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Casual Articles - 20 Website Mistakes That Cost Me Three Years and $22,000
You just signed up for a scrapbooking or stamping direct sales company. You now start on the recruiting "train". It's not required, but it seems to be the "thing to do". You hold workshops or parties and all through the workshop, you "sell" the idea of joining your company with the idea that if you can get people to sign up, you'll be home-free - making money on THEIR sales - WooHoo! Sounds like a good plan, doesn't it? Well, maybe not. Nothing can potentially kill a good business faster than recruiting. Huh? I'll say it again, nothing can potentially kill a good business faster than recruiting.Let me show you how:You sign upYou sell $200 a month to Customer AYou make $50 a month from the sales you make to Customer A.Through your effective recruiting efforts, Customer A signs up to be a consultant but is really only in it to get the discountCustomer A still buys $200 a month on average of products - only now, she buys them from the Multi-level company herself Customer A enjoys her 25% discount off of the products she sells to herself. You now make 3% off of her sales as her "upline"You now make $6 a month off of customer AYou lose $44 a month in revenue...End of story. Keep in mind that the company doesn't lose anything. They gain another one of you who will "lather, rinse and repeat". Pretty soon, everyone is buying directly from
is teens, this is a different story. Teenagers will enjoy
the entertainment.
If you offer an entertaining feature on your site, you will
need to carryout the theme throughout your site, otherwise
they will leave as soon as it stops. This has occurred
quite often lately as professionals add video to their site
(considered entertainment) and then the rest of the site is
flat. They get a lot of hits to the video and then no
response on the call to action they set it up to give them.
5. Please do not activate "under construction" pages. Wait
until the page is ready and then upload it. If you are
using Front
Free money! Receive up to $25,000 that never has to be paid back -- Guaranteed! Get a grant to start your own business today!If you're a small business owner, or you've always dreamed of starting your own business, you've probably run across ads like these. Companies that "guarantee" you'll get a grant to start your own business that never has to be paid back. Purchase their product, and they'll give you the "secrets" to making all your money troubles go away.Have you ever wondered if all the hype is true? Can you really get free cash to start or expand your business? Before you spend your hard-earned money on what could turn out to be nothing more than a list of names and addresses (that you can actually get for free in the Internet by the way), keep reading to learn the truth about grants for individuals and business start-ups.First of all, what is a grant?A grant is a sum of money that is used for a specific purpose. Grants are given away by charitable organizations called foundations, and their sole purpose is to give away that money.In addition, the U.S. Federal government also gives away billions of dollars of grant money every year for many reasons -- including to support and encourage economic development and small business growth, which is where you come in.So what's the catch? (You knew there had to be a catch, right? I mean, if it was that easy, every new business out there would be starting out in the black!)Most corporations, foundations and government agencies ONLY give grant money to nonprofit organizations that have a 501(c)(3) designation from the IRS.The most common grants given to individuals are in the form of
Learn from mine, save three precious marketing years, tons
of frustration, energy, and come out way ahead of the game.
Best of all, you probably didn't lose thousands of dollars
like I did.
1. If you use a shopping cart, check if the zip code request
appears before the city and state on the order form. Most
carts don't to this. Why is this important? Because if
ordering is not easy, I mean real easy, for your buyers,
they drop out in the process. Ordering should be as
effortless as possible for the purchaser.
If the zip code is before the city and state and is set to
drop their city and state into the next two fields
automatically, it saves the purchaser's time. Believe it or
not, this one "little" item leaves a memory chip and they
will remember the experience in the future. Did you know
that 60% of buyers opt-out and don't complete the
transaction because of the little things.
2. Do you have boxes or radial buttons that they need to
check off in the ordering process? Yes, then go ahead and
fill-in the checkmark in for them. Let them uncheck it if
they do not want the choice you are gave them. Again,
making it easier to buy from you and reduce the chance of
them leaving before completing the transaction.
If you have a questionnaire or survey form, check all the
"yes" categories or one of the radial buttons for them so
they don't have to do the work. They will remember the
experience as "easy" and it will imprint in their minds for
the next purchase or experience with you.
