Saturday, April 25, 2009

Sales Letter Templates - What to Look For in Sales Letter Template Designs

If you are planning to build a sales letter website to promote a product or service, you may be looking at various sales letter templates available to purchase or download. If this is your first time designing a sales letter or product landing page, this can be somewhat overwhelming. In this article, we are going to examine five things to look for in a template design:
  1. Template Formatting - Is the template HTML or for a content management system (CMS)? Depending on your skill and comfort level, you may be more interested in plain HTML or a theme for WordPress, Joomla, Drupal or some other CMS. Keep in mind that CMS themes can be easier to setup.
  2. Avoid Leaky Designs - Does the template design have any leaks that may distract website visitors from buying your product or signing up for your service? You want a design that minimizes these types of distractions. You want your visitors to keep on the focus - which is learning about and making a decision to buy your product.
  3. Keep it Simple - Does the design require graphics to be created? If it has a header, footer and other graphics, you may have to outsource to a graphic designer. This will increase your expenses, but not necessarily increase the web page's conversion. Many times basic, plain vanilla looking sales pages outperform the professional looking ones.
  4. Avoid Being Trendy - Does the template have fonts and colors that are visually appealing to you and easy to read? Sometimes templates may look flashy because they use creative fonts and colors, but you want to create a sales letter that all your visitors will like. Some will be turned off by outlandish colors or artsy fonts. Stick with basic, black or dark colored fonts on a white or near white background.
  5. Have Full Control - Do not use a template that requires that you link back to the designer. If you choose to do so, that is fine, but you should have the right to remove the links if you choose (especially if you are paying for it!).

Jason Keith is a full time Internet Marketer and the Developer of the Popular WordPress Sales Letter Theme which allows you to use the full power of the WordPress Content Management System to Write Your Sales Letters, Landing Pages or Squeeze Pages. You can go http://wp-salesletters.com to learn more.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Top 5 Signs That Your Website Sucks

Small business owners may not have the resources to invest heavily in their web presence and finding solutions to problems can be like finding a needle in a haystack. You know something's wrong but don't have the faintest idea how to fix it. Is it a technical issue? Are your ads not performing well? Don't know what kind of traffic you're getting? Website problems can fall into a myriad of categories. So if you think your website sucks, a) it probably does, and b) you should read on.

1. You Aren't Getting Traffic

You're excited about the big, expensive job the design team just finished on your site. It looks like a million bucks! Well it's a shame it isn't making you a darn cent. Just because it exists doesn't mean people know about it. Announce it to the world by submitting it to reputable directories and sharing your useful content with others on social bookmarking sites (you do have useful content, don't you? If not, I'll cover this later). You can even do some link exchanges -- provided the sites you exchange with are reputable -- just to get your site crawled early on. Further optimize it for search engines by following good SEO practices, building quality content and generating inbound links from other sites. Once you do that, you'll need to monitor progress with web analytics software. Google Analytics is free and it has a slick interface. And we know you like pretty things seeing as how you broke the bank on your web site design.

If you're looking for high ROI, invest your own time in learning search engine marketing. Better yet hire a qualified SEO firm if you have the budget for it. Don't settle for quick-fix promotional ideas. Build long-term exposure and a solid reputation by attaining high rankings, keeping email/newsletter lists, targeted ad placement and social media participation.

2. You Have Worthless Content

What defines worthless content? Without knowing what topic your web site covers it's tough to say, but if you have nothing that sets you apart from your top competitors then I'd say you aren't in good shape. If you don't know what kind of content people are looking for on the Internet today, take a peek at what's popular on social bookmarking sites. Observe some of the story titles on the front page of Digg.com:

"Guinness Stout Beef Stew Recipe for St. Patrick's Day"
"In Move to Digital TV, Confusion Is in the Air"
"Kim Jong-Il Interprets Sunrise As Act Of War"
"Automatic bacon dispenser?"
"The 5 Best Obama Photomosaics on Flickr"

Words I would use to describe these topics, in order, are: seasonal, informative, satirical, comical, and trendy. This information is popular because it's appealing in its uniqueness and is relevant to today's market. To set yourself apart from your competition, you need to get creative. If you're the kind of person who had trouble painting by numbers, then hire someone creative. Professional copy writers can be well worth the investment. Create free tools your customers will want to use; write funny or interesting commentary in a blog about your industry; put a new spin on a traditional product or service or offer seasonal discounts. Create a comprehensive F.A.Q. on your site that covers topics your competitors don't.

