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5 Key Components to a Successful Website

When putting together your online business, most of us automatically think in terms of what colors to use, what the name should be, which products to carry, and so on. While these are important factors, there are five major ingredients that are essential to having a successful internet business.

1. Well written salescopy - When it comes down to it, your words are the most important part of your site. When written properly, they can be the difference between breaking even and having an incredible conversion rate. There are two key themes to implement when writing your salescopy - benefits and language style.

Benefits refer to writing with the visitors’ needs in mind. What do you have that they want? Why should they want it? The old school way of thinking pushed features and benefits, but over the years, research has shown that internet surfers have a short attention span. Let them know why they should stop their surfing and buy from you, but use words like “you” and your” instead of “we” and “I”. After all…the sales process is about them, not you.

Language style has to do with knowing your target market. How old are they? What are their interests? How do they speak? If your salescopy comes across like it is speaking down to the reader, or is not speaking their “language”, your chances of them hitting the “back” button skyrocket. Get a solid idea of your target market, and write to them accordingly.

2. Come up with a compelling headline that sparks curiosity or attention - Studies show that you have an average of eight seconds to convince the reader to continue reading your copy or surfing your site. Make sure that your headline grabs their attention while trying to solve a problem or a need. Which sounds better to you? “20 Ways to get traffic to your website”, or “Tired of getting little or no traffic? Double or triple yours with our proven methods!”

3. A rock-solid Unique Selling Proposition - In a nutshell, it is a slogan or philosophy that makes you different from your competitors. This is NOT your Guarantee - it is similar, yet more about the way you do business. Let’s say that you sell NASCAR merchandise…you can use something like “Your merchandise will reach your home in 15 days or less, or we will take 50% off your next order”. Take a peek at what your competition is doing, and top it or put a twist on it.

4. A straightforward, easy to spot Money Back Guarantee - Research shows that customers rarely take advantage of the money-back guarantee, yet it could be the difference when deciding between your store and the last one that they visited. Come up with a simple, clear guarantee statement that comes across like you would absolutely love to give them their money back (as painful as that is to type), and make it easily visible throughout your site. The more peace of mind and trust you can establish, the better. Which leads me to…

5. Your contact information - While this may seem like a step that isn’t important, think about the way you approach a small business site when looking to purchase. Almost everyone knows someone that has been scammed online, and with so many sites out there, why should they trust you? Having detailed, easy to find contact info give the consumer confidence when they are asking themselves “What if I have a problem? Who do I contact?” The more information you offer, the less the consumer thinks you are trying to hide something.

Bryan Halverson is the owner of the search engine optimization company Search Summit SEO, and also writes for Online Success 101, a blog devoted to helpful advice for new and existing online businesses.

5 Key Components to a Successful Website / Author: Bryan Halverson

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Families keep in touch via the internet

Moving abroad away from family and friends can be traumatic, leaving everything you’ve known and dealing with isolation from the rest of the family. Well, that’s how it used to be, but in this modern, globally orientated, technology-filled world, moving abroad is almost as easy as moving next door when it comes to keeping in touch.

Many will remember the moment in Star Trek when Captain Kirk stood on the Bridge of the Enterprise in front of a giant screen filled with the image of an alien on a nearby spaceship or planet, and spoke to them directly through the screen. Well, now you can do the same, simply using your computer and a webcam. Well, not exactly communicating with nearby extra-terrestrials, but at least you can talk to friends and family totally free of charge if you use the latest technology available on your PC.

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology combined with fast broadband has enabled, not only an internet revolution, but also a communication one. Now, computers can be used for so many more things than merely processing information, playing music, DVDs, and acting as a TV; it is also an effective and cheap communication tool and fast replacing the telephone as the primary means of communication in many households.

Indeed, thanks to the widespread roll-out of mega-fast broadband, it is possible to place video calls to just about anywhere in the world while sitting in front of your computer. Anyone who has moved abroad can easily be contacted via instant messenger and VoIP software; very handy if you or your folks have upped sticks and moved overseas. Leaving your family behind no longer means losing touch, so there is absolutely no reason to miss birthdays, anniversaries or other special occasions. Although a few years ago this form of communication could have been frustrating due to the number of calls dropped or that suffered from delay, the technology is now so much better it is instant; just like talking to someone over the garden fence!

