Posts Tagged ‘Internet Sales’
As many organizations have extensive website environments, it is quite common to see many separate web pages dedicated to single product offerings. These pages serve as the point-of-sale advertisement to encourage readers visiting the page to buy the product. With a little extra effort, these product pages can be turned into separate traffic generating systems that attract readers and buyers.
Traditionally provided as customer service data pages on the web, product pages used to function as a low-traffic page for those few site visitors seeking more product information. As internet readers utilize the World Wide Web as the main source for pre-purchase product information, product pages have taken on a new role – that of sales agent. With a little help from Search Engine Optimization techniques these pages can generate new leads and new sales.
Although there are a few differences, optimizing the product page so that readers will find it when researching a purchase differs very little from the techniques used to bring traffic to the main business website. Setting up a product page to attract attention from the search engines is then a matter of developing a consistent theme and message found throughout the title, keywords, URL and then following the on-page design with an external link-building effort.
Here are four techniques for setting up a product page that will compete for business both as part of the main business website, but also independently as a single page offering the reader useful product information.
Page Title: Setting a unique page title for each web page within the entire environment is important. Google and other search engines frown upon duplicate content. Pages with common titles are frequently deemed to be repetitive and duplicate, so the entire site may be downgraded somewhat according to the secret Google algorithms. Page titles that describe the product’s value or characteristics on the other hand, seem to be effective.
Internet companies distributing products must avoid using the product name in the page title. Otherwise, folks searching for the product will most likely wind up looking at the manufacturer’s website and then purchasing directly. Phrases that describe the philosophy or value of the service – such as ‘Low Cost SEOmake useful page titles. Using the company name in the first few words of the page title should be avoided.
Product Keywords: Keywords for product pages should also work along with the page title to form a consistent message to the search engine robots. For the “Low Cost SEO” example, the main keyword phrase would also be “Low Cost seo.” This creates some consistency with the keywords and page title. Three keyword phrases work well, but the leading one should be the same one contained in the page title.
Product Page URL: Continuing with the ‘consistency’ theme, keywords that work in the page title and as the lead keyword phrase should also be used in the page URL. Multiple word URLs should be separated by hyphens. Again falling back on the SEO example, a good URL for this page would be: coreurl.com/Low-Cost-SEO.html.
Build Links! Many a well designed page is built and deployed only to be left waiting for traffic. Unfortunately, even constructing a page with good keyword, title and URL design may hurt for recognition unless the page owner goes out to tell people about it! Link building may be done via article marketing, blogging or in the case of product pages – via social networking.
Social networks are particularly useful for getting the word out about unique sales or events where customers may receive some special benefit by visiting a particular web page to acquire the product. As these are highly useful, remember that competing for attention on social networks has to be something that will cause people to drop what they are doing and click the link. As links on social networks “age” rapidly or are quickly pushed down the page and out of site, posting the link and offer has to be done fairly frequently.
Converting a product page from a customer service orientation into a sales magnet really is possible. Utilizing basic search engine optimization methods and by steady link building, traffic and customers can be attracted to a page offering unique information and value.
Matthew Stone delivers Low Cost SEO services with Denver SEO Consultants. Specializing in Article Marketing and Distribution, Link Building, Blog Optimization and Web Page Optimization, Denver SEO Consultants helps organizations of all sizes compete for new revenue via the internet.
Managing sales, finance and production are all challenges to a start up enterprise. New company operators rarely bring a complete package of experience to their new management role – especially in the area of managing the sales effort. Accordingly, many good, small business enterprises struggle to develop good prospecting and sales systems.
Within the business environment, the internet presents an opportunity to build sales and attract customers for the new enterprise. Many successful companies have entered the market using the internet as major elements in their sales strategies. The reasons for this are simple. Internet readers tend to research product purchases on-line prior to buying. Accordingly, the internet can be used effectively for building revenue and generating sales traffic.
But what exactly is the role of the internet in making sales? The craft of ’selling’ usually depends upon establishing a business relationship that provides value to all participants in the transaction. Most of this interaction is of course personal in nature – especially for bigger ticket sales items.
With major corporations pouring great sums into web development and research, the value is clear – a well-designed message delivered over the internet builds sales. Social network methods, on line ordering and other internet (SaaS) based business models all testify to the ability of the internet to generate revenue and expand the customer base.
New start-up businesses must attract attention to generate revenue. The internet is an important part of this strategy just as it is for major companies. A web page that accurately delivers useful information can act as a company sales representative on a 24 hour basis.
Many methodologies are available to help the small business reach potential customers that need the product or service. Localization is one such method that allows businesses providing service to particular geographic areas. Organizations such as ones providing Denver Furnace Repair or or a Denver Graphic Designer can utilize the search engines and internet to compete for business in the central Colorado community.
Of course many small enterprises cannot invest huge amounts of money into an internet sales or marketing program. These programs cost real money. However, a new business should take advantage of this medium to reach out to potential customers by distributing useful data and information via the company website.
