Is Your Website Missing These 5 "Must Haves?"
We invest so much hope into our website: hoping it will bring in new leads, hoping it will turn visitors into clients, hoping it will make our marketing easier.
But hope isn't what will make your website live up to your expectations.
Only time, good planning, and a few simple tricks will get the job done.
Let's take a look at 5 essential 'must haves' and make sure your website isn't missing any of them! If it is, you can use this list as an easy template for getting the changes made, fast! Must Have #1 An opt-in box to collect your visitors' names and email addresses positioned at the TOP of your home page My home page is a great example of how to do this.
So is Beth Davis's home page at HandAnalyst.
com .
Beth and I make it abundantly clear what we want our home page visitors to do.
My home page even has TWO places a visitor can choose from to opt-in to my newsletter and audio mini-course.
I checked my web stats yesterday and see I am capturing a steady 15% of my visitors.
That is fantastic! Here's a tip: get your web designer to create a fun graphic to add visual appeal to your opt-in box.
It's eye-catching, which is the point! Must Have #2 A compelling free 'give-away' item My favorite is the audio mini-seminar sent out as five or seven tips.
I get lots of positive feedback about mine.
One woman who recently purchased my Website Wisdom Writing course even said, "Kendall, those tips work! I'm buying your course right now because of them!" I use Audio Acrobat to make all of my recordings.
It's fast, simple, and really fun.
You can also write a tip.
The days of people signing up just for your newsletter are pretty well over.
Now, you have to offer some really useful information (think tiny tidbits) in exchange for their name and email address.
Your newsletter is the "oh, by the way, you also receive...
" that comes along with your other free goodie.
Must Have #3 A Clear Deliverable Most websites are too vague about the specific results they're promising to deliver.
Think of it this way: if you needed to by a new air conditioner for your home, would you be interested in a store that said they would sell you "something that will change the air temperature"? Of course not! That kind of fuzzy wording leaves too many questions unanswered and most potential clients will move on rather than dig deep.
What specific change do you help make for your clients? List those on your website.
Weave them into your copy.
Make it abundantly clear at a glance--and on every page--so there is no guessing.
Must Have #4 Personality Too many website are tame, and I always say, "Tame is lame!".
Choose an aspect of your personality that is front and center to who you are and let that come through on every page of your website.
An excellent example is my friend and web designer, Kevin of AcornCreative.
com .
Kevin's site definitely reflects Kevin's sassy attitude and love of humor.
My site too, is a good example of reflecting personality.
It shows off my honest, authentic, direct style to a "T".
Here's a tip: Have someone read your website home page and without any hints from you, tell you what is the key emotion that is communicated.
If it's not a strong one, then there's not enough of YOU shining through! Must Have #5 A Plan of Attraction Now it's time to make sure people are seeing your website.
I recommend focusing on three ways to get people to come and visit you.
My favorite is speaking.
My next favorite is writing articles.
I honestly don't have a third favorite because the first two work so well! Here's a tip: make your plan VERY simple, then follow it consistently.
Put every article, tip list, checklist, how-to report, audio recording, and client contracts on your site to encourage repeat visits.
Remember to keep your website simple (like mine for example).
It doesn't take a big budget or a long time to make sure your website includes these five 'must have's' so you have a site that is a valued contributor to your business success! You are welcome to publish this article in its entirety, electronically, or in print free of charge, as long as you include my full signature file for ezines, and my Web site address in hyperlink for other sites.
Please send a courtesy link or email where you publish to Kendall@KendallSummerHawk.
com Copyright 2006 - 2009.
All Rights Reserved.
But hope isn't what will make your website live up to your expectations.
Only time, good planning, and a few simple tricks will get the job done.
Let's take a look at 5 essential 'must haves' and make sure your website isn't missing any of them! If it is, you can use this list as an easy template for getting the changes made, fast! Must Have #1 An opt-in box to collect your visitors' names and email addresses positioned at the TOP of your home page My home page is a great example of how to do this.
So is Beth Davis's home page at HandAnalyst.
com .
Beth and I make it abundantly clear what we want our home page visitors to do.
My home page even has TWO places a visitor can choose from to opt-in to my newsletter and audio mini-course.
I checked my web stats yesterday and see I am capturing a steady 15% of my visitors.
That is fantastic! Here's a tip: get your web designer to create a fun graphic to add visual appeal to your opt-in box.
It's eye-catching, which is the point! Must Have #2 A compelling free 'give-away' item My favorite is the audio mini-seminar sent out as five or seven tips.
I get lots of positive feedback about mine.
One woman who recently purchased my Website Wisdom Writing course even said, "Kendall, those tips work! I'm buying your course right now because of them!" I use Audio Acrobat to make all of my recordings.
It's fast, simple, and really fun.
You can also write a tip.
The days of people signing up just for your newsletter are pretty well over.
Now, you have to offer some really useful information (think tiny tidbits) in exchange for their name and email address.
Your newsletter is the "oh, by the way, you also receive...
" that comes along with your other free goodie.
Must Have #3 A Clear Deliverable Most websites are too vague about the specific results they're promising to deliver.
Think of it this way: if you needed to by a new air conditioner for your home, would you be interested in a store that said they would sell you "something that will change the air temperature"? Of course not! That kind of fuzzy wording leaves too many questions unanswered and most potential clients will move on rather than dig deep.
What specific change do you help make for your clients? List those on your website.
Weave them into your copy.
Make it abundantly clear at a glance--and on every page--so there is no guessing.
Must Have #4 Personality Too many website are tame, and I always say, "Tame is lame!".
Choose an aspect of your personality that is front and center to who you are and let that come through on every page of your website.
An excellent example is my friend and web designer, Kevin of AcornCreative.
com .
Kevin's site definitely reflects Kevin's sassy attitude and love of humor.
My site too, is a good example of reflecting personality.
It shows off my honest, authentic, direct style to a "T".
Here's a tip: Have someone read your website home page and without any hints from you, tell you what is the key emotion that is communicated.
If it's not a strong one, then there's not enough of YOU shining through! Must Have #5 A Plan of Attraction Now it's time to make sure people are seeing your website.
I recommend focusing on three ways to get people to come and visit you.
My favorite is speaking.
My next favorite is writing articles.
I honestly don't have a third favorite because the first two work so well! Here's a tip: make your plan VERY simple, then follow it consistently.
Put every article, tip list, checklist, how-to report, audio recording, and client contracts on your site to encourage repeat visits.
Remember to keep your website simple (like mine for example).
It doesn't take a big budget or a long time to make sure your website includes these five 'must have's' so you have a site that is a valued contributor to your business success! You are welcome to publish this article in its entirety, electronically, or in print free of charge, as long as you include my full signature file for ezines, and my Web site address in hyperlink for other sites.
Please send a courtesy link or email where you publish to Kendall@KendallSummerHawk.
com Copyright 2006 - 2009.
All Rights Reserved.
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