Poor websites are turning away customers

Confusing navigation and bad design are two major factors that are driving traffic away from Australian websites, according to the Website Standards Association (WSA).

The WSA has found many Australian businesses are failing to meet basic standards on their websites and this is influencing the choices that consumers are making online.
 
Bloomtools director and WSA member James Greig said there are a basic set of standards and rules that businesses should follow in order to maximise their online presence and keep customers longer on their site. 
 
“If customers don’t get what they expect from your website or can’t find what they want quickly, it only takes one click and you’ve lost them,” he said.
 
According to Greig, thousands of businesses have suffered by dealing with website developers that do not adhere to basic international standards.
 
“We have businesses approaching us all the time with websites that don’t even have the basics right and they don’t realise that the poor design and confusing navigation on their website is turning customers away.
 
“Businesses need to remember the fundamental website rule: if the consumer doesn’t find what they are looking for within three seconds, they will leave your site and spend their money with someone else.”