RWT Webmaster Tools Blog

Websites of Value Respect Readers

I came across this post that mentions the number one term searched on Merriam Websters online dictionary. The word: integrity. This post went on to link to another site that had a list of 7 Principles of Admirable Business Ethics. It was #7 on the list, “Be Respectful”, that made me think the most about integrity.

I am of the conviction that the only kind of web development worth my time is that which creates value. A website must have many traits in order for it to have value and one of those is a healthy respect for the reader. The reader/user is a website’s customer. The web is full of sites that treat readers with little respect.

Web developers/webmasters can show respect for their readers and hence, maintain their integrity by doing the following:

• Use advertising wisely. Ensure that it does not thoroughly detract from the readers experience. While we all want readers to click on the ads, readers won’t return if they feel inundated with ads and can’t read the content they came to the website to read in the first place.
• Include excellent content. There are many sites out there whose sole content on each page is a list of sponsored links. I’ve had this experience too many times to count. It was a waste of my time! The sites I found which were helpful, which provided the CONTENT I was looking for, were also the ones on which I clicked a few ads. Take time to write content that is helpful and begs to be read.
• Be straigtforward. It is ok to have a hard sales pitch, but let people know what they are getting. Users dislike being tricked.
• If people give away their email address, use it appropriately. Let users know up front how their email address will be used.
• When interacting with other webmasters or users in forums, do not spam, do not flame. A forum can be of great value especially to beginners. One of the first tips I was given as a beginner was to read forums. Lots can be learned from learning from others, I was told. I learned that people are rude and take joy in bringing down the whole group. It really is a shame. Remember that a reputation follows you, it is connected to you as a commenter and it follows through to your website.
• The same can be said for leaving comments on blogs.
• When leaving a comment on a blog, use a name. Using the name field as a means to enter a keyword phrase with a link to a website shows disrespect for the blog and does not speak well for the linked website. All such comments left on this site are deleted. We all want links, just do it right.

Any other ways websites can show disrespect for readers?