Comments on: Want to be successful online? Get your ego out of the equation! http://amyafrica.com/strategy/want-to-be-successful-online-get-your-ego-out-of-the-equation/ Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: James Fowlkes http://amyafrica.com/strategy/want-to-be-successful-online-get-your-ego-out-of-the-equation/comment-page-1/#comment-79 James Fowlkes Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:20:07 +0000 http://www.amyafrica.com/index.php?pageId=51#comment-79 Hmm, going to add a pop-up to my site right now. I had been resisting because I don't like them. However, every single thing I read recently talks about how well they work. Thanks as usual, Double-A! Hmm, going to add a pop-up to my site right now. I had been resisting because I don’t like them. However, every single thing I read recently talks about how well they work. Thanks as usual, Double-A!

]]> By: Rich Lazzara http://amyafrica.com/strategy/want-to-be-successful-online-get-your-ego-out-of-the-equation/comment-page-1/#comment-78 Rich Lazzara Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:22:33 +0000 http://www.amyafrica.com/index.php?pageId=51#comment-78 Amy - all very good examples, thank you. Although iTunes to me is a hybrid, as much software/hardware dependent as web. Now all of these sites you mention sell an item. Your sites, 8x8 or this one are enticing people to give info, in order to get info. Do you feel the same rules apply to sites whether they are selling something or acquiring info? Any example of a site that is both effective and designed well whose sole purpose is to gather info? Amy – all very good examples, thank you. Although iTunes to me is a hybrid, as much software/hardware dependent as web. Now all of these sites you mention sell an item. Your sites, 8×8 or this one are enticing people to give info, in order to get info. Do you feel the same rules apply to sites whether they are selling something or acquiring info? Any example of a site that is both effective and designed well whose sole purpose is to gather info?

]]> By: Amy http://amyafrica.com/strategy/want-to-be-successful-online-get-your-ego-out-of-the-equation/comment-page-/#comment-84 Amy Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:36:26 +0000 http://www.amyafrica.com/index.php?pageId=51#comment-84 Bernice -- Your comment makes my day. You are definitely an upscale consumer (yes, upscale would be an understatement) AND you know a boatload, correct that, OCEAN-FULL -- correct that, MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE -- about database marketing so you've seen both sides of this equation and know firsthand what works (and what doesn't.) Thanks for writing. Bernice — Your comment makes my day. You are definitely an upscale consumer (yes, upscale would be an understatement) AND you know a boatload, correct that, OCEAN-FULL — correct that, MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE — about database marketing so you’ve seen both sides of this equation and know firsthand what works (and what doesn’t.) Thanks for writing.

]]> By: Bernice http://amyafrica.com/strategy/want-to-be-successful-online-get-your-ego-out-of-the-equation/comment-page-1/#comment-77 Bernice Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:31:11 +0000 http://www.amyafrica.com/index.php?pageId=51#comment-77 Amy - you are right - I played the role of consumer and went trolling web sites (no comments on "doesn't she have anything better to do - this was important!)- as in so many other cases - beauty is only skin deep - ugly, or maybe 'not esthtically pleasing' works best - I found what I needed, did what I needed to do and then scooted off to write this comment! Amy – you are right – I played the role of consumer and went trolling web sites (no comments on “doesn’t she have anything better to do – this was important!)- as in so many other cases – beauty is only skin deep – ugly, or maybe ‘not esthtically pleasing’ works best – I found what I needed, did what I needed to do and then scooted off to write this comment!

]]> By: Amy http://amyafrica.com/strategy/want-to-be-successful-online-get-your-ego-out-of-the-equation/comment-page-/#comment-83 Amy Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:31:08 +0000 http://www.amyafrica.com/index.php?pageId=51#comment-83 Andy -- thanks for writing. Your "All about the Benjamins" comment made me smile. The interesting thing, as you know, is that a lot of the big pure-plays get this concept but it's the solo guys who'd benefit most from it that completely miss out. Andy — thanks for writing. Your “All about the Benjamins” comment made me smile. The interesting thing, as you know, is that a lot of the big pure-plays get this concept but it’s the solo guys who’d benefit most from it that completely miss out.

