Why Doesn?t My Small Business Web Site Sell?
Many small business owners are disappointed by the ability of their web site to generate new business.
Simply having a web site does not guarantee its effectiveness as a marketing tool.
If your web site is unable to consistently generate new leads and prospects you may well be disappointed in your investment in your web site.Does this sound familiar?
If so, you may be making one of several common mistakes made by small business owners make when they decide to turn to the web for more business.
Here are five common mistakes that can hinder the marketing performance of your web site.Failure to Measure TrafficEvery so often when I speak with someone who is dismayed at their web site's ability to generate revenue.
I am surprised when they tell me they don't know how many people visit their site each month, day, hour, etc.
Measuring the traffic to and through your web site is critical for understanding the marketing prowess of your web design and the effectiveness of your advertising efforts.If your web site enjoys lots of traffic, say over 1000 visitors a day, but generates one or two sales a month you can be pretty sure there is a deficiency in your web design.
If you are not measuring traffic to your site you do not provide yourself an opportunity to identify and correct the problem by seeking and implementing better marketing design.
On the other hand, if your web site generates a small amount of sales and you don't know that only fifty people are visiting your site each month you deny yourself the ability to realize that you have a fantastic web site and that marketing it better will lead to a significant increase in revenue.If you are not measuring your web site's traffic you are missing opportunities to increase your ability to generate sales and be more successful.
If you are not currently measuring traffic to and through your site you can move your marketing forward by integrating the tracking service provided by one of the many companies that provide web metrics.
Two such providers are webtrends.com and webstat.com.Poor marketing messageAnother reason web sites fail to sell is that they do not do a good job of delivering a compelling marketing message.
Without an excellent marketing message you risk losing your visitors to other web sites because it is not immediately clear to them that you can help them with what they seek. One sign that you may have a less than stellar marketing message is that it does not speak directly to the consumers who become your clients.
Your marketing message should identify exactly whom you help.
If you help more than one population you can easily cater your marketing message by changing just a word or two.
Be sure your marketing message clearly indicates whom you help and you will notice an improvement in you sales success.Another sign that your marketing message is not hitting a homerun is that it does not clearly demonstrate that you provide what your customers seek.
If you sell handbags and your marketing message is "glamour can be yours" then you are missing the boat as this marketing message fails to indicate at all that you sell handbags.To correct a dysfunctional marketing message make sure it clearly identifies your target market and the results they seek.
Once you have a great marketing message you can use it in your web site and your other marketing material.Don't See Big PictureAnother common shortcoming of small business web sites is that many fail to realize a fundamental marketing concept: most consumers who make a decision to buy something make the decision to do so after 6 - 8 contacts with some form of marketing for a particular product or service.
Failing to realize and act upon this marketing fact will hinder your ability to grow your business. The purpose of marketing is to establish your business in the marketplace so that consumers think of you when they are ready to act to fill a need or desire.
By regularly getting your marketing message in front of your market you can help them associate what you do with what they need.
You can also attract more clients by demonstrating your expertise to clients in your marketing material.How are you going to get your marketing message in front of your market often enough to help them associate your products or services with the problem they need solved or the need they need to fill?Poor designDo visitors to your web site do what you want them to do?
If they are not it may be the design of your web site that is preventing your visitors from taking the action you want them to take.
The design of each of your web pages is instrumental in guiding the actions of your visitors.So what constitutes good design?
Good design stems from the skillful integration of graphical and textual layout, color, shape and choice and flow of content.
If your site does not have the content your visitors seek you will strike out each time someone visits your page.
If your web pages don't put what you want your visitors to see immediately in front of them you will miss opportunities to sell.
If your choice of fonts and colors make your pages difficult to read your visitors will likely move along to another web site they can understand more easily.To identify if your web pages suffer from poor design ask yourself the following questions:
- Does my text stand out over my background color?
- Does the design of my site focus my visitor's attention where I want it?
