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7.5 Ways To Get More Sales Through Your Web Site

http://www.magnet4web.com

Yes, apparently - websites are supposed to make money! Somebody came up with the strange idea that it's really not enough to spend thousands on your site, hundreds of hours creating the content and then sitting back to admire you, and your developer's work. No - apparently it is now 'cool' to have a web site that actually makes it onto a sales column in your chart of accounts.. 'Return on in investment' is a good phrase that's being thrown around - what are you actually making from your web site in cash terms? Ever thought about that?

Well, you should be thinking about it. Not only should you be tracking where the money is coming from but also where it's gone to. No point kidding yourself - it wasn't cheap was it? There was the developer's costs, the graphic design costs and hopefully some costs set aside for taking on web site marketing experts to get your site found. So, anyway, track what you've spent and then see what's coming through the door rather than going out when it comes to your website. To help you - in what is a constant review and improve process - here are 7.5 ways to get more sales through your web site.

"Get On With It!", I hear you shout, "Tell Me The 7.5 Ways To Get More Sales!"

1. Use a professional web developer to build the site in

the first place.

Don't cut corners or budgets. How many business owners have an idea for a business and then take up the science of bricklaying to build their own shop or premises? Exactly - don't do it. Your job is to run your business effectively and worry about where the profits are coming from - not designing websites.

2. Use a professional graphic designer when your site is being developed.

If you use your mate next door we can all tell. It might keep your wallet heavy but hey - if you want a website that looks a million Lira - fine. A rough, made up just now, rule of thumb is to spend 10% of what you would like the web site to make. Just think about that for a minute when you get Dave from down the pub to 'knock you one up for $100..". And remember - you'll need professional web development AND professional graphic design input. Web developers are not designers. Graphic designers are not web developers. Glad we've got that cleared up..

3. Use a professional web site marketing company to get your web site found

You need to get found in the search engines, in the directories and anywhere on the web that matters. Graphic designers can't do this. Most web developers can't do this. And you certainly can't do this - you're supposed to be running your business, remember? Spot the theme here? Yes - professionals. You don't get a plumber in to lay your carpet do you? Don't make the same mistake when creating your web site - pull in the appropriate professionals for the appropriate tasks. Which brings us nicely on to way number 4...

4. Don't be a scrooge.

There is an old proverb that says it perfectly;

"The man who buys cheap laughs once but cries many times. The man who buys expensive cries once but laughs many times."

Remember this the next you think about cutting corners. There are obviously exceptions to every rule but you usually get what you pay for in this life.

5. Ask for the sale.

Yes it's obvious. But are you doing it? If you're actually selling something directly via your website you have to make it an absolute doddle for someone to work out what they need to do. Don't make them hunt around for pricing, ordering information, contact details, delivery information etc. Sock it to them right up front - they'll love you for it. If you're not selling directly via the site you still need to ask for the sale.

6. Throw your web site to the lions.

Not literally, unless it's really bad. (And in case you're wondering how that would be physically possible just load all your web site's files onto a floppy disc, take the number 33 bus down to the nearest zoo, buy a ticket and a map, locate the lions and Bob's your uncle. But I digress..). Basically get as many people as possible to critique your web site. Friends and family are always good for this - though they'll probably be unwilling to be over-critical (unless it's your in-laws) so impartial parties is a better idea, if you can track any down. Ask your colleagues and friends to forward your web site address onto others and ask for direct feedback, no holds barred. Better to have people test it like this and say it's about as much use as a chocolate fireguard than open your shop doors, so to speak, and have your customers tell you the same thing by voting with their mice and sniffing away in an instant in the search for more professionally-produced cheese...

7. Deliver what you say you will

Yes, another no-brainer but it will pay huge dividends. No point in fighting tooth and nail for all those hard-to-reach prospects if you've got a nice healthy stack of existing customers that already think you're the bees' knees. Once you've got that customer hold onto him / her with all your might - treat them like kings because your competitor will be after them. It's far cheaper and quicker to sell something to an existing customer than it is to find a new one. Simple in theory - not so easy to put into practice. But hey - what are you after here? A free breakfast?!

7.5. "People Laughed At Me When I Said I Could Get Them To Read This Sentence. But Who's Laughing Now?!"

