Don’t you just HATE it when you go to a web site for a favorite store or restaurant and click on the Special Deals tab they have there… and you get the message

.

.

“There are no special deals at this time.”

Me too. Makes me feel like a sucker. Same goes for “Coupons” and “Events” and “Calendar” especially.

If you say “but it’s true”, that your shop’s not offering any special deals at this time…

rethink your viewpoint.

Of course you’re offering special deals. That’s the whole point of your business: Fantastic Finds, Treasure-Hunting in air-conditioned comfort, Saving the world one couch at a time, or even, as one shopkeeper I know bragged “we have a rest room so you can try stuff on.”

So don’t leave your Special Deals page blank. Put SOMEthing on it. If only something a little thought-provoking like:

Each day offers us the gift of being a special occasion if we can simply learn that as well as giving, it is blessed to receive with grace and a grateful heart. — Sarah Ban Breathnach

Otherwise, you’ve made your viewer work (and yes, clicking a mouse feels like work when there’s no reward for it) and then given her no payback. Slammed a metaphorical STOP sign in her face. And we wouldn’t want to do that.

Even worse: those blank calendars.

Here you go, clicking an Events Calendar tab, anticipating social occasions wall-to-wall: a girls’ night out event or a “Blondes Get 25% off today” offer or maybe a day when you can pet some animals up for adoption from the shelter…and the calendar’s empty. What a let-down. More on this:  Is your dance card empty?