Posts Tagged ‘Webpage’
March 30, 2010 at 12:09 pm
By Bob Speyer and Kristin Tomlinson, Web Success Team
Competition for donation dollars is fierce. One of the biggest dilemmas facing non-profits organizations is how to improve their charitable donations. Donating is personal and emotional. People want to give, but at the same time make sure the bulk of their funds are going to the intended recipients and not to the organization itself.
Non-profit websites need to connect with the potential donor, personalize their recipients, show how funds are being used to improve the lives of the less fortunate, and make it simple to donate money and get involved. Most importantly, the site must combine all these things in a way that’s welcoming to the organization’s potential donors and volunteers.
Here are a few effective strategies to spark involvement, educate your donors and increase donations:
Build Confidence and Trust
People are not going to want to donate if a page appears confusing and unprofessional. Building a well-designed page is key to building a trustworthy brand. When developing your page, keep it clean, to the point and design with purpose. A heavy emphasis on the visual aesthetic of your website will build legitimacy for your organization. Also a media room or “in the news” page depicting current events and media exposure builds credibility.
Protect Your Donors – Offer Security
Post a secure form of payment method so that people can donate their money with trust and reassurance. Sites that make it difficult for users to find where to make a donation or how to make a donation will not get a good response. Donors should be able to move to the actual transaction easily and securely and make a donation hassle-free.
Create a Relationship between Donor and Recipient
Establish a relationship between those giving and those in need. People will be more motivated to donate when they can feel for a person that is living without the things we take advantage of everyday. Adding a blog forms a connection, where potential donors can relate to the organization on a more intimate level. Blogs have the ability to communicate with people in a more personal way and reach a bigger market because they’re circulated within networks. Having recipients contribute their own stories is empowering.
Set a Goal to Make a Difference
Set a goal for your organization that is reachable and believable. In order to get people passionate about a cause, they have to feel as though their contribution will make an impact and get something accomplished. Donors want to know how an organization plans on helping. By establishing a mission statement with information about goals, objectives and work, donors can get a better feel for the impact an the organization can make to improve the lives of the recipients.
A Web “Success” Story
The Web Success Team is a major supporter of the Save Poor Children in Asia Organization (SCAO), which is an organization that supports orphaned children in poverty stricken Cambodia. We took on the pro bono task of redesigning their website, utilizing the strategies depicted in this article. Ever since taking over their website, we are happy to report more donors have been visiting the site and making generous donations. Donors are then thanked personally by email from Mr. Samith, the center’s director, who tells him or her how their contribution is working to improve the lives of the children.
Please feel free to visit the SCAO website to see how we structured their site. Your comments are always welcome as well as your donations!
The Web Success Team specializes in developing and marketing direct response websites that take full advantage of the latest developments on the Internet. The Team has an arsenal of effective web strategies, online marketing tools and proven customized social media techniques to promote your products and services. And we’ll show you ways to increase the amount of qualified traffic to your site.
For more tips, tools and articles of interest, become a fan of the WebSuccessTeam Facebook page and learn more about online marketing, SEO and social media. Visit us at http://www.facebook.com/WebSuccessTeam. Contact the Team today for a complimentary consultation to your web success.
March 11, 2010 at 5:19 pm
By Bob Speyer and Kristin Tomlinson, Web Success Team
The goal of any website is to engage the visitor, give him a positive first impression, and motivate him to learn more. Unfortunately, sometimes the opposite effect takes place. Many websites overpower the viewer with clashing colors, distracting flash videos, inappropriate music, and much more. People react to clarity, organization, benefits, overall composition and readability. They are focused on their needs and search accordingly. Anything distracting is annoying and gives them a reason to leave — so don’t give them that “excuse.”
A Checklist of the Most Common Mistakes!
• The Sounds of Silence
When trying to promote an online business, avoid playing music on the website. Loud, obnoxious music tends to drown out important content and distract customers from focusing on valuable information. However, an audio (like an important message from the president) is a good idea if the viewer has the choice of turning it on and, of course, off. If it goes on automatically, that’s a web NO!
