meredith marsh design

Getting People From Your Website To Your Store

A few weeks ago I ended my blog post with the question: “What is it about a website that gets them into your store, your booth, your shop, your office?” I also stated that “A website should be: a perfect, clean, calm, relaxing virtual version of your actual business. It’s your business’ virtual self.”

But will your web traffic turn out foot traffic? I think if you have these three things, the answer will be yes:

1. A neat, clean website that visually represents your business well. It doesn’t have to be over complicated, it doesn’t have to be flashy, and it shouldn’t be done by you fifth grade nephew. The site should have a modern look and feel, should be integrated into a content management system and should have quality, hand-written, standards-compliant, SEO-friendly (x)html and css.
2. Your site may look spiffy, but you need to have relevant, informative, fresh content. Menus, sales, directions, maps, contact information, promotions, options… information, education, and a call to action. “This is what we offer, this is why you need it, and this is how to get it from me.”
3. You have a spiffy site with expertly written content… now how do people know about it? For one thing, list your website with every business organization and publication you are affiliated with. For another thing, add your website to you print ads, business cards, store front sign. Launch an ad campaign for your website. Offer people a discount with an internet coupon, hold on online video contest. With every breath you speak about your business, plug your website.

A website should be used as an extension to your advertising efforts. Especially in a high-tourist area like the Finger Lakes, potential patrons will be planning long before they arrive here. With a website, you can provide these people with an experience before they arrive, and leave them wanting more.

Tags: business, statistics
Posted in blog | No Comments » by: meredith

The Flip Side: What will my website do for MY statistics?

Well that is an excellent question.
In the past few posts, I wrote about how by using Google Analytics, we can gather all sorts of various information. Information that is highly important to the overall success and longevity of our websites. But does it really increase our business? Will more products be bought from your store? Will you get gain more leads and more clients?
A website should essentially be: a perfect, clean, calm, relaxing virtual version of your actual business. It’s your business’s virtual self. You use that ambiance to represent your actual business, or you, or whatever you website is promoting.
Forget statistics and think logic. A person is coming to Penn Yan for vacation next month (in January? Just go with it…). They might visit the local Chamber of Commerce or something similar to see what there is to do around here. From there, the might click on links for business who have websites. Now they are either going to decide Yes, I want to go to this store or Nah.
What is it about a website that gets them into your store, your booth, your shop, your office, etc. ?

…Continued next week.

Tags: business, statistics
Posted in blog | No Comments » by: meredith