first person who came
to mind since she understands the life and needs of artists. I hope
you'll read about her
and what she'll be doing.
I'll be in Jackson, Michigan--a short drive from
Detroit--on Saturday, April 29. For contacts and more info, see the
links in the tan box at
ArtMarketingAction.com
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THIS WEEK:
►When
art takes a backseat at an "art and wine" festival
►Practice slowing down
►Art
in Mobile
Find out more:
Art Biz
Blog
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Individual Consultations Writing and Editing
Ongoing Support Marketing Plans Classes
Paving Your Career Path Setting Up
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