Here’s a very easy way to increase your Internet marketing conversion rates. It’s based on the idea that success leaves clues, that we can increase our conversion rates by discovering what already works and learning from it.
Improving your conversion rates
Here are a few questions you should ask yourself, depending on the area of Internet marketing you want to improve:
- What was the last site I visited, where I bought something?
- What was the last site I visited, where I asked for information regarding someone’s services?
- What was the last site I visited, where I subscribed to their RSS feed or newsletter?
- What was the last site I visited, where I filled in a contact form?
Now, think about what it was that made you; buy the item, inquire about someone’s services, subscribe to their newsletter etc. Revisit that site and look for clues. For example, did you subscribe to their newsletter because they offered you a free ebook on a subject you are interested in? Did you subscribe to their RSS feed, because their subscribe box was easy to find and you valued their content? Did you buy from them because they offered you a risk reversal, such as a money back guarantee?
By the way, ask your friends to send you links to sites that they have taken action on too! By studying what motivated you (and your friends) to buy, subscribe or inquire via a site, you may find that missing nugget of information, which your site needs in order to improve its conversion rates.
Improved conversion rates are often just a tweak away
Whilst people often make massive changes in their attempts to increase the effectiveness of their Internet marketing, it’s often just a minor change that’s required. This simple tip can be a useful way for you to spot that simple, yet extremely valuable tweak!
Love the new look Jim. Thanks for these tips, they do make you think. As often it is the simple stuff that makes the more sense. Wish many SM and internet ‘gurus’ put it as plainly as you.
Thanks for the kind words, John.
In my experience, you need to know a subject pretty well in order to write about it in simple terms.
I also believe that the most powerful messages are those that get to the point sooner, rather than later.
Another thought provoking post. Thanks for that Jim
I also liked the suggestion about getting friends to send you sites that persuaded them to take action.
Thanks
Chris
I think this is a beautifully simple and powerful concept. I feel compelled to mention that I’ve been surprised though…by what does work sometimes. The popup form I use on my site for example. I’ve never opted in a list through a popup in my life. Hate em. But it always gets a good return when I use it on my site.
I definitely love this concept of bouncing your marketing message of your own internal criteria…and that of your friends and colleagues as well. Great value can hide in some pretty unlikely places also though, don’t you think?
It’s amazing where you can find some great and not so great ideas online.
Many sites that look very polished and professional, lack the content to convert. Conversely, many sites that look average in their design, make a fortune.
Regarding pop-ups, it’s worth remembering that whilst some people will use them, it’s a VERY specific type of person. Many people build lists from pop-ups, which are very low quality, because the people who comply to pop-up requests are usually on hundreds of lists; making it very hard for your message to get through.
This is why you don’t see peope like; copyblogger, seth godin, danny brown, chris brogan etc use them. Or me!