Take the time to beef up your content. Be innovative - don't be afraid to think outside the box. Use the top competitor in your field as a measuring stick.

3. You Have No Call-to-Action

Poor promotional language can have a sabotaging effect if visitors aren't drawn to your conversion pages. A conversion page is any page that acts as the final step in a visitor submitting a form, making direct contact or purchasing a product online. Obscuring those pages or confusing the visitor on where to go next can make them leave your site. Internet users have a short attention span - give them a clear direction when navigating your web site.

Use your web analytics software again to find out what pages visitors are landing on first. If your home page gets the most traffic, make sure there are clear links to your sub-topics. If inner pages are your most popular landing pages, find out if the traffic is targeted. Once you know the type of visitor and the specific page they land on, then you can start marketing your content more accurately.

The bottom line is to always make clear why, and how, visitors can buy your product. Don't get too cute with multiple steps, options or convoluted language.

4. You're Getting Traffic But No Sales

Are you sure the traffic is relevant? If you're running a pay-per-click campaign, ensure your ads are geo-targeted properly and your ad text or landing pages appeal to your customers. For organic search engine placement, have you done keyword research and analysis before optimizing your content? Look at your web stats and see where your visitors are coming from. What keywords were they searching for when they landed on your site? Are the referring sites relevant to your industry or topic? How much time does the visitor spend on each page? Sales won't come if your visitors aren't interested in what you're selling. This is why preliminary keyword analysis is so important to search engine marketing.

If you're running ads it's always good practice to experiment with different ad campaigns. If you put all your eggs in one basket you run the risk of losing out on potential revenue. Elements of your ads that you can change are:

- ad text
- landing page
- specific network your ads are shown across
- topics on which you focus the campaign
- geo-locations targeted

Remember, it doesn't pay to skimp on initial product/market research and analysis.

5. You're Getting Relevant Traffic But No Sales

This problem could signal a technical error or navigation problem with your site. Make sure you thoroughly test all functionalities on various web browsers and systems. Submit test forms. Do a link check to spot possible broken links. Is your web hosting service reliable?

If you've ruled out technical issues as the cause then turn your attention to the content and customer base. Has your market taken a downturn? Can the lack of sales be attributed to the poor economy? Have you fallen behind your competition in product quality, selection or pricing? Does your web site's navigation system confuse users? Your web site is the first line of contact between the business and potential customer, but it's not the only step you need to worry about. Telephone operators or online payment systems can present their own issues.

This is moving away from web site problems but if any part of the sales process takes place away from the site, investigate those areas of your business as well.

If you're pulling out your hair over a problem with your site and these tips still haven't helped, feel free to post a comment and I'll personally have a peek at your site.

With eight years in the search engine marketing industry, John Metzler of FreshPromo knows what works and what doesn't regarding website success. His strong grasp on visitor usability and analysis, along with a highly-skilled SEO perspective, can be seen through his professional SEO services. Read the FreshPromo blog for more free tips and commentary.

Monday, March 30, 2009

You Don't Have to Be a Geek to Know How to Create a Web Page

Many people today who are in their 40's, 50's, or even older, have no idea what is going on with computers.

They may be able to turn one on and send an email, browse the web, or check their stock prices, but that is it. For them, the thought of developing a website seems like a far away dream. They may want to build a web page of their own, but not know how to create a web page at all. And, that is where quality software comes in.

Creating a web page is now faster and easier than it has ever been. You no longer have to know programming, figure out intricate HTML code, or know the hexadecimal codes for particular colors in order to know how to create a web page. No lack of experience or technologically capability can stop a budding web site developer anymore. There is plenty of inexpensive and useful software available to help him or her own their way.

One of the most popular pieces of website development software is XSitePro. This software is more than just a way to build a web page. It helps you manage an entire site, from adding blogs and advertising to a site, to integrating newsfeeds, applications, and media into even the most basic of sites.

You don't have to be a computer genius anymore to know how to create a web page. You can do it easily with the help of the right product. Take the time to find the right product for you, one that is appropriate for your skill level and needs, and you will have your web page up in no time.

