Friday, November 21, 2008

More Tips on How to Improve the Persuasive Power of Your Website

By David B. Ascot

Strategy: Photos, Audio and Video

Good sales copy is one of the most powerful persuasive elements on any sales page, and there are a few high-converting sites (www.doubleyourdating.com comes to mind) that rely almost exclusively on text content to convert visitors, rather than text or fancy multimedia effects.

Although not all sites use it, you'll find that using various forms of media, such as audio, video, and pictures can really help to add more value to your site. Today people have faster connections than ever and there is no reason to have to worry about bandwidth.

When you are going to use multi media content, you should remember that you only should use it if it is going to actually provide enhancement to your site and help you to sell.

The following types of photos work well: product images (especially with relevant close-ups), author images, team photos, photos of your premises, plant or equipment, graphs and charts. Wherever possible, you should add effective captions - they invariably attract the eye and have been tested to increase response, both in the direct mail world and online.

You can use both video and audio content too and it can help provide even more conversions. For testimonials on your site, doing them in audio is an excellent option and there are several great open source recorders that can help you to do this.

Direct response video can also drive increased conversions - though not always, so you have to test - and Camtasia screencaptures area great way to deliver visual content.

Strategy: Media Comments, PR, Articles, and Reprints

If you want a quick spike in your traffic, then going with media comments or even press releases is a great idea. You can quickly build up opt ins in a short amount of time with this strategy. Just remember that the buzz from these media forms usually goes away pretty quickly.

Reprinting can help you keep the buzz going longer. You can do this by taking the articles and putting them on your site or sending them out to your clients to reuse them again. When people see information from a 3rd party, they are often very impressed.

Strategy: Never Use Hype or Exaggeration

It's important to make sure that you avoid hype and exaggeration. People want to see the real company not a bunch of hype. Make sure that your copy doesn't have claims that are hyped up. Sometimes it can be best to even tone down the copy. Exaggerated claims can actually make people decide not to go with your product, even if it is a great one.

Strategy: Talk in Their Language

When you're speaking to a target audience, you need to speak like they do. Use the same type of words and even phrases that they would use. You can find out how to speak by spending time with the customers that you want to reach. Great copywriters talk on the level of customers that they are trying to reach, and you can do this too if you take the time to do some research.

Strategy: Include "we are a real business" factors

Your website should always include contact details and a phone number that works. Photos of your premises or operations can also help. In some industries this is more important than others and if you're selling something more "intangible" such as information, the need to appear "real" to prospects is even greater. - 15433

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