Do it, don’t talk about it
– posted February 5th, 2008 by Laurence Veale Comments (3)
Half way down a stairwell the above sign, “Caution Stairs: Use Hand Rail”, reminded me of a Gerry McGovern post from January, “Great websites do, not say”
Never tell people what you’re going to do for them on the Web. Just let them do what they came to do as quickly and simply as possible.
“Welcome to our website.” What? I’m in a hurry. I don’t want to pass meaningless pleasantries with your website. I don’t want to shake its hand. Or talk about the weather. I’m at your website for a reason. I’m in a hurry. I’m impatient. So kill the welcome, please.
That said, with clients like these, I’d love to be in the sign-making business.
3 comments so far
1. Eoghan McCabe on Feb 5th, 2008 - 13:56
Welcome to the iQ Content stairs. We do hope that you like it.
We are sure that you will find the steps on our stairs extremely useful when moving between floors.
Do not forget to try our handrail, which is designed to provide additional support while using our stairs, especially for the infirm or elderly.
Finally, we welcome any comments and/or suggestions you may have about our stairs. Such feedback will help us to continue to provide a quality service to our visitors.
2. Lar on Feb 5th, 2008 - 13:59
Loving your work, Eoghan
3. David Moore on Feb 7th, 2008 - 20:39
Reminds me of the signs on the escalators at Dublin airport (not sure if they’re still there). They say (more or less) ‘These are escalators, if you’re unfamiliar with how they work, you should take the stairs’.