- Does my content give my users what they want?
By doing so your visitors develop a sense of how your product or service can help them.
If your copy doesn't focus on your clients' needs and desires they will be off to another site in a blink.If your visitors are quickly leaving your web site it may be because your copy does not focus on their needs.
Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
- Don't focus on the process or method you use to do your job
- Don't focus on your existing clients
- Don't focus on your experience
- Don't focus on the quality of your product
You may be very proud of your accomplishments, and you should be, but focusing on them does not address your clients' needs.
By addressing your clients' needs you will communicate better with them and increase your ability to sell.. 2004 © Better Marketing Results. All rights reserved.The author, Jeremy Cohen, helps small business owners and professional service providers attract more clients and be more successful with his coaching marketing service and free marketing guide: Jumpstart Marketing: More Prospects, Clients and Success.
Get the FREE guide at: www.bettermarketingresults.comjcohen@bettermarketingresults.com
The World According to Designer Handbags 101
There's a new kid on the block in the wonderful, wacky world of designer handbags.
In case you haven't heard, World According to Jess is taking the fashion accessories industry by storm.
But don't let the amateurish name fool you, this design house is taking no prisoners!
In a relatively short period of time, this company has achieved immense respect and credibility in the industry.
Jessica Alpert-Goldman, namesake and owner of World According to Jess, has firmly entrenched herself in an industry that is not always kind to outsiders.
The designs are bold, quirky, and cute?much like Jess herself.
With an impressive catalogue of designs, and the support of her ever-growing legion of fans, 2006 may just be the year of Jess.
Without a doubt, she is off to a smashing start.
Her bags have already been photographed with famous fashionistas like Beyonce Knowles, Sarah Jessica-Parker, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Lindsey Lohan.
The World According to Designer Handbags 101 
Handbags > The World According to Designer Handbags 101
Celebrate Discount Designer Purses eFashionHouse.com Named 'Best of the Web' PEOPLE Magazine Plus 10% Off Shopping Spree
Santa Monica, CA (ContentDesk) August 15, 2006 -- eFashionhouse.com has been renowned by fashionistas worldwide as an online leader in providing designer handbags and accessories at a discount for over 10 years.
Now, PEOPLE magazine is recognizing eFashionhouse.com as "Best of the Web" in its Fall 2006 special edition of StyleWatch which hit the newsstands August 4, 2006. People StyleWatch page 40, Best of the Web, Clip & Click -- save page 40 for future reference.
Arceneaux. Formerly with BCBG Max Azria, Maurice Malone Sportswear and Azzur? Denim Sportswear, Ms. Arceneaux boasts nearly a decade of experience in the fashion industry.
"Nola's offers a stylish and creative atmosphere that allows the customers to feel comfortable experimenting with different fits and styles," says Ms. Arceneaux.
Nola's,...
Fashion Boutique Features Top Designers From Around The World
Handbags > Fashion Boutique Features Top Designers From Around The World
Why Doesn?t My Small Business Web Site Sell?
Many small business owners are disappointed by the ability of their web site to generate new business.
Simply having a web site does not guarantee its effectiveness as a marketing tool.
If your web site is unable to consistently generate new leads and prospects you may well be disappointed in your investment in your web site.Does this sound familiar?
If so, you may be making one of several common mistakes made by small business owners make when they decide to turn to the web for more business.
Here are five common mistakes that can hinder the marketing performance of your web site.Failure to Measure TrafficEvery so often when I speak with someone who is dismayed at their web site's ability to generate revenue.
I am surprised when they tell me they don't know how many people visit their site each month, day, hour, etc.
Measuring the traffic to and through your web site is critical for understanding the marketing prowess of your web...
Why Doesn?t My Small Business Web Site Sell?
Handbags > Why Doesn?t My Small Business Web Site Sell?
