MySpace is an online community which can be a fun way for members to meet new friends,
reconnect with old friends or make romantic connections. MySpace members who are
interested in pursuing these types of activities online are free to create a website
which reflects their personality. This will help others to understand who they are and
to learn more about their preferences.
Although MySpace offers all of these fun entertainment type activities, there are some
members of MySpace who utilize the community for business purposes. They may use MySpace
to network, make business connections or to promote their business. In these cases care
should be taken to create a MySpace website that is attractive and interesting while
maintaining a professional appearance.
Avoid Slang and Abbreviations
One way to maintain a professional appearance on a MySpace website is to avoid the use of
slang or abbreviations. Many MySpace websites feature slang, abbreviations and terms which
are not grammatically correct. While this type of Internet language may be entertaining
and may be considered acceptable among members of the community, this type of writing is
not likely to appeal to potential customers or business partners. Additionally, not
everyone understand the cryptic language often used on message boards, text messages and
emails and those who do not understand may have trouble reading the information presented
on the website.
Keep the Design Tasteful
As previously mentioned, those who are using MySpace strictly for entertainment purposes
can design a website according to their personal preferences. This may include unusual
fonts, garish colors, offensive images and blaring background music. While this type of
design may provide a great deal of insight into an individual’s personality it is not a
good idea for a business related website. Therefore those who are using their website for
promotion of a business should create a more tasteful design.
There are a few generic tips which can make a website appear more professional. The use of
muted colors that complement each other can make a website aesthetically appealing. Users
are more likely to spend time on websites with these types of color combinations because
it is soothing. Additionally, the use of a common font type and size which makes reading
the text simple is recommended. The use of background music should also be avoided in
professional websites as many users either do not have speakers or may view the website
in a location where they do not want to hear music.
Avoid Embarrassing Photos
Finally, special consideration should be given to the use of photos on a website which is
striving to maintain a professional appearance. While those who are using MySpace for
entertainment purposes only may opt to plaster their website with embarrassing pictures of
them and their friends, those who have business intentions should use photos more
judiciously.
The photos used on a business website should invoke a professional sentiment. This may
include posed photos of the website owner in a dignified location, landscape photographs
or pictures of products sold by the company. Alternately those who are using MySpace to
promote products or services might consider not using images as at all. Whether or not
pictures are used on a website is a matter of personal preference but when they are used,
care should be taken to ensure they contribute to the overall design of the website rather
than distract from it.
Written by Michael L. Mayhew
Michael Mayhew is the webmaster of WebmasterAutomation.com.
You can get additional information at his website:
http://webmasterautomation.com/
(c)2007
