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Would you point out someone's mistakes on their business website?

10 replies

TheKitchenWitch · 25/04/2018 07:02

Someone I know (not a friend, but we've known each other since our kids were tiny, so about 10 years - but only see sporadically now, maybe a couple of times a year), has started a new business, which she told me about when we last saw each other, and has now sent me an FB invite to "like" her page. So I went and had a look...and there are mistakes all over it. From spelling to grammar to phrasing (she's not a native English speaker, but her business is aimed at English-speakers here in Germany where we live).
Would you (kindly, politely) point out that it needs checking and correcting? In my opinion it makes a really bad impression. Or is it really none of my business? I think (if it was me) I'd want someone to tell me.
WWYD?

OP posts:
Grumpyoldblonde · 25/04/2018 07:06

Yes I would tell her, I have a website and ask people to check over any new content and I appreciate it very much if they point out errors.

TheKitchenWitch · 25/04/2018 07:15

How could I phrase it? Because it's not just one or two little mistakes, it really needs re-writing (I am not offering to do it, there's enough expats in our mutual circle of friends who are professional English teachers etc, which actually makes it even weirder that she didn't ask any of us to just have a quick read-through....)

OP posts:
makeitso · 25/04/2018 07:16

I would tell her about the spelling mistakes first and see how she reacts.

Some people don't like criticism even if it's helpful.

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tortelliniforever · 25/04/2018 07:19

I know someone who set up a "Wedding stationary" website. I did tell her as I didn't think she would get many customers if she left it! She has asked you to look at the website so I think you are safe to tell her.

BigGreenOlives · 25/04/2018 07:20

I did the same for a German friend, I suggested I might make her website more colloquial & she was happy.

0hCrepe · 25/04/2018 07:21

Yes I pointed out a spelling mistake on a friend’s fb page. Just have to do it in a nice way.

UrsulaPandress · 25/04/2018 07:23

A friend asked her mates to look over a new FB page to spot errors and I found one. But in this case where a complete rewrite is necessary I'm not sure I would.

FleurDelacoeur · 25/04/2018 07:26

Send her in my direction. I do this sort of work all the time. You could mention that you were reading something in the press about the way Google ranks it searches and that poorly written content with oodles of spelling and grammar errors is filtered out. (Which is true).

Is she serious about her business? Because were I starting a business with a website in my non-native language the very first thing I'd do is get a proofreader in, before the website even goes live.

theunsureone · 25/04/2018 07:32

I would tell her, just say I think you have a fantastic website (lie if you have to) and give lots of great positive comments about stuff (again lie if needs be) then say however I have noticed a few grammar and spelling mistakes. I can proof read it if you want and I’m only telling you this because I want the best for you and don’t want any potential clients to be put off. Then give a couple of examples, if they find out you knew they would be more mad for you not saying anything

TheKitchenWitch · 25/04/2018 11:37

Tbh I'm also surprised she hasn't asked anyone else to proof read it, and I imagine that all of us reading it are thinking the same. But I don't want to be one of dozens writing to say she's made loads of mistakes either!
Should I mention it to her one close friend and see if she's going to say anything? It might be better coming from her (and she's an EFL teacher, so that might make it a bit more "professional" too).

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