Thread: Will Google Instant Preview change the importance of Webdesign?

Hi

One week ago Google introduced a new feature into its search engine:

((login for URL))

Here is an introduction video from the official Google Blog:



One thing is for sure, this is a new feature that is really going to impact the traffic,
click through rate (CTR), Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and the importance
of Webdesign of every website.

Before instant preview websites "only" needed to focus on SEO, Content and link
building to rank high on Google. If you got your website for a specific keyword ranked
on the first page of Google you got the traffic. The higher your ranking was the more
traffic Google send your way.

Now, with instant preview, users don't have to click on a link to get a first glimpse
on the websites in the search results to decide whether they think if your page offers
what they are looking for or not.

So how does Google Instant Preview effect SEO and your CTR in the Search Results?

I think that the Webdesign becomes a much greater factor in the future.

Before Instant Preview the Webdesign only effected the decision of the user if he
stays on your Website or moves on. If he starts reading your content or if he hits
the back button and try another search result.

We as advertisers all know that humans in general are visual people and if they can
see your website before they click on your link in Google what do you think they are
judging?

Keep in mind that the content of your website is not readable in the preview except
the text call outs Google uses to highlight the search term relevant part of your website.

Clean sites with no or minimal Webdesign are not as eye-catching nor will they animate
many users to click the link. I am not talking about that graphic cluttered and crazily
colored websites will now get better results but think about it. A professional looking
design is more appealing for a user if he is judging which result to click than a clean
text or an unprofessional design.

Of course design totally depends on your niche and a user looking for something
specific is somehow "expecting" a certain direction in which the Webdesign should be.
E.g. a user searching technical instructions to create a wire circuit for a transistor
radio is not expecting a graphically heavy website when judging the preview of the
search results. However a clean design with images representing a professional
technical focused website will for sure get more attention from him then a white website
with a simple link to a PDF. Even though the PDF might contain exactly what he is
looking for.

So what if your website ranks high on Google but over the next weeks/month does
get a lot less clicks due to Searchers utilizing Google's Instant Preview?
What if Searchers decide that they don't think they can find on your site what they
are looking for and don't click it?

Do you think Google will still rank your Site like it did before? I really doubt that!

Is your Webdesign eye-catching enough to attract visitors?


What is your opinion?

I don't know, I continue to use Google but have ignored this "Instant Preview" feature completely. I'm not used to it and I think old habits die slow...

At first I searched without using it but from time to time it comes in handy.

I think most users will adopt to it.