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.
family-safe home cleaners Lincolnshire ..If you are looking for creating your online presence you... Read More
Many executives and investors are skeptical that software products can... Read More
RIVERSIDE, CA August 4, 2004 ?- "Historically, small business owners... Read More
What is SQL? SQL stands for Structured Query Language and... Read More
Like most average persons, I wanted some extra money to... Read More
With more and more countries around the world passing laws... Read More
When you started reading this sentence you assumed lo acabar?a... Read More
Selecting the Perfect Domain NameThe first issue I have with... Read More
Right after the thought, "I need a website," people usually... Read More
There have been many significant changes to the face of... Read More
Like wine cars get more attractive to collectors as years... Read More
This is a growing concern amongst many business owners. Does... Read More
One of the most important parts of establishing a new... Read More
1) Word of Mouth The single most powerful form of... Read More
If you have your own business website and you are... Read More
1) A marketing necessityI still hear it said from time... Read More
I can't think of any business alive today that couldn't... Read More
D.zigns dzignerwebs The Basics Before starting on... Read More
Failure, just like success, is measured differently by each and... Read More
That's right. Your method, behavior and strategy you are now... Read More
Think up a name and check if yourname.com is available.... Read More
So your prospect, Mary, is sitting at the computer reading... Read More
In the late 1990's three San Francisco based web developers... Read More
Designing and creating your own website does not have to... Read More
People often come to me in a state of crisis... Read More
maide service in Buffalo Grove ..Do you make your website just to entertain yourself or... Read More
Any new website competing on the internet, needs to take... Read More
If one more business owner tells me their website sucks... Read More
Some left shoes are in isle 5, while the right... Read More
We are clearly well past the innocent "golden age" of... Read More
Now that you have got your domain name registered, your... Read More
While it may seem like a "quick and easy" task,... Read More
Making maximum profit from your law firm website is important,... Read More
Your business website is a critical aspect of being able... Read More
A website is like an information flow, with you as... Read More
Your site is getting traffic, but conversion rates are horrible.... Read More
A system development process can follow a number of standard... Read More
Are bloated images slowing down your web site and causing... Read More
Three way linking and concerns.For many years SEO experts were... Read More
An automated accessibility tool is a piece of software which... Read More
Webmaster tools are vital to becoming both efficient and effective... Read More
Everywhere you look these days, people are telling you that... Read More
Everyone wants one.Everyone wishes they knew how to make one.SOME... Read More
Why do some sites succeed while the vast majority of... Read More
If your company own one or more stores, you might... Read More
A PHP Redirect automatically transfers a web user from one... Read More
You know exactly what your organisation does and what your... Read More
A website lets you put your products in front of... Read More
It amazes me how many people try to build serious... Read More
An additional benefit of website accessibility is an improved performance... Read More
Web Development |