So, if you live a long way from your family and you want a cheaper option to expensive phone calls, or even if you tried using messenger communication a couple of years ago and thought it wasn’t worth the effort, give it another go. You’ll be surprised at the quality of the calls and the images, especially if you link up to a professional quality webcam.

Adam Singleton writes on a number of topics on behalf of a digital marketing agency and a variety of clients. As such, this article is to be considered a professional piece with business interests in mind.

Families keep in touch via the internet / Author: Adam Singleton

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How to Keep Marketing Costs Low During an Economic Downturn?

It is not a secret anymore; nor a gossip. We may not be technically in a recession yet (2 straight quarters of GDP negative growth) but we are certainly experiencing recessionary conditions and psychology. How can we not with the constant drum beat of negative news played over and over again in the media. We are on the edge of recession in the US and everybody feels it. Dollar is down, oil is up and profits are falling. Banks are losing billions of dollars and a lot of businesses are going bankrupt. So, how can we keep conducting business and acquiring clients without losing our focus and keeping patient?

We all know that it is very hard not to give in to the temptation of fear once everybody starts talking about the Recession … and even worse! However, business owners and top management should keep focused on long-term goals and success without taking big risks that might jeopardize the company future. While it is now wise to cut all spending on marketing and advertisement, thinking that people will stop buying, there are ways to keep expanding as long as we pay attention to details and the economy.

Stop the Bleeding.
One of the most important factors of marketing is being able to calculate the ROI. Businesses that use means of marketing and advertisement where it’s tough to calculate Return on Investment and Conversions should channel their spending to means of advertisement where the ROI can be calculated more reliably … more accountable. The worst thing a company can do, in times of financial crisis would be to throw money at something that simply does not generate results. Print Ads and Flyers usually go into this category.

Stop Untargeted Marketing.
It doesn’t help your business to send me junk mail or to place a flyer on windshields offering me Plumbing Services, if I’m looking for Landscaping Services, which simply means that companies should target their marketing dollars well. The worst advertisement you can do is the one that will not work. Print Ads and Flyers usually go into this category.

Give Online Marketing a Try.
It really works! And since it’s very well targeted (only people looking for you, see your ads) and you can calculate your Return on Investment, (every dollar spent and every dollar made) you know exactly how and if your marketing method and strategies are working for you. At the end of the day, winning is the name of the game and no matter how bad the economy is, there will always be winners.

 Optimum7.com is an Internet Marketing Company with primary focus on Small and Mid-Sized Enterprises (SMEÕs). Optimum7.com offers a rich consultative approach that our clients find refreshing. We actually listen to our clients to learn exactly what their problems and objectives are. Through a proven process, we collaborate with our clients to truly understand where they are and where they want to be next month, next year, and in 5 years. How to Keep Marketing Costs Low During an Economic Downturn?.

How to Keep Marketing Costs Low During an Economic Downturn? / uthor: Chris Carter

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7 Ways to Improve the Stickiness of Your Website

Today more than ever, consumers are overwhelmed with choices, and distractions. The cost of attracting users to your website continues to increase and keeping them engaged is more important than ever.

Engagement doesn’t end with an individual browser reading content or clicking on an ad. Rather, engagement is an ongoing process that results in loyal customers who come back again and again, becoming more vested in your web site.

How can you make sure you’re engaging and keeping customers?

In order to create a loyal following, there are some basic principles you need to consider. From first impressions to life-long membership, put yourself in the shoes of your browsers and make their experience a valuable one.

1. Reduce Clutter. How many times have you visited a website only to be overwhelmed and confused? What is this site about you may have asked yourself. Or perhaps you found yourself asking, ‘Where is the information I’m looking for?’

Don’t ask your browsers or potential customers to figure this out. Make your site clutter free and create a visual priority that emphasizes the information, resources, or actions your browsers want. By reducing obstacles you build trust among new web site visitors and allow for simple decision making – which benefits everyone.

2. Make Navigation Intuitive. There are many ways to navigate a web page but intuition rules the day. Don’t try to get fancy with your navigation or overuse java script. Basic navigation that follows current convention is the best way to lead individuals through your web site to the information they’re looking for.