• Through the Looking Glass of Color
When choosing colors to compliment your page, stay away from bold, bright distracting ones. Background colors (like a black field with white or yellow type) or using an assortment of colors on a single web page can make it look tacky and unattractive. Try to use two complementary colors (and their tints) that are more appealing on the eyes. Color should be used to orient a visitor (like a red call to action button or a blue link) and not to “color code” a website.
• Be Careful What You Flash
The use of flash images or video, if done tastefully, can enhance a website and deliver a strong branded visual message. However, flash tends to be overused and can even slow down the web page. It can distract the viewer from reading the content, particularly if it continues to play as you navigate back and forth on the site.
• Me, Myself and I
A web page that is ego driven and not focused on the product or service is a turn-off. Customers want to know that you have their best interest and not your own. They are benefits driven and want to understand how you can help solve their problem, not yours!
• The Missing Link
Too many links (or too many broken links) take the viewer on a scavenger hunt that leads to unnecessary pages and information. A few navigation links that state the core topics about the business and its mission will outperform a site with to many web pages to choose. People don’t want to be caught up in a maze of information. They want a clear route to contacting you for more information.
Boost Your Site’s Effectiveness
Adding unnecessary elements to a website sends a message that you’re not thinking about the user’s experience. A good rule of thumb is to have 5-10 people critique your home and ask them where was their focus and what they learned about your site — all in 20-30 seconds. Then repeat the exercise, having them navigate through the website for 1 minute, stopping on what catches their interest. You will learn a lot from this informal focus group to actually see how others view your website. Remember, the most effective websites are ones that have a singular purpose, can deliver their message in 10-15 seconds or less, have something beneficial to satisfy the visitor’s search, are clean and well organized and not cluttered.
By following these few guidelines will help turn best intentions into web success.
The Web Success Team specializes in developing and marketing direct response websites that take full advantage of the latest developments on the Internet. The Team has an arsenal of effective web strategies, online marketing tools and proven customized social media techniques to promote your products and services. And we’ll show you ways to increase the amount of qualified traffic to your site.
For more tips, tools and articles of interest, become a fan of the WebSuccessTeam Facebook page and learn more about online marketing, SEO and social media. Visit us at http://www.facebook.com/WebSuccessTeam. Contact the Team today for a complimentary consultation to your web success.
By Bob Speyer and Kristin Tomlinson, Web Success Team
The “Contact Us” page is required for any business that has created a website and is important in providing significant details about the company. Contact Us is extremely valuable because it allows potential customers a clear channel to reach your business, let them know where your company is located and is an avenue of communications to ask questions or make requests.
Below are seven take-a-ways to consider when constructing an effective Contact Us page:
1. Company Name: Your corporate identity should appear big and bold at the top of the page so people can immediately identify it. You want your company name to essentially “pop” and be in the mind of readers at all times. Place your website link buttons on the left side of the page so that its easier to get to another web page.
2. Page Design: Construct your page so information is easy to locate and don’t put unnecessary information on the page. Your layout and design should be crisp, clear and appealing. Readers will not read the information if it is not to the point.
3. Font Usage: Use a clean font that it’s easy on the eyes. Your contact information should be in block format under your company name so that a reader’s attention is immediately drawn to it.
4. Make it Simple: Only include your mailing address, phone number and email address. The page doesn’t require any extra information. You can also link the “Contact Us” phrase to an email page that is automatically populated with your company name in the “To” box and ready for the visitor to deliver a message to you.
5. Multiple Contacts: If you have a large business or multiple employees, make sure to write every different phone number and email address for each department and person. Also include the department name and the particular person that would be in charge. This will make it more convenient for customers to reach the specific person they want to contact.
6. Working Links: Make sure the links work on the contact information. It appears negligent, careless, and unprofessional to readers when there are broken links.
