Today’s article is called It’s A Fatal Mistake To Copy Successful Web Sites, I relate a true experience. During the Q & A part of a session at a search marketing conference in which I spoke, someone asked why we don’t all just copy Amazon’s web site. I spoke into the microphone with a definite, “Never, ever copy Amazon.” The audience gasped with surprise.

Although I had a quick moment to clarify my statement, I didn’t have the opportunity to clearly outline what I meant or why my statement could be helpful to audience members. The article I wrote for Search Engine Land goes into that detail and makes many points you may not have considered before.

When someone says they will make your website easier to use, ask them what mental model they are referring to. Are they going to make it easier for search engines to crawl and rank it? This is a searcher mental model and one an SEO is more likely to be focused on. An information architect wants to know the mental model of your target users. What are your customer needs? What types of behaviors can you expect from them? Many websites have different user paths on one website.

The other article I wrote a few weeks back is a personal favorite. It, too, is based on real situations. It’s called The Algorithm Chasers

Algorithm chasers rely on analytical tools to help understand searcher behavior. They are equipped with keyword data, target market information and demographics. But are they able to determine the emotional power of the written word on web pages? Why is content so vital to search results?

I hope these articles are helpful and offer you some new ideas to try on your own web sites.

Economy blues? Poor conversion rates? Web site lost its spunk? Quotes are always free at Cre8pc. Get the answers you need NOW!

How to Give Your Web Site The Special Stuff for Success Sign up for Cre8pc.com's Web Site Usability Course at the Search Engine College

While the SEMMY awards are targeted to the search marketing industry, there is a Design and Usability category. It is there that an article I wrote for Website Magazine, called Everyday Usability – 14-Point Checklist for Success has been nominated for inclusion.

Tomorrow, judges decide category finalists. Those finalists will be announced on January 25, 2010 and posted to the public so that they can begin their voting. Winners are announced on February 1.

Competition is fierce. Every single nominated article in all the categories is very good.

If you would like to stay on top of the voting and winners, you call follow the SEMMY Twitter account.

Good luck to everyone and especially the judges. They have a truly tough job.

Economy blues? Poor conversion rates? Web site lost its spunk? Quotes are always free at Cre8pc. Get the answers you need NOW!

Cre8pc Article Nominated for a SEMMY Sign up for Cre8pc.com's Web Site Usability Course at the Search Engine College

Web Site Requirements Include Search Engine Marketing, page 43 of SES Magazine, Chicago Edition or on Clickz, Web Site Requirements: What to Include

WebSite Magazine

Moms in Business and Everyday Usability

Everyday Usability – 14 Point Checklist for Success

Constant attention must be given to how users and search engines interact with your site to ensure that you not only attract visitors, but give them reasons to come back. Because as every Web professional knows, the more users interact with your site, the better the odds they convert.

“Performance Requirements: Sites that perform better earn deeper customer loyalty” – December issue. Not available on line yet.

Search Engine Land

Information Architecture: The Backbone of SEO and Usability

Want Better Web Design? Watch Real Users

Of Conversations and Conversions

The Importance of Knowing Your Customers’ Language

How User Behavior Influences Search Results

The Impact of The Internet on Human Behavior

Is Your Web Site Credible?

Whenever searchers see a web site for the first time, they bring along every web site experience they ever had before they got there.

How Does Your Web Site Make Visitors Feel?

Can Reading Online Be As Rewarding as Curling Up With a Good Book?

Finding The Right Balance Between Search Marketing and User Experience

(My favorite…) The Extended Brain, Search Marketing and User Experience Design

Search Engine People

How Web Site Requirements Keep Your Project From Exploding

Interview: Ruud Questions: Kim Krause Berg

She’s a woman with self-evident staying power and has transformed herself from a site builder to an SEO — and from SEO to respected usability expert.

Notable Mention

Interview: Thought Leader Thursday – Kim Krause Berg

Many site owners are held hostage by their web designers who want to add things that may not be right for the company or target users.

Economy blues? Poor conversion rates? Web site lost its spunk? Quotes are always free at Cre8pc. Get the answers you need NOW!

2009 Writings on SEO and UX by Kim Krause Berg Sign up for Cre8pc.com's Web Site Usability Course at the Search Engine College