Internet Marketing Information

Successful Marketing Using Websites and Why So Many Businesses Get It Wrong



Many great website concepts are developed, launched... and then flop! The primary purpose of a website for any business is to generate increased revenues or reduced costs, or both. If it doesn't meet these goals it's going to be canned. So why do apparently good concepts fail? Because without all the pieces in the puzzle, we can't get the full picture.

Statistics

How many people currently visit your website each day, week or month? You'd be surprised how many people have lengthy meetings with me about improving their website, but when quizzed about statistics they can't provide any data. The best website in the world is unlikely to pay for itself if only 5 or 10 people are visiting it each week. You must have statistics.

Statistics enable you to establish your current benchmark, monitor your progress, and identify which aspects of your site are successful and which aren't. Products like LiveStats, Webalyser and AWstats will give you detailed information about which pages people are viewing, how long they're staying for, what types of browser and computer they're using (so that you can ensure your site functions correctly in their browser), and how they arrived at your site (for example, were they referred by a search engine or perhaps another commercial website).

Without statistics to measure your success, you'll have no idea whether your website is money well spent or not.

Promotion

Not getting many people to your site? They need to hear about it! Even if your online catalogue looks fantastic, your advertising copy is eloquently worded, and your shopping experience is a breeze, it's pointless if people don't know it's there. Your statistics will confirm for you how many people are (or aren't) visiting your site, so now you've got a benchmark from which to begin.

How can you promote your site and your business? There's a range of ways, and the exact mix will vary from business to business, and product to product. Search engines are often a great place to start. If you can fine-tune your website so that it shows up on the first page of Google's search results, you may well attract alot of interest. Likewise, you can use paid advertising opportunities such as Google Adwords to ensure that search users are exposed to your advertisement.

However, if you offer a product or service that people aren't aware of and therefore don't search for, you're going to need to use methods which get you in front of them, rather than waiting for them to search for you. This might involve online advertising, cross-promotional activities with another company, or offline strategies including magazine advertising, television, radio, outdoor billboards, direct mail, email marketing, letterbox drops, tradeshows, and more.

If people aren't visiting your site, you'll have to promote it.

Wording

The most important component of any marketing/advertising you undertake is always the wording, whether that be on your website or in brochures, flyers, letters, or advertisements.

A great looking website that doesn't tell the potential client what they need to hear, and help them develop an emotional attachment to your company, product or service, is missing out on great opportunities. Simply through improving the wording on a client's brochure, website or other communications, I've been able to double and triple response rates. Spend the time (or pay somebody who understands) to understand what motivates your customers, and how you can word things to generate desire within them and drive them to action. You need to interest them, build trust, show them how you can benefit them, and instil a sense of 'need' or urgency that compels them to act now.

Say it right!

Purpose

What's the purpose of your website? Is it to generate new customers and sales? Is it a customer service facility? Is it primarily to consolidate your image?

If you're selling professional services to senior executives, they're probably not going to buy online with the click of a button. But they do want conveniently accessible information. Perhaps your website improves your relationship with existing clients by enabling them to view account information or project status.

You don't need your website to be all things to all people. You need to determine the key benefits you're seeking, and focus on the features and facilities which deliver that. If your site looks like a retail store and your client is seeking professional consulting, they're not likely to respond appropriately to your website. Take the time to agree with your internal management, web developers, and any other stakeholders, what the real objectives of the site are, and then stick to them.

Do the right job, and do it well

If you've come up with a great website design but haven't covered the topics mentioned above, don't be puzzled when it fails!

In summary:

1. Know the facts about who's visiting your site, and continue to follow this data as you undertake any marketing in order to gauge your success.
2. Promote your site, but be sure to use appropriate channels. Cross-media promotions (web, brochures, magazines, etc...) tend to have a multiplying effect, but you need to understand where your intended customers are likely to be so that you can capture their attention.
3. Say it right - hire an experienced, successful copywriter if necessary, as this is the most important aspect of your advertising tools. Compel buyers to act by attracting them to the benefits, and don't bore them with technical waffle.
4. Use the right tools for the right job. Decide what you're trying to achieve with your website, and ensure that it serves this purpose/s extremely well. If you want new business and sales, target potential new customers and their needs. If you want to improve service delivery to existing clients, focus on the needs of your established clients, which probably vary significantly from a new client.

