|
|
This e-book has been written to provide information about self-improvement. Every effort has been made to make this eBook as complete and accurate as possible. However, there may be mistakes in typography or content. Also, this e-book provides information on self-improvement only up to the publishing date. Therefore, this eBook should be used as a guide, not as the ultimate source of web hosting information.
The purpose of this eBook is to educate. The author and the publisher do not warrant that the information contained in this e-book is fully complete and shall not be responsible for any errors or omissions. The author and publisher shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by this e-book.
|
|
Introduction to Website
Conversion Rates
|
|
Having an e-commerce website can be challenging. There is inventory to monitor, customers to keep happy, advertising to do, and of course security to maintain in order to protect the integrity of the site and your customers. With all of the important steps involved to make sure your business website is a success, conversion rates should be taken into account.
So what is a conversion rate? Essentially, a conversion rate is the number of visits or “hits” you receive on your website that change over, or convert to, a sale. For example, if your site were to get 100 visits in one week and one person made a sale, you’d have a 1% conversion rate.
Effective advertising is important in ensuring a higher conversion rate. Making sure your website is noticed and that the product you’re selling is very clear is essential to success. Getting the hits is important, but finalizing that sale is even more important. A good website that does a lot of business is much more involved than many people might think.
A lot of factors are involved with ensuring that visitors click on and then actually buy items they see. There are many things you can do to get the most conversion rates possible which means those website views and random clicks actually turn into cold, hard cash (otherwise known as sales).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Here are some helpful tips to ensure that your website’s hits, simple clicks, and visits turn into actual sales.
|
|
|
91. Order confirmation instills confidence. Make sure you have a good, solid order numbering system as well as a thoroughly written auto-responder. When people make a purchase, they need to not only get the thank you page and an order confirmation, but they should also receive an email confirming the same. Be sure to include their order number with the email.
|
|
|
92. One good purchase deserves another. If someone is a first time buyer, offer them a coupon for a percentage off of their next purchase. Include this either in their order confirmation email, or on a printed coupon code postcard you can include with your shipped items.
|
|
|
93. Shipping confirmation is important. In order to avoid people asking “where’s my stuff?” or constantly bombarding your 800 number and inbox with shipping questions, include shipment confirmation to all customers. This way, they can track their package status without worry. People want to know the progress of shipped items ordered online so they know it’s on the way to their home.
|
|
|
94. Pictures of customers help boost reputation. If you have a product people really like, encourage customers to send in pictures of themselves using it. This can be added to the testimonials page, and it gives new potential customers an idea of what your product looks like in person and while it’s being used. You can even sponsor a contest to encourage people to send in their photos.
|
|
|
95. Audio and visual make it fun. Include things like music, flash movies, and other things to make the site more interactive. People want to feel like they’re really involved with the site, and video can especially help with this. You do not want to bombard people with too much media, but the option to click on a video here and there can boost the look and feel of the site.
|
|
|
96. Don’t get too complex with your wording. While you definitely want to get the point across to people, don’t make your sentences too fancy, too long, or too complicated. Use simple, fun language that gives people a good feeling without causing them to feel like they’re overwhelmed or intimidated. Then, include the description in a smaller font underneath that.
|
|
|
97. Bulleted points grab attention. If you have a few pages that look like a sales letter, be sure to include bulleted points. These are basically a list with bullets that point out unique, individual points about your product. Bullets make the page easier to read, and point out the important, essential facts in a nice format.
|
|
|
98. Do not ask for too much info. Never ask customers for things like their social security number or date of birth. Even if your website is extremely secure with no worries about fraud or identity theft, most people will immediately shy away once you request this kind of information. In most, if not all cases, you really don’t need this information anyway, so steer clear from asking for it.
|
|
|
99. Thumbnails look terrific on any website. When your customer adds an item to his or her shopping cart, include a little thumbnail photo of it. Not only does this look terrific, it reassures the customer that they have just ordered the correct number. It also looks very professional and streamlined when people look at their order summary before paying.
|
|
|
100. Make sure coupon fields work. Include a coupon code field, and then make sure it works. Since you will most likely rotate coupon promotions, make sure the new ones work. Test them often, and expect a few hiccups along the way. Whenever you introduce a new coupon, it’s a good idea to test it out several times before you release it to the public for use. There is little more frustrating than entering in a coupon code and then having it not work! Often, customers will turn away from your site if they cannot get their codes to work.
|
|
|
BONUS TIP! Host your website at EZ-Net Sytems and receive the tools to create, promote and develop you eCommerce business. Also includes tips, techniques, videos, even full courses of study. EZ-NetSystems makes eCommerce easy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you even use just a few of the tips listed here, you’re well on your way to getting a higher conversion rate. No one can do every single thing on this list, and if they did, they would be the world’s most thorough Internet company. On the other hand, just a few changes can do wonders for the sales rate of your website. By trying new things, making needed changes, and testing your results, you will be on the fast track to getting sales you expect and deserve. Look at your data on a daily basis so you can get a feel for what customers are thinking. It also allows you understand the things that are working as well as the things that are not.
Never be afraid to think outside the box when it comes to having your own Internet business. New ideas are what make people successful, and what makes them stick out to customers. Know what you want, and have a goal in mind. By writing up a mission statement and creating a realistic goal, you will have a prize to keep your eyes on. This helps to encourage success, boost confidence, and help you to continue on. If you decide to hire people such as Live Chat operators or telephone customer service reps, be sure you’re using the best people possible. Using someone you know is a good idea if you’re small and starting out. If you’re a bit more established, use clients who have a good track record that hire representatives for you.
All of the elements shown here have an impact on how your conversion rate will do. By implementing a few changes, you will be amazed at how you can turn people who just click on the site for a quick look into people who actually buy the things you’re selling. A few small changes as well as constant and thorough testing should bring some awesome results, as well as the money you expect when you own your own business. Patience is the key, as well as creativity, and a great looking website.
|
|
|
|