3. Many people forget to set up their "error page" on their
web site. Do not leave that to chance. Ask them questions
on the error page so that you know what occurred. Example:
"Tell me how you saw this page please." Add your e-mail
address. Hyperlink the address and spell out the full
address for those with different browsers. Make it easy for
people to identify any errors on your web site so you can
fix them quickly.
If you think that will never happen to you and that you have
checked your links repeatedly, it can still happen.
Software has glitches and it happens to the best of the
best. In addition, an error page is a great place to add
other hyperlinked navigational bar (a list of the main areas
of your web site). Also, offer an opportunity for them to
enroll in your ezine here as well.
4. Omit the metaphors. Most adults do not have the time or
the patience to play games on the Internet. If your market
is teens, this is a different story. Teenagers will enjoy
the entertainment.
If you offer an entertaining feature on your site, you will
need to carryout the theme throughout your site, otherwise
they will leave as soon as it stops. This has occurred
quite often lately as professionals add video to their site
(considered entertainment) and then the rest of the site is
flat. They get a lot of hits to the video and then no
response on the call to action they set it up to give them.
5. Please do not activate "under construction" pages. Wait
until the page is ready and then upload it. If you are
using Front
Phase Three of the 21-Step Dynamite Speech System is Preparation and Delivery.I was a professional actor in Chicago and Hollywood for 16 years. One of the nice things about being an actor on stage was that someone else had done the hard creative work of writing the play. The playwright had spent hundreds if not thousands of hours getting the mechanics right. Once the play was cast and rehearsals started, our job was to add the emotional and spiritual elements, the dynamics.Phase One and Phase Two of the Dynamite Speech System focus on mechanics – content and flow. (Phase One: Strategic Design; Phase Two: Creative Development) While there are essential things to learn about writing and creating a dynamite speech from studying these two phases, proper mechanics are not enough. If you want to blow people away, you also have to master the dynamics of speaking.The dynamics are the intangibles – what people watching refer to as power, presence and poise. These dynamics are the things you do to connect with your essence, that in turn help you connect with your audience. As speakers, we have to know how to create these dynamics. They don’t just happen. Fortunately, there are attitudes, rituals and preparation exercises that you can use to help you master these dynamics and “get in the zone” so that you can truly be amazing.In this article, I’m going to briefly mention some of the skills that are helpful in mastering the dynamics of speaking.Two skills that have helped me the most as a speaker come from my many years in theater – knowing how to memorize and rehearse.Acting is a precise medium. Actors are respon
drop their city and state into the next two fields
automatically, it saves the purchaser's time. Believe it or
not, this one "little" item leaves a memory chip and they
will remember the experience in the future. Did you know
that 60% of buyers opt-out and don't complete the
transaction because of the little things.
2. Do you have boxes or radial buttons that they need to
check off in the ordering process? Yes, then go ahead and
fill-in the checkmark in for them. Let them uncheck it if
they do not want the choice you are gave them. Again,
making it easier to buy from you and reduce the chance of
them leaving before completing the transaction.
If you have a questionnaire or survey form, check all the
"yes" categories or one of the radial buttons for them so
they don't have to do the work. They will remember the
experience as "easy" and it will imprint in their minds for
the next purchase or experience with you.
3. Many people forget to set up their "error page" on their
web site. Do not leave that to chance. Ask them questions
on the error page so that you know what occurred. Example:
"Tell me how you saw this page please." Add your e-mail
address. Hyperlink the address and spell out the full
address for those with different browsers. Make it easy for
people to identify any errors on your web site so you can
fix them quickly.
If you think that will never happen to you and that you have
checked your links repeatedly, it can still happen.
Software has glitches and it happens to the best of the
best. In addition, an error page is a great place to add
other hyperlinked navigational bar (a list of the main areas
of your web site). Also, offer an opportunity for them to
enroll in your ezine here as well.
4. Omit the metaphors. Most adults do not have the time or
the patience to play games on the Internet. If your market
is teens, this is a different story. Teenagers will enjoy
the entertainment.
If you offer an entertaining feature on your site, you will
need to carryout the theme throughout your site, otherwise
they will leave as soon as it stops. This has occurred
quite often lately as professionals add video to their site
(considered entertainment) and then the rest of the site is
flat. They get a lot of hits to the video and then no
response on the call to action they set it up to give them.
