The Birth of a Successful Internet
Business Part five of ten -- Planning Your Website
Strategy
By Shelley Lowery
Developing a professional website strategically designed
to sell your products or services is one of the most
important factors in determining your success. However, it
is only the first step.
Before you begin the actual design process, you must first
determine your overall strategy and design your website
accordingly.
Internet marketers have basically two choices:
=> Design a content website that includes not only your
products and services, but also information and resources
that will be of interest to your target market.
=> Design a mini website that focuses on just one product
or service, with no other content of any kind.
Although both types of sites can be effective, your
success will ultimately depend on your site design and
marketing strategies -- both will play a very important
role.
Content oriented sites are sites that provide visitors
with content such as articles, tutorials, free ebooks and
resources. This type of site attracts their target
audience with incentives. Their products and services are
mentioned on the main page with a link to further
information.
Content sites usually profit by educating their visitors.
For example, a content site selling pet supplies might
provide a basic tutorial to assist their visitors in
learning how to groom a dog. They provide this tutorial
completely free; however, the main purpose for this
tutorial is to educate their visitors. And in turn, plug
their products.
When you provide your visitors with quality information
that teaches and informs, you are not only gaining their
trust in you by sharing your expertise, but you're also
building your credibility, which is very important on the
Internet.
Once you've gained your visitors' trust, they will be much
more apt to purchase your products or services. However,
above all else, you must never abuse their trust in you.
You must be completely honest with your visitors and have
a sincere desire to assist them. If your sole purpose in
developing your own Internet business is for financial
gain, your chance of success will be minimal.
The key to using this technique effectively is to provide
content that targets your potential customer. This content
is used to presell your visitors through education.
Mini-sites are different from content sites, as they don't
provide any content. They usually contain one or two pages
and completely focus on one product or service. Basically,
the site is just a sales letter for the product.
A mini-site should be neatly designed in standard HTML
with no Flash or fancy plug-ins and very few graphics.
There should be no banners or outside links of any kind --
nothing that will distract your visitors' attention.
The sole purpose of a mini-site is to attract highly
targeted traffic. The more targeted the better. For
example, if you have a website that sells a number of
products, a good mini-site would focus on one specific
product instead of all of the products. You could create a
mini-site for each product you offer.
No matter which type of site you design, keep in mind,
your website is a direct reflection of you and your
business. The appearance of your website is the most
important factor in determining your website's value. If
your site doesn't look professional or pleasing to the
eyes at first glance, its perceived value will be low. The
perceived value of your website will have a great impact
on your success.
Not only must your website have a professional appearance,
but it must also be specifically designed to sell.
Everything within your website should have one specific
purpose -- getting your visitors to take action.
Every part of your website must be strategically designed.
From your overall design to your sales copy -- each will
play a very important role.
Your website is the most important sales tool you have. A
professional website should possess all of the following:
• Your Own Domain (www.yoursite.com)
• Quality, Dependable Web Host
• Customized Email Addresses:
- service@yoursite.com
- support@yoursite.com
- info@yoursite.com
- admin@yoursite.com
• Target Your Potential Customers
• Professional Appearance
• Professional Looking Graphics
• Quality Products/Services
• Effective Sales Copy
• Easy Ordering Process
• Automated, Personalized Thank You Letters
• Customer Database
• Personalized Follow-up Letters
• Opt-in List
• Well Organized
• Easy to Navigate
• Load Quickly
• Search Engine Optimized
Take your time and do your homework prior to designing
your website. Look at the entire picture and plan each
step very carefully. Your website is the storefront of
your business. Make it shine.
Copyright © Shelley Lowery
About the Author:
Shelley Lowery is the author of the acclaimed web design
course, Web Design Mastery.
http://www.webdesignmastery.com And, Ebook Starter -
Give Your Ebooks the look and feel of a REAL book.
http://www.ebookstarter.com Visit Web-Source.net to
sign up for a complimentary subscription to Etips and
receive a copy of the acclaimed ebook, "Killer Internet
Marketing Strategies."
http://www.web-source.net |