Entries RSS Comments RSS

Posts Tagged ‘customer’

6 Effective Ways to Make Your Web Site Sell

Introduction

Whatever your web site is about you are in the business of selling. If you have a shop you are obviously selling your products. If you have an information site then you are selling content or ideas. If you have a club web site then you are selling joining your club.

Most of us don’t like the idea that we are selling something. We associate selling with cheesy salespeople who badger you at your door or on the phone. Selling should be about helping people get what they want. Most of us want to buy. When you are selling you are helping people.

Here I have highlighted six simple things you can do to help people who want to buy from your web site. They are simple but most web sites seem to ignore them. If you start to put these ideas into place you will be moving your site above your competition – or at least the majority of your competition.

1. Know your customers

Any book on marketing you read will tell you this one basic truth – that you need to know your customer. What kinds of things does your customer do? What do they do at the weekend? What newspapers do they read? What do they dream about? What do they complain about?

The better you know your customer the better you can help them on your site. The better you can help people the greater your sales. The greater your sales the stronger your business will be. The stronger your business the happier you will be.

If you don’t yet have any customers (I know what that feels like because I’ve been there myself) then you need to invent your customers. You can do some research on the kind of people who buy what you sell. You can imagine what kinds of things they like and do.

2. Don’t overdo the information

One of the big mistakes that web sites often make is that they overload people with information. Don’t get me wrong here because I’m an information junky but I also know what it’s like when you are trying to find something out and the information is buried deep in a block of web text.

Think about the problem your customer is trying to solve and then provide clean, simple text that answers that problem. Use as few words as you can. There should be no words on your site that are not doing a job. Words that are pointless need to be removed.

If your product requires a lot of information then make the information easy to get at and to understand. See my next point below.

3. Arrange the information so it is easy to understand

There are many tools available for web sites to arrange information in a user friendly kind of way.

Start with the essential information in just a couple of sentences. Think of the information in the same way a news paper reporter does. The first paragraph on a page is the most important. If you overdo it here then you have lost the sale.

You can then use things like: bullet lists, numbered lists, headings, etc. to lay out the information in a meaningful way.

Always remember that information on a web site needs presenting in a different way to any other information.

If someone is looking through brochures they may have three or four to get through. If they are looking through a book they may have just a couple to choose from. If they are using the Internet the choice is measured in millions. If you don’t give people the information they want then they will go somewhere else.

4. Provide easy ways to purchase

It never ceases to amaze me that web sites make the process of buying so complicated. I have been on several major web sites (no names to save embarrassment) where I just couldn’t find a button for purchasing a product.

Come on people! Have several buttons if you must but make them as obvious as you can.

What’s the point of getting people to your web site and then not making it as easy as you can to buy from you?

If your site is all about information then help people to buy your information. Think about what you want people to do with the information you provide and then help them do it.

5. Use simple words

I’ve read stuff written by professional copywriters that is very hard to understand. They use words that I know but might only use twice in a lifetime. Make sure your words are ones that people understand easily. When you glance through a web site looking for information you don’t want to have to get your dictionary out to look up a word.

You are trying to help people with the text you provide on a web site. It is not there to demonstrate how clever you are or how technical your subject is. Use words that your customer will understand.

Of course if you are providing technical information for technical people then feel free to use the technical words but make sure you don’t use jargon.

Always remember that a significant number of people who read your information might not have English as a first language. Use simple words.

6. Make the content king

Here is a basic truth that many designers struggle with: words on a website do the selling not the design or the images.

I’ll just take a moment to put the shutters up over my windows and barricade my door. Please don’t send any death threats by email!

That’s better.

Design can help raise your credibility and make people think how wonderful your business is but it is the words on a site that do the actual work of selling. Even the pictures on your site only encourage people to buy – it is the words that do the work. Pictures will get attention and help make your business look better but it is the words that will sell people on buying from you.

Don’t put all your effort into the design and neglect the words.

Conclusion

Know who wants what is on your website, keep things simple, use as few words as possible, make the site easy to use, don’t neglect the words. Thank you for reading.

Chris Brown has been in web site production for over 10 years. First as a web site designer, then as a web site developer and now as a website copywriter. He knows the business intimately and has a profound grasp of the many issues involved.