7. Redirect to FAQ Page: To keep emails down to a minimum, direct readers to your FAQ page. Most of the time readers just want answers to frequently asked questions and a FAQ page can answer their concerns directly.
Following these basic guidelines will insure a more reliable “Contact Us” page that will be accurate, organized, dependable, and informational. These steps will provide an efficient page that readers can rely on to provide support, assistance, and guidance in regards to their needs and your business.
The Web Success Team specializes in developing and marketing direct response websites that take full advantage of the latest developments on the Internet. The Team has an arsenal of effective web strategies, online marketing tools and proven customized social media techniques to promote your products and services. And we’ll show you ways to increase the amount of qualified traffic to your site.
For more tips, tools and articles of interest, become a fan of the WebSuccessTeam Facebook page and learn more about online marketing, SEO and social media. Visit us at http://www.facebook.com/WebSuccessTeam. Contact the Team today for a complimentary consultation to your web success
February 23, 2010 at 3:18 pm
By Bob Speyer, Web Success Team
Trust is one of the most important yet overlooked “intangibles” on the Internet. However, it is key to a decision makers’ mindset whether to give your offerings serious consideration. The Internet is littered with amazing claims and broken promises. So what can you do to instill confidence or trust when a viewer lands on you site looking for a needed product or service? Here are a few guidelines to follow to build trust and increase your sales:
Your Website Should Be Simple, Uncluttered and Informative
You only get one chance at a first impression. Since our lives are complicated enough, your site must be easy to understand and engage the viewer in less than 10 seconds. The simpler the better and the easier to comprehend, the more likely your brand will instill trust. People respond to organization and a clear sincere message. Psychologically, think of whom we trusted first — our parents. If you try to do too much, you will frustrate your viewer and create a negative reaction.
Offer Something Special
We are conditioned to respond to a deal. In fact, promotions are some of the most visited web pages. A promotion may range from a simple discount to packages where you get more value than for individual services. Again, you want to instill trust, so offer a warranty, guarantee or some consumer recourse that is clearly stated. You want to be as transparent as possible.
Use Client Testimonials and Case Studies
People recognize that testimonials are hand picked and hold minimal value. Yet when supported by case studies they can make a convincing reason to read and respect them. Plus if you have recognizable customers, it can create a shared brand appeal. People will connect the dots and reason that if a trusted brand has used this company, then they are that much more appealing.
Use the New Social Medias to Humanize Your Brand
We all respond more to real people, not just a corporate entity. That’s where social media marketing can fill out your resume. Create social profiles on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter and be active in their use. Placing their icons on your website in a viewable spot encourages prospective customers to view your profiles and fill in any questionable gaps.
Building relationships online will give your brand a more human component. Using employees, their pictures and their comments is equally effective and rounds out your company.
Authority Speaks
Knowledge is respect and the more your brand is promoted online, the more credible you become. One of the ways to be viewed as a authority in your field is to create a blog and actively write about your field. Articles that are keyword rich will be circulated throughout the Internet, draw targeted attention and help promote your brand. Writing blogs will also let people view your personality, knowledge and your sense of humor. It makes you “real.” Also, if you won an industry award, written a book or you are a guest speaker at an industry event, then these should be prominently displayed on your website.
Belong, Join, Affiliate
Another key factor in building trust is showing people that you are active in your community or your industry. Are you a Chamber of Commerce member, associated with an industry organization, active in a charity, or a member of the Better Business Bureau? Participation shows commitment, involvement, energy — and respect.
Be Accessible and Consistent
Once the initial barrier is crossed and a potential customer is interested, you must not disappoint them. Be available to talk to them, keep appointments and be consistent in your promises. Dependability is a key factor in maintaining trust and credibility. Have your contact information clearly displayed on your site above the fold; respond to their inquiries within 24 hours; and offer good advice and interest in their situation. These guidelines will help you assess your current website and activities. The bi-product of building trust is an increase in sales that will lead to web success. If your website does not reflect these core components, then people will go to the competition. By giving people reasons to trust you, they will.
