This morning I was browsing some websites, mainly in the IM and Tech niches, looking for some things to purchase. That's right, I had a fist full of cash and the desire to spend it. I was the perfect customer.

So why was it that I spent about half an hour browsing sites and one by one clicking off them, probably never to return?

Spelling, grammar, sloppiness. 

I was not willing to part with my hard earned cash, because we all know that the cash we earn through our efforts here is very hard earned, when a site cannot do the basics.

When I see "Look at our palns" or "Sgin up now!" I wonder whether that sloppiness will spill over into the product or customer service.

When I see a site that looks like it hasn't changed since the 1990's I again have little trust (is that the web designer in me?). 

Maybe it is a case that I am attracted to shiny things, and cannot look past them to see the gem of a product. Maybe so, but first impressions count for a lot, especially in this business where it takes two seconds to hit the back button and click the next result in Google.

I think what I'm trying to say here, is that whilst your site doesn't have to be a work of art, and whilst a natural tone in writing is awesome, make sure you check things before releasing it to the outside world.

Make sure that the spelling and grammar is the best it can be, especially so on the sales pages! Wordpress has spell check, Google Chrome has an automatic spell check feature, so there is no need for even a word processor.

Make sure your site is clean looking and easy to navigate. Most themes are pretty well done nowadays, but taking 5 minutes to step back and look at your site through your visitors eyes could seriously help improve your layout.

These little things can help reduce people walking away from your site without reading what you have to offer.

There is an old phrase from somewhere, "The devil is in the detail".

I for one will definitely be looking much more closely at my own work from now on, trying to ensure these little things are as good as they can be. 

Will you?