| Every online business is faced with the challenge | | | | product ison the order page. |
| offinding some way to get their web pages | | | | * Reassure the visitor that your order form is |
| noticed from amongthe billions of others online. So | | | | secure. |
| it's understandable thatmuch of our efforts go | | | | (if it's not, it should be!) Many people still |
| towards getting 'traffic'. Withoutit, a website has | | | | worryabout placing an order over the Internet, so |
| no prospects and thus no sales. | | | | anythingyou can do to alleviate their worries can |
| But instead of a constant push for more traffic, | | | | only help. |
| why nottry to make the most of the traffic you | | | | * Tell them what's going to happen after they |
| already have? Forexample, you might currently | | | | order. |
| make 1 sale for every 200visitors. With a few | | | | Will they be able to download your product |
| changes, you could make 1 sale forevery 100 | | | | instantly? |
| visitors, effectively *doubling* your sales! | | | | Will it be physically shipped to them, and in |
| Here are a few suggestions. Test each one to | | | | whattime frame? |
| see whichmethods work best for your business - | | | | * Provide a clear ordering link. I've gone to |
| and don't be afraidto modify them, too! The only | | | | websitesbefore where I'm ready to buy -- only I |
| way to know what's going towork for you is to | | | | can't figureout how to place my order! It only |
| try it and track the results. | | | | takes me a secondto leave the site and go to a |
| __1. Experiment with Popups or Popunders. | | | | competitor. |
| Many people have a strong dislike of popup or | | | | __4. Build Credibility and Trust. |
| popunderwindows, so please use them judiciously. | | | | Ordering online can be very impersonal. Your |
| Some suggestionson how you can use them | | | | visitorsdon't know who they're dealing with, so it's |
| include: | | | | your jobto show them that you're a business that |
| * A subscription box that appears only once per | | | | they can trust. |
| day foreach user (or once a week, or whatever | | | | * Give your visitors a way to contact you. And |
| time frame youwould like to use). | | | | when theydo write or call you, answer them |
| * A window that appears only as the visitor | | | | promptly, courteously,and helpfully. |
| leaves yoursite. | | | | * Consider a FAQ page (Frequenty Asked |
| * A 'timed' popup that waits a few seconds or | | | | Questions). Ifthere are common questions, for |
| minutesbefore it appears on the screen. | | | | example, about shippingtime, fees, package |
| * A 'countdown' popup box that makes a special | | | | tracking and delivery, etc. thena page with the |
| offer tothe visitor if he or she takes action within | | | | answers to these questions will helpto eliminate |
| the next | | | | any uncertainty on your customer's part. |
| 5 or 10 minutes. The visitor can only click on a | | | | * Display testimonials from happy customers. This |
| linkwithin the window if he or she wants to take | | | | helpsto show new visitors how good your product |
| advantageof the offer... otherwise the window | | | | really is,and also helps to dispell any lingering |
| closes and theoffer doesn't appear again for a | | | | doubts theymay have. |
| week. | | | | __5. Touch Up Your Sales Copy. |
| There are many free scripts available all over the | | | | This is the most obvious and arguably the most |
| web. | | | | importantpart of your website. The best product |
| However, if you would like a custom script | | | | in the world won'tsell unless you can successfully |
| written for you,freelance programmers are one | | | | show your prospects howit will benefit them. |
| way to get professional andaffordable help: . | | | | Work particularly hard on yourheadlines -- they'll |
| __2. Experiment With Site Design. | | | | determine whether or not yourprospect continues |
| * Add a select image or two. Do you sell an | | | | to read the rest of your sales copy |
| eBook? Orperhaps offer a newsletter? Get a | | | | (one good tool for quickly generating effective |
| custom 'virtual cover'designed for you. Or try | | | | headlines |
| using a prominent 'order now'graphic. | | | | -- based on your answers to four questions -- is |
| * Simplify your page. More choices is not | | | | Headline |
| necessarilybetter. Try removing some of the | | | | Creator Pro: ). |
| 'clutter' to help yourvisitor focus more on what | | | | A good sales letter can make a significant |
| you'd like him to see. Forexample, you could | | | | differenceto your bottom line. |
| remove links to help minimizedistractions. | | | | A reasonable amount of traffic is obviously |
| * Make your page more visually attractive. For | | | | necessarilyif a site is to make sales. However, |
| example,use black lettering on a light background | | | | you can still improveyour profits, just by making |
| (this iseasiest on the eyes). Use HTML tables to | | | | better use of the traffic youalready have! |
| properly layout your site. Limit your use of | | | | _________ |
| different fonts andcolors, but at the same time | | | | Angela is the editor of Online Business Basics, a |
| use SOME color to addvisual interest. | | | | practicalguide to building an Internet business on a |
| __3. Make the Ordering Process Clear and Simple. | | | | shoestringbudget. If you're tired of hype and just |
| The ordering process should be as easy as | | | | want solid,down-to-earth information, then click |
| possible --make it difficult, and your visitor can | | | | here now -- and inmoments you can have access |
| leave with asimple click-of-the-mouse! | | | | to loads of instantly useabletips, specifically chosen |
| * Clearly state the price. It is very frustrating | | | | for beginners! |
| whenthe only place to find the price of the | | | | |