Websites
Websites have become one of the most important elements of marketing for most businesses. A poor website can lose customers instantly and is a complete waste of money.
Even a wonderful looking website can be ineffective if it doesn’t pull its weight in generating sales. Here are a few things to remember:
1. Attract attention and keep them interested. Being met by a long, boring flash animation is very frustrating especially if you have to wait for it first. 90% of people on the internet are looking for information. They are searching quickly and make decisions quickly. You need to grab their attention and keep it.
Make the front page the most appealing. Here you need to explain clearly the benefits of your product or service. The headline is the most important element – “Welcome” is not really very memorable.
2. When planning your site ask yourself: What is the purpose of my website?
Do you want to capture data?
Do you want to provide information?
Do you want to generate a telephone enquiry?
Do you want to sell products online?
The answer to this question will make it clear how to plan your site.
3. Make sure your menus are easy to navigate.
4. Use the right tone in the words on your website. Do you want it to be serious, uplifting, controversial, funny? The words you use must be concise. Do not be vague and do not make generalisations. Give examples and specifics. Keep sentences and paragraphs short and use lots of bold and sub headings. Write in the first or second person it is much more personal.
5. The most simple way to keep people interested is to make the site completely relevant and interesting to them. Everything written on the website should be appealing to them – their needs, fears, aspirations and hopes. People do not want to read about how wonderful your company or you are. They want to know why they should buy your product or use your service.
6. Give away free information, helpful and practical advice, value your customers, you are beginning to create a relationship with them which should be beneficial to you both. Answer their questions, anticipate and overcome their objections
7. Create a form where you can ask them for their email address so you can capture data (make sure they know you are not going to sell them rubbish or worse, sell their data). You can then email them regularly with helpful information or other products you think they might be interested in. Only give them information that will be of use to them.
8. Make sure it is easy for people to contact you. Have your phone number clearly displayed – and make sure somebody is there to answer the call or if out of hours have a well thought out message which asks them to leave their phone number.
| Remember – effective marketing is all about the customer. |
If you are about to have a website built then make sure you get it right.
You can call me if you need some help. 01647 253305
| I can plan your site, design and develop it exactly to suit your business. It depends on the type of site you need but I can get you started with a fantastic simple html website for as little as £500. This includes a free guide to writing website copy to make sure you maximise the potential of your site. |
If you need a more bespoke website I am happy to come and discuss your requirements and give you an estimate.
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