Web Development Information

URLZ.NET Web Development Information

Back to URLZ.NET Web Directory

7 Killer Ways To Increase Your Online Sales


Every online entrepreneur I talk to is asking the same question, "How do I increase my online sales, NOW?"

Online selling is essentially a numbers game. The more visitors to a site, the more sales that site will make. The number of sales made divided by the total number of visitors to a site is called the conversion rate. A typical site will have a conversion rate of between 1 and 2 percent, or 1 to 2 sales per 100 visitors.

It is obvious that if the number of visitors increases, and the conversion rate remains the same, then sales will increase. Traffic is the first variable that most online marketers attempt to influence when they begin their online marketing campaigns.

There are two basic problems with the increase traffic method. The first is that it is expensive to run advertising and improve a site's ranking in the search engines. The second, and subtler issue is that there is no guarantee that the conversion rate will remain constant.

So what about increasing the conversion rate? Using the example above, if the number of buyers could be increased from 1 or 2 per hundred visitors to 2 to 4, sales will have doubled! So what can be done to increase a web site's conversion rate? Below I list 7 techniques designed to accomplish this goal:

  • Provide plenty of testimonials

    These testimonials should be from previous customers and should include specifics as to how the product or service helped them solve a problem.

    Obtaining testimonials is no problem, just ask. People love to be asked what they think; most will be willing to share their thoughts on your product or service. Implement a process of following up with your customers with a questionnaire. Leave plenty of room for their comments and make it clear that their comments might be used in your advertising.

  • Improve your follow up

    Many people will not buy the first time they see your product. In fact, some experts claim that people must see your message seven times before they are ready to buy. Autoresponder courses are a great way to follow up with the potential customer. There are many free autoresponder services on the web. I use FreeAutoBot.com.

  • Give away free samples

    By letting your customers try before they buy, you can significantly increase your sales. If you sell an information product, provide a few paragraphs or even the first chapter by autoresponder. This technique also helps to improve follow up by guaranteeing you obtain contact information.

  • Give a bonus product

    Everyone likes to get something for nothing, especially if that something is perceived as valuable. E-books make a great bonus, especially if they contain original content. If you are unable to create your own e-book, you could give away someone else's. Free-eBooks.net is a good resource for finding E-books to give away.

  • Focus the web site

    Use the Direct Response Site model. A direct response site is one where the customer's choices are very limited. Essentially they can buy the product, bookmark the page, subscribe to your ezine, or leave the site. The more options a visitor has, the less likely they are to make a purchase.

  • Follow on sales are crucial

    It is well known that successful businesses make 75% of their sales to repeat customers. Start a free ezine and get your customers to subscribe. Get their permission to send them information on upgrades and new products. On their receipt, mention a product that compliments their purchase. Don't have a product to offer for follow on sales? Find and join an affiliate program offering products of interest to your target market.

  • Change the web site copy

    Appeal to target emotion rather than reason. People respond more intensely to emotional appeals than to intellectual discussion. Design your copy to focus on the visitor's dreams, desires, fears or goals. Position your product to appeal to their emotional needs.

    Implement these seven tips, and watch your online sales increase.

    About The Author

    Copyright 2002 Tony L. Callahan, All Rights Reserved Tony L. Callahan is president of his own Internet marketing company, Link-Promote.com. He also publishes Web-Links Monthly, a newsletter full of tips, tricks, tools and techniques for successful web site promotions. http://www.link-promote.com/wlmonth/subscribe/index.html.


    MORE RESOURCES:
    Yahoo rolled out a beta version of its new Glue search concept for the first time in the U.S. late Wednesday.
    Add to digg Add to StumbleUpon Add to Twitter Add to Slashdot

    Despite the sluggish economy, Verizon Wireless predicts strong sales for the BlackBerry Storm, which goes on sale Friday for $200 after rebate.
    Add to digg Add to StumbleUpon Add to Twitter Add to Slashdot

    Go ahead, cut the cord. These cool and useful Bluetooth devices help you phone, print, present and more -- all without wires.
    Add to digg Add to StumbleUpon Add to Twitter Add to Slashdot

    Presented By:



    Seven nights of one great discovery after another continues tonight at 9P e/p only on National Geographic Channel. From the ancient pyramids to the ocean depths, from lost cities to outer space, travel with the latest generation of intrepid explorers as they make one great discovery after another. Expedition Week, only on National Geographic Channel.
    www.natgeotv.com/expedition
     

    Go ahead, cut the cord. These 10 cool and useful Bluetooth accessories help with everything from making hands-free calls and printing photos to typing e-mails and controlling presentations -- all without wires.
    Add to digg Add to StumbleUpon Add to Twitter Add to Slashdot

    A Boston-area teenager has pleaded guilty to charges of hacking and placing fake emergency phone calls in hopes of summoning police tactical response teams to the homes of his victims.
    Add to digg Add to StumbleUpon Add to Twitter Add to Slashdot

    Months before bowing to pressure from Intel to relax the requirements for its 'Vista Capable' marketing program, Microsoft published an article on its TechNet site urging users to avoid Intel's 915 graphics chip set if they planned to upgrade to Windows Vista, internal e-mails at Microsoft show.
    Add to digg Add to StumbleUpon Add to Twitter Add to Slashdot

    As President Bush prepares to leave office, the task of upgrading the security of federal information systems to deal with new cyberthreats continues to be very much a work in progress.
    Add to digg Add to StumbleUpon Add to Twitter Add to Slashdot

    Presented By:



    Seven nights of one great discovery after another continues tonight at 9P e/p only on National Geographic Channel. From the ancient pyramids to the ocean depths, from lost cities to outer space, travel with the latest generation of intrepid explorers as they make one great discovery after another. Expedition Week, only on National Geographic Channel.
    www.natgeotv.com/expedition
     

    Microsoft officials today demonstrated an upcoming tool aimed at enabling database administrators to manage hundreds of database servers at a time.
    Add to digg Add to StumbleUpon Add to Twitter Add to Slashdot

    NASA scientists have successfully tested a new Internet protocol to improve communications among spacecraft traveling throughout the solar system.
    Add to digg Add to StumbleUpon Add to Twitter Add to Slashdot

    How much is spam costing your company? Google unveiled a nifty little calculator Wednesday to help you add it up.
    Add to digg Add to StumbleUpon Add to Twitter Add to Slashdot

    Presented By:



    Seven nights of one great discovery after another continues tonight at 9P e/p only on National Geographic Channel. From the ancient pyramids to the ocean depths, from lost cities to outer space, travel with the latest generation of intrepid explorers as they make one great discovery after another. Expedition Week, only on National Geographic Channel.
    www.natgeotv.com/expedition
     

    View more news and analysis from Computerworld.com

  • home | site map
    Copyright © 2006 URLZ.net