Google changing the game.

Doing business online can be tough, especially when Google plays games with the business owners. Regular users typically feel that the “see who survives after we change all the rules” game is an enjoyable and satisfying experience, but it leaves the business owners frustrated. However, Instant Previews was recently debuted by Google in their latest version. Floating your cursor over links in your search results now enables a swift snapshot of that website. The rule that says any visitor to your site will decide within three seconds whether to stay or not is now obsolete. Users can now see a snapshot of your site before they even click on it and can decide in 0.3 seconds whether or not to continue on. Does your site pass the new 0.3 second rule? If not, let’s repair it.

With Instant Preview, the pop up window is simply too small to allow users to read your content and then decide whether or not to click through for a visit. What they will be looking for in the minuscule box is how well the page is designed. Since users now don’t even have to leave Google to get a preview of your page, you need to make sure that the content that they are seeing is pertinent. Since you will now essentially have a magnifying glass analyzing your website and presenting users only your headlines and possibly the subheads, you will need to clear the clutter. Here’s how:

Get rid of the mess.
First, examine how many social media icons, ads, sidebar entries and sign up boxes are on your site and if they are taking up space that could be put to better use in advertising or enhancing your site. These items may be important, but not enough to be a priority on your page. Decide what you want to take precedence and emphasize this content. Move the important information towards the top, make it bigger, and use bright colors. The ads and such can be moved down the page where they aren’t as distracting. Make them smaller and use subtle colors.

Consistently modify, simplify, and execute.
You don’t want your site to look contemptible.
• Look at your header. Does it feature cheap clip art?
• Does your website employ the use of many different colors without visible visual branding?
• How many typefaces are being used? If it’s more than a few, then it will need to be fixed.
A custom header for your page can be created easily using a nice, intelligible typeface over a background downloaded from photo sharing sites, many of which are free or relatively inexpensive. Image editing software will also be needed, which you can also attain for free. Without hiring an expensive designer, you can have a low-to-no cost distinctive header for your website which will make you noticeable.
Do not go overboard on color schemes, two main colors should do it, however black and grey text does not count towards this number. Be sure to make these two colors priority to emphasize your visual brand; any other colors should be subtle and secondary.
Also choose only two typefaces to utilize. Your message will be more comprehensible and easier to capture in a glimpse if you’ve consistently used only two typefaces.
It is also possible to use a premium Wordpress theme to mimic these expert design elements without the expense of a designer or your time.

Headlines are very important.
A fantastic headline is an invaluable tool to get people to your site in that instant they see the snapshot on Google. Be sure that your subheads also tell a convincing tale. The subheads can also often be read from the preview and must allure the reader to click through to your site to learn more.

Make your content readable.
Instant Preview does not offer your readers individual sentences. However, they can see how your paragraphs have been formatted. Long paragraphs and sentences can be difficult to wade though and can be daunting to the reader. Use short paragraphs, strong subheads, and plenty of white space so as to not make your content appear painful to read.

Clean up your content.
Content is everything. But, it must be presented properly. Content inside of an unattractive website will not attract searchers to click through and read. Revamp your website to make it visually appealing inside of the Google Instant Preview. Another bonus to this cleanup is it will also make your website look great on the tiny screens of mobile devices.