No one can deny the power of the internet – or the fact that it is growing every day. Even in offline ads on the radio, television, billboards or the newspaper refer you to an online site. Regardless of the struggling economy, the evolution of the Internet has business taking a new direction. Now all companies, regardless of the products and services they offer or their geographical base, need a Web site…even if they aren’t doing any kind of e-commerce. online web site advertising is here to stay. However, this relatively new trend in marketing still applies of the old-school advertising techniques in order to be effective.
All web sites need more than just good content in order to appeal to their target audiences. Many websites on the internet today do not even have that. So, although it might be a bit intimidating at first to try to jump in on the competitive online web site advertising bandwagon, don’t lose heart. A good quality website will set you immediately in the top tier of internet marketers. After you’ve put up some nicely presented, valuable information, you need a comprehensive advertising campaign to get people to it. And once the people come, not only do you have to convince them to buy from you. . .you must convince them to buy from you right now, before they move on to the next site.
How can you do that? First, you need to ask yourself some questions.
What benefits does your target market gain when they buy your product? It’s important that you understand what your target market is looking for. If you don’t know that, you will have a hard time explaining why you have what they are looking for. Does your product or service make people smarter, faster, more attractive? Does it save them time? Will it give them a source of income?
Figure out what your product offers. . .but not the features of the product. . .state the benefits your product offers to your target audience. So, for example, don’t go on and on about the new state-of-the-art technology of your product. Instead, focue on how this technology will make your audience’s life easier.
In the end, it’s the benefits that will hook your customer and compel them to buy. And if you can give them a reason to take advantage of these benefits right now (by a special discount or “while supply lasts” method), all the better.
You also want to make sure that you keep your site updated and give your new and existing customers a reason to keep coming back. You can offer weekly specials, new articles or offer a newsletter. Create your site so that is something your customers use as a reference.
If you aren’t already involved in online web site advertising for your business, it’s time to start. Don’t make it harder than it really is!
Do you have testimonials from your customers? Testimonials prove your product’s worth as well as establish your company’s credibility.
If you don’t have testimonials, one way to get them is by donating your product or service to a few qualified customers. Let them know that you’re giving them the product to try for a certain amount of time in exchange for their comments at the end of the trial period.
Make your Web page as easy to read as possible. Grab customers with powerful headlines.
The headlines gently ease customers to read further into your sales message without the tact of a used car salesman trying to unload a few lemons.
Headlines also break up the flow of copy, making your Web page easy on the eyes – something your customers will appreciate.
How many Web sites have you visited with grammatical errors or words misspelled? It looks unprofessional and makes would-be customers wonder about the professionalism of your company.
Proofread your Web page copy. Then have a few more people proofread it.
The writing needs to jump off the page. Fresh. Crisp. A poorly written Web page is worse than not having a Web page at all.
Following these tips will make your Web site informative and profitable. If you’re a business owner wanting to develop a Web site, you can contract out the writing portion to a professional freelance copywriter.