Womens Casual Clothing Fashion Tips
Whether you're considered a soccer mom chic or college dorm student comfort is always on the forefront of your mind, the trick to dressing in womens casual clothing everyday with style is to know how to keep from looking sloppy.For those lucky enough to dress in womens casual clothes everyday, the challenges could be many, but a few larger ones are, how to build a core wardrobe of basics with enough variety to keep it from getting boring and how to match these varieties without looking like a slob. Here are some tips to help women build their casual attire:Buy your casual clothes the same way you would buy career clothes: always thinking about building your best womens casual attire wardrobe. For example, when choosing your casual wear for women, choose cohesive pieces and build them around basic styles. For casual clothing the best approach is three colors for the best mix-and-match wardrobe - khaki, denim, tan; black, khaki, white; etc.And please don't forget about a great casual shoe...
Womens Casual Clothing Fashion Tips
Handbags > Womens Casual Clothing Fashion Tips
She-Tech.com Combines Handbag Sophistication with Form and Function in its New Line of Women?s Laptop Cases for Spring/Summer 2005
Handbag sophistication meets form and function in She-Tech.com's new line of women's laptop cases for Spring/Summer 2005. Building upon the success of their debut line, She-Tech.com, an Atlanta-based designer and online retailer of laptop cases for women, once again bridges style, fashion, and function; this time by combining handbag craftsmanship with bold and bright textiles.The newest addition to their collection is "Jasmine", a vertical A-shaped tote.
This tote combines the style, flexibility and good looks of a handbag with the form and function required of a laptop case.Patricia Joseph, Founder and Creative director, says "It was important to create this new line with the same quality and aesthetics used in the production of upscale handbags.
Our customers have asked us for laptop cases with handbag styling, and we've listened to their feedback. Our goal was to make our cases as attractive, versatile, and on the go as any stylish handbag or business case, and...
Handbags > She-Tech.com Combines Handbag Sophistication with Form and Function in its New Line of Women?s Laptop Cases for Spring/Summer 2005
Handbags as a Symbol of Female Power
Have you ever thought of a handbag as a symbol of female power and authority? Of course everyone is different so a purse for one person may mean something totally different and unique for another but let's look at handbags from a different perspective.The press of England has spent time and effort speculating and commenting on ex-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's handbag. To quote "The Times" in June, 1982 written by Julian Critchley, "She...tends to believe the worst of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. She cannot see an institution without hitting it with her handbag..."It's obvious that the press equates Margaret Thatcher's handbag with her assertion of power and the ability to impose her will. If you look closely, you will notice that her handbags closely resemble the Queen Mother's handbags. Is is because both of these powerful women choose the same type of bag or is Ex-Prime Minister Thatcher deliberately mimicking this female symbol of ultimate authority in her country? Negotiations...
Handbags as a Symbol of Female Power
Handbags > Handbags as a Symbol of Female Power
Mulberry Moon Personalized Sterling Silver Jewelry and Gifts Celebrates One Year Anniversary
Mulberry Moon personalized silver jewelry and gifts is celebrating its one year anniversary with a special online sale.
For a limited time, the Nantucket silver line is available online for 25% off. Named after the Choctaw Indian term for September, Mulberry Moon Personalized Sterling Silver Jewelry and Gifts offers consumers quality jewelry and gift items through its online store and an independent sales force. At Mulberry Moon, standard engraving on all personalized items is free. Mulberry Moon was born last September at a craft show when President Jennifer Crego started selling silver jewelry in a hospitality suite.
After the successful show, Jennifer created an online store. "I discovered that shoppers are very passionate about buying unique jewelry and gifts and that they needed an easier way to find these gifts, so I created an online store." Crego stated. Since last September, the company has added 10 independent sales consultants throughout the U.S. Along with...
Mulberry Moon Personalized Sterling Silver Jewelry and Gifts Celebrates One Year Anniversary
Handbags > Mulberry Moon Personalized Sterling Silver Jewelry and Gifts Celebrates One Year Anniversary