Is your tag cloud cloudy?

Tag clouds became a buzz item for websites some time ago and seemed to capture the attention of the recently new social media consultants. It's easy to understand; they looked nice, were a new way to present a visually pleasing content summary. For my part, I've never used one for browsing a website or finding something I want to get to - properly created and intuitive navigation and search are always more effective.

I have found one very useful purpose for creating a tag cloud - and it isn't to place it on a website intending visitors to use it. Just like a picture can convey information at a moment's glance, a tag cloud can quickly show you whether your website is saying what you think it is saying. Take a look at this example:

Now quick - what does this company do, sell, make.....? Not sure, take some more time. Unfortunately while you are trying to figure this out, the visitors to the website came and left.

So go ahead and have fun with your tag cloud; just be sure to use it in a way that is truly useful - to educate yourself about YOUR website.