Internet 101: Is An Annoying Website Costing You Money?

by Dave Turner
 

Dear Mr. Webmaster:

I came across your website the other day, as I was surfing
the internet.

I'd like to be able to tell you how attractive your website
looked and that I made a purchase. Unfortunately, I can do
neither.

Why? Because I honestly don't know what your website looks
like, and I didn't buy anything. You see, I was too busy
fighting with your pop-up windows.

As soon as I landed on your website, I was greeted by a pop-
up inviting me to subscribe to your wonderful newsletter. I
probably would have later on, but at that point, I just
wanted to take my time and look around first.

But you wouldn't allow me to do that, because no sooner had I closed the first pop-up when up pops another one (no pun
intended). This one was inviting me to sign up for a free
internet marketing course.

Again, I probably would have later on, had I been given the
opportunity to look around first. Anyway, I immediately
closed that window. No sooner had I closed that window when--
you guessed it, another pop-up. This one was inviting me to
download a free e-book I had apparently won.

Well, in my book, three strikes and you're out! I didn't even bother closing the third window. I instead attempted to exit your website altogether. But you wouldn't even allow me to do that. Trying to exit your website, I was literally bombarded by pop-ups and pop-unders. You even threw in a few "pop tarts" for good measure.

By my count, I closed eight different windows, before I was
able to wrench myself free from the vice-like grip of your
army of pop-ups.

Why did you do that, Mr. Webmaster? Why did you annoy me to
the point of frustration and drive me away from your site? Is it because you're making so much money that the few dollars I might have spent no longer matter to you?

Or is it because you see me as just one insignificant person? And if I happen to get annoyed and don't buy anything, it's really no big deal?

Well, my friend, do I have news for you! In your eyes, I may
just be one insignificant person. But I'm also a webmaster, and I have a very popular website. And there are thousands of other people whom I won't be telling about your website. And if you annoyed me, Mr. Webmaster, imagine how many other
people you probably annoyed. 20? 200? 2000?

Depending on how popular your website is, the number could be astronomical. And all of those annoyed people know at least dozens of other people too and so on and so forth. Using the theory of compounded interest, that's potentially hundreds of thousands of people who will never know about your website. That's a lot of money that you'll never see.

Now I ask you, Mr. Webmaster, is annoying even one person
really worth it?

Sincerely,
Dave Turner


Dave Turner is a writer and entrepreneur with over twenty years of marketing experience. Questions? Comments? Dave can be reached at dave@internet-marketing-xpert.com  Website: http://www.internet-marketing-xpert.com/  Internet marketing expert will teach you how to get a Guaranteed Lifetime Income!

(Copyright)2002 by Dave Turner