Increase Sales

**dkode** · Jun 18, 2002 14:01

Hello,

The business I work for doesnt really stretch out of our state which is Florida. I being the web developer know that I can get leads anywhere in the world, but I have a problem getting any leads at all.

Could someone suggest good online marketing techniques that might have worked for them. the website address of our site is http://www.vanndata.com/

I have tried cold calling, and I currently submit via bCentral which is starting to get me up to the top of the search engines.

I am really desperate for any leads. Can someone lend me some good pointers? Thank you for your time.

**billiousness** · Jun 18, 2002 14:06

maybe try bidding for work at anyone of the 50 freelance marketplace on the net. some people get all their short term and long term clients there.

**dkode** · Jun 18, 2002 14:40

I know of elance.com but their prices for subscription are a little high. Do you know of other good freelance websites? Could you provide me with some links. Thank you.

**Ravedesigns** · Jun 18, 2002 15:37

First of all...my compliments on a nicely done site. Looks like you guys are into everything there!

I took over my company's website BTECH Inc. last year, and have done a a few things that have worked good for us...but the best I think was the mailing list I started. First time (and ONLY first time) visitors get hit with a popup window asking to join our mailing list, and they're presented with an incentive to join. I'm also careful to point out our Privacy Policy, and reassure them that by joining our list, their information is safe with us. This results in about one lead a day, from roughly 600 or so monthly visitors...not a bad ratio, considering that we've not yet done any other internet marketing or promotion.

Another thing I've tried with my personal project www.christianowned.net is Google's AdWord advertising. I just signed up last week, and I'm getting maybe ten additional visitors to my site for just a few bucks. Not a great influx of leads I know, but I'm happy since I'm just starting out here and have a limited advertising budget.

One thing I've learned over the past year that applies to ANY website, is that it's SUPER IMPORTANT to convey the benefits of doing business with your company to your readers right away! Personally, while I think your flash "splash page" is nicely done, it doesn't tell visitors how sticking around any longer will benefit them. Listing features and all the types of work you do is appropriate in the right place, but when you've only got a few seconds to capture someones attention you've gotta hit 'em with your company BENEFITS. Our existing website at BTECH doesn't do this so well, which is why I've redesigned the BTECH website to stress the BENEFITS we have to offer our customers. It's still not perfect, but I think we're heading in the right direction.

Next on my list of things to do is improve our Google ranking, and we're actually (if have anything to say about it) gonna send out some email to our mailing list too!!

Oh well...hope this helps, and please keep me posted on how your efforts pan out.

Regards,

Steve

**billiousness** · Jun 18, 2002 16:06

here you go, have fun and good luck.

**dkode** · Jun 19, 2002 06:36

thanks for the links billiousness.

RaveDesigns: Thanks for the compliment! I am actually in the process now of re-doing the flash intro and adding a flash movie integrated into the website. I really like your new re-design. As you said, the flash movie is very well placed and very informative. Well done!

We currently have a mail list called eFlash, but we don't get many new subscriptions. Perhaps if I make a popup like you noted that would help increase the number of signups for the eFlash.

Thank you both for your advice and help!

Anyone else have more advice from their personal experiences?

**Ravedesigns** · Jun 19, 2002 18:48

for your compliments!

Just one comment about our newsletter signup though. While the one time popup might indeed be helping, I really think it's our free offer that spurs people to sign up. Giving away a special report like we do is great because it costs us nothing, and yet has a high perceived value to our readers. I toyed with the idea of giving away some small promotional items (engraved pen knives, t-shirts etc...) but I'm happy for now with one sign-up a day that doesn't cost us a thing. The funny thing is the article can be found on the website anyhow, but when we dangle that hook when they first enter the site they sure seem to bite! :-)

Oh...and if you want a good resource with some free tutorials on Copywriting, be sure to check out Ad Copywriting.com for some excellent advice. That's the site that really got me thinking about how we could do things better on our website, and I go re-read those articles often.

Good luck with the new intro, and let me know when you get it finished...I'd like to check it out!

Cheers,

Steve

**dkode** · Jun 20, 2002 06:39

Thanks once again for the resources. I am really looking into the freelance websites that billiousness mentioned especially ones like ework and elance because they seem to have thousands of people looking for designers. Thank you both once again! If you need any help please PM me. THanks!!

**billiousness** · Jun 20, 2002 10:28

glad i could be of service

i am just about to launch my freelance marketplace directory, once i get 5 sponsors it will go live

**dkode** · Jun 21, 2002 04:06

whats the address?

**SiteTutor** · Jun 23, 2002 10:38

Here's a newly launched freelance forum:

www.FreeLanceForums.com

**coter** · Jul 1, 2002 13:04

i would advertise on Overture.com

think about keywords that you would use if you were searching for someone with your services.

**DigitalCreation** · Jul 4, 2002 16:33

I agree that freelance would be a good alternative. Then as time goes by you'll open the door for word of mouth.

Just my .02

Digital Creationz

**w3exit** · Jul 12, 2002 04:11

Remember to track all your clicks with cookies so you know which place produces REAL results

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Increase Sales

Hey dkode, a few thoughts...

Your welcome!, and thank YOU

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