Use headlines in your web site. People are busy. People are impatient and people can't read. Well, okay they can - but they prefer information in small chunks. They like something that grabs them. Why do you think you're reading this article? Because your subconscious read the headline and dived straight in. You really think you would be reading this if the article were titled "Web Site Creating Techniques Aimed At Improving Return On Investment Over Time". ?? I rest my case...

Mike Cheney http://www.magnet4web.com

You can get free access to lots more articles that will help you get more sales from your website plus a Free Bonus Special Report "How To Turn Your Website Into A Customer Magnet" worth a value of Ł47 ($85) here: http://www.magnet4web.com/website_services/?page=freeguide

Link popularity - who should you link to

When you`re building links to increase your link popularity, who do you link to? The question of where to link to increase ranking can be confusing. Logical thinking is needed to achieve link popularity in a natural way.

Google PageRank

First and foremost, PageRank is part of the algorithm of Google`s ranking in the search engine results. Other search engines use link popularity in their algorithm to evaluate your website as well. But PageRank is only one of the 100 plus criteria Google uses to evaluate your web pages. Use the idea of PageRank as a ‘tool’ to help make decisions, there`s no need to live and die by the results. Link popularity itself is merely one way to improve your ranking.

Should you link to them?

Think about it. You see a quality website, you see good content. The site is a ‘Mum and Dad’ website with little ranking. So what if the Google Toolbar says PageRank 2/10? That 2/10 may one day be 8/10. More importantly, you`re linking to it because it`s good to link to for your visitors - end of story.

Reciprocal linking fears

There is a general fear of reciprocal linking to websites who inadvertently link to a ‘bad neighbourhood’ with penalties or PageRank zero, passing on problems to you.

Use your common sense. Is this a website you would want to visit or your visitors would want to visit? If the answer is no or you can`t tell what the subject of the site is, make a note of it and keep looking. A website full of links with little content doesn`t ‘make sense’ because what benefit is it to you or your visitors? Of course you are going to link to your partners in business or maybe the small website that is doing a bang up job of selling widgets and providing widget information.

Linking just to link

If you`re going to link, what purpose does it serve? The idea of acquiring link popularity by linking back and forth to other sites to boost your popularity artificially is a popular method. But is it of value to your website? Ask yourself:

Would you link to this site if link popularity in the search engines didn`t matter?
Would your visitor care about this link or find it helpful?
Does the website have good content?
Is this an opportunity for you to publicise your website by being listed there?
Will this link cause you to spend a great deal of time worrying about it?
Is the link ‘just a link’ or do you want a link from any site whose visitors care about what you have to say

Places to seek out links that make sense

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It makes sense to list your website in the search engines and directories. In fact, one-way linking, such as listing your site in directories, is a good way to improve your link popularity naturally. Well, you say to yourself, of course I`ve done that. Besides the major directories, what else is out there? You`d be surprised at the amount of good secondary and specialty directories that drive traffic. Some even specialize in a topic - maybe your topic.

If you have a product to sell, look at who your competitors are linking to. Search for directories and business sites on your topic. Look for websites that talk about the widgets you sell and see if they accept submissions to their directory listings in the category for widgets.

Do they accept original articles, product reviews, press releases or white papers about widgets? If so, submit your topical articles and watch your link popularity rise naturally. Always include your author bio, website link, reprint and copyright information for your company. With your good content on other websites as well as archived on your own website, there you have it, links pointing your website.

Think like a search visitor

You`ve heard about good navigation, website usability and other ways to keep your site visitors interested in your site. Who are the search engines catering to? Webmasters? Search Engine Marketers? Google is a prime example - they want to create the best experience for their search engine users.

It all ties in together - good content, good navigation, good usability, validated code, and relevant search engine results - because it makes sense. If Google as the leader in search engines is concerned about the visitor, don`t you think the other search engines follow suit?

Hard work instead of worrying

Focus your time on good content which uses your important keyword phrases. Optimise your web pages using those keywords. Develop your website so once your visitors arrive, they`ll want to stay. The world wide web uses linking to connect us all. By using hard work to create a quality website and common sense when linking you can stop worrying and start succeeding.

This article was written by Daria Goetsch. Daria is the founder and search engine marketing consultant for Search Innovation Marketing, a search engine promotion company serving small businesses. She has specialized in search engine optimisation since 1998, including three years as the search engine specialist for O`Reilly & Associates, a technical book publishing company.

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