As the Internet has become the starting point, and often completion point, for nearly every type of purchase, website Marketing Elements have become increasingly important, even vital, to the success of many small businesses.
1. Website Marketing Elements are all things in your website that affect the number of people who visit your website and…
2. All things in your website that affect your visitor’s decision to take, or not to take, an action while at your website. (Such as completing an information request form, opting-in to your list, calling you, printing a coupon or driving directions, etc. We call these actions website conversions.)
Today, understanding website Marketing Elements, making sure they are included in your website and knowing how to improve them can give you a significant advantage over your competition.Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Design
Your website must meet your visitor's expectations. If your website looks like the Ritz Carlton and your website visitors are looking for a Motel 6 you have a big problem.
I recommend: That you ask yourself: Where is your product or service ‘positioned’ in the market? Are you the Mercedes Benz of your industry or the Toyota? Are you the Ritz Carlton or the Motel 6? McDonalds or Ruth’s Chris? Does your website visually meet the expectations of your target market?
Develop Engaging Content
We know: Conversions increase when visitors are kept interested in your content. A good website is like a good salesperson- It looks the part, it says the right things and it says it with enthusiasm, passion and confidence.
I recommend: That you ask yourself: Does your content engage your visitors? Are you, or should you be, using video to help tell your story? Is your written content designed for readers who will scan your website? Are you using images to draw the eye to important content?
Watch the video on "Creating Compelling Content" at:
www.MarketingSupportGroup.com
Build trust
We know: Conversions increase as you build trust and your visitors become more confident in your company, your products and the security of your website.
I recommend: Ask yourself: Would a money-back guarantee increase conversions? Have testimonials, names of recognized or well-respected clients and security icons such as a Hacker Safe logo been included in your site? What more can you do to evoke trust and confidence in your visitors?
Add a "Pull Component"
We know: Websites, unlike traditional media, are non-intrusive. Visitors must decide to visit your website. The more compelling the reason to visit your website, the more who will decide to visit.
I recommend: That you ask yourself: What could be added to your website that would
compel your target market to visit? Rate comparison features pull visitors to insurance websites. Free reports like-
The 7 Most common and Costly Mistakes People Make when Buying Life Insurance could be used as a pull component. Educational and entertaining videos have pulled thousands, even millions of visitors to websites. Watch the video at
http://marketingsupportgroup.wetpaint.com/page/Adding+a+Website+Pull+Component
Optimize your website for the search engines
We know: Many of your best prospects will use Google to find the products or services you offer. Top Google rankings bring high quality visitors. For many small businesses the SEO process is not nearly as difficult or as complex as you may think. Because this is such an important topic I'll demonstrate my competence at SEO before giving you the specific action items. Google on "Internet Marketing Speaker". Where does EdTaylor.com ranks? Goggle on "Internet Marketing Consulting" or "Internet Marketing Consultant" where does InternetMarketingGroup.com rank? Assuming I passed the test-
I recommend: That you ask yourself:
1. Have your most important search terms been indentified?
2. Does your website include pages of “themed content” for each of your most important search terms?
3. Have your search terms been included in your title tags?
4. Have your search terms been placed in heading tags?
5. Are your search terms included in your website’s text links?
SEO is not quite that simple… BUT these 5 tactics are the ‘critical few’ referred to in the Parado Principle, the 20% of the effort that produces the 80% of the results. And they just may be enough to boost your website ahead of your competitors. Watch the videos at
http://marketingsupportgroup.wetpaint.com/page/Search+Engine+Optimization+-+SEO
Add Google Analytics to you website
We know: What gets measured gets improved. Google Analytics is simple, robust and FREE.
I recommend: Ask That you ask yourself: Has Google Analytics been added to every page of your website? Do you know how to use the Google Analytics data to monitor the effectiveness of your marketing efforts and to improve your future efforts?
Watch the Google Analytics and the excellent SEO videos at:
http://marketingsupportgroup.wetpaint.com