Philip Brookes
Director
Aktiv Tactics
http://www.aktiv.com.au/


MORE RESOURCES:

Internet Marketing Expert Cheryl Heppard Teaches Strategies to Attract Clients ...
PR Web (press release)
“A well-designed marketing funnel will continue to nurture your prospects into becoming paying customers who will invest in your higher level services, programs and products. During this online group coaching call, I'll show the participants how to set ...

and more »


Charlotte Internet Marketing Company Shares Criteria for Successful Internet ...
PR.com (press release)
At the center of every successful Internet marketing campaign is a well-defined set of marketing criteria that best describes and presents a company's messaging, product/service features and benefits, and a story outlining the competitive strengths and ...



HigherVisibility Named Eleventh Best Web Design Company by topseos.com for ...
Press Media Wire
The independent authority on Search vendors, topseos.com, has named HigherVisibility the eleventh best web design company in the online marketing industry for the month of February 2012. Their position in the rankings of top web design companies is ...
The Best Reputation Management Companies in Australia Named by topseos.com.au ...San Francisco Chronicle (press release)

all 9 news articles »


Internet Marketing Agency Ajax Union Presenting Free Google+ Webinar at Noon ...
ABN Newswire (press release)
Ajax Union, a boutique internet marketing agency based in Brooklyn, will be hosting a free webinar at noon today, Tuesday Feb. 17. Available at https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/643447998, the webinar will discuss the ins and outs of Google+, ...
Announcing a Free Social Media Webinar for Small Businesses by SEO NY experts ...PR Urgent (press release)

all 2 news articles »


People Polled on "What is the Best Link Building Strategy to Get a High Page ...
San Francisco Chronicle (press release)
Internet Marketing Company (www.internetmarketingcompany.biz) Reveals Results of the Poll, "In Your Opinion, What is the Best Link Building Strategy to Get a High Page Rank Website?" on the Facebook® Platform Internet Marketing Company, a company that ...
Following the Users: Where Businesses Are Spending Web Marketing Dollars in 2012Business 2 Community

all 6 news articles »


Chiropractic Economics

Raising the bar with SEO
SmartCompany.com.au
"For us, this is really important and crucial for the next frontier of online marketing," Thomas says. "Servicing ads to people that have previously been to your site creates awareness and recall – and it can be done in sophisticated ways.
SEO Positive's Head of Search Announces Presentation Slot At Internet World ...PR Web (press release)
Search engine marketing simplifiedChiropractic Economics
Google Places Gives SEO Boost to Local Small BusinessesWebWire (press release)
King of How To News -Media Newsline
all 84 news articles »


How an Online Marketing Solution Aligns to the Top 3 Priorities of CMOs ...
CMSWire
Technology can help if your online marketing solution provides an efficient means for communicating through all of the channels in a unified, consistent way. How does a modern online marketing solution help businesses achieve a multi-channel approach ...



Internet Marketing Company Reveals Results of the Poll, "Which Link Building ...
San Francisco Chronicle (press release)
Internet Marketing Company (www.internetmarketingcompany.biz) Reveals Results of the Poll, "Which Link Building Strategy Works Best For You?" Internet Marketing Company, a search engine marketing company, announced today the results of the poll ...

and more »


Online Media Direct Ltd

Internet Marketing Going to be Essential for Web Marketing Success
Promotion World (press release)
by TheSEO Champs Internet becomes essential for your business marketing in current competitive technological world. Number of internet marketing techniques will promote your brand, business, products, services in online media.
ClickXPosure, Chicago's Fast-Growing Internet Marketer Celebrates Big MovePR Web (press release)

all 4 news articles »


Joint Effort Marketing Named Second Best Video SEO Company by topseos.com for ...
Press Media Wire
The independent authority on Search vendors, tospeos.com, has named Joint Effort Marketing the second best video SEO company in the online marketing industry for the month of February 2012. topseos.com has named Joint Effort Marketing the second best ...
1SEO.com Named Best Integrated Search Company by topseos.com for February 2012San Francisco Chronicle (press release)
The Best Social Media Marketing Companies in India Named by topseos.in for ...PR Web (press release)

all 16 news articles »

Google News

Home | Cell Phones | Watches | Make Money | Work at Home | Web Hosing | Free Traffics | Free Classified Ads | site map
© 2006