Brenda Ondatje is an entrepreneur, online income generation whiz, and a contributor of popular website WebBriefCase.Com.Au. She provides meaty tips on topics like how to create a web page and more. Grow your income exponentially today --- learn how when you visit the website now!

Thursday, March 12, 2009

A Smoking Web Gets Results

Web designing is more than having a cute website; the back end needs to be well connected! After all it is not just what those visitors see when they click a page, but it is also about what that website sees about them. Building websites has never been easier, but getting results is now tougher than it ever has been. There are many technicalities that can prevent website owners from understanding how their visitors feel about their experience, their actions and where they have come from. All of this information is vital to the site owner because the more they can pinpoint their results the better they can make their site, therefore increasing profitability.

There are different types of websites and each should be addressed accordingly. For example, those sites that are geared around mass selling should probably be based around an e-commerce type set up. This makes it easy for visitors or shoppers to maneuver the site and easing the buying process. Most of these sites can be specific and give the web owner information by keeping up with what is purchased, inventory and the behavior of most of the visitors. Not only does this help the web owner streamline, but they can also have a better understanding of the products, which ones are selling and what to cut back on.

Informational sites can also be used to capture information about visitors. Most of these web designs are built around opt in lists so that the web owner can collect the contact information of their visitors. Good information web sites are easy to design, but now the fresh content is another subject!

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Tuesday, March 03, 2009

It is True! Good Looks Make Life Oh So Much Easier!

Ever see on television or maybe read about people who will put on a fat suit to make themselves look obese? They were trying to find out what people with that problem were experiencing on a day to day basis.

Needless to say, it was pretty blatant as to how others viewed them. Usually the person doing this was a fairly attractive woman. I remember hearing of this one person who did it was eating a donut somewhere and people were looking at them in disgust!

The same thing applies to all else in life. Maybe it is a family pet or a persons yard. If something or someone looks good, people respond positively to it or them.

Probably not as good an analogy as I was hoping for but, this applies to the internet and your web site as well!

If you have a web site and are trying to attract leads for your business opportunity or home based business, you really must have a good looking web site...one that attracts!

I am no expert in web design. In fact, when it comes to color schemes or placing images on my site, I struggle a lot. What I do know though is what I like. We all have different likes and opinions differ. Making eye candy with your web site though that can please the largest part of your audience is what matters. I think everyone knows content should be of great quality but what really attracts visitors and keeps them on your web site?

It is the visual part of the experience!

Like I said, I am no expert but recently I have seen many grey dark themes on web sites related to SEO (search engine optimization) and network marketing. These things have dark pages with white lettering which is not so great for reading. I do not get it or these sites. It sometimes makes me think of haunted houses.

They might work for certain topics however, SEO and network marketing are not one of them.

Sometimes you will see sites that are "all over the place"! All kinds of colors, images, and ads with possibly a flash header and a ton of flash banners. The compilation of it all makes the site overwhelming or confusing.

It is just my own opinion but I noticed that there are certain sites I like being on. They all shared these details:

White page (where your content is at) with black lettering.

A good looking header that fits the theme. Flash is good if done right.

A good color scheme. There are places on the web that you can find by typing in "web site color schemes" and they provide color wheels that show which colors go with each other.

Sidebars are not completely loaded down and the colors blend in with each other. I am even talking about those flash banners. If you have them or have created them, why place them all next to each other with colors that clash.

Stay away from too much red. Those sites freak me out for some reason.

Video is good! Audio is as well.

Obviously, there are other things involved such as SEO optimization or making your site easy to get around but all in all, you do want your site to look good. As a matter of fact, looks help SEO because some of Googles' algorithms are specific to the stickiness of your visitors in how long do they stay.

Making your site attractive is very important to long term success.

Jim Eberle is currently working with a diverse team of like minded individuals in a co-op type atmosphere to build our business opportunity. This growing team currently consists of people from Ireland, Australia, England, Canada, and the United States. This team of network marketers are combining our efforts to obtain high positions in search engines like Google for higher level type keyword phrases.

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Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Build a Web Page and Create an Online Presence

In this digital age, building a webpage is an activity that is becoming easier to do almost every day. You can use a web page in order to help promote your business, including having an online shopping cart, or something more mundane, such as posting picture of your friends and family, or writing your thoughts about the events of today.

