7 Killer Ways To Increase Your Online Sales

Every online entrepreneur I talk to is asking the same question, "How do I increase my online sales, NOW?"

Online selling is essentially a numbers game. The more visitors to a site, the more sales that site will make. The number of sales made divided by the total number of visitors to a site is called the conversion rate. A typical site will have a conversion rate of between 1 and 2 percent, or 1 to 2 sales per 100 visitors.

It is obvious that if the number of visitors increases, and the conversion rate remains the same, then sales will increase. Traffic is the first variable that most online marketers attempt to influence when they begin their online marketing campaigns.

There are two basic problems with the increase traffic method. The first is that it is expensive to run advertising and improve a site's ranking in the search engines. The second, and subtler issue is that there is no guarantee that the conversion rate will remain constant.

So what about increasing the conversion rate? Using the example above, if the number of buyers could be increased from 1 or 2 per hundred visitors to 2 to 4, sales will have doubled! So what can be done to increase a web site's conversion rate? Below I list 7 techniques designed to accomplish this goal:

  • Provide plenty of testimonials

    These testimonials should be from previous customers and should include specifics as to how the product or service helped them solve a problem.

    Obtaining testimonials is no problem, just ask. People love to be asked what they think; most will be willing to share their thoughts on your product or service. Implement a process of following up with your customers with a questionnaire. Leave plenty of room for their comments and make it clear that their comments may be used in your advertising.

  • Improve your follow up

    Many people will not buy the first time they see your product. In fact, some experts claim that people must see your message seven times before they are ready to buy. Autoresponder courses are a great way to follow up with the potential customer. There are many free autoresponder services on the web. I use FreeAutoBot.com.

  • Give away free samples

    By letting your customers try before they buy, you can significantly increase your sales. If you sell an information product, provide a few paragraphs or even the first chapter by autoresponder. This technique also helps to improve follow up by guaranteeing you obtain contact information.

  • Give a bonus product

    Everyone likes to get something for nothing, especially if that something is perceived as valuable. E-books make a great bonus, especially if they contain original content. If you are unable to create your own e-book, you could give away someone else's. Free-eBooks.net is a good resource for finding E-books to give away.

  • Focus the web site

    Use the Direct Response Site model. A direct response site is one where the customer's choices are very limited. Essentially they can buy the product, bookmark the page, subscribe to your ezine, or leave the site. The more options a visitor has, the less likely they are to make a purchase.

  • Follow on sales are crucial

    It is well known that successful businesses make 75% of their sales to repeat customers. Start a free ezine and get your customers to subscribe. Get their permission to send them information on upgrades and new products. On their receipt, mention a product that compliments their purchase. Don't have a product to offer for follow on sales? Find and join an affiliate program offering products of interest to your target market.

  • Change the web site copy

    Appeal to target emotion rather than reason. People respond more intensely to emotional appeals than to intellectual discussion. Design your copy to focus on the visitor's dreams, desires, fears or goals. Position your product to appeal to their emotional needs.

    Implement these seven tips, and watch your online sales increase.

    About The Author

    Copyright 2002 Tony L. Callahan, All Rights Reserved Tony L. Callahan is president of his own Internet marketing company, Link-Promote.com. He also publishes Web-Links Monthly, a newsletter full of tips, tricks, tools and techniques for successful web site promotions. http://www.link-promote.com/wlmonth/subscribe/index.html.

    In The News:

    • pen paper and inkwell


    cat break through


    Improving Usability for Screen Reader Users

    Simply ensuring your website is accessible to screen reader users... Read More

    Make Your Web Site User-Friendly!

    Making a web site is easy. Making a good web... Read More

    Six Basic Reasons Why Visitors Stay On Your Web Site

    1. The first page appears quickly.It's a good way to... Read More

    If You Build It, They Will Come?

    Building a new website can be a lengthy task. From... Read More

    Your Website Should Be Selling

    It may come as some surprise to a traditionally off-line... Read More

    The 5 Biggest Mistakes Almost All Web Designers Make

    Huge Mistake #1: Creating a Website with Flash -- Did... Read More

    Successful Commercial Sites

    Do you make your website just to entertain yourself or... Read More

    Stop Losing Precious Web Site Traffic to the Dreaded World Wide Web Black Hole

    You work hard to build traffic to your web page.... Read More

    Beware the Software Siren

    I've heard several prominent web marketers mention in their classes... Read More

    How to Listen on the Web

    When building a relationship, listening is more important than talking.A... Read More

    Growing Your Meetings In CyberSpace

    As increasing numbers of people search for information on the... Read More

    How to Get a Better Web Site ROI

    Better Web Site ROIHow to increase your business profitability by... Read More

    Is Your Web Site Talking to Your Customer?

    A while ago one of my clients approached me and... Read More

    How To Write More Powerful Online Text

    Although there are significant differences among the various types of... Read More

    Allocating Your Web Site?s Budget Properly

    I had a client say something to me the other... Read More

    Guide to Internet Business - Website Setup

    After planning the design and content of your website, it's... Read More

    Traffic for Webmasters

    "If you build it, they will come"; is an age... Read More

    Marketing Your Business Online

    As a business you can't afford to ignore the Internet... Read More

    Nonsense! Why Do I Need a Website?

    "I don't sell anything online, I don't advertise online, in... Read More

    Introductory PHP For Non-Programmers

    When you started reading this sentence you assumed lo acabarķa... Read More

    Study Your Sites Performance Via Hit Tracking

    Knowledge is power.And undoubtedly, it is the key to making... Read More

    Set Up Your Website in Minutes ? For Free

    There was a time not long ago when setting up... Read More

    Web Sites ? Should I Learn or not?

    A common dilemma most small and medium businesses face when... Read More

    Why A Simple Counter is Never Enough for Your Website

    A simple website stats counter is not enough if you... Read More

    You Cant Just Build A Website And Hope It Works!

    Like any area of business your website needs some effort... Read More

    Instant Relevant Web Site Content - No Its Not a Bot

    In about the Time it takes to Watch a Reality... Read More

    Conceptualize, Build and Publish a Web site

    Conceptualize, Build and Publish a Web site - What's required... Read More

    7 Reasons YOU Need a Website

    1) A marketing necessityI still hear it said from time... Read More

    How to Maximize the Value of Every Visitor to Your Website

    While most marketers are beginning to understand the critical importance... Read More

    Pick Up Your Own Domain Name

    Think up a name and check if yourname.com is available.... Read More

    Web Development Processes and Technical Environments

    The process of Web application development is critical to the... Read More

    Using Mini Websites - Powerful Way to Direct Marketing

    Mini Websites are the most powerful and cost effective solution... Read More

    Link Trades That Waste Your Time

    Never has competition been so difficult in the Internet world.... Read More