Part 2 : Traffic, content and keeping users happy

What kind of traffic does your site generate monthly?
Around 3.5 million page views per month.

Is this the first website you've designed? How did you pick up your web design skills?
This is my first, and I am entirely self-educated. All my HTML skills were learned through a simple but lengthy process of trial and error.

What do you think are some common flaws in web site design?
The main flaw probably on my own site is the massive workload. Unfortunately, I don't have the time I would like to include more special features. For example, providing a search engine for the site would be very beneficial.

Do you think there are things you can do to keep a site more user friendly?
One thing I try to do is keep my site user friendly. I employ very basic HTML and reduce image Kb size so that not only can every computer read the site but it also loads as fast as possible. I also try and make the layout as easy to use as possible. My site is graphic heavy only where necessary. Most of the layout is simple and where things are important I try to avoid images if I can.

How important do you feel it is to have a site that is easy to navigate and that maintains continuity?
It's an absolute necessity. Numerous people have suggested updates to my design to make it "look" more professional, and then on the few occasions that any of those changes were implemented, they were received with unanimous rejection. The Net changes so often that it's important for users to be able to go to a site where they are totally familiar with the layout - it gives them great comfort to be able to do that on a consistent basis.

In thinking about content, do you have specific opinions on what a site must have?
The content must be reliable, it must be up to date, and it must be easy for the average user to comprehend.

What do you think brings a first timer back for the second time?
Those three aspects of "good content."

Do you think it's more important to focus around the money generating aspect of your site, or do you always focus on content first?
Content always comes first in my book, there's absolutely no question otherwise.

Do you have any advice to someone just starting a web site?
Web sites are fun even if you're building them without a specific purpose in mind. However, if you're doing it in the hopes of going into e-business, you will find it requires the same hard work and long hours as any normal offline business. My web site is literally a full-time job, about six to eight hours a day and six to seven days a week. I regularly work weekends and haven't had a true vacation in about two years. My screenplay writing is a hobby I wish I had more time to pursue.

Continued...