5 Twitter Techniques to Avoid
Top Tips for Product Page Perfection – Part Two
Choosing a Winning Web Developer
5 Twitter Techniques to Avoid
While many people still may not value Twitter, its adoption by some mainstream media (TV shows giving out their Twitter address during their programming for example) is helping to fuel its impressive growth.
The Twitter micro blogging platform enables real-time sharing of information, the gathering of market intelligence and an opportunity for building stronger customer relationships; all in 140 characters or less.
Like Facebook and YouTube, there is no cost associated with using Twitter for business, which makes it an attractive proposition for marketers wishing to engage their audience in new and innovative ways. It comes with a warning though, joining the conversation without adhering to some online social etiquette can do more harm than good.
How Not To Use Twitter
Twitter is essentially a social networking website – enabling people to connect and interact with other people who share similar interests. As such, some simple advice for participating successfully applies.
1. Tell People a Little About Yourself
Don't leave you profile information blank. Your profile information is a great way to introduce yourself, your business and your key interests. Leaving it blank can appear as if you are not prepared to engage.
2. Let People Get to Know You
Don't just quote other people all the time. Imagine a person in a social setting who does nothing more than quote sound-bites from famous scholars, inspiring leaders or even celebrities. It may be interesting for a while, but not worth an investment of your time to build any meaningful relationship.
3. Be Original, Be Yourself
On a similar note, don't just continually retweet other users. Retweeting can be a great way to engage your audience – but doing little else implies you have nothing better to say. Preparing a content strategy will enable you to be original and share some personality as well as your expertise.
4. People Do business With People
Don't be a faceless business entity. While your objectives may clearly be to grow your network and improve your bottom line, this shouldn't mean you only talk about your company. Sharing some personality will increase your appeal and make you more approachable.
5. Think Engagement Before Sales
Don't spam other users. Think again of a social setting, how would you react to someone introducing themselves with "visit my website for some great deals". Your intention to engage with them will understandably vanish very quickly. Twitter is no exception, using mentions for ‘click here' messages without any other correspondence is a clear no no.
In closing, keep in mind that similar principles apply as with any customer engagement initiative, be prepared to commit some time and resources to genuinely participate as part of the Twitter community.
If you would like help planning and implementing a social media marketing strategy for your business please call 01454 261111.
Return to the top
Top Tips for Product Page Perfection – Part Two
Your website marketing activities are geared to getting a qualified audience to your product pages, where typically the action you want to persuade a shopper to make is to click the ‘Add to Basket' button. As such, your product pages are key to successfully converting visitors into customers.
In the first of this two part article we touched on the following ways to improve your product pages:
- Make the most of your copy
- Clearly present product options
- Use great looking product images
- Allow shoppers to zoom in on product pictures
- Improve presentation using models
- Keep the purchase process clear and simple
- Cross sell by promoting related items
In the second article we look at adopting best practice techniques, online technologies and purchase procedures that all work together in achieving the ‘perfect' product page.
8. Clever Sub-navigation = Better Informed Shoppers
Provide shoppers with a generous amount of product information using tabbed product details. Including a simple but effective sub-navigation tool enables your customers to get a greater level of product detail without having to leave the page.
9. Encourage User Reviews
Publishing user reviews is a great technique for not only presenting the strengths of each product in a very practical way, but also presenting your store as a trustworthy e-tailer enabling shoppers to make informed decisions.
10. Realise the Power of Video
Becoming more mainstream – and for good reason – video is an excellent way to demonstrate a product, review its performance or simply wax lyrical about the best selling points.
11. Share Product Insights – and Your Expertise
Product demonstrations, by video or slideshow are a great way to help your shoppers make an educated decision while at the same time build trust with the buyer as you present yourself as someone who ‘knows their stuff'.
12. Feature Media Reviews
Continuing on this theme, seek out popular media reviewers and publish or link to their product presentations.
13. Remove the Risk
One of the biggest obstacles to overcome with online shoppers is the perceived risk of making that first purchase with an unknown online entity. Publishing a clear and up front warranty, shipping terms and returns policy from your product pages is a great way to put minds at rest.
14. Enable Social Sharing
Last but by no means least, make it easy for shoppers to share your pages across social media sites. People are always keen to tell friends and family of a great purchase or an outstanding shopping experience, so make it easy for them by including ‘like' buttons and visible social share buttons.
In conclusion, your product pages are key to successfully converting visitors into customers, so time spent honing them is time well spent. If you would like to review the effectiveness of your product pages, please call 01454 261111.
Return to the top
Choosing a Winning Web Developer
You never get a second chance to make a first impression, so when it comes to your website, hiring the right web developer is one of the most important decisions you will make.
A good web developer will not only deliver the mechanics of building a usable website but also help increase your business's chances of being successful online, identifying real opportunities to find new customers, improve your service to existing customers, reduce your costs and improve communications with customers and staff.
Understanding Your Business
Make sure your developer knows your business well. A good web developer will ask a lot of questions to determine your short term and long term goals; then be proactive about making suggestions for attracting and engaging your customers.
If your web developer doesn't really understand the nature of your business, he or she isn't going to be able to create the best possible website for your customers.
A sign of an excellent web developer is a thorough analysis of your business's website needs, followed up with an in-depth interview to nail down any specific requirements. You should have the feeling that your web developer is responsive and engaged in your website design.
Can Provide References
It's a good idea to ask for references in the form of other websites designed by the web developer. Try out the websites and make sure that you like the way they are designed, that they load quickly and are easy to navigate, and that the information is presented in a logical manner.
Helps With Marketing
Online marketing is vital to the success of any website; your web developer should have a good grasp of the most effective ways to attract traffic to your website. Knowing how to incorporate email, search and social media marketing activities into your website will give your online business a great head start.
Understands Usability and Accessibility Issues
A good web developer will know how to make sure your website content is easy to navigate, is engrossing and – as much as possible – adheres to the most basic accessibility standards that allow your site to be used successfully by the sight-impaired or people using assistive technologies.
Speaks Your Language
While a web developer should keep abreast of the latest and greatest web technologies available for improving your web presence, this shouldn't equate to advising you to deploy the latest gizmo just because you can. A good web developer will provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision without blinding you with science.
Is Approachable
Remember, it's your website and your business. While your web developer can make recommendations and offer good advice, you should never be made to feel you are imposing on their project. A good web developer acts as a consultant, not a dictator, working effectively with you as an integral part of your team to achieve the best results for your web presence.
If you would like to know more please call 01454 261111.
Return to the top