Internet Success Strategies
By Karen Scott
The
Internet is gaining ground every day. An increase in users is paving the
way for more and more online business opportunities as consumer and business-to-business
sales increase and customers demand a higher level of service. As the
Internet becomes more and more a part of everyday life, it is important
to make sure your company has a strong, online presence that allows customers
to easily find information and use your services.
The following key Internet success strategies can make your website work
for your business. We demonstrate how one business (www.paperdaisy.com.au)
applied these strategies to its site.
1.
Plan Your Website Thoroughly and Revisit Your Plan
You
should try to be brief, but thorough (about one page per area). Sections
to consider: the website purpose, sales goals, customer profile, website
overview, website design, look and feel, promotions and action (put the
site up). the above will help to ensure maximum Internet success. Paper
Daisy researched costs involved, major competitors (e.g. www.marthastewart.com)
and how many Australians are using credit cards to purchase items on the
Web. With this knowledge the company redesigned its website to launch
a detailed product catalogue in its two best performing ranges and invested
the other money in setting up e-commerce facilities.
2. Use Headlines to Attract Traffic to Your Site
Brainstorming
sessions are crucial for developing the right headline. Paper Daisy had
many ideas from the competitive 'Move over Martha' to a more friendly
and final selection -'The Craft Store That Grows On You!'
Headlines create curiosity and define who you are and what is unique about
your business. When someone visits your website, you only have 12 seconds
to grab their attention and convince them to explore further. Recall the
last newspaper you read and how headlines encouraged you to read some
articles and scan over others.
3. Use and Improve Your Marketplace Perception
Your
company's Internet domain name should be selected carefully. It will be
your identification and 'branding' on the Web and it is therefore important
to let it work to your advantage. Let it help to identify your company,
products and services. It's important to keep your domain short and simple
so that people can easily remember it. (i.e. 8-16 letters or characters).
Paper Daisy selected www.paperdaisy.com.au as it is Australian-based and
this is the full company name. Another ABN member recently had the experience
of having to rebrand its product simply because the domain name was taken.
It now has several domain names secured including its main name www.wyldforwomen.com.au.
4. Create a 'Virtual Community'
On your website not only does the Internet allow you to provide visitors
with information, it allows you to interact with them or to create a 'virtual
community' (a group of people in cyberspace that share common interests).
Paper Daisy has identified two ways - one is a monthly 'how to' for making
creative homemade crafts guide; the other is an FAQ section on handy hints.
5.
Use Search Engines to Generate Traffic to Your Website
Tips to get your website listed at the top of Search Engine results:
- Focus
on how customers will search for your company. Include the most important
keywords.
- Write
good page titles and page descriptions for every section of your website.
Search Engines focus heavily on the titles, so choose your words carefully.
For
further information on setting up websites, from automating your systems
proccesses to developing fully integrated e-commerce websites, please
contact TrainingNet on (02) 8448 2622 to book a free net strategy session.