You can visit his web site at: http://www.browncow.co.uk

The Truth About Pure Water Systems

Don’t buy pure water systems until you compare actual performance. There are many companies that claim to provide a pure water system, but when you look at their performance data, you will see that what they provide is not really “pure”.

You have to realize that using words like “clean” and “pure” are advertising gimmicks. People in advertising know that certain words attract customers and they use those words frequently.

While the use of any purifier may be a little better than drinking straight from the tap or buying bottled, many people have ordered what they think are pure water systems, only to find that they are not purifiers at all. Read some product reviews and you’ll see what I mean.

There are many choices for purification. Since kitchen countertop units are the most popular and can remove the widest range of contaminants, let’s compare a few of the major brands, starting with the Ever Pure Water System.

Ever Pure water systems remove 96% of the chlorine, 97% of the lead and 99% of cysts. The list of things that they do not remove is much longer; THMs, VOCs, lindane, alachlor, Atrazine, benzene, TCE and MTBE.

THMs, benzene, alachlor and TCE are known carcinogens. THMs are byproducts of chlorination, so they are found wherever chlorine is used. Benzene and TCE are commonly used in industrial settings and have been found in groundwater. Alachlor is commonly used in weed killers.

The other contaminants are either suspected of causing cancer or known to cause illness. Some are only considered “slightly toxic” to the human body. But, if you are going to invest in a purifier, why not get something that removes them all.

The Aqua Pure water system is better than the Ever Pure water systems. The Aqua pure water system removes all of the contaminants mentioned above, at least to some degree, except for MTBE. But, the price is three times higher than what you would pay for another product that does a better job.

Then there is the highly advertised “PUR” unit. It does not remove THMS, VOCs, TCE or MTBE. Nor does it remove alachlor or benzene. It is very inexpensive to purchase, but the cost of use is high, because replacement filters have a very short lifespan. It is only effective for 100 gallons, as opposed to the 500 that you would get in a better system.

The best pure water system removes at least 97% of every contaminant mentioned here. They are not highly advertised, which explains the reasonable price. Whenever a company elects to forego television and print advertising, they can charge less for their products, so the consumer gets a better deal.

The cost of use is less than a dime a gallon, so it is much more economical than buying bottled. The replacement filters last for 500 gallons. For the average family of four, that’s about three months.

There many purifiers on the market, but now you see that there are “really” pure water systems and others that are not really that good. Shop for the best and you’ll be safer and happier in the long run.

Laurel Tevolitz is a dedicated researcher of critical issues that affect health and well-being. Visit her water purification blog now at http://www.safewaterpurifier.com to discover which water purification system she recommends after extensive research.

Where to File Complaints Against Predatory Lenders and Other Foreclosure Scams

Sometimes, despite the fact that homeowners have done nearly everything in their power to avoid losing a home to foreclosure, the bank simply outspends them and breaks down their resistances. Lenders are aggressive when defending against claims of predatory lending or otherwise taking advantage of borrowers, and courts have typically been willing to rule against the owners and in favor of banks. But when homeowners have run out of options on their own home, the best action may just be to alert others that the mortgage company may be running a scam.

Federal and state regulatory agencies rarely go after the largest banks or mortgage companies, unless there is an economy-wide scandal or especially egregious acts of preying upon consumers. But even then, it is more likely that banks and large lenders will not be targeted directly. The consequences for regulators in going after these giant corporations are far too great, as the largest financial institutions in the country bankroll the state and federal governments.

Take the cases of Countrywide and the governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich. Countrywide had been making subprime loans for years to borrowers who could never hope to pay them back. But few states ever looked into the bank’s lending practices until the subprime mortgage market collapsed and the foreclosure crisis began to create a drag on the national economy. Then states began investigations and lawsuits against the company, but it was already almost too late, as the company had sold itself to Bank of America. Why did the states wait so long to address obvious predatory lending?

And the governor of Illinois was just recently arrested for attempting to sell the US Senate seat left vacant by president-elect Barack Obama. Curiously, the arrest came less than 24 hours after Blagojevich ordered state agencies not to do business with Bank of America any longer. Of course, this may answer the question of why other states waited so long to investigate Countrywide until after it had collapsed and been eaten up by a larger lender.

