We meet a lot of people everyday who want to get more out of their websites. More traffic, more business, more online sales, or more phone calls.
Whatever the case may be, there are six fundamental keys to every website if you want to ensure your success. There may be more, but we've determined these are the basic things you must do.
Know Your Target Audience
An unknown author once said, "If you aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time."
The same is true of your website! You must know who your audience is. It is not as important how many website visitors you have, it's how many of the right visitors do you have?
If you have never considered who you are trying to reach, now is a good time to do so.
* Who are your best customers?
* Who are your regulars?
* Who is loyal and refers your company?
* What is unique about your company, products, and services?
Find out who these folks are and ask them why they are raving fans of your company. When you learn why, you'll have a better understanding of how to write to reach your targeted audience online.
Make Your Website Compelling
How many websites have you come across that are boring, dull, and don't say anything that really appeals to you whatsoever?
Your site must be creatively you, thoughtful, and intentional. Have you ever considered what you're asking them to do. Most websites have no call to action whatsoever, and yet site owners wonder why no one comes to them through the website.
You must ask open ended questions that will get them thinking about what their needs are.
Relevant Message
Recently, a website I came across was for a printing company. But most of their site was dedicated to web design. So, I called the store and learned that it was not really an emphasis at all, but just a means to get people to their website to purchase something for a printing need.
Can you imagine someone coming to you thinking you did one thing, and then found out they did another?
Frustrating isn't it?
Don't waste their time!
Keep your website relevant to your target audience and what you are asking them to do. Don't market yourself as doing something you don't really do in hopes of earning a customer through a bait and switch. It just makes people upset and frustrated, and in the end hurts your branding and image.
Keep your website focused on what is important to your site visitors and their needs, not misleading marketing efforts just to get someone to your website. Those days are long over.
Create Trust
Your website many times is the first introduction to your company. Knowing that, you have 1/20th of a second to make an impression. You have to make it count! And most importantly, you have to do it truthfully.
How can you do that?
Your website to tell your story. Give some product examples. Or, take the time to write about an experience to a case study if it's relevant.
Some of the best ways to create trust are through testimonials. These should be in both text and video formats. Video is great because you can see, hear, and experience someone who has had a great experience with your company.
People Want to Do Business With Those They Like and Trust
If you know your website did all the above, you are on your way to starting the relationship off right with your website visitors. You have to give them a reason to like you.
Do you give your money to people you don't like? Of course not! You go to the next business who you do like and buy from them.
Allow the site visitor to get what they want easily, and practice online manners. You'll be on your way to building a lasting relationship.
Give Them Value
Finally, give your website visitors lots of value. I don't mean sales, discounts, and giveaways. Those all nice things, and many times helpful.
But the kind of value I'm talking about is your knowledge. The knowledge of your industry, your particular skill, or about a particular service or product.
For example, one car repairman I know began putting step-by-step videos of how to replace breaks on a popular type of car. His business increased two fold in the following month. Guess what they were at his shop for?
Many people are afraid to give this kind of value because they feel the potential customer will just do it themselves.
I've got news for you. They were anyway. I bet they make up less than 5% of the people out there looking for your product or service.
Give it away, and it will come back. I've seen the testimonials time and again.
Conclusion
Whatever the case may be, there are six fundamental keys to every website if you want to ensure your success. There may be more, but we've determined these are the basic things you must do.
Know Your Target Audience
An unknown author once said, "If you aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time."
The same is true of your website! You must know who your audience is. It is not as important how many website visitors you have, it's how many of the right visitors do you have?
If you have never considered who you are trying to reach, now is a good time to do so.
* Who are your best customers?
* Who are your regulars?
* Who is loyal and refers your company?
* What is unique about your company, products, and services?
Find out who these folks are and ask them why they are raving fans of your company. When you learn why, you'll have a better understanding of how to write to reach your targeted audience online.
Make Your Website Compelling
How many websites have you come across that are boring, dull, and don't say anything that really appeals to you whatsoever?
Your site must be creatively you, thoughtful, and intentional. Have you ever considered what you're asking them to do. Most websites have no call to action whatsoever, and yet site owners wonder why no one comes to them through the website.
You must ask open ended questions that will get them thinking about what their needs are.
Relevant Message
Recently, a website I came across was for a printing company. But most of their site was dedicated to web design. So, I called the store and learned that it was not really an emphasis at all, but just a means to get people to their website to purchase something for a printing need.
Can you imagine someone coming to you thinking you did one thing, and then found out they did another?
Frustrating isn't it?
Don't waste their time!
Keep your website relevant to your target audience and what you are asking them to do. Don't market yourself as doing something you don't really do in hopes of earning a customer through a bait and switch. It just makes people upset and frustrated, and in the end hurts your branding and image.
Keep your website focused on what is important to your site visitors and their needs, not misleading marketing efforts just to get someone to your website. Those days are long over.
Create Trust
Your website many times is the first introduction to your company. Knowing that, you have 1/20th of a second to make an impression. You have to make it count! And most importantly, you have to do it truthfully.
How can you do that?
Your website to tell your story. Give some product examples. Or, take the time to write about an experience to a case study if it's relevant.
Some of the best ways to create trust are through testimonials. These should be in both text and video formats. Video is great because you can see, hear, and experience someone who has had a great experience with your company.
People Want to Do Business With Those They Like and Trust
If you know your website did all the above, you are on your way to starting the relationship off right with your website visitors. You have to give them a reason to like you.
Do you give your money to people you don't like? Of course not! You go to the next business who you do like and buy from them.
Allow the site visitor to get what they want easily, and practice online manners. You'll be on your way to building a lasting relationship.
Give Them Value
Finally, give your website visitors lots of value. I don't mean sales, discounts, and giveaways. Those all nice things, and many times helpful.
But the kind of value I'm talking about is your knowledge. The knowledge of your industry, your particular skill, or about a particular service or product.
For example, one car repairman I know began putting step-by-step videos of how to replace breaks on a popular type of car. His business increased two fold in the following month. Guess what they were at his shop for?
Many people are afraid to give this kind of value because they feel the potential customer will just do it themselves.
I've got news for you. They were anyway. I bet they make up less than 5% of the people out there looking for your product or service.
Give it away, and it will come back. I've seen the testimonials time and again.
Conclusion
0 comments:
Post a Comment