When I check various links to websites, often in this forum, I am amazed at the poor quality of spelling that is almost always on view. I would never consider using such a "company" as I think it displays such a bad image of the company. I mean what does it take to use a spell-checker or a dictionary!
What do you think - is spelling important to the whole image, or is education today so bad that most people don't see a spelling mistake?

Very important.

Not so much for chatting on a forum but for a business its very important.

That’s like handing a resume over to someone with spelling mistakes all over it. Do you think you will ever get asked for an interview ?? LOL NOT.

Cheers

Yes, in my opinion, spelling is very important. I believe that if someone doesn't display good spelling and grammar it makes them look less professional. I always double and sometimes triple check my spelling and grammar because I don't want to sound and/or look unprofessional.

I don't look at it as much of a problem on WHT because I know even with myself, I have been interested in posting a reply and may have some times missed a simple mistake. The times that I believe it matters the most is when you are making mistakes on your web site and potential customers see it.

Again, this is just my opinion on the subject.

I definitely believe spelling matters, and I am also amazed at the poor quality of spelling that I see everywhere. It drives me nuts! It's to the point where I have to not care, otherwise, I'd go insane. :(

Originally posted by grandad
. . . . . . I would never consider using such a "company" . . . . . .I think many believe as you. So, to answer your question; of 'course' spelling, as well as grammar, matter.

I would never use anyone with many spelling or grammar mistakes. One - fine - typo. Three to four - hek no.

I think now days people are so used to typing short hand, such as conversations that they forget proper spelling and grammar.

wassup
notin
k. going to the game?
naa
y not?

I really like when people talk normal. It also helps me understand wtf they are saying.

I don't know how or where I found this, but this works very well:

http://www.iespell.com

I actually forget to use it since it (hides itself under 'tools' in IE menu, heh), but when I remember, it is handy.

Spelling AND grammar are extremely important in any business environment. As mentioned, on a forum like this where the replies are fast and efficient, spelling is not that important.

But when you are representing your company, whether it is by typing an e-mail, forum entry about your company, or website, first impressions to the reader are crucial to your sale.

Hope this helps.

Kind regards

Hi, I am pretty bad at spelling and grammar, especially on forums. However I think it is important on a business website, i always use the spell check and get other people to check it out, having said that, there are probably still a few mistakes on there.

Originally posted by tazd9t9
i always use the spell chack

Thanks for giving me a laugh ... :emlaugh: I agree that postings on a forum are quite different - it's casual and often fast, but on a business site I think more care is essential if you want to attract business and look professional.

Thanks for the useful link Chicken.

The interesting thing is how many spelling and grammar errors there are just on this page!

Well, not that many. Quick count: two of each.

On forums, it's not as important, because people are typing quickly. Unless you're offering your services, of course, because that is like a resume, as someone else stated. However, spelling errors elsewhere irritate me quite a bit. My school yearbook, for example, had at least 10 spelling errors on each PAGE. I'm still in the process of going through and editing it so that one day when I look back on it, I can say, "Well, the writers couldn't spell, but I could." :)

Originally posted by NSyncVillage
My school yearbook, for example, had at least 10 spelling errors on each PAGE. I'm still in the process of going through and editing it so that one day when I look back on it, I can say, "Well, the writers couldn't spell, but I could." :)


Now maybe that tells us what the problem is!

I don't see why no one could have edited the yearbook. I mean, if you even read just one page, you'd know right away it needed editing. I just don't know how things like that go unnoticed. I also see spelling errors in books that I read. With all the editing those things go through, you'd think they'd be perfect!

I agree with mark. I also never leave home without www.webster.com

Not much more to add to those comments. Your web site is the reflection on your company.. If it's full of spelling mistakes, then nobody's going to take your company seriously. And even worse, they're not going to fork out their hard-earned $$ to a company who they don't trust... :) Spelling mistakes to me show a lack of proper preparation of the site, like it's a rush-job. Shady.

~B (It's all about commitment)

Originally posted by grandad
Now maybe that tells us what the problem is!

If you're referring to this problem starting in school, that is a possibility but I believe it has more to do with people being too lazy. I can't fault teachers because a few "kids" don't want to take the time and seriously learn.

As an example, I wrote a letter to a local news station recently because their web site had so many spelling and grammar mistakes that I thought they would want to know why I wouldn't return again. The biggest problem for me on this one was that the people writing all of the stories and articles have degrees majoring in English and Communications. Sad when they can't even write properly.

I wonder if the current use of mobile 'phone text messaging is making the problem worse. Or is it all part of the "who cares" attitude that seems so popular today?

I think that spelling is very important, especially in websites, because your website is a representation of your business, if you spell, chances are your visitor won't think much of you and your business. With correctly spelled and punctuated sentences, businesses can better represent themselves.

Spelling and grammar are important on a web site because it's the impression that counts. I'm sure most everyone would agree that posting in a forum isn't as critical - and sometimes it's just easier to take a shortcut.

The SMS phenomenon I'm sure has an influence, as well as the general attitude of Americans (especially) who really don't give a sh*t about grammar. However, this should never show up on a web site unless you're targeting a youth audience and you're trying to be contemporary.

I think it's really unfortunate the level of English that I see on many web sites. I understand that it's a problem for non-English speakers, but if it's REALLY important, then go find someone to help you. Of course, if you're a one-man graphics firm in Europe with decent English, it isn't exactly critical that your web site have the highest level of English.

I'm always amazed at how here in Israel many BIG companies sell products with incredibly mangled English. I'm sure the CEO of the company could easily hop over to his American neighbors and ask their 14 year-old to fix up the English. The problem is that everyone thinks that they know English, and no one wants to admit that they don't know it well enough.

In any case, I'm always amazed at the good command of English that most Europeans/Africans/Indians have. Go ask an American what languages he knows! Hell, Americans don't even know that there ARE other languages. They even "translate" British television shows to American English.

Originally posted by Abu Mami
Americans don't even know that there ARE other languages. They even "translate" British television shows to American English.

:emlaugh:

Originally posted by grandad
:emlaugh:

I second that one... :D :emlaugh:

I know of other languages and actually took Spanish a couple of years in high school. I didn't do too well but that's because I didn't care that much. I started caring a whole lot more about my education when I realized it was affecting my income. :D

Another link that I find incredibly useful:

http://www.spellonline.com/

I run all my pages through it, to make sure I didn't make any inane spelling mistakes.

we did Spanish, Latin, German and French at school (in the UK). I wasn't great at them so i didnt continue too far. Grammar and spelling were compulsory, but only in marking i.e. you were marked for it but not taugh it. Theres a great contrast between my dad's SPG and mine and I do try, but he still proof reads things for me. A little less poncing around in school and some more basics wouldnt go amiss.

I find some of the grammar and spelling errors appalling. However, i am also impressed by the language skills of many in here for whom English is not their primary language.

Originally posted by Rotifer
I find some of the grammar and spelling errors appalling. However, i am also impressed by the language skills of many in here for whom English is not their primary language.


Well Said.