Thus, it may be wishful thinking to expect that homeowners who have lost a home to foreclosure can find any real justice with regulatory agencies. The most they can probably hope for is that the agencies allow other potential customers of these companies to search for previous complaints and determine which lenders to stay away from. In any case, however, homeowners who believe they were unfairly taken advantage of should pursue filing complaints in order to warn regulators of predatory activity and alert other borrowers to problems with mortgage companies.

Homeowners also need to know which regulatory agencies they should contact for particular types of banks. The following list should be referred to as a rough guide and will cover most, if not all, of the types of lending institutions the typical borrower will have any kind of mortgage transaction with, as well as which agency to submit a complaint to, if the need arises.

National Bank: Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

Federally Insured Savings and Loan: Office of Thrift Supervision

Federal Savings Bank: Office of Thrift Supervision

State-Chartered Savings Institution, Federally Insured: Office of Thrift Supervision

Federal Credit Union: National Credit Union Administration

State-Chartered Credit Union, Federally Insured: State Credit Union Agency, Federal Trade Commission

State-Chartered Credit Union, not Federally Insured: State Credit Union Agency, Federal Trade Commission

State-Chartered Bank or Savings Institution, Not Federally Insured: State Banking Agency, Federal Trade Commission

State-Chartered Bank, Not Member of Federal Reserve System, Federally Insured: State Banking Agency, Federal Deposit Insurance Commission

State-Charted Bank, Member of Federal Reserve System: State Banking Agency, Federal Reserve Board

Any type of lender that is not on the above list and that homeowners want to submit a complaint about should contact the appropriate state agency. If one is not available, the state attorney general or state banking department should be contacted. In fact, the state attorney general can be sent a copy of the complaint for any of the above-listed lending institutions, as the states do have the right to investigate banks or mortgage companies doing business in their territories.

Again, homeowners who have lost a house to foreclosure may be disappointed if they believe any regulatory agency will come to their rescue, put the lender out of business, and give them their home back. This will not happen. But borrowers who feel they were taken advantage of may wish to keep a record of their complaint with the appropriate agency; after all, when enough people complain about a company, there will be no other option than to investigate it and shut it down.

Nick writes articles to educate homeowners on various methods of stopping foreclosure and defending a home against a bank’s lawsuit. His site describes numerous options borrowers may qualify for, from loan modification and foreclosure refinancing to deed in lieu and short sales. Visit the site to read more about the home mortgage foreclosure process and what you can do to end it before it is too late: http://www.foreclosurefish.com/

Call the Accounting Department

Many wives do not understand why their checking accounts are overdrawn. They are managed at the same bank as their husband’s business accounts. These married women naturally think that the bank will automatically transfer any money to their personal accounts to keep them from going in the red. They think the bank will be happy to fund their personal accounts, with money that comes from strangers that the wife has never met. When money is not transferred in the way they assumed, they will call the Accounting department at their husband’s place of business, to see what they can do.

The supervisor is truly in awe at the audacity of some of the rich people she greets. People call the Accounting department all of the time with these outrageous stories that many would never believe. She knows for a fact that the Director’s wife and cousin call the Accounting department all of the time. They want to get the Accounting department to take care of their personal banking and money transfer needs.

The Accounting department supervisor will know she is treading on thin ice, and knows she must professionally handle the financial mismanagement situation, even if she is being berated and reduced down to size. She knows that she must apologize for the unfortunate predicament that the rich person is in, and go about making small talk about what she thinks can be done about it.

Of course, when these people call the Accounting department, the Accounting professionals know that nothing can be done. The money that is in the business accounts is considered to belong to someone else, and in any case, will certainly not belong to the idiotic person that is on the other end of the telephone.

The supervisor goes on to relate to the rich customer on the line, that the Corporation owns the funds in these accounts, and the wives do not want to believe this information one bit. They say they see their husbands signature on the checks, and know what the balances are. They begin to moan and groan and threaten to sue, if the Accounting department supervisor does not heed their financial needs and woes.

At this point in the conversation with the Accounting department supervisor and the rich wife, the decision is made that it is time for the husband to call the Accounting department and talk to his wife. The accountants at this Corporation feel that they are busy enough without all of this utter nonsense, and will place the call directly to the secretary of the big boss that has a office on the top floor and Penthouse apartment.

