Every online entrepreneur I talk to is asking the same question, "How do I increase my online sales, NOW?"
Online selling is essentially a numbers game. The more visitors to a site, the more sales that site will make. The number of sales made divided by the total number of visitors to a site is called the conversion rate. A typical site will have a conversion rate of between 1 and 2 percent, or 1 to 2 sales per 100 visitors.
It is obvious that if the number of visitors increases, and the conversion rate remains the same, then sales will increase. Traffic is the first variable that most online marketers attempt to influence when they begin their online marketing campaigns.
There are two basic problems with the increase traffic method. The first is that it is expensive to run advertising and improve a site's ranking in the search engines. The second, and subtler issue is that there is no guarantee that the conversion rate will remain constant.
So what about increasing the conversion rate? Using the example above, if the number of buyers could be increased from 1 or 2 per hundred visitors to 2 to 4, sales will have doubled! So what can be done to increase a web site's conversion rate? Below I list 7 techniques designed to accomplish this goal:
These testimonials should be from previous customers and should include specifics as to how the product or service helped them solve a problem.
Obtaining testimonials is no problem, just ask. People love to be asked what they think; most will be willing to share their thoughts on your product or service. Implement a process of following up with your customers with a questionnaire. Leave plenty of room for their comments and make it clear that their comments may be used in your advertising.
Many people will not buy the first time they see your product. In fact, some experts claim that people must see your message seven times before they are ready to buy. Autoresponder courses are a great way to follow up with the potential customer. There are many free autoresponder services on the web. I use FreeAutoBot.com.
By letting your customers try before they buy, you can significantly increase your sales. If you sell an information product, provide a few paragraphs or even the first chapter by autoresponder. This technique also helps to improve follow up by guaranteeing you obtain contact information.
Everyone likes to get something for nothing, especially if that something is perceived as valuable. E-books make a great bonus, especially if they contain original content. If you are unable to create your own e-book, you could give away someone else's. Free-eBooks.net is a good resource for finding E-books to give away.
Use the Direct Response Site model. A direct response site is one where the customer's choices are very limited. Essentially they can buy the product, bookmark the page, subscribe to your ezine, or leave the site. The more options a visitor has, the less likely they are to make a purchase.
It is well known that successful businesses make 75% of their sales to repeat customers. Start a free ezine and get your customers to subscribe. Get their permission to send them information on upgrades and new products. On their receipt, mention a product that compliments their purchase. Don't have a product to offer for follow on sales? Find and join an affiliate program offering products of interest to your target market.
Appeal to target emotion rather than reason. People respond more intensely to emotional appeals than to intellectual discussion. Design your copy to focus on the visitor's dreams, desires, fears or goals. Position your product to appeal to their emotional needs.
Implement these seven tips, and watch your online sales increase.
About The Author
Copyright 2002 Tony L. Callahan, All Rights Reserved Tony L. Callahan is president of his own Internet marketing company, link-promote.com. He also publishes Web-Links Monthly, a newsletter full of tips, tricks, tools and techniques for successful web site promotions. link-promote.com.
rental limo Atlanta .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareRecently I was reviewing the keyword specific conversion rate data... Read More
You hear a great deal about the Internet these days... Read More
Dynamically Update Your Web Pages Via E-MailIf you can Send... Read More
Do you need a web site? Are you considering getting... Read More
What is web accessibility & why is it important?Web accessibility... Read More
The Internet car buyer is an elusive animal. Trying to... Read More
1) Data CaptureOne easy way to collect e-mail addresses and... Read More
Every business needs to know how it is doing. That's... Read More
Did you know that hosting companies overcrowd their servers despite... Read More
If you are living in a country that its native... Read More
The big thing these days is your ability to capture... Read More
What is CSS?CSS is a simple file which controls the... Read More
If you are looking for creating your online presence you... Read More
If you like the Internet and surfing through the billions... Read More
I'm one of those people that always wanted a website,... Read More
I can't think of any business alive today that couldn't... Read More
Webmasters deal with a myriad of complex design challenges every... Read More
Many executives and investors are skeptical that software products can... Read More
Never has competition been so difficult in the Internet world.... Read More
Losing website sales and traffic is sometimes simply a case... Read More
1) Word of Mouth The single most powerful form of... Read More
Like wine cars get more attractive to collectors as years... Read More
1. The first page appears quickly.It's a good way to... Read More
How do you decide on the content, products and or... Read More
Does your website have a links/resources page?Do you exchange reciprocal... Read More
Bedford Park taxi to Midway .."'Page Not Found' on this Server. Check the URL and... Read More
After deciding what kind of internet business you want to... Read More
Why do some web sites reap huge benefits while others... Read More
A professional online reputation is essential to the flourishing of... Read More
A lot has changed in the way sites are optimized... Read More
A system development process can follow a number of standard... Read More
The process of Web application development is critical to the... Read More
One of my most salient memories from when I sold... Read More
My life's greatest passion is a safari hobby. And what... Read More
Absolutely everything stems from the purpose of your website -... Read More
1) A marketing necessityI still hear it said from time... Read More
Everyday thousands of new businesses make the leap and take... Read More
Everywhere you look these days, people are telling you that... Read More
One of the things that Internet excels is disseminating information... Read More
How do you decide on the content, products and or... Read More
A PHP Redirect automatically transfers a web user from one... Read More
Globalize Your WebsiteThe Internet has unlocked a wide array of... Read More
Launching a new small business website is often a long... Read More
1) Word of Mouth The single most powerful form of... Read More
When you started reading this sentence you assumed lo acabar?a... Read More
The Internet is being used by local service business to... Read More
You hear a great deal about the Internet these days... Read More
Visitors to your site come looking for information or solutions... Read More
2 Golden Rules for an Engaging Website35% of visitors fail... Read More
Functions and Subroutines in ASP If you read... Read More
Web Development |