A recent study suggests there are 7 things you need to successfully sell products online. Sadly most people don't implement these things and that's why 96% of internet businesses fail. By avoiding these 7 deadly sins you'll ensure you're not included in the long list of failed businesses.
1. Can't get their website built and updated in a timely manner.
It's crucial as a business owner you are in control of your website. If you're relying on a web designer it's going to be costly. Furthermore web designers rarely understand the dynamics of your business and are not able to make changes and updates to your website in a timely manner. You don't want to get stuck waiting weeks for changes that are crucial to your business.
2. Failure to get web traffic.
You can have the greatest product or service in the world but if nobody knows you exist you'll never gain a single client or sell a product. You must get exposure to be successful online and that means web traffic. Everyday millions of people use the web to discover products and services. In fact, a recent study shows 61% of people go to the web to research a product or service before they purchase.
The best way to get web traffic is to get found on Google. A first page listing on Google is like striking gold for most businesses. To get those listings you need the right tools. To be successful online you'll absolutely need to optimize your website to get found on search engines. You'll need a website that allows you to enter a page title, description, and keywords minimum.
3. Failure to capture leads.
What are the chances someone is going to come to your website and buy the first them they've ever visited? The answer is ZERO. It's unrealistic for any business owner to think people are going to do business with your company if it's the first time they've ever heard of you. Research shows a prospect must return to your site seven times before finally buying from you.
To capture leads you'll need a form on your website and a compelling reason for your visitors to complete the form and share their contact information. Providing something that costs you little but has a high perception of value to your clients is key to gathering this information. Ask yourself what you can give to your client's they'll find valuable and will cost you little to nothing to give away. This can be a digital good, a coupon, a free sample, or whatever. Don't be afraid to get creative.
4. Failure to follow up.
Once you've captured a prospects contact information you need to remind them you exist. The prospect is never hotter than the minute they're searching for your product or service online but the cool off rate is fast. A few days after they visited your site they won't remember your name. That's why you need to be sending them regular follow up emails. Studies show the average person will not buy from your company until the seventh time you've contacted them.
5. No way to take money.
At the end of the day running a business is all about making money. 99% of all online transactions are done by credit card. If you don't have a way to take credit cards you're not going to make money. Services like Paypal are helpful and will allow you to accept credit card payments but fall short as a standalone way to take money. Most people understand anyone can get a Paypal account and for that reason if Paypal is your only form of payment people will perceive your website as being less professional and credible. You must take the steps of getting a traditional merchant account for your business and a good e-commerce software to work with it.
6. No way to deliver their product or service.
Now that you've taken someone's money it's critical you stay in good communication and deliver your product or service in a timely manner. What are you going to do when someone places an order and asks when that order shipped or when they can expect delivery? You'll need a backend software solution where you can check the status of orders and transactions. Failure to provide that information to clients is a formula for refunds, chargebacks, and complaints. A good CRM (client relationship manager) will prevent you from experiencing such a nightmare.
7. Failure to track results.
There's no way to blow your marketing budget faster than to run out and buy tons of advertising without tracking your results. You need to know where your most profitable client's are coming from, what they're searching for online, and which of your marketing efforts are performing best. A good tracking software will enable you to test and measure every part of your sales process from your page design to your advertising methods.
If you can avoid these 7 deadly sins your chances of succeeding online are high. When you sign up for WebStarts we offer everything you need to avoid these 7 mistakes and start making money online. If you haven't already done so you can sign up and start creating your very own free website right now at WebStarts.com. Even if you don't build your website with WebStarts you can get everything you need to capture leads, send follow up emails, take money, and manage your clients with WebStarts Shopping Cart.