Google Instant Launch Increases Importance of First Impressions on the Web, Says Punch Communications

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London, UK, December 03, 2010 -- Leaving a good first impression has always been vital in securing new business but since the launch of Google Instant Previews the bar has been raised, and as a result clear and concise website design and copy can mean the difference between success and failure, says PR Agency, Punch Communications.

Prior to the launch of Google Instant Previews, it took an average of just three seconds for a consumer to gage a first impression of a site and subsequently decide whether to stay or search elsewhere. However, with the ability to now preview a site and acknowledge how many times their search term appears on the page shown, this figure is likely to drop significantly.

Indeed, specific phrases are also found and highlighted in these previews allowing the user to review more context to make sure the page is suitable for what they looking for. As a consequence, businesses need to be extremely mindful of the layout, design and, appropriate copy on their websites.

Ben Leuty, Account Manager at Technology PR agency Punch Communications, commented: “Capturing traffic is any websites number one priority and it just got a whole lot harder. For the everyday internet user, Google Instant Previews has the ability to drastically increase the speed in which the relevant content is found but, for businesses on the receiving end, it could either cause a mass increase, or decrease, in traffic based solely on the look of their website. As such businesses should review, and if necessary amend and enhance, the copy and visuals on their websites, not just the home page but also every landing page for SEO keywords they may be trying promote.”

“It doesn't necessarily have to be a long and drawn out process either. Businesses need to look at their sites through the eyes of their customers and target audience, ensuring that the pages are uncluttered, the copy is scanable, page titles and headlines are ‘punchy’ and clearly state what the page is about. In addition to this and very importantly, that the pages should look inviting and the colours shouldn't too outrageous. Get these elements right and there’s a good chance that the customer will click through onto the site for a closer look, get them wrong and it could lead to adversity.”

Google claim that Instant Previews will soon allow users to preview websites in real time, pulling them up in less than 1/10th of a second and dynamically updating them as content changes.

“Instant Previews could be of great benefit to businesses, especially for start-ups, as the preview window will also act as an advert for the website” continued Ben, “so, get the look right and the traffic should follow.”

For more information on Punch Communications and its Online PR services please visit www.punchcomms.com or call 01858 411 600.