How then does a new business use an internet web page to attract attention and build a customer base? A fancy or expensive web design is not essential, but the website should at least communicate some degree of industry competency. The main components though are that the web page must contain a: Specific call to action Clear “Value Proposition”
Call To Action – “Always ask for the Sale!” is the cry of sales managers everywhere. The web page is no different, although closing the deal may not involve an exchange of money for product. Although smaller ticket items or consumable goods with established brand value may be sold on line, many new business websites simply focus on inspiring the reader to provide her/his contact information.
Building a network of potential customers then may be the essential objective of the web page that represents a new business. Building credibility usually requires personal contact with someone representing the enterprise, so actually closing the deal may not be practical using the web page. The call to action in this instance may be something as simple as filling out a data form. The company sales reps then can reach out to provide specific information to the prospect.
Value Proposition – The web page needs to communicate a reasonable expectation of the value the product or service delivers. Without setting these expectations, the potential customer has nothing upon which to base his decision to purchase and no way to calculate a return on his investment should he become a paying client. Bold result statements such as “cut production costs by 15% by” get the reader’s attention, inspire her/him to keep reading and provides a way for the prospect to calculate a Return on Investment (ROI).
These two simple message inclusions can greatly enhance website performance – especially for new and start up enterprises. Establishing contact with potential new clients is of course hugely valuable and is a task perfectly suited to Internet Marketing.
SEO Consultants in Denver help business organizations of all sizes compete for new customers via the internet by improving web traffic and converting readers into customers.
The challenges surrounding a new business start up may seem insurmountable at times. Any business requires providing valuable services and products to the market, but for many small businesses, the main obstacle to success is acquiring sales. Using the internet though, even new businesses can experience significant sales and revenue growth.
Customers of course are always looking for new ways to increase income or save money. If the new enterprise helps customers achieve either of these objectives, the company has a shot at real success. The only requirement then is for the business owner to sell his products and services.
Investment capital for new enterprises is difficult to secure. How would a potential entrepreneur get his business off the ground when working on a shoe string budget? The easiest method would be to develop the product or service and sell it to a pre-existing network of potential customers that the proprietor has established over years in the business. Most new start ups though, have no pre-existing network of contacts and must start with little or nothing. This is where the internet can really help.
Internet Sales and Marketing – Access to information has dramatically increased with the advent of free Wi-Fi and mobile internet access. Customers can now access the internet from anywhere to research purchase of any goods or services. A web page that provides quick information to customers making these purchases is a terrific tool for connecting with new and potential customers.
The internet is highly utilized for pre-purchase research for large ticket items. A good rule of thumb is that the higher the purchase price, the more research a prospect engages in prior to buying. An internet web page is perfect for this purpose as it can offer answers to customer FAQs, reinforce the enterprise value proposition and serve as an on-line sales force without the cost of a sales staff. For these reasons, a small business web page is essential to the success of any new enterprise.
The small business website is then an absolute ‘must’ for any new business. There are a couple of considerations though, that go into building one. The main two are: Website Design search engine optimization or SEO
Design – Customers look at a business website to determine if the organization is capable of handling their needs, delivering the promised value and is trustworthy. These are three big hurdles. Still, there are a couple ways to get started that won’t drain the capital accounts.
A new enterprise can hire a web page designed for them – which shouldn’t be terribly expensive. Or for those on a very tight budget, templates can be found for free that can simply be downloaded and installed at no charge. The main challenge to downloading a free template though, is that one should consider how things like business cards and brochures will work with the website.
Most start ups can make use of these free web templates. Budget considerations may require this anyway. However, the business will need to remember that as it grows, there will come a time where the website, brochures and business cards etc, will need to be coordinated and produced using the same corporate image and brand ID.
Search Engine Optimization – SEO – Google and other search engines can be huge allies in attracting new business provided the company web page can be caused to appear when a user searches for information about the product or service. When the small business website appears as a result on the search engines, the business is presented with an opportunity to establish a relationship with a potential customer. And of course creating positive relationships with prospects is a key element to making new sales.
SEO and web design and development work very well together to support a new business start up or help an existing enterprise grow. Optimizing the blog or website to attract customer traffic is not always expensive or technically challenging and can significantly improve an organization’s ability to attract customers. These processes can be undertaken by consultants, but much can be done by the business operator to keep costs down. Research into SEO by small and start up entrepreneurs can be hugely valuable.
Most organizations understand the value of their internet and website marketing programs and invest time and money to compete for new business. A start up or small business entrepreneur that investigates website design and seo has already started on the path towards increasing sales.
SEO Consultants in Denver provide web sales assistance to enterprises of all sizes by improving local market share and increasing revenue. SEO Consultants Denver provides Low Cost SEO Services to generate consumer web traffic to company websites and to convert readers into customers.