Take 5, Then Click Contact

I have over 10 of my very own Web sites. As with www.NetManners.com and my consulting site www.TheIStudio.com when an e-mail request comes in, I review and respond promptly.

One thing I noticed as of late is the increasing amount of e-mailers that either do not read what is on my site or in my previous e-mail. Heck, I am always here to answer questions, concerns or provide additional details about any of my products or services. If you don't have service online, you really don't have much at all and I pride myself on offering prompt and concise replies to any inquiry that comes in. Until now....

I can understand folks frustration at not being able to find the answers they seek. Many sites are poorly designed, do not have any coherent navigation and really do not consider their site visitors when the site is developed in the first place. This leads to visitors not being able to find basic information to the common questions that pretty much any site visitor might look for.

I can understand that--but not when you are at any of my sites. See, I make it a mission to track customer inquiries and questions and over the years can honestly say that for every e-mail question that I get its answer can be found on my site(s) with literally only a click or two of effort.

I see this pattern happening with clients, customers and every day Netizens. You provide the information either on your site, or in an eZine, or in a library of articles and onliners do not want to take the time to review those resources for the information they seek. It's easier to just click on a contact or e-mail link and blurt out their questions--even when the answers are easily found.

Is it because there are so many bad sites that onliners have given up looking? I don't think so. Is it because they don't know how to recognize a good site with clear navigation that provides the information for them--if they want to take the time to read it? I don't think that's it either. I genuinely believe they don't want to make the effort as minor as it may be. L.A.Z.Y.

Here again, this all boils down to a lack of consideration for the person on the other side of the screen.

"I want it now!"
"I want it delivered to my inbox now!"
"My time is more important than yours so I am not going to make any effort to find and read the info I seek! I'll e-mail and you'll provide the answers directly back to me!"

Hmmm... Who would have thought even a short decade ago that the wealth of information currently online would be moments or clicks away on whatever topic whenever you desire? Now, unfortunately, it seems that isn't even good enough for some.

Everyone needs to slow down. Take your time when reviewing a site. Make the effort to see if they have the information you seek. Read e-mail replies carefully. Read eZines provided by those who have the information you seek. Don't expect those folks to send personalized answers to you because you don't want to take the time to review their site or the materials previously sent to you. That's just common courtesy!

So take just take 5 minutes to find the info you seek before you click that e-mail link or contact button. Don't just click because you do not want to take the time to review the information provided. If you do it will speak volumes about what you may be like to communicate or do business with. How would you like to communicate or do business with someone who would ignore all the information you provide because they don't want to take the time to read it but want you to take the time to repeat it?

Then, if you do not find what you seek after making an honest effort, do e-mail with courtesy and proper e-mail etiquette about what you seek. No doubt, if the site owner is like me, they'll be pleased to hear from you and add the information you are looking for to their site for other visitors--or they'll just point you back to the information they provided in the first place.