]]> By: Amy http://amyafrica.com/strategy/want-to-be-successful-online-get-your-ego-out-of-the-equation/comment-page-/#comment-81 Amy Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:23:08 +0000 http://www.amyafrica.com/index.php?pageId=51#comment-81 Rich -- Great questions. No, good design and effectiveness aren't necessarily diametrically opposed but most companies don't ask what they want in favor/lieu of good design. The sites that work (places like iTunes, Amazon, eBay, eBags, Great Garden Plants) are aggressive about telling the user what to do. That should come first. Design and aesthetics are very subjective but there are places (Demco and Ross Simons) that do both well. As for this topic, you are right, I did repeat myself on this point but this QLOG is going to get a whole lot more specific about sites that suck and I want folks to be prepared. Thanks for writing. Rich — Great questions. No, good design and effectiveness aren’t necessarily diametrically opposed but most companies don’t ask what they want in favor/lieu of good design. The sites that work (places like iTunes, Amazon, eBay, eBags, Great Garden Plants) are aggressive about telling the user what to do. That should come first. Design and aesthetics are very subjective but there are places (Demco and Ross Simons) that do both well. As for this topic, you are right, I did repeat myself on this point but this QLOG is going to get a whole lot more specific about sites that suck and I want folks to be prepared. Thanks for writing.

]]> By: Amy http://amyafrica.com/strategy/want-to-be-successful-online-get-your-ego-out-of-the-equation/comment-page-/#comment-82 Amy Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:14:48 +0000 http://www.amyafrica.com/index.php?pageId=51#comment-82 Will -- "As usual," eh? Does that include social media being a Time-Suck? Just wondering... Will — “As usual,” eh? Does that include social media being a Time-Suck? Just wondering…

]]> By: Andy Chapman http://amyafrica.com/strategy/want-to-be-successful-online-get-your-ego-out-of-the-equation/comment-page-1/#comment-76 Andy Chapman Wed, 12 Aug 2009 13:58:44 +0000 http://www.amyafrica.com/index.php?pageId=51#comment-76 Amy, The ugly ones work just fine. I can't tell you how many times we've seen dog ugly do the job. My biggest comment would be that ugly is fine for a web site. But it should match your brand off-line. I love the numbers. If the numbers say that it's working, run with it. Some kid with a college degree in graphic design that's got him 75K in student loans and no job, can talk about design aesthetics all day, but you've got what counts. It's about the Benjamins baby! Keep writing, and keep making us laugh! Andy Amy, The ugly ones work just fine. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve seen dog ugly do the job. My biggest comment would be that ugly is fine for a web site. But it should match your brand off-line.

I love the numbers. If the numbers say that it’s working, run with it. Some kid with a college degree in graphic design that’s got him 75K in student loans and no job, can talk about design aesthetics all day, but you’ve got what counts. It’s about the Benjamins baby!

Keep writing, and keep making us laugh!

Andy

]]> By: Rich Lazzara http://amyafrica.com/strategy/want-to-be-successful-online-get-your-ego-out-of-the-equation/comment-page-1/#comment-75 Rich Lazzara Wed, 12 Aug 2009 13:53:27 +0000 http://www.amyafrica.com/index.php?pageId=51#comment-75 Amy, There seems to be a re-occurring theme in your interactions with others. Something like "Your site is ugly. Yeah but my site works" So in your case the ends justify the means, fair enough. For the record I dont think your site is THAT ugly, however visual appeal is subjective. With that in mind, my questions are this 1) Are "good looking" design and effectiveness diametrically opposed when it comes to websites? 2) Are there any website examples out there that showcase and demonstrate both successfully? Amy,
There seems to be a re-occurring theme in your interactions with others. Something like “Your site is ugly. Yeah but my site works” So in your case the ends justify the means, fair enough. For the record I dont think your site is THAT ugly, however visual appeal is subjective. With that in mind, my questions are this 1) Are “good looking” design and effectiveness diametrically opposed when it comes to websites? 2) Are there any website examples out there that showcase and demonstrate both successfully?

]]> By: Will http://amyafrica.com/strategy/want-to-be-successful-online-get-your-ego-out-of-the-equation/comment-page-1/#comment-80 Will Wed, 12 Aug 2009 09:03:21 +0000 http://www.amyafrica.com/index.php?pageId=51#comment-80 Yes - you're right as usual, but can't you have a nice looking site too? Besides I like my ego! Yes – you’re right as usual, but can’t you have a nice looking site too? Besides I like my ego!

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