Alex Radyushin is an editor-in-chief for All Acronyms – top acronyms and abbreviations dictionary

Consumer Protection And Furniture Rentals

Furniture rentals, furniture leasing, and equipment rental are
practical choices for furnishing seasonal or temporary homes. However, not
every leasing company gives consumers the best rates and deals. Some
companies even give vague answers or answer inquiries incompletely. Hence,
most consumers are misinformed about their leasing options and their
rights on leasing deals. They often end up surprised about the high prices
when their leasing bill arrives. They don’t have any choice but to pay
because they signed the deal. But avoiding these furniture rentals,
furniture leasing, and equipment rental flubs are easy with a dose of
common sense.

Common sense, here, means making informed and practical choices before
signing leasing contracts. Doing a bit of research about furniture
rentals, furniture leasing, and equipment rental rates and companies may
save consumers from legal and financial problems later. Few bother with
it, but there is a law designed to protect consumers’ rights from
leasing predators. Known as the Consumer Leasing Act, this law advises
consumers about important factors to consider before signing any leasing
deals. It also states what leasing companies must provide their customers.
Any violation of these requirements nullifies the deal made by both
parties.

As much as it would be helpful to businesses, the Act does not protect
leasing deals for corporate and business use. Leases for furniture
included in real estate rentals are also exempted. The law primarily
focuses on the protection of the ordinary person who thinks that furniture
rentals, furniture leasing, and equipment rentals are cheap options. The
law demands leasing businesses to present prospective clients with a
written declaration of the rental costs, rates, and rental fees. This
cost declaration should include advance payment amount, regular payments
dues, and the total cost of the entire leasing deal. If there is any,
licensing, registration, and maintenance fees should also be included.
These cost summaries will give you a better idea of how manageable the
rates are. These are also good for comparing and canvassing other
companies. Leasing companies that refuse to give these to clients should be
reported.

Aside from cost declaration, the Act also requires leasing providers to
furnish clients with a copy of leasing requirements. These requirements
usually include property insurance on furniture rentals, furniture
leasing, and equipment rentals. Leasing requirements also indicate
conditions upon which the company can effect lease cancellation. Provisions for
property maintenance are also set in these leasing requirements. These
requirements give prospective clients an idea of how much furniture
rentals, furniture leasing, and equipment rentals can be. Leasing
furniture saves consumers the hassles of buying and maintaining their own
furniture, but uninformed choices can lead to more trouble.

To know more about new rates and best deals on furniture rentals and furniture leasing, please visit http://www.furniture-rentals.net

How to Easily Make Money Selling Shirts Online

So you want to make money selling t-shirts. Thanks to the Internet, you can easily set up T-shirt shop in less than one hour from now — and make money — without any startup cost.

You see, there are websites out there that let you design your T-shirt — and they also ship and print out the t-shirt for you. All you have to do is drive customer to your online t-shirt shop and make the sale.

Of course it’s not all free because they take a commission for the T-shirt material and shipping handling. So you’re not making that big of a profit, you know what I mean?

Unless… you market your shirt in a special way and sell it for $50. Your profit would be $38 (The shop takes 12 dollars fee). If you are selling a T-shirt for $20 your profit would be … $8.

By the way, if you think this is hard to do — it’s not. All you have to do is upload a picture of the design you want, and then you should be able to “pasted on” the design on the shirt.

It’s very simple to do and you can get your T-shirt shop up and running in less than one hour. But let me warn you that you cannot print out shirts that are copyright material such as cartoon characters and corporate logos (nike etc)

There are many websites that offer the service. All you have to do is go to Google and type in “make my own t-shirts” to find the website.

Of course I think there are easier ways to make money on the Internet selling then T-shirts online. Why? Because the competition is tough and the profit isn’t that high. But it’s still good for beginners.

Making making on the Internet is almost too easy

If you’re a complete beginner to making money on the Internet, come and grab a copy of my free gift, Newbie Home Income Success Report at http://kennubo.com/newbiesuccess — this is a step by step blueprint. If you follow it, I don’t see how you can fail earning at least $100 a day working from home.

