It's common knowledge now that high traffic to one's website is what drives the online economy. However, getting a lot of traffic is only half the battle; you have to know how to sell to people once they arrive.
Here are a few, basic tips that'll increase the likelihood of making your online venture a success.
Get Personal
One thing that's true in all forms of business is that people like to buy from people they know. Trust is often more important than price, which is why it's important for you to develop a personal connection to your visitors.
One way to accomplish this is to slant your marketing and sales message as if you're talking to an individual as opposed to a group of strangers. Get to know what your potential customers want and need, and then speak directly to those wants and needs.
Pretend you've met your ideal customer at a party. What would you say to them? How would you convince them that your business can meet their needs? Take your answers and craft your marketing like you're talking to that person. It's more personable (and more effective) than the mass marketing approach so many business people take today.
Testify!
Word-of-mouth is the best advertising around. People are more likely to buy when they hear about positive experiences from others just like them. If a friend of yours recommends a restaurant, you're probably more likely to go than if you'd just seen an advertisement.
When you have happy customers, solicit them for a testimonial, and publish those on your website. Your visitors will be more likely to buy from you once they know that people just like them have had a great experience.
Use Images to Sell Your Message
They say that pictures are worth a thousand words, and in the online community, they're probably worth ten thousand. Most people won't read all of your marketing copy, but they will look at images. If you can visually present how your company/product has solved customers' problems, then do so.
Sweeten The Deal
People love to get something for nothing, which is why adding a bonus to your offer is a surefire way to convince people to purchase. Think about the ads you see on TV: "Order now and receive an additional DVD (valued at $50) absolutely free."
The keys to effectively adding bonuses to your marketing strategy are twofold:
1.) The offer has to be of good quality - nothing that the buyer would toss in the trash.
2.) State the value of the bonus. This lets people know the value of what they're getting, and will often make them buy more quickly.
Ask People To Buy
Too many businesses make the mistake of creating great marketing materials and assume that it'll be enough, but it's not. It may seem crazy, but you must ask the people to buy what you're offering. A car salesman wouldn't tell you how spectacular the car is and walk away, and neither should you. That doesn't mean you should employ a high-pressure approach to selling, but it does mean that you should ask the customer to buy.
And speaking of asking for the sale, you need to make it as easy as possible for your customers to buy. Make links like, "Buy Now" or "Click to Purchase" prominent and easy to see.
These marketing strategies are simple to do, and yet, extremely powerful when it comes to converting prospects into customers.
- Nina Menezes
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