5. Please do not activate "under construction" pages. Wait
until the page is ready and then upload it. If you are
using Front
The world of online business is prospering at a very fast pace. It is simply not possible for any company with a reasonable market share to survive without a web interface. The trend is so strong that now there are many businesses which are solely internet based. The internet based businesses can be very profitable if run in a proper manner. There are certain ways which can assure that you get a proper response form your target market and earn good money through your online business. These ways, if followed, can make it possible for you to succeed in your online business.If you want to advance in internet and online business, you must take care of the marketing aspect. No business in the online world can survive without getting traffic. The quality traffic is vital to the survival and success of a web based business. The internet marketing can be done appropriately if you use all the means to make your website a search engine favorite. Submit your website to the search engine as in this way your chances of getting noticed by the search engines will increase. Also, the web content of your website should be search engine optimized. Place the links of your website on the internet at the places which are appropriate. RSS feeds are mutually beneficial to both of the websites which use this technique to promote themselves. Email marketing and article marketing can also be used. These efforts will create web traffic. The product or service to be sold should be up to the mark. This will increase the chances of making your customers brand loyal.
If you have a questionnaire or survey form, check all the
"yes" categories or one of the radial buttons for them so
they don't have to do the work. They will remember the
experience as "easy" and it will imprint in their minds for
the next purchase or experience with you.
3. Many people forget to set up their "error page" on their
web site. Do not leave that to chance. Ask them questions
on the error page so that you know what occurred. Example:
"Tell me how you saw this page please." Add your e-mail
address. Hyperlink the address and spell out the full
address for those with different browsers. Make it easy for
people to identify any errors on your web site so you can
fix them quickly.
If you think that will never happen to you and that you have
checked your links repeatedly, it can still happen.
Software has glitches and it happens to the best of the
best. In addition, an error page is a great place to add
other hyperlinked navigational bar (a list of the main areas
of your web site). Also, offer an opportunity for them to
enroll in your ezine here as well.
4. Omit the metaphors. Most adults do not have the time or
the patience to play games on the Internet. If your market
is teens, this is a different story. Teenagers will enjoy
the entertainment.
If you offer an entertaining feature on your site, you will
need to carryout the theme throughout your site, otherwise
they will leave as soon as it stops. This has occurred
quite often lately as professionals add video to their site
(considered entertainment) and then the rest of the site is
flat. They get a lot of hits to the video and then no
response on the call to action they set it up to give them.
5. Please do not activate "under construction" pages. Wait
until the page is ready and then upload it. If you are
using Front
Probably as well known as SWOT, SMART turns goals, objectives and tasks into concrete deliverables. If there is one key to turning busy, ineffectual organisations into models of streamlined efficiency then this is it.More accurately SMART ought to be SMARRRT. There are at least three equally valid definitions for the 'R'.OK, the 10 second introduction to working smarter:Specific: Be completely clear on the outcome expected of the goal, objective or taskMeasurable: Phrase the statement of what is to be achieved so that the achievement of that outcome can be clearly measured.Achievable: The idea is to clarify and motivate. There is nothing more demoralising than carefully constructed, but utterly impossible, goals.Realistic: Given your current situation: is your goal realistic? Relevant: Is this specific task or goal relevant to the overall aims of the company or plan? Resourced: Are the relevant time, people, facilities and equipment available to deliver the desired outcome?Time bound: Make sure there is a claim time limit on the completion of the activity.Properly applied, SMARRRT transforms your business.An example:I specialise in helping owner-managed businesses grow. One of the first questions I ask is "Just how much do you want your business to grow?" Pretty typically the answer is something like "we'd like a few more customers" or "a lot".Even at this early stage I start to apply SMARRRT.What does growth mean to you? More income, more profits, more customers, more staff, bigger premises.... Usually we settle on income and profits.OK, just how much more profit would you like? What wou
people to identify any errors on your web site so you can
fix them quickly.
If you think that will never happen to you and that you have
checked your links repeatedly, it can still happen.
Software has glitches and it happens to the best of the
best. In addition, an error page is a great place to add
other hyperlinked navigational bar (a list of the main areas
of your web site). Also, offer an opportunity for them to
enroll in your ezine here as well.