Chinking Questions-Answers & Money Saving Application Tips

Chinking is very common on western log homes but can be found in the east as well. The most common color is mortar white because it resembles the look of old time cement. Chinking may be required to seal the joints in your logs or you may choose to use it for aesthetic purposes. Chinking is designed to stand out from your wood which is why it has a heavy texture. Finally, it is typically installed in 1”- 4” joints.

Professional applicators prefer to purchase the product in 5 gallon buckets while homeowners are more likely to purchase the material in 29oz tubes. Both will work well as long as you have the right product. Some chinking materials can be difficult to apply which is why I would recommend a product called Chinker’ Edge. It is a little heavier than most other chinking materials which is nice because it stays in place when you are working with the material. Also, it does not collect on your brush or trowel when you are working with the material which will save you time, energy and probably a headache.

If you are looking to restore your existing chinking it isn’t necessary to replace the old chinking with brand new chinking. Most “new” chinking materials are latex based products and will bond with each other. If you choose to go this route, it is important to get a good bond to the top and bottom of the joint. If you are installing chinking to a new structure then I would highly recommend installing some form of backer rod before applying any chinking material. You can use an open or closed cell backer rod that will be D-shaped, trapezoidal or full round. Backer rod installation will save you money on chinking materials and will allow the sealant to expand and contract at a more proficient rate.

Check with the chinking and stain manufacturers to ensure that your finishing products are compatible with each other. It is always a good idea to use a stain and chinking from the same manufacturer in order to avoid any unnecessary problems down the road.

In conclusion, follow the following application tips below in order to achieve a successful job.

  1. Use backer rod.
  2. Apply at least a 1/4”- 1/2” of material.
  3. Use a compatible stain.
  4. The larger your logs the larger the width of your chinking joint should be.
  5. Apply the material between 45-90 degrees and do not install it in direct sunlight.
  6. Purchase Chinker’s Edge by Sashco.
  7. Have fun.

Mountain Home Building Products is a leading distributor of log home chinking, cabin caulking, log stains, clear wood finishes, log siding, house logs & rustic lighting. Our diverse array of products makes us one of the most complete suppliers anywhere, and one of the most successful log home products distributors in the world. We are dedicated to bringing customers the finest quality products combined with the best customer service in the log home industry.

Please contact us at (800) 490-3695 or visit us at http://www.MountainHomeBuildingProducts.com for further assistance.

Company Brochures

At some point, every small business creates a brochure. but it is often an exercise in futility. Whether you are creating the brochure yourself, or hiring someone to do it for you, be sure to ask the following questions before you get started!

Get to the Point!

How will the brochure be used?

Is it sent as a follow-up to phone inquiries, left behind after a sales call or delivered with a formal proposal?

Are you trying to get more repeat business from customers who already know you? Or is your goal to attract the attention of a new client? Define your objective up front, and then write your copy with that in mind.

Good creative begins with a plan ….

How will you grab your reader’s attention?

One of the most common mistakes companies make is leading with their name. If you haven’t caught the reader’s attention by speaking to their needs, problems or desires, they won’t care about your name.

Consider starting with a provocative question or declaration; an appeal to the emotions, needs and wants of your customer; or a benefit-laden statement.

Learn more about creating powerful headlines

For whom is the brochure created?

This is not a trick question. Your answer should roll off your lips instantly: the client! That seems simple, but many companies make a serious error by focusing on the company instead of the needs of potential customers.

Here’s a quick way to check your brochure for the correct focus: Circle every “you” with a red pen and circle every “we” or “I” or mention of your company’s name with a blue pen. There should be a lot more red than blue on your brochure. If not, it is time to revise, revise, revise

Discover money saving production tips

Free Feedback

Interested in a second opinion? Send me a coy of your brochure and I will give you a few tips on how it can be change or improved.

Send your brochure via fax to 317-879-0876 or via email to lorraine@roundpeg.biz

A twenty-year veteran of corporate America, Lorraine is an accomplished marketing professional, who has won regional and national communication awards. She is a certified teacher, facilitator and college instructor. Lorraine Ball is a frequent guest panelist featured on “Sound Advice,” the popular online audio program from What’s Working in Biz.