If you bang decided that you need to create a web attender, and hold a popular intent what you impoverishment it to be some, then the prototypical maneuver is to till a class phratry. Environment obloquy are the direct that fill type into their web application in tell to gain your position. You should knock your field sanction with want, as it is the premiere recite, and also web hosting so fill can admittance your parcel.

The next thing you need to do is create the website. There are many free programs that will help you so that the website almost writes itself. You no longer need to know HTML code in order to create a web page, it is now very similar to word processing and you just add pictures where appropriate for a basic web page.

If you need to build a web page that is a small author finished, then care for a issue website model. Many companies give free templates for exposure albums, or blogs, so you rightful select the visage you poorness from a name, and analyse the instructions on uploading photos or inputting matter for blogs. Blogs are a majuscule way to update your friends and pedigree with what is accomplishment on with you, or retributory to get your views on humankind events.

For a business website, you will want to build a web page that tells people about your business, and look for a provider that offers shopping cart templates as well. All you need to do is select one of the predefined layouts, and fill in the information about the products you are selling, preferably providing a picture so people can view your site. They can also provide you with a way for your customers to pay for the items that your purchase without going through the hassle of setting up a merchant account.

It's pleasant and entertaining to build your own website. Lots of online resources are available to give you assistance. Some of these resources even offer free templates, so that you can design your own pages with a minimum of fuss. When you're looking for a site host, try to register your domain name with a site that offers these templates, so that you can take advantage of them. There are templates available to help you with business sites or personal ones, so that you can branch out professionally or share information with friends and relatives.

You may build a web page to help to promote a business or for just something more mundane, like posting pictures of your family and pals. You no longer need to know HTML code in order to create a web page, it is now very similar to word processing and you just add pictures where appropriate for a basic web page. Building a website is fun and easy. There are many online tutorials that will help you, and you will want to look for a company where you register domain name, get web hosting, and offers free templates to help you get started.

Saturday, February 07, 2009

Top Questions to Ask a Web Design Agency

Choosing a web design agency to create and develop your website is a massive decision which requires a lot of trust on your behalf. Unfortunately there are many disreputable companies out there who may try to take advantage of you particularly if you're new to promoting your business online. There also are many great companies out there who will be only too happy to create a stunning website tailored to your business requirements and online image. How can you ensure you make the right choice though? A good place to start is to ask them these questions below.

• What do you know about my business?
If you speak to a website design company who are already familiar with the industry you work in then this can be a huge advantage as they will be aware of your target audience. Some website companies do a lot of work in specific industries or specialise in certain types of websites such as the health industry or ecommerce websites. When you approach a design company they should ask you plenty of questions about your business so they can decide what they can offer you and if they can fulfil your requirements.

• Who will maintain the website?
Some design companies create content management systems which allow you to change content or images to keep your website fresh. Other designers will maintain the website for you and will usually charge for this service. Some people prefer to have their designers deal with the maintenance of the website but sometimes if you want to make a quick text change for example you could be waiting for your designer to be free to make the change for you for a while. If they do offer a content management system then check to see if this is included in the price of the design.

• What previous work have you done?
Ask to see examples of past websites they've completed - most designers have links to completed projects on their website. See how versatile and unique the designs are and if you like their style. Some designers will be more artistic than others so decide which style is right for your website. A good catalogue of previous work can also increase the trustworthiness of a website company as they'll be well established with plenty of satisfied customers.

• Can you work to my budget?
It's likely that you'll have a specific budget to create your website. When you've narrowed your search down to three or four agencies, let them know the size of your budget so you can see what you can get for your money. If you have a smaller budget then it might not stretch to hand drawn images or interactive features for example. Once you agree on a budget and a design then make sure you stick to it and don't be tempted to agree to extra features which could increase the total price of the website.

• Will we get on?
You don't necessarily have to ask a web design agency this directly but it's definitely something to consider as you narrow your search. See how they interact with you in emails, phone calls or in person if you meet them. Also note how available they are to speak to and if they return your messages. There's no point choosing a company who you don't feel comfortable with as you'll be unlikely to get the end result you desire.

Web Design Agency

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Make Money Without Money - Build a Website For Profit

Today everyone uses the Internet, for research, social networking, buying and selling. People are making plenty of money using nothing more than their computer. Yes it's true with nothing more than a little time and a computer you can make money.

