Posts filed under 'Web Strategy'
Here are a few important and growing Internet trends.
- Most people check out products on the Web before they buy from a retail store. The Websites they visit influence their retail buying decisions.
- Cart abandonment rates are still over 50% and are not improving fast enough.
- Almost all businesses use the Web when searching for vendors and business partners. Many more follow-up on business referrals with a visit to their Website.
- An organization’s Website can build or erode trust.
- Website design and development processes are not working well and there continues to be major usability and design problems with most Websites.
- Slowly, Websites are become more simple with fewer links and more white space.
- Blogs, podcasts, webinars and other forms of content distribution are growing very rapidly among consumers, but most businesses have no idea how to use these technologies or what to do with them.
- More companies are beginning to set Website ROI goals and measure their Website’s success. The vast majority of businesses still don’t do this. A lack of understanding in this area leads to no strategic Web plan or smart investing in Web marketing efforts.
These trends provide valuable insight into what is working online, how to get results for your site and where you can get ahead of your competitors.
February 22nd, 2008
Dennis McCarthy, one of our lead Web marketing consultants offers the following words of wisdom on Web success. Here are ten things that are wrong with most Websites:
1. It's not clear what the Website is about.
2. The Website lacks a keyword focus.
3. It does not have a solid offer.
4. The link and button titles on the navigation menu are jargon.
5. It lacks a sales funnel, users don't know what to do to create a relationship.
6. It could be more attractive (sometimes LOTs more!).
7. It doesn't include a blog, podcast or webinar.
8. It doesn't include an email program.
9. The tagline is nuanced. It doesn't make it clear EXACTLY what the company does.
10. It uses too much text.
October 27th, 2007
What’s a conversion on the Web?
There are many ways to measure a conversion on a Website. Here are a few examples:
- An online purchase
- A phone call from a dedicated Website phone number
- A form submission for more information
- A form submission to receive something free
- An email to the company from the Website
- Subscribing to an email newsletter, podcast or other content
- Signing-up for a Webinar, seminar or other event
- Driving out to your office
- Sending a link to a friend or referring a friend
- Viewing multi-media on the Website
- Making a donation
- Printing a coupon from the Website
Any visit to a Website that results in some form of interaction is a conversion.
The key is to track and measure these conversions and to train your sales team to take them seriously!
Make sure your Website has one or more of the above conversion strategies in place and a method for following-up and closing sales.
September 18th, 2007
For those of you that follow our Blog, Podcast and email newsletters we hope you have been patient. Since launching our new Website earlier this year and better defining our Intuitive Websites four step process, we have been very busy with new client work.
The good news is that we will soon be launching Webinars and an interactive slide presentation to educate Web marketing professionals on the four steps to success on the Internet.
In the meantime, keep listening to our Podcasts and look for a lot of new content coming soon about the four steps to online success.
Tom
August 14th, 2007
Business Leader Magazine
Interview with Thomas Young
June 25th, 2007
When should a company consider using a professional Website and what is a reasonable cost range?
Just about everyone in business today needs a Website. There are few exceptions and those that are exceptions know it. Cost ranges are all over the board, from a college intern that will do it for free to a high-end ad agency that will charge a million dollars. You should be able to do a lot for under $20,000. Our average Website is around $10,000.
What makes a good business Website? What are the most common mistakes you see in Web design?
Meeting site visitor needs makes a great Website. Major mistakes are common on the Web because people do not understand a Website is part of a strategic marketing plan and not just a pretty design or IT department’s pet project. The biggest mistake is putting design or technology staff in charge of the Website. Marketing should manage the Website.
What are the keys to driving traffic to your site? What should a beginner know about this?
First, tell people about your Website and second learn about and use search engines. Google has much content and this is a great starting point. Driving people to a Website only happens if there is value on the site. Both search engines and Web users recognize value and reward you for it.
How good are blogs and e-zines at driving people to a Website?
The big three of online content distribution are blogs, podcasts and Webinars. These tools will drive people to your Website because they are search engine friendly and people will find the site so they can get access to valuable content. Email is also a great tool for driving traffic. Excellent email content gets read and bad emails get deleted.
What are the costs/benefits of tracking of Website traffic and conversion rates? Are there any products you recommend?
This is not an option, if you are serious about tracking your Website’s effectiveness. Your site must have conversion goals and strategies to measure. Google Analytics is the best tool on the market and it’s free!
June 26th, 2007
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