newsletter

March 08 ABCs of Web Design Newsletter

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Introductory comments

I had a client call me a few days ago to discuss some updates she wants me to make on her web site. She told me that her business has increased by 50% due to the redesign I did about a year ago. She said everyone she has talked to has positive things to say about her new site. Needless to say, I was thrilled that she told me that. I have a new success story now to add to my site! On to the question:

New testimonial:

"Theresa - I just wanted to let you know how much my business has increased since you took over my website. What I am delighted about is that I am receiving good, solid business leads from my target audience. How do you do that? The general comments I receive include "...saw you website..." or "...loved the before and after photos..." but most of all they ask me to call them to set an appointment. Here's another benefit you offer - you don't drag your feet. If I need something added or changed, it's done pronto. I am certainly not your only client yet your attention to detail and responsiveness make me feel very important. To me that's the sign of a true professional - same excellent customer service to big and small clients. Thanks you so much." Sylvia Watson, President, Healing Environments with Feng Shui

Question of the month

Question: I am talking to a potential client who originally contacted me to do some SEO work on his web site. After our initial discussion, he asked me if it would be worth doing any SEO work before getting his site to convert more visitors into buyers.

Answer: SEO is great if your site is already converting the traffic you are getting. But it is pointless to throw away money on getting more traffic to go to a site that is not making you any money. The Eisenberg brothers call this the leaky bucket. You first need to fix the problems on site that are causing people to leave.

From “How Many Holes Are in Your Bucket?”, By Bryan Eisenberg, The ClickZ Network: "We use the leaky bucket metaphor for a site that doesn't successfully convert visitors into buyers. Traffic fills the bucket but leaks out of holes. You need to plug as many of these holes as possible.

How do you plug the holes in the leaky bucket? First, understand and account for every step in the process. Second, design effective calls to action. Every page on your site should focus on getting the visitor to take an action -- even if that action is simply to move on to the next step in the process. Conversion rates suffer when sites fail to drive customer micro-actions and maintain momentum through the sales path. Once the path is defined and each of the micro-actions described, you can work on optimizing the most effective call to action for each step.”

Very well said!

Recent Clients of W-edge design:

Cabella Creations
Compton Creative
Damesbond
DigitalEve Columbus
Healing Environments with Feng Shui
Moonhorse Art Studio

Wrap up

Wow I am getting a lot of leads for contract work! I am pretty busy doing a lot of bids for web site conversion work. Busy is good. Thanks for reading my newsletter.

Please send all questions to theresaw@columbus.rr.com.

To see the articles from my print web column, go to http://www.w-edge.com/articles.htm

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