One of the top rated ways to make money on the Internet is by building your own web site. There is no gimmick in this; you only have to have a basic computer knowledge and the desire to share something you are passionate about with the world. I have several websites that when combined bring in a nice steady stream of money.

To make a successful website you should start with something you are interested in and have the knowledge about; such as frugality. Once you decide what topic to work on, you need to create articles about your topic that others will find interesting. One key here is that your content needs to be original and give a fresh look at what may be a very common subject. Replacing these articles on a regular basis with new ones, will keep people coming back to see what is new. With my sites I have found that attaching a set of message boards was a great way to bring much more traffic in. I have a regular group of people, who visit the forums and contribute their own information, keeping the site fresh, and helping it to grow in size and popularity.

There are several sites out there that will host your site for free, or for very cheap, do a search, and check reviews; each company offers different things, so keep this in mind when you choose your host.

Making money with this type of website is really very easy and if you take advantage of all the programs available, you will develop a steady stream of income. Affiliate programs like Amazon and Oriental Trading let you put a link to their shopping mall sites on your website, you get paid whenever someone buys from them through this link. Others, like Google Adsense pay you every time someone clicks on an ad in their banner.

If you have plenty of continually updated content, consider getting a live RSS feed set up, so that people will get notified every time something new is posted on your site. This is a great way to remind people to keep checking in and while they are there; adding content to your site and clicking on those ads.

You do not have to be a computer genius to own and run a web site; there are hundreds of tutorials available that will take you from start up to making easy money. The biggest part of running a successful web site is to find a niche on the web that you are knowledgeable about, and want to share with the world. Give it a little time and you will soon have a steady income that requires nothing more than a few hours a week to keep the money coming in.

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Saturday, January 17, 2009

Does Your Website Turn People Off?

Good web design is something that can make or break a business. If a website is designed wrong, people aren't going to stay let alone buy items from it. When it comes to turning customers off, here are some of the things that people aren't going to want to see in a website.

Annoying colors

One of the biggest turnoffs for people in a website is annoying colors. There are some colors that just make your eyes hurt. They may grab the attention of people, but there is good attention and bad attention. Annoying colors give a website bad attention.

Loud music

This is a turnoff for most people, unless it's teenagers. But consider not having loud music on the website or giving the visitors a way to turn it off. Giving them a choice may make they stay instead of leaving.

Hard to navigate

The last big turnoff for people when it comes to websites is having a hard time navigating the site. People want a site which is simple and which allows them to do what they need to do quickly and easily. They know that their time is limited and so they want to get their business done.

When you are designing your webpage, remember the turnoffs which are listed above. You will find that people are going to come back to your website more often and that they are going to be more likely to purchase from you. It's hard to believe what a difference a well made website can make.

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Monday, January 05, 2009

Web Design For Business

Personal web design and web design for business are two completely different elements. If you're just having fun creating your own personal website, then colours and graphics can reflect your personal style and taste and may be a great asset to your site. However, when it comes to a business website, you need to have a professional appearance that is functional and appealing to the exact type of person or organisation you're trying to appease. For example, if you cater to professional business clients, you need a professional-looking site. However, if you're a business that caters to young adults, having a more interactive and, dynamic site might be more your style.

Web design for business is largely based on personal preference and industry experience as to what works for other companies. If you're not sure what you need, research similar companies that have successful websites, and use the concepts they have to build your dream website. Don't be afraid to see what your competitors are doing.

You can also consult with professional designers and design companies to get a better feel for what you need, if you're less informed on the web design end of starting your business. Often, it's better to invest the money into hiring professionals so that your site turns out to be the best that it can be. It's not that you're not capable, but would you fix your own television or hire a trained professional?

Getting traffic to your website takes more than just great web design for business. However, once you get people to your site, you need to have that little edge that makes them want to stay. They aren't going to want to stay at a site that isn't intriguing, so appeal to your customers. If you're not sure how, put yourself in their shoes, or do a research study, ask friends, family or colleagues to find out what people would like. Sure, all this is going to cost money. However, the investment will be worth it in the end, when you have a website that outlasts the test of time and provides you with more business than you ever imagined.

No one can guarantee the success of your website, but having great web design for business purposes is only going to assist you in succeeding. Not having a functional, well designed website is NOT an option in today's fast paced e-commerce society.

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