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Easy Furniture Web Tip 166: Following Protocol. Do it!

Furniture World News Desk on 3/18/2013


By Katherine Andes

Every retail furniture business has systems set up to ensure operations run as error-free as possible. Following protocol helps everyone from management on down to do his or her job well.

Even though I work on my own, I, too, have my own systems set up to ensure that the web work I do for my clients is as error-free as possible.

But sometimes, well, I get in a hurry and skip following protocol.

For example, I regularly send out my Easy Web Tips to my mailing list. They are usually based on my Easy Furniture Web Tips, but refocused for a broader audience.

Before I send them out, I have a checklist I use to ensure they are error-free. Here is a sample of my checklist.

  • Spelling and Grammar Check
  • Bullet Endings Uniform
  • Correct # in Subject Line
  • Correct Title in Subject Line
  • Correct # in Tip
  • Bold Usage
  • Links Working
  • Comment Box Links to Correct Page
  • Read Out Loud
A couple of weeks ago, I was uploading a tip late at night and was in a hurry, so I skipped the checklist. I was lazy … yet, a little voice in my head was saying, “Kathy, don’t do that.” I ignored the voice.

The next morning, after the email had been delivered to my readers, one reader wrote to tell me that the link to the comment page wasn’t working.

Of course, it wasn’t.

So I had to fix the link and send out a second email with an explanation. I hate having to do that.

However, I have to admit there may have been an upside. Because two emails went out that morning, people were curious and I had a much higher open rate than usual. Interesting.

Easy Furniture Web Tip 166: Following protocol is a good idea for web work and other business practices. Skip at your own peril.

About Katherine Andes: Katherine Andes specializes in web content development and search engine optimization — including page customization for storefront and franchise web sites. Visit her website www.AndesAndAssociates.com or phone her at 559.589.0379.
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