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Typos on Your Website - Would You Want Someone To Tell You?

by ambercoco
20 replies
Do you ever tell someone when you find a typo or broken link on their website? I ask because sometimes I do and sometimes I don't, but I did recently and got a "mind your own business" response.

I send a short, simple email goes something like this:

Hi - very nice site. Just as a FYI - I noticed a small typo at yoursite[dot]com/page In the second paragraph, I noticed the word "pubic," but it seems the correct word would be "public."

I appreciate when a reader is kind enough to take the time to let me know I have a typo or broken link, but I guess not everyone does.

So, if someone tells you about a typo/broken link, do you appreciate this or do you consider it rude?

BTW: Anybody remember the "you c*ck" vs. "you rock" typo during the 30-Day Challenge? I almost fell off my chair laughing, but I'm sure there were those with delicate eyes who were offended.
#typos #website
  • Profile picture of the author SShip
    Absolutely I'd want to know. We look at our own sites so much, it's easy to miss things.
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  • Profile picture of the author SmartHealthShop
    yes, yes, and yes - even if its an ignorant comment i want to know everything and every opinion...we are webmasters and owners are supposed to know whats right so 3rd party opinions can be taken with a grain of salt without hurting our feelings.

    BUT, if someone has a bad experience or there are a TREND of complaints, then yes its very likely something needs to be fixed. Yes, of course.
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    • Profile picture of the author Tashi Mortier
      Of course I'd like to know if there's some problem with my website.

      I also take the time to notify others of any mistakes that I might find. Such things happen and as long as it's not the whole site that is full of errors it's totally okay.
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  • Profile picture of the author Lisa Gergets
    Oh I would definitely want to know, and wouldn't be offended in the slightest. How many times do we see sales pages, etc. that have typos, terrible grammar, etc.? All that does is sacrifice the integrity of the product, so yeah, I'd definitely want someone to alert me if they saw something.
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    • Profile picture of the author Cherie
      Yes, I would definitely want to know!
      A little successful criticism will enhance your work...and perhaps
      think outside of the box.
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  • Profile picture of the author WebRank1
    Damn right I would like to know. Even though I have a spelling check in my FF browser, I make mistakes all the time and nothing is worse than when you are trying to sell something or educate someone and your text isn't flawless.

    So yes, I would like to know!
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  • Profile picture of the author Peggy Baron
    Yes, I would definitely want to know. Especially if there's a broken link!

    But I've had the same experience as you and realize not everyone does. Maybe it depends on whether it's a site that's just been thrown up to make some quick sales and they know the shelf life isn't very long? I don't know. :confused:

    Peggy
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    • Profile picture of the author affilcrazy
      Mand yuron Blusness. Thsi snot a pubic wabsit, ot os pravate, <a href "CLUCK HERE"</a>!!!

      LOL! No, I'm with everyone else here, of course I would want to know. My websites are an online representation of myself, and therefore any typos/broken links would not only appear unprofessional, as though I don't really care, but they are also likely to see my readers clicking the back button in their droves.

      You did the right thing, and your actions speak volumes about you as a person. The exact same can be said of the website owner in question - their actions/reaction speaks volumes about them. Don't sweat it and well done.

      Cheers
      Partha
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      "There is no fixed teaching. All I can provide is an appropriate medicine for a particular ailment" - Bruce Lee, Tao of Jeet Kune Do (on Zen)
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  • Profile picture of the author Linda_C
    Originally Posted by ambercoco View Post

    Do you ever tell someone when you find a typo or broken link on their website? I ask because sometimes I do and sometimes I don't, but I did recently and got a "mind your own business" response.
    I really appreciate when people tell me about typos/errors they find and thank them profusely. I even welcome them to go proofread my whole site for me. (lol - kidding)

    I try to do the same when I see tupos on other sites. Mostly I get ignored, but the rare person will say thanks. I think some people take it as an insult? Go figure.

    :rolleyes:
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    • Profile picture of the author DJL
      Originally Posted by Linda_C View Post

      I really appreciate when people tell me about typos/errors they find and thank them profusely. I even welcome them to go proofread my whole site for me. (lol - kidding)

      I try to do the same when I see tupos on other sites. Mostly I get ignored, but the rare person will say thanks. I think some people take it as an insult? Go figure.

      :rolleyes:
      I think you meant typos.
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  • Profile picture of the author E. Brian Rose
    Originally Posted by ambercoco View Post

    Do you ever tell someone when you find a typo or broken link on their website? I ask because sometimes I do and sometimes I don't, but I did recently and got a "mind your own business" response.
    I sometimes tell people, always if it is somebody that I know. Forget about that guy that told you to piss off. Karma can be a bitch. He'll get his!
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    Founder of JVZoo. All around good guy :)

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  • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
    Banned
    Originally Posted by ambercoco View Post

    So, if someone tells you about a typo/broken link, do you appreciate this or do you consider it rude?
    I appreciate it.

    I once drew someone's attention to a typo (not quite as questionable/entertaining as "pubic" for "public" but it was one that we'd all want to avoid) and got a pretty cold reply saying they'd split-tested it and decided to go with the typo version as it converted better. Which was obviously complete cr@p, but there you are ...
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  • Profile picture of the author edv
    Personally I would appreciate it but there are people who obviously wouldn't. After so many hours spent "building" your site it may be irritating to see that you have such mistakes and perhaps that explains the reaction you described.
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  • Profile picture of the author daniel900
    Yes that would be great.

    But how many of those who see him also report? You need a Report function, then you have a chance that somebody can report the typo.
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  • Profile picture of the author rlhurst
    I'd definitely want to know. I once sent a message to a site owner about a typo, and got a similar "brush off" statement!
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  • Profile picture of the author machia
    Sure, I'd like to know...but if it is intentionally bringing me traffic and I have no intention of changing it, I still wouldn't be rude to you for pointing in out.
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  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    I think it's pretty cool when people do it. More and more I notice typos and really don't have the time to report them all. I've done it a few times though. I'm more likely to report a broken link or other technical problem first.

    I've seen Warriors base most of their freelance copywriting marketing efforts on cruising the Web, finding poorly presented offers and then contacting the owner of the site to call attention to the problems, and of course, the solution. If done properly that is a great way to get business.

    EDIT: Some spelling mistakes are placed on sites delibertly. These are commonly misspelled keywords that help to drive a bit of extra traffic to the site. So, when someone says to butt out, that could be their reason. Still, rudeness sucks. So it goes...
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  • Profile picture of the author Floyd Fisher
    I just say thanks and file it away under 'Work on later if I ever have the time'.

    People like that are just trying to be helpful, so why get mad at 'em? Just thank 'em and move on.
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