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How_to_Make_Better_Use_of_Your_Website_Traffic
| How to Make Better Use of Your Website Traffic
Every online business is faced with the challenge of finding
some way to get their web pages noticed from among the billions
of others online. So it's understandable that much of our
efforts go towards getting 'traffic'. Without it, a website has
no prospects and thus no sales.
But instead of a constant push for more traffic, why not try to
make the most of the traffic you already have? For example, you
might currently make 1 sale for every 200 visitors. With a few
changes, you could make 1 sale for every 100 visitors,
effectively *doubling* your sales!
Here are a few suggestions. Test each one to see which methods
work best for your business - and don't be afraid to modify
them, too! The only way to know what's going to work for you is
to try it and track the results.
__1. Experiment with Popups or Popunders.
Many people have a strong dislike of popup or popunder windows,
so please use them judiciously. Some suggestions on how you can
use them include:
* A subscription box that appears only once per day for each
user (or once a week, or whatever time frame you would like to
use).
* A window that appears only as the visitor leaves your site.
* A 'timed' popup that waits a few seconds or minutes before it
appears on the screen.
* A 'countdown' popup box that makes a special offer to the
visitor if he or she takes action within the next 5 or 10
minutes. The visitor can only click on a link within the window
if he or she wants to take advantage of the offer... otherwise
the window closes and the offer doesn't appear again for a week.
There are many free scripts available all over the web. However,
if you would like a custom script written for you, freelance
programmers are one way to get professional and affordable help:
http://buildyourhomebiz.com/rd/gethelp.html .
__2. Experiment With Site Design.
* Add a select image or two. Do you sell an eBook? Or perhaps
offer a newsletter? Get a custom 'virtual cover' designed for
you. Or try using a prominent 'order now' graphic.
* Simplify your page. More choices is not necessarily better.
Try removing some of the 'clutter' to help your visitor focus
more on what you'd like him to see. For example, you could
remove links to help minimize distractions.
* Make your page more visually attractive. For example, use
black lettering on a light background (this is easiest on the
eyes). Use HTML tables to properly lay out your site. Limit your
use of different fonts and colors, but at the same time use SOME
color to add visual interest.
__3. Make the Ordering Process Clear and Simple.
The ordering process should be as easy as possible -- make it
difficult, and your visitor can leave with a simple
click-of-the-mouse!
* Clearly state the price. It is very frustrating when the only
place to find the price of the product is on the order page.
* Reassure the visitor that your order form is secure. (if it's
not, it should be!) Many people still worry about placing an
order over the Internet, so anything you can do to alleviate
their worries can only help.
* Tell them what's going to happen after they order. Will they
be able to download your product instantly? Will it be
physically shipped to them, and in what time frame?
* Provide a clear ordering link. I've gone to websites before
where I'm ready to buy -- only I can't figure out how to place
my order! It only takes me a second to leave the site and go to
a competitor.
__4. Build Credibility and Trust.
Ordering online can be very impersonal. Your visitors don't know
who they're dealing with, so it's your job to show them that
you're a business that they can trust.
* Give your visitors a way to contact you. And when they do
write or call you, answer them promptly, courteously, and
helpfully.
* Consider a FAQ page (Frequenty Asked Questions). If there are
common questions, for example, about shipping time, fees,
package tracking and delivery, etc. then a page with the answers
to these questions will help to eliminate any uncertainty on
your customer's part.
* Display testimonials from happy customers. This helps to show
new visitors how good your product really is, and also helps to
dispell any lingering doubts they may have.
__5. Touch Up Your Sales Copy.
This is the most obvious and arguably the most important part of
your website. The best product in the world won't sell unless
you can successfully show your prospects how it will benefit
them. Work particularly hard on your headlines -- they'll
determine whether or not your prospect continues to read the
rest of your sales copy (one good tool for quickly generating
effective headlines -- based on your answers to four questions
-- is Headline Creator Pro: http://onlinebusinessbasics.com/hcp/
). A good sales letter can make a significant difference to your
bottom line.
A reasonable amount of traffic is obviously necessarily if a
site is to make sales. However, you can still improve your
profits, just by making better use of the traffic you already
have!
About the author:
_________
Angela is the editor of Online Business Basics, a practical
guide to building an Internet business on a shoestring budget.
If you're tired of hype and just want solid, down-to-earth
information, then click here now -- and in moments you can have
access to loads of instantly useable tips, specifically chosen
for beginners! http://onlinebusinessbasics.com/article.html
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