August 16th, 2010
by Lorrie Thomas
The #1 web marketing question I get asked is:
“How Do I make Money off my Web Site?”
Since you are all busy professionals reading this blog, I will make my answer SIMPLE. First, your website will NOT make you money. It will SUPPORT you to make money. In order to put the web to work, here are the three main things you need to consider to make your web site a web solution to support sales.
ONE – Get clear on how you make money. Do you sell products, services, a combination of both? Step one is to determine HOW YOU MAKE MONEY. It sounds simple, but it is critical to know how you are putting bread on the table. For some of us, selling advertising is the revenue model, some is getting people to contact us for a free consultation to see if they are a fit for consulting services, some of us are non-profits and we need donations, etc. Get clear on the revenue stream then follow steps two and three!
TWO – Know your value, then ask for the sale. People who have web sites (and not web solutions) that just sit there and look pretty are wasting their time. Your web site needs to be designed (artistically and textually) to funnel people to buy. This comes from professional design, having a clear call to action (fill out a form, clear buy now buttons, language that evokes action). If your site needs advertisers to make money, then you better be prepared to show your value and entice action. If you do not own your worth, you will not attract sales.
THREE – Build awareness. Get over the idea that your site is going to do the work for you. It won’t. That is a passive attitude and will = weak results. Are you blogging? Doing search optimization? Buying online advertising? Creating content to empower prospective customers? A site without a plan to drive traffic to the site lacks insight. In marketing, we have to build awareness, educate/inform people about what we do (and the value it has to them) connect (relationships are EVERYTHING!), offer good customer service, and by doing that, we build the K.L.T. factor (know, like and trust) to make sales!
You need to have a clear business plan, THEN make your web site a solution to support it. If you need ideas, Web Marketing Therapy is a smart, savvy team who would love to help!
Web Marketing Therapy Related Links:
- Top 10 Ways to Make Money from Your Site
- One site fits all?
- Web Marketing Therapy – Is Your Site Working for You?
- Your web designer is not entitled to a link at the footer of your site
Clint
(August 17th, 2010 at 11:10 am)
In regards to driving traffic to a website or blog, what is your opinion on blog commenting? I’ve read other articles discussing the value of spending time to go out and post thoughtful comments on relevant blogs in order to build awareness and increase traffic. Is this something you would recommend?
@redfoxmedia_inc
Lorrie Thomas
(August 17th, 2010 at 12:56 pm)
Hey Clint,
Thanks for the comment. My opinion to blog commenting is that blogs (like all social media) are a way to converse and connect. If you have a question (like you do here) ask it. If you have something to add to a blog post that has VALUABLE insight (and is NOT SALESY) post it.
I never recommend posting for the sake of posting. Like real conversation, speak up when there is a darn good reason. Same live social skills apply to the social web.
Great question, so glad you asked!
-The Marketing Therapist