This article was prompted by some customer support work I was involved in for a private members site. One of the paid subscription members wanted someone to look over his website and give an opinion of what we thought of its design.
It was clear from the email that they had been online for a while (over 3 years) but hadn't seen any results from their efforts and were frustrated. Understandably so!
This person had created his own website in which to promote an online Opportunity. The purpose for having your own web site, rather than a static page, (one that you can't personally change, like the ones the most biz opps provide) is it to "Brand YOU".
After all, your site visitor is getting involved with something you recommend and in effect will want you to help them succeed.
Your site should not be to *sell* them that's the job of the company you represent. The purpose of your site is to *refer* them.
Anyway, the first impression of this member's site was the lack of having it's own domain name, its own presence. Not a good start and that was even before I visited the site. So before I arrived, my trust as a prospect was wavering.
On arrival I found that the site "rammed" the opportunity down the throat of the visitor, if anything the site scared me into running away as fast as possible.
Also this member quoted their website "hits" as a picture of how many "visitors" there were. Let me explain why this can be misleading.
Hits occur from the amount of files loaded when a visitor arrives to a web page. This means if a web page (which is 1 file) has 10 images (10 files) then they count as 11 hits; the web page plus images. You can see that it can be misleading to quote hits.
It gets worse if the visitor goes to more than 1 page because then any additional images (and the next page) count as more hits. Make sure you always count "unique visitors" when assessing a conversion ratio or stating statistics.
I drafted a long email reply, explaining why I thought this site may not be effective, and is not getting the results they wanted. I did my best to provide advice by explaining how to build a relationship between them and the prospects and then how to refer the prospect on the company.
Around 24 hours passed when I received an answer formatted in all CAPS (which for anybody that is not aware, it's like yelling in an email). It seemed this member had taken offence to the suggestions.
(Side note here: The suggestions were very constructive and aimed to provide support and help progress, nothing more.)
It short I received an "attitude attack". It seems their mind was "not open to change" or new ideas. Now folks, you are allowed to make mistakes, nothing wrong with that, but when you ask for help, and then decide that the help is wrong (even though what you are doing is not working)... well things aren't going to change are they?
So what's you attitude like? Are you open to information? I am not talking about school learning (I was really bad at that) but taking advice, applying it, and measuring results. It's also learning from those who have already made all the mistakes for you. Trust me, anybody who has any success has got it wrong many times!
So what do you do when you are frustrated and things are not going where you want them to go? Look for someone who will help, someone who has been where you are. Now to do this can take a lot of time, so if you want the best advice you are going to have to pay -that's just the way it is.
Anybody who thinks they can have a successful business without spending any money is dreaming. I am not saying you need to spend a fortune, but you need to invest in your business, especially when it comes to getting visitors and the right help.
A private members site is likely to get you the information you need. This way you get access to someone who wants you to succeed, and you become a higher priority, because you are a customer. Also you have shown some commitment by paying where others won't take that step.
I have just become a member of Jim Daniel's make a living online site, now I get a response from a proven successful business online person.
Jim has been online for a long time and built up a large following and an email optin list over 150 thousand. He knows his stuff:
Check it out here:
http://www.make-a-living-online.com/
You won't be disappointed.
Lots of people are still in "job mode" turn up and get paid. With any business, its more like, turn up, work, make some mistakes, learn, move forward, learn more, and improve what you are doing. There will be some struggle, which makes success so much better but the pay you get in the end can be overwhelming.
Expecting huge success quickly will frustrate you, instead, expect progress inch by inch.
And what of our business owner who wrote in? It's likely they are to be frustrated for a while longer and likely to become an "Internet knocker" saying that the Internet business doesn't work, well for him, his is right until some changes are made. A for attitude? More like an F.
About The Author
Paul Easton is a self confessed Internet Marketing Nut and Editor of "Power Promotion Plus" -An ezine dedicated to web site promotion tools that work with 3 free gifts for subscribing. Check it out here: http://www.CreateToolbar.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|


With the New Year upon us yet again, it's time... Read More
If you are developing your website on a host that... Read More
Your content is what gets you in search engines, speaks... Read More
Selecting the Perfect Domain NameThe first issue I have with... Read More
When I started my company in 2002, I knew I... Read More
Installment 1Developing State-enabled Applications With PHPWhen a user is browsing... Read More
It's now easier than ever to take payments on the... Read More
1. Many people are not getting good or complete advice.... Read More
1. Splash pagesMost of the time splash pages are uncalled... Read More
This is a growing concern amongst many business owners. Does... Read More
Three way linking and concerns.For many years SEO experts were... Read More
See how you can create graphic effects on text with... Read More
Every business needs to know how it is doing. That's... Read More
Most interactive websites nowadays require data to be presented dynamically... Read More
Anyone who knows anything about web accessibility knows that images... Read More
The first thing my business consultant (read brother-in-law) asked me,... Read More
When I set up my website I felt paypal was... Read More
A website lets you put your products in front of... Read More
While creating a Web site may seem like... Read More
No matter the size of your business, having a web... Read More
A while ago one of my clients approached me and... Read More
Running an effective website is a continuous process. I have... Read More
Cost Effective Advertising. Online selling. Increased geopgraphic range. Wider... Read More
Dan Kennedy once said that if you can't make money... Read More
Huge Mistake #1: Creating a Website with Flash -- Did... Read More
Before you set up any scripts you will need some... Read More
We are clearly well past the innocent "golden age" of... Read More
What is CSS?CSS is a simple file which controls the... Read More
Getting a Targeted Visitor to a website is a waste... Read More
1) A marketing necessityI still hear it said from time... Read More
1. SiteSpinner V2 - On Sale www.deprice.com/sitespinner.htmSiteSpinner is a user-friendly... Read More
Everywhere you look these days, people are telling you that... Read More
Have you ever wondered what challenges are faced by other... Read More


There are millions and millions of websites on the Internet.... Read More
There's been widespread speculation about the new legislation being introduced... Read More
When visitors add your web site to their Favorites or... Read More
Webmasters deal with a myriad of complex design challenges every... Read More
Designing an E-commerce Web site is not as simple as... Read More
Globalize Your WebsiteThe Internet has unlocked a wide array of... Read More
Starting an internet business can be confusing to non-veterans. The... Read More
While it may seem like a "quick and easy" task,... Read More
Profiles are one of the best kept secrets around regarding... Read More
There is an ongoing debate about web copy. Some say... Read More
Like wine cars get more attractive to collectors as years... Read More
It may seem like the publishing industry's equivalent of Beanie... Read More
First, an eye opener. Making your fortune through affiliate programs... Read More
The Disability Discrimination Act states that service providers must not... Read More
Optimal website design is the art of logical navigation.It will... Read More
Build it and they will come is not always true;... Read More
The first thing you will have to deal building your... Read More
No matter what browser you may want to use, you... Read More
QUESTION: Should I build and maintain my business Web... Read More
What is SQL? SQL stands for Structured Query Language and... Read More
The big thing these days is your ability to capture... Read More
One of my most salient memories from when I sold... Read More
Many small businesses have the misconception that their business can... Read More
Website, website, website, everyone says you need one. But do... Read More
"What's in it for me?" you ask. "Why should I... Read More
A website is lifeline of internet home business. In order... Read More
The art of turning website visitors into paying customers depends... Read More
Spend time planning your Web site. Before you design a... Read More
I can't think of any business alive today that couldn't... Read More
If you're looking for better web site ROI, chances are,... Read More
Now that you have got your domain name registered, your... Read More
Building a new website can be a lengthy task. From... Read More
My life's greatest passion is a safari hobby. And what... Read More
Web Development |