You are currently browsing the matt klawitter internet marketing archives for May, 2005.
Typos
May 30th, 2005
I have worked in the professional web industry for nearly ten years, and it amazes me how much has changed. Coding, design, and usability have all grown into incredible applications and interfaces. Websites now have lean code, simple interfaces, and stunning immersive experiences.
Some things, however, will never change.
Even the most amazing and high-tech website can take a major punch in the chin if there are typos – even just one. I have seen this both as a user, developer, and client. Companies spend thousands upon thousands of dollars on infrastructure and design, yet one tiny, over-looked typo can bring a site to its knees.
I am by no means perfect, and often suffer from typos on my personal site. But, I am not talking about casual websites or personal writings. I am talking about professional, proofread copy that has been filtered several times through a company and still has a flaw. Sometimes this is because text in websites can take many forms, and it is not always a typo landing in the body of a document derived from a spell-checked Word file. Without warning, typos can strike. I have seen this happen on several occasions.
For example, I was recently on a major (huge, uber powerful) mobile phone company’s website looking to explore rate plan options. I clicked on “add to cart” to see the total price and I got this custom error message:
Now, the word “continue” in the second line is obviously misspelled. It probably was not proofread because the coder for this page had to type it as a custom JavaScript error message. He or she probably was in a hurry or just simply messed up. However, it is a typo nonetheless.
As a potential consumer, this tiny, senseless typo makes me wonder how thorough and detail oriented is this company. If they have silly typos, what potential oversights and mistakes are there in other services? It likely means nothing, yet I am the end user and my impression is the one that counts.
Lesson: Fear typos. Always expect them – especially in hidden places. There is no cure, only prevention.
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Web Professional Tools
May 2nd, 2005
Builders have hammers and nails. Singers have microphones. Baseballers have bats. So, what tools are for web professionals?
I use specific tools every day as a web professional. I cannot work without these resources – some tangible, some virtual.
First, let’s just cover the obvious professional web tools:
- Computer (laptop) - duh
- Broadband connectivity – the faster, the better
- Web browser – I prefer Firefox, but who doesn’t?
- Server software and hardware – the stage where we perform
- Development software – Dreamweaver, notepad, FTP, etc..
So, the basics are pretty simple. You give any real web professional an FTP (file transfer protocol) account and MS notepad and they’ll make you a website.
Second, some tools that I use every day are oriented towards business operations. That is, these tools do not actually produce a website, but they are essential for managing and handling the business of web development.
- Email – I prefer any web-based email. Just say “no” to downloading email. Go webmail or IMAP. No POP.
- Project management software – whether build in-house to suit, or purchased off the shelf (such as MS Project), you need something to manage projects. I have used Basecamp, built by 37signals in Chicago, and thought it was useful. Now, my team at ND is building a custom application for our usage. Either way, you need this to operate a business.
- MS Word and Adobe Acrobat – I write my proposals in Word then convert them to PDF using Acrobat. I rarely (if ever) send a Word document to a client, business partner, or any other contact during a formal business document exchange. Word documents can be changed, edited, and are subject to versioning-related formatting errors. I always send documents in PDF because they are closed, and can only be viewed. Think of it as if you are taking a picture of your Word document.
- Web Statistics reports – WebTrends, StatsCounter.com, etc..
- Instant Message – don’t phone a techie, IM them.
Finally, these websites are tools that I use every day. I consider them tools because they impact the final product, or shape the way in which the industry communicates.
- News.com – the best news site for all this tech, including the web
- Wired.com – culture, trends, and other lifestyle information about tech
- Merriam-Webster – spell check, dictionary
- Bloglines.com – If you are not using an RSS aggregator in your professional web development job right now, then you need to get out from under your rock. I hardly jump from site to site anymore. Rather, I log-in to my Bloglines account and read the numerous RSS entries syndicated to me from bloggers, websites, and other areas of my choice. If I see something compelling and interesting, then I click over to the site. Otherwise, I simply digest the information.
- Google.com – no need to explain this one
