How to Make Better Use of Your Website Traffic

Every online business is faced with the challenge of
finding some way to get their web pages noticed from among
the billions of others online. So it's understandable that
much of our efforts go towards getting 'traffic'. Without
it, a website has no prospects and thus no sales.

But instead of a constant push for more traffic, why not
try to make the most of the traffic you already have? For
example, you might currently make 1 sale for every 200
visitors. With a few changes, you could make 1 sale for
br>every 100 visitors, effectively *doubling* your sales!

Here are a few suggestions. Test each one to see which
methods work best for your business - and don't be afraid
to modify them, too! The only way to know what's going to
work for you is to try it and track the results.

__1. Experiment with Popups or Popunders.

Many people have a strong dislike of popup or popunder
windows, so please use them judiciously. Some suggestions
on how you can use them include:

* A subscription box that appears only once per day for
each user (or once a week, or whatever time frame you
would like to use).

* A window that appears only as the visitor leaves your
site.

* A 'timed' popup that waits a few seconds or minutes
before it appears on the screen.

* A 'countdown' popup box that makes a special offer to
the visitor if he or she takes action within the next
5 or 10 minutes. The visitor can only click on a link
within the window if he or she wants to take advantage
of the offer... otherwise the window closes and the
offer doesn't appear again for a week.

There are many free scripts available all over the web.
However, if you would like a custom script written for you,
freelance programmers are one way to get professional and
affordable help: http://buildyourhomebiz.com/rd/gethelp.html .

__2. Experiment With Site Design.

* Add a select image or two. Do you sell an eBook? Or
perhaps offer a newsletter? Get a custom 'virtual cover'
designed for you. Or try using a prominent 'order now'
graphic.

* Simplify your page. More choices is not necessarily
better. Try removing some of the 'clutter' to help your
visitor focus more on what you'd like him to see. For
example, you could remove links to help minimize
distractions.

* Make your page more visually attractive. For example,
use black lettering on a light background (this is
easiest on the eyes). Use HTML tables to properly lay
out your site. Limit your use of different fonts and
colors, but at the same time use SOME color to add
visual interest.

__3. Make the Ordering Process Clear and Simple.

The ordering process should be as easy as possible --
make it difficult, and your visitor can leave with a
simple click-of-the-mouse!

* Clearly state the price. It is very frustrating when
the only place to find the price of the product is
on the order page.

* Reassure the visitor that your order form is secure.
(if it's not, it should be!) Many people still worry
about placing an order over the Internet, so anything
you can do to alleviate their worries can only help.

* Tell them what's going to happen after they order.
Will they be able to download your product instantly?
Will it be physically shipped to them, and in what
time frame?

* Provide a clear ordering link. I've gone to websites
before where I'm ready to buy -- only I can't figure
out how to place my order! It only takes me a second
to leave the site and go to a competitor.

__4. Build Credibility and Trust.

Ordering online can be very impersonal. Your visitors
don't know who they're dealing with, so it's your job
to show them that you're a business that they can trust.

* Give your visitors a way to contact you. And when they
do write or call you, answer them promptly, courteously,
and helpfully.

* Consider a FAQ page (Frequenty Asked Questions). If
there are common questions, for example, about shipping
time, fees, package tracking and delivery, etc. then
a page with the answers to these questions will help
to eliminate any uncertainty on your customer's part.

* Display testimonials from happy customers. This helps
to show new visitors how good your product really is,
and also helps to dispell any lingering doubts they
may have.

__5. Touch Up Your Sales Copy.

This is the most obvious and arguably the most important
part of your website. The best product in the world won't
sell unless you can successfully show your prospects how
it will benefit them. Work particularly hard on your
headlines -- they'll determine whether or not your
prospect continues to read the rest of your sales copy
(one good tool for quickly generating effective headlines
-- based on your answers to four questions -- is Headline
Creator Pro: http://onlinebusinessbasics.com/hcp/ ).
A good sales letter can make a significant difference
to your bottom line.

A reasonable amount of traffic is obviously necessarily
if a site is to make sales. However, you can still improve
your profits, just by making better use of the traffic you
already have!
About the Author _________
Angela is the editor of Online Business Basics, a practical
guide to building an Internet business on a shoestring
budget. If you're tired of hype and just want solid,
down-to-earth information, then click here now -- and in
moments you can have access to loads of instantly useable
tips, specifically chosen for beginners!
http://onlinebusinessbasics.com/article.html