Why are you not up to date on technology?

I have commonly been accused of not building great websites, that my designs and tools are dated and not up to the current browser abilities.

And I say, "So What?"

My websites work 10% of the time on all the peoples computers that go to them, do yours?

What is the average age of a persons computer and browser?

Is it 3 weeks or 3 years?

How often does the average person install new software of buy a new operating system?

The answer is not that often.

So if you are using things that only work on new browsers you visitors are not able to view your pages or see pages that make them think you don't know how to build a website.

Does someone visiting your website on a 3 year old browser know that it is their browser that is the problem and not your website? Why would they think that? Why would they think they have to install something else to enjoy the web?

The fact is, if your website is built to the latest and greatest standards you are likely losing customers daily.

Why don't people just upgrade their browser ever week?

Not everyone lives online
Most people don't know how
Most people don't care
People don't like change
Most people don't have new computers every 12 months
Most old Operating Systems don't support new browsers
Why are you doing something when most people are not?

Not Everyone Lives Online

The fact is, many people don't even know how to use the Internet and those that do don't use it daily, they only use is on occasion.

You probably think that everyone is a technology expert like you, but that is not true. Most people do not use computers at work, most people don't have programming experience and most people don't have Facebook ad Twitter accounts.

Just because you live at a desk, work at a desk don't assume that everyone else does. Most jobs do not require using a computer, so the vast majority of people do not have the newest technology, the newest browsers or the latest operating system.

The fact is, most computers still run 10 year old systems like Windows XP and the users have no reason to upgrade their compute ad have better things to do with their extra money.

If most people don't need computers, how often will they upgrade?

Having a 10 year old computer is not uncommon and the biggest problem with that is even though new browsers are free, the operating system and hardware just wont handle the resources that new browsers need.

This means if the users do install the newest browsers they typically don't work.

So they are stuck with an older version and can't upgrade unless the shell out some serious clams for a new PC.

Then we have the change issue.

Since most people only rarely use their computer they don't like to lean new interfaces and new features all the time.

People like what they have, they know how to use it and the are comfortable with it. The last thing they want to do is download a new version and be confused and uncomfortable.

Teens would be the exception to the rule, they like the latest, keeping up to date until they get older and realize it is a hassle, a pain and takes time away from other things they need or what to do.

So people resist change. They don't like t change behavior or engage in new technology, so they will never upgrade browsers if they don't absolutely have to.

It is easy to see how having website that need new browsers can be a problem for the site owners.

Webmasters don't seen to care, they use the latest tricks despite complaints from their customers that their customers can see the website or that it is different on every computer.

Webmasters think that people should upgrade, keep up with them and buy new computers.

But as a business owner you know how stupid that is.

You can't expect your customers to go buy a new computer just to buy from you. Or download and install a new browser.

You have to have a product that works for your market and having technology more advanced than your customers is a bad idea.

I get frustrated with sites like NFL.com who make sites so complicated I can't even access them without a brand new PC. On my computer the pages are all skewed, out of line and ads cover up the schedules.

The pages are so heavy that they clog up all the memory in my PC and i can't read anything on a 3 year old browser.

Now 3 years may seem like a long time to a 16 year old, but those of us in our 40's, 50's and 60's just don't see it the same way.

I a not buying a new computer every 3 years and don't want to. If a website does not work on my computer i use a different website and there lies the problem.

If your website is so important to your business, then why are you using technology that alienates customers?

Why does heathcare.gov use 56 javascript files on one page that has nothing to do with functionality but only the suer experience and visual effects?

When the healthcare.gov site crashed experts laughed at how many files were in one page, claiming that alone would crash the servers just trying to deliver the content.

But what about the user on the other end? Unless they have a super fast computer less than a couple of years old, they have the same problem on their end. Too much data and code for their computer to process.

I am sure nobody will ever get to the bottom of what the government made such a huge mistake, but why would you make the same mistake?

pageBuzz is simple because it works. People like it because it is simple and it works. But then when they build their website they want to make it complex, sexy and use all the modern features.

Now what good is that if you can't get any sales or visitors can't see your pages?

How productive would it be if we started changing all the highways to a Maglev Unirail system using rails rather than tires. When you get to a road that requires your car to hook into the magnetic coils you can't go down it if you have not upgraded your car. You are shut out.

Now if you have your store on that road, how many customers will you lose? How long before people just find someplace else to shop?

Sure eventually everyone will add a maglev conversion to their car and be able to use your road, but that would be insane to be the first one using that technology.

It seems like a pretty common concept, but webmasters still insist on over building websites and site owners just don't realize, their business is being negatively impacted.

Don't you think it is time to get a handle on it before it is too late?