3. Make The Initial Site Interaction Relevant. When a browser reaches your web site, you have less than seven seconds to get them engaged. Making your initial site interaction relevant to what individuals are looking for is essential for keeping them interacting long term.

If you are promoting your web site with Google Adwords, or any pay per click advertising for that matter, be sure to create customer landing pages that are truly relevant to the individual who clicks-through your ad. Once you’ve established relevancy, you can move them deeper into your content, tools, and resources.

4. Ensure That Your Content Is Up-to-date. Web site content that isn’t up to date does not serve your audience and browsers are likely to move on. One way to ensure that information is timely is by providing a feed of relevant news or information. If including static text on your web pages, try not to include specific dates. However, if you must publish dates, be sure to update this information on a regular basis.

5. Start An Interaction With Your Users. Each time a browser views your web page, you have an opportunity to interact with them. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. One great way to interact is to offer something of value at no cost. This can be a white paper, access to an exclusive list, or simply a 30 day free trial. Be sure to capture an individual’s valid email address and include them on your mailing list. An auto-responder is best if you wish to engage these individuals on an ongoing basis.

6. Provide Plenty Of Support. Don’t hesitate to offer support right from your home page. Prominently display your 800 number, support email address, and additional information for your prospects and customers such as mailing address. This information is viewed favorably by search engines and also creates a sense of legitimacy. Contact information builds trust among prospects and elicits interest in your company.

7. Make Sharing Easy. Once you’ve made your web site easy to use, don’t hesitate to offer browsers the ability to share your web site with others. This can be in the form of a simple widget that allows users to bookmark your page, subscribe to an Rss feed, or submit your content to popular news sites like Digg.com.

Individuals are much more likely to visit a web site based on a friend’s recommendation versus some other type of marketing initiative. Leverage the power of viral marketing with easy sharing tools.

Your web site can be your greatest asset. Unfortunately, many marketers and website owners are so focused on increasing traffic that they lose site of the audience that’s already visiting their web pages but are simply not converting.

Don’t make the same mistake. Improve the quality of you site through relevant content that is up-to-date and easy to find. Once you’ve engaged users, encourage them to share. Doing so will make your site perform better, increase conversions, and deliver value for all involved.

Michael Fleischner is an Internet marketing expert who has been featured on The TODAY Show and Bloomberg Radio. Discover how to improve search engine rankings at http://www.webmastersbookofsecrets.com.

7 Ways to Improve the Stickiness of Your Website / Author: Marketing Expert

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Do I Need Website URL Monitoring

Competitive doesn’t even begin to describe the online market today. Most every major company has taken their business to the World Wide Web. With so many different options standing before a consumer, how do you guarantee yours is the one that is chosen?

People in today’s world are extremely impatient. In our fast-paced environment, time is everything. Spending their hard earned dollars for top internet performance, any given individual will not be inclined to wait around for your website to load. Instead, they will find another avenue that can also suit their needs. This adds up to lost business if your website is found lacking.

With URL Website Monitoring you can check the performance of your own website as well as your competitor’s. Other companies are working just as hard to better their internet services constantly. Being able to compare the results will give you an idea of where you need to improve to stay current and competitive. The ability to run a report of where your company is lacking compared to others is a great tool to have in your bag at the next meeting.

Website URL Monitoring also allows for a worry free environment while you concentrate on other pressing issues. Instead of babysitting your website 24/7, put your time to better use in forwarding other aspects of your business. One great advantage of Website URL Monitoring is that you will be notified of any downtime issues or interruptions associated with your services. It also makes certain that every redirect is working around the clock. This takes a great worry of your shoulders and allows freedom as well as peace of mind.

The question isn’t whether or not your company needs Website URL Monitoring, its how can you get along without it? Take a step and be ahead of the game when it comes to your online business. Your time is important and Website URL Monitoring will ensure that time is respected.

Author Detail:-
Here author Rob Seolas writes about importance of website monitoring. And With URL Website monitoring, you can check the performance of your own website as well as your competitor’s. For availing services of Website Monitoring, Website URL Monitoring, Web Server Monitoring, Tracking Pixel Monitoring. Please visit www.observepoint.com

Do I Need Website URL Monitoring / Author: Rob

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