4. Omit the metaphors. Most adults do not have the time or
the patience to play games on the Internet. If your market
is teens, this is a different story. Teenagers will enjoy
the entertainment.
If you offer an entertaining feature on your site, you will
need to carryout the theme throughout your site, otherwise
they will leave as soon as it stops. This has occurred
quite often lately as professionals add video to their site
(considered entertainment) and then the rest of the site is
flat. They get a lot of hits to the video and then no
response on the call to action they set it up to give them.
5. Please do not activate "under construction" pages. Wait
until the page is ready and then upload it. If you are
using Front
Powerful questions force us to think deeply on the topic about which we chose to ask the questions. Powerful questions are ambiguous and evoke accountability.Here are seven questions we should all ask to unravel what is required to deliver superior customer service.What customers do we need to make our business successful?This question demands two answers.The first is what is our business? In reaching this understanding it is beneficial to remember the truths embodied in the following story.One of the world's leading manufacturers of electric power tools invites its new executives to attend an induction course, at the opening session of which they are urged to consider a slide projected onto a large wall screen. The image put before them is of a gleaming electric drill and the executives are asked if this is what the company sells.The executives look uncertainly around at one another and tend as a group to concede that, yes, this is indeed what the company sells. It seems like a safe bet. They are immediately challenged by the next slide, however, that of a photograph of a hole, neatly drilled in a wall."That is what we sell", the trainers suggest with some considerable satisfaction. "Very few of our customers are passionately committed to the deployment of electric power tools in their homes. They want holes. And it is your jobs as executives in this corporation to find ever more competitive, efficient, and imaginative ways of giving our customers what they want, holes in their walls".The second is what does a successful version of our business look like? What values of which financial, customer and comm
is teens, this is a different story. Teenagers will enjoy
the entertainment.
If you offer an entertaining feature on your site, you will
need to carryout the theme throughout your site, otherwise
they will leave as soon as it stops. This has occurred
quite often lately as professionals add video to their site
(considered entertainment) and then the rest of the site is
flat. They get a lot of hits to the video and then no
response on the call to action they set it up to give them.
5. Please do not activate "under construction" pages. Wait
until the page is ready and then upload it. If you are
using FrontPage, you can remove it from the Navigational
system by right clicking on the page and turning it off.
6. Don't beat around the bush with your visitors. Make your
message so clear that even a ten year old will understand
it. Make the language conversational -- easy English.
7. Make your "buy me" buttons "Amazon" blue. Backed by good
research, Amazon has trained millions of their visitors in
this color and in their design style. Use their success to
your advantage. Visit http://www.amazon.com to see what
"Amazon" blue looks like.
8. Do you offer a search form on your site? You need to.
Once again -- make it easy for your visitors to find the
information they want quickly. Here is a tip that I learned
only a few months ago that has paid big since. After all I
have read and learned over the past 10 years, nothing was
every mentioned about this. When someone searches for
something and it is not found, set up a default-selling
page.
Here are a few ideas on how to use the default page when
their search comes up empty. Offer them a 10% coupon for
something else, or for anything on your site. Tell them
this is a one-time offer (they will not know otherwise). On
the other hand, you could provide a list of available
discounts or offer them a choice of sections to proceed to.
Do not let them get the "Can't find a match" message at any
time.
9. When collecting visitor information for your database, do
it one step at a time. Do not try to do everything at once.
If you offer an ezine, the first step is to ask for their e-
mail address only. After they type that in, take them to
another page to answer questions.
Alternatively, you can send them an auto responder asking
them questions. Better yet, send them to a survey page
after they have subscribed to your newsletter. You will
enjoy an increase in subscribers and survey submissions.
10. If you use drop down menus for your states or countries,
remove them. "Techies" like drop down menus, but visitors
don't. Let the visitor type in their state and country. It
is ten times faster and much easier than looking through a
long list searching for the state and country. Even if the
United States is at the top, it is still makes the buyer
search.
11. The best way to give your visitors what they want is to
keep it simple. This is especially true for the landing
page of your web site. The landing page is your main or
index page.
What do you
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