Can Your Website Do This?

 

The question isn’t whether or not your business has a website,

it’s a given it does.  The real question is this: Does your

website allow you to connect and interact with visitors?  If it

doesn’t, you are missing out on an enormous opportunity to grow

your business.

 

A website that is nothing more than an electronic brochure is

not going to help you attract more clients and be more

profitable.

 

Did you know that the first time someone visits your website

that it is most likely the last time they will visit?

 

If most people never return after the initial visit, this means

that you usually only have one chance to make a connection and

provide visitors with information they want. So how do you make

this connection?

 

It’s been said there are only two reasons to have a website:

 

1. To capture someone’s contact information (name and e-mail)

so you can keep in touch with them, provide value, and build a

relationship

 

2. To sell something

 

Of course it is best if your website does both: captures

visitor’s information and sells something.  But if you don’t

have something to sell on your website, at the very minimum,

your website needs be designed to capture visitor’s

information. 

 

Think about it, what’s the point of having a website if it

doesn’t do at least one of these two things?  Are you hoping

that someone will take the time and effort to call you or

e-mail you to find out more?  They might, and chances are they

won’t.  Most people like to have some preliminary information

before they are willing to make direct contact.

 

So why should anyone give you their contact details?  It used

to be that you simply had to offer a newsletter and people

would sign up.  Times have changed, these days you must provide

something of real value in exchange for a person’s contact

information.

 

In order to get, you need to give first.  If you offer your

visitors helpful information they can use, they are more likely

to share their name and e-mail address with you.

 

What kind of valuable information can you offer to your

prospective clients at no cost to them?  Think about things

like:

 

* A special report

 

* A list of tips

 

* An assessment or quiz

 

* An e-course in several parts (e-mail course sent by

auto-responder)

 

* An audio e-course

 

Please don’t use text on your website that says something like:

“Subscribe for Tips” - that won’t cut it.  Be specific, what

kind of tips do you provide and what are the benefits of the

information.

 

Make it clear that people who subscribe will get your special

offer plus additional information like a weekly or monthly

ezine full of substantial resources. 

 

The copy for the offer needs to grab attention and be visible

on your website without having to scroll down to see it).  The

top left or right of your homepage is a great spot for this.

 

Your system needs to be completely automated so that if someone

requests what you offer - they receive it immediately by

auto-responder.  Automation allows you to connect with

prospective clients at all times including when you are asleep

or away on vacation.

 

There are several good options available, two that are quite

popular are www.aweber.com and www.1shoppingcart.com (what I

use).  You can find additional options by searching the

internet.  The great news is that once you set it up, you don’t

have to be involved in the process at all. 

 

Ready to change your website and make it really work for your

business?  To get started, decide what your compelling offer

will be.  Once you create it, select a service that will allow

you to capture visitor information.  Ask your webmaster to set

it up for you on your homepage (or do it yourself if you’re

technically savvy).

 

Once everything is in place, start promoting your fabulous

offer like crazy.  By doing this, your website will allow you

to create an ongoing connection with your prospective clients

and help you grow your business!

 

© Stephanie Ward, 2007

 

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE?

You can, as long as you include this information with it:

Life & Business Coach Stephanie Ward helps business owners

set their profits on fire!  Grab your FREE copy of the special report

'7 Steps to Attract More Clients in Less Time’ plus monthly business

building tips, at: http://www.fireflycoaching.com.