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10 Ways To Maximize Your Website's Value
If your existing Website has delivered less than stellar results or if you’re just starting to build one, follow these 10 tips for getting the most from your Website. 1. Professional look. Your site reflects your online corporate image, and first impressions can make or break deals. So invest in doing it right. Shortcuts and bargains in Web design can cost more than they save you. At the same time, you don’t have to spend a fortune. Look for someone who understands the needs of your business and its customers. Look at other sites this designer has done so you can get a sense of his or her style. 2. Value proposition. On your site, include the value proposition you use in your other marketing collateral. Do you offer a customized solution? Do you have expertise in a particular area? Whatever it is that sets you apart from the crowd, your Website is your platform for telling the world. Your existing customers may know about your specialty, but this is your chance to tell others – those who visited your booth at a trade show but went back home and wondered, “Who are these people and why should I do business with them?” 3. Easy navigation. Today’s users are typically Web-savvy and like sophisticated features. That’s fine, but don’t get lured into complex features that might make navigation more difficult for your visitors. Design your site’s architecture by thinking like a new user would, which means keeping it somewhat familiar (e.g., banner and logo at the top, navigation down the side). Capture their imagination, but don’t confuse them. 4. Fresh content. Written content serves two vital functions. First, it gives visitors a reason to return to see what’s new. While it isn’t necessary to change your site content daily, you should regularly add fresh and dynamic articles, ideas, or briefs that are meaningful to your visitors. Position yourself as a credible expert who understands their business problems and they will return to your site frequently. The second benefit of fresh content is that search engines like it, but don’t rely solely on them for bringing customers to your site because search engine algorithms change frequently. 5. Site tracker. A site tracker monitors traffic (visitors) on your site. Ideally, you need one that tells you – among other things – where each visitor came from, how long the person remained on your site, the number of pages visited, and which ones. This data indicates where you have strong content that is maintaining reader interest, which pages need work, and how visitors find your site. 6. Bling. With the transformation of the Web, a whole host of new tools are available for wowing your “TV generation” visitors, including Webinars (a conference on the Web), podcasts (typically an audio file), and screen capture demonstrations (video files, usually of software applications). These relatively short but powerful images turn browsers into buyers. 7. Customer testimonials. Whether video, audio, or written, customer testimonials from satisfied buyers work. Use them! 8. Customer connections. A monthly or quarterly newsletter is a super way to keep your name in front of customers and prospects. Include a sign-up (opt-in) link on your site, and add their contact information to your database. Consider creating a blog (Web log) as an extension of your site, since they are highly favored by search engines. 9. Redundant backup. Do you host your site on your own server? What happens if it goes down? Even worse, what happens if you experience an overwhelming response to an offer but don’t have enough bandwidth to handle it? Stuff happens, so make sure your IT manager takes the necessary steps to manage unforeseen events. 10. Shopping cart. Depending on your product, site visitors want the ability to buy instantly, so provide them that option. If your products lend themselves to being mixed and matched, configure your cart to allow “a la carte” purchases. Finally, be sure the checkout process is simple. The last thing you want is for someone with a full shopping cart to abandon it because checkout took too long. After giving visitors what they want in a format they like, they will be pumped up and ready to contact you for more information. Make it easy for them to do so with at least one “Contact” link on every page. Taking your Web site from ordinary to outstanding will not only maximize your site’s value – it will escalate sales. Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com |
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