Her articles on marketing, team building, and business development have been featured in Contracting Business, The New York Forum and The ACH&R News. In addition, her books: “The Entrepreneur’s Notebook” and “The Confessions of a Networking Junkie” are quickly becoming “MUST READS” for new business owners.

Today, her company, Roundpeg http://www.roundpeg.biz helps small business owners discover the secrets to big company marketing!

Bad Credit Loans from Banks

Bad credit loans from banks prove to be a great help for people who are trying to regain their financial stature. Having bad credit really does not look good on one’s credit report, and it affects his credit reputation greatly.

That is why some banks are trying to assist people in this kind of financial distress. People who apply for bad credit loans from banks are certainly trying to restore their credit file as well as remove any bad information from it. And bad credit loans from banks assist these people greatly.

Banks that offer this type of loan usually do not ask too much about the person’s credit file. More often than not, they also do not ask for equity or collateral. And if you are interested in taking advantage of bad credit loans from banks, they usually offer assistance through their customer care service representatives who can answer any of your questions regarding their program.

And just like any other loan, there are certain qualifications and minimum requirements to be met. The amount of money you are able to get depends on how many of these qualifications you are able to pass. If you have been employed and have been a resident of your current address for at least a year, some banks are able to provide you with that much needed loan. Other qualifications are that you should be at least 18 years of age, have a valid social security number, and have a regular source of income. Aside from those qualifications mentioned, other banks also consider your credit rating.

If you are considering the possibility of applying for a bad credit loan with the bank, you should first try to check out the various programs and packages available. In this way, you can see which ones will suit your financial situation as well as your financial needs.

Bad Credit Loans provides detailed information on Bad Credit Loans, Bad Credit Home Equity Loans, Bad Credit Personal Loans, Bad Credit Auto Loans and more. Bad Credit Loans is affiliated with Bad Credit Personal Lenders.

Are Web Site Statistics Useful?

If you are a Web site owner or manager you will want to know who visits your website, what other websites referred them, what country they are from, etc. This information may interest you just for curiosity or because it’s important to develop your business or project. It’s very difficult to take right decisions if you don’t have complete information.

When visitors arrive to your website, what are they doing? Are your potential customers abandoning your site just seconds after their arrival? If you are confused because you don’t know what your visitors are doing, or why, then how could you create a good strategy to offer your visitors a better experience on your website?

The key is not getting lost in a mountain of numbers, but really focusing on the few statistics that are important to your business. The concept is simple: keeping users engaged will help to retain visitors, increase conversion rates, and consistently help deliver more revenue.

There are many companies that offer hit counter and web site traffic statistics services on the Internet. Some of them are free, some of them are paid. Some of them are very simple and provide you with minimal information, some of them provide in depth information about your website visitors.

What is important is to identify your real needs, and find a service that satisfy all of them, or at least the most important ones. Don’t pay for services you don’t need or services you can find elsewhere for free.

Some features you may need are:

· Unique visitors and pageloads: More pageloads per visitor means your visitors are more interested in your website, but also may mean they are looking for something and they are not able to find it on your website.

· Referring URL’s: Know what other web sites are driving traffic to your website.

· Search engine statistics and keywords used.

· Popular pages: what are the most visited pages on your web site, and which ones nobody sees.

· Most active countries.

· Visitor browser, screen resolution, operating system.

· Etc.

All these features are available at www.ExpertCounter.com free of charge.

Having all these web site statistics will let you know who is visiting your site, what web pages are the most popular and also the ones that are very rarely used. You will learn which search engines are sending you traffic, and what keywords they are using to find your web site. They can even tell you what browser and screen resolution your visitors are using.

Your web site traffic statistics are an extremely valuable information for your business. You will be able to make decisions on improving your site through the information they give you. Observing your visitors’ behavior will help you address the issues they are having with your website.

For example, if they don’t know where to go, simplify their path through your web site. If they can’t find what they are looking for, analyze internal search terms and modify your site’s search functionality. And, if they are too quick to abandon, give them a reason to stay online by offering a free product/download or competitive pricing on your latest product(s).

Ronald Vyhmeister is the admin at http://www.ExpertCounter.com
ExpertCounter is a free service for webmasters who need detailed web site statistics. Invisible free hit counter is available to all users.