the intimidator: website therapy for sites that scare people

The Intimidator Website Personalty tends to develop in two scenarios: First, it happens to people who are in very serious business settings. They provide services or products that are no laughing matter, and their websites let you know that. Second, it happens when people use old website technology and out of date graphics that make their sites look like cold-war relics.

Of course there are some video games and TV shows that intentionally take people into an environment that is harsh and fearful, but those usually lead to an adventure or cause tension on purpose - and people are going there on purpose. Almost no business or nonprofit wants to cause a sense of malaise or fear in their visitors - mostly because people don't like it and they will leave as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, this is exactly what the Intimidator Website Personality causes in website visitors-anxiety. The websites reinforce whatever anxiety is cause by the stereotypes of the business, or they paint such an austere picture that it makes you feel like you are a 16-year old sitting at dinner meeting your dates father for the first time.

Let's start with the most obvious. If you are using out-dated technology, graphics, colors, fonts and layouts then you can easily fall into this website personality disorder. If you don't scare people away, you might bore them to the point they want to leave. In the second case a serious business, it's important to think carefully about the service that you really offer. If you are dealing with a serious life-challenge such as legal action, death or disease, what you really sell is hope and someone people can rely upon. That should be the personality your website projects. If you allow your website to fall into the stereotypes that people already have about your business, then you'll only intimidate them even more.

If you haven't takEN the Website Personality Quiz, complete it now to further understand your website's personality

If you are serving clients in the most difficult seasons of life, then your website should be an experience that helps them, not a place to envision their greatest fears. An obvious example of this is healthcare websites that feature pictures of diseases, sharp instruments and operating rooms on their home page. We understand that you are proud of what you do, but consider our feelings - you're scaring us!

up-to-date technology and ease of use are important messages, Too

Your website personality is the first experience most people will have with your business. The style of website and how easy the technology is to use, sends an important message. If you make it hard to interact, then you are signaling that this is the experience people can expect when they call or visit. Technology can intimidate people too!

A warm and seamless experience tells people another important story. It let's them know that just like your website personalizes for them, you will too. If the website speaks to their need for encouragement and confidence in you, they'll want to do business with you. Multiple ways to engage are an important part of this. You can add chat and chatbots for little or no cost.

And if you've allowed your website to fall into the Intimidator Personality because you're trying to avoid the pain of redesigning it, it doesn't have to be painful. Visit the Guide to a Pain Free Website Design to learn more.

One big thing that you can do to Help your website

Take an informal poll among staff and trusted customers. Make sure you ask people from multiple generations. Ask them what they think about how your website represents your brand. Does the website match the way you treat people? While you are doing this, look at your analytics to see how people behave on the website. If they don't stay long, and don't take action it's a clue that something isn't working.