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Plan For Success

Written by: Jennifer Horowitz

Article Overview: The best way to create a user-friendly, powerful web site is to plan for it. If you’re going to invest time in building and promoting your site, you want to be sure that once visitors get there, they’re converted into buyers.

Plan For Success

Plan for Success

The best way to create a user-friendly, powerful web site is to plan for it. If you’re going to invest time in building and promoting your site, you want to be sure that once visitors get there, they’re converted into buyers. Start by analyzing where you are at the present, where you want to go, and what steps will take you there.

If you compare the internet to a mall, then your web site is a store in the mall. A profitable store includes a well-trained staff, attractive displays inside, a nice sign out front and a killer window display. A store alone won’t make sales. You have to attract people inside, convince them you have something they need, and encourage them to act.

The same is true for an internet business. You have to attract customers and then sell them your product or service.

So, in this example, the store is your web site, the sign out front is your domain name, the knowledgeable staff is your content and the in store displays are the photos on your site. All you’re missing is the window display. And that is your marketing plan. It is the “it” factor that draws people in. And there are many ways to do this online:
• Banner ads
• Ezine Ads
• PPC
• Search Engine Marketing
• Joint Ventures
• Affiliates

Identify your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
This statement is the headline for your web site and all other marketing material where your business name appears. It communicates the benefits of doing business with you and identifies what differentiates you from your competition. In short, why should they do business with you instead of someone else.

Your USP should instill excitement about doing business with you or finding out more about what you offer. Position it at the top of your home page and underneath your logo throughout your entire web site.

USP Tips
Avoid general statements and vague terms like “the best,” since anyone can make that claim. Instead, speak directly to your ideal market, and address their wants. Explain what it is that makes you the best or what you do better than others. And use this USP in all of your marketing materials for greater consistency and overall impact. Not only does it help your prospect gain a clear view of your company it can help you stay focused when making key decisions.

The Difference between Features and Benefits
A feature is something the product or service has. The benefit is the emotional statement to show prospects what they will get and how they will feel as a result of using your product/service.
Example of feature statement: Health Food products made with all natural ingredients.

Example of benefit statement: Natural health that keeps you fit and
younger looking.

Write for Your Target Audience
Know your target audience. Are you B2B (Business to Business) or B2C (Business to Consumer)? It makes a difference. Do you sell wholesale or in bulk? Do you only take small orders or large orders? Be specific, let people know what you do and if they are in the right place. Keyword selection is important in helping guide the proper traffic, but we’ll address that in depth later. To start, just assume that people are going to come to your site confused and uncertain. Guide them through the site and show them exactly what you have for them. If they are unsure, they’re out the door. If you convey immediately what you have to offer that perfectly fits their needs, you have your chance to win their business.

As you pull all these things together remember that your site should not cater to your preferences, but to your visitors’ preferences. If it isn’t converting, reexamine it for flaws and try testing to determine what brings in the best results.

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  The Secret to Success Begins By Not Being On Someone Elses Plan
  Small Wins, Quick Success

Article Tags: internet business, marketing plan, PPC Search Engine Marketing Joint Ventures Affiliates Identify, product service, profitable store, store displays, Unique Selling Proposition USP



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Business Innovation - Hi Simon If you can finish off the Business Plan and think about your strategic direction or how you are going to use your product to convince people it's a great idea, it will set the foundation for your programming project. You see, when you are looking for funding you will need a Business Plan and Strategic Plan that will convince companies to invest into your new idea. Has anyone achieved this idea before using another industry besides health and fitness that you know of? You should also design some mockups as a "preview" for your programming project. This will also help reduce your programming costs as everyone will know exactly what you want if you have detailed mockups already completed including any functionality you require. Starting mockups for websites and software applications on paper is the best way if you're not a guru in graphic editing software.
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