#18 - Are You Easy to Reach?

Are You Easy to Reach?

By Chris Maher

The Internet is an amazing communications medium. It's linking the world in ways that we could hardly imagine a few years ago. But are you easy to contact by the people who visit your web site?

I visit an amazing number of sites that actually make it hard to get in touch with the sites creators. Not just gallery sites put up by beginners, but even some major corporate sites have been incredibly frustrating. They make you go through a labyrinth of pages to find a simple phone number or e-mail address.

Check your site, and see how easy you are to get in touch with. I recommend you have at least three points of contact on every page: Your e-mail address (in the form of a "mailto:"), your phone number, and a mailing address.

On your order page you can also list a fax number, and in the US, a toll free number. (Never use a toll free number to the exclusion of a regular number. With the possible exception of Canada, 800 numbers can't be reached from outside the US, and will cause your international visitors great frustration).

You can place this information in small type at the bottom of the page, but make sure it is accessible.

Using your web site to give out contact information has other uses as well. Getting local and regional papers to do a small write up about an artist is not very hard. But ask them to include your phone number and mailing address, complete with zip code, and you may not get what you want. Perhaps they think it too commercial, but expecting the readers to find you by calling directory assistance for your number puts one more barrier between you and your potential customers.

Clifton Sears, an artist who creates one-of-a-kind had carved sculptures, (http://www.fine-art.com/Clifton/carving.html) shares the following story: "Recently I got an interview with a newspaper that covers the wide area. As part of it I talked about my web site. Later she checked it out and e-mailed me that she was impressed and would definitely include it in the article. Hence long distance contact made easy."

Adding points of contact on every page not only makes it easier for your potential customers to get in touch with you, it will enhance your credibility. Sites with a physical street address and phone number seem more solid and reliable. People who are considering spending money over the Internet can be wary of sites that seem insubstantial.

I would even recommend that you use a picture of yourself in several places on your site, even one on your order page. It will make the transaction seem less impersonal. After all, they are ordering your work, from you, and should feel confident about it.

For more information on being easy to reach and spreading the word on you site through other online avenues see my article Using Newsgroups and Mailing Lists to Bring Your Customer to Your Site.

Let me know what you do to encourage communications with your audience. E-mail me at advisor@1x.com and tell me what you think.

This page last updated: 09/02/04

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