Home business Startup

You can get all the hits you want, but if it doesn’t
translate into customers and sales, then you have hits and
that’s it! The average surfer spends about 26 seconds on
your web page. So, how do you turn those hits into
customers and sales? 1,2,3,4,Score!

1) First, take a look at your web site. Get a professional
opinions. Put function, professionalism, and speed, ahead
of flashy slow loading animated, audio, video designs. Sure
some are great. Make sure all of your links work, and you
don’t have any of those red x’s. Granted, not everyone’s
browser is going to be working right all of the time, but
you should try to have your site compatible with multiple
browsers. At least Netscape and Internet Explorer. All the
flash, and fancy styled designs does not mean the customer
will stick around and buy. Make sure you have a product or
service that is in demand, with good quality, and value. Do
the research, find out what your demographics for your
site are, and ask yourself, if this is something you would
buy. Compile the stats into useful marketing knowledge.

2) Next qualify your customers and target your traffic.
After you have done your research, homework, compiled all
your stats, and information, then start advertising your
site geared toward these prospects. People that need and
want your product and services. Use the directories, search
engines, ezines, newsletters, banners, classified ads,
press releases, and partnerships wisely to reach your
target audience. Make sure your meta tags, and title pages
are setup properly. Many sites, like bcentral.com allow you
to target your demographics, like age groups, locations,
gender, certain groups, sub groups, directories, sub
directories, financial groups, etc. You will soon see your
average site session times increase dramatically.

3) Follow Up, Follow Up, Follow Up! Learn how to write
exceptional, professional sales letters, and emails. Again,
ask a pro to critique, tear them apart, help you to make
them the best action oriented sales letters. Stay with your
customers that inquire, and overcome their objections. Ask
if the customer has any questions. Answer the questions,
sell your products, or services, use features and benefits.
Remember the top four:
Gather information(Facts), benefits and features, and closing the sale.
(Features Tell),….(Benefits Sell!) Keep in mind, WIIFM - ” What’s In
It For Me?” A benefit clearly spells out WIFFM for the
prospect. However, it is possible to overdo the benefits.
Do not oversell your potential customer. Focus only on
those benefits that will be of interest. Don’t forget to
ASK FOR THE SALE. you can’t overcome objections, if you
don’t ask for the sale.

4) Finally, Use a personal approach. Online or in the
store, customers want individual attention, and are willing
to pay for it. Autoresponders, done right, save a ton of
time, but you still can take a individual approach. You
like knowing your business is highly valued, and so do your
customers. The other half of your job is Customer
Satisfaction!

So, there you go, 1,2,3,4,Score! Turn your hits into sales,
and satisfied customers! Educate, and develop your customer
and sales skills. With a great web site, and following the
above steps, you really can score! (Financially that is:)

Steve Parke - Networks, CNA, A+, & MCP’s,
NT, NTWS, W2000Pro. and has written many articles on
“Succeeding Online With A Home Business”.
His articles have been reprinted all over the net. You can
write to him at author@centurysites.com or subscribe to his
and Heather Parke’s newsletter “C S News Now!”
or visit www.centurysites.com or www.csnnow.net