There are hundreds of Web Hosting companies. So how do you decide which one to use? If you are new to website administration, then the following terms may be foreign to you: bandwidth, disk space, servers, domains, sub-domains, add-on's, redirects, megabyte (MB), gigabyte (GB), and uptime. These are critical things you need to know about when selecting a hosting company. It is suggested that you search the web for these key terms and learn what they mean.
With most hosting companies you can pay month to month, others want you to pay one year in advance for a reduced price. I would be reluctant to prepay for web hosting as many of these hosting companies go out of business everyday, or perhaps they have poor service and support. Good luck getting refund in that situation! When that happens who looses? You and your potential customers do, not the company hosting your site. Look for Web Hosting companies that have been in business at least 2 or 3 years or require a monthly payment.
Ecommerce and Merchant Account Services
A brief word regarding these kinds of accounts if you are looking for a free web hosting service to host them. Sure its free, but there are no guarantees that you will get good service/support, and if your planning on running a small business site such as: real estate, reseller, ecommerce/merchant, affiliate, etc, you will have a hard time getting allot of conversion traffic unless you want to pay big $$. If you are looking to run a business, free web hosting is probably not something you want! All of the advertisers on this site have great service and reasonable prices. I strongly suggest you check them out!
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A different way has emerged. Now your small business web site can be used as an effective marketing tool. Used in the right way, it can spear-head many successful marketing campaigns for you in the near future.
To begin, effectively use your web site to attract leads and customers; use it to let prospective clients know who you are. Offer valuable content related to your expertise. Attract them back over and over like bees to honey. Soon you will become Top-Pick over your competition.
Did you know that many of your prospects (even locally) will type your business name or web site name in Google to see what you offer? Often they are looking to see what you offer compared to your competitor. Recently, Calif. based USC Annenberg School said from 2005 research, 78.6 Americans go online. An almost equally large percentage 72.3 say that the search engines provide whatever information they are looking for.
To make your small business Web site more effective, go through this short checklist and tweak it for better results. Or if you are just starting, now is the perfect time to put your Internet marketing plan into place to see new quarter profits.
Stay open to learn what it takes to put the right sales language and content on your site bringing more targeted visitors (visitors looking for what you have to offer.) Know the robots of the various search engines examine web sites daily looking for good key word food, free information, and content.
Correct these small business web site mistakes and make more profit:
Mistake 1No sales letter(s).
Solution: Novice Internet marketers don't even know they need a sales letter for their services and products. They missed the foundational marketing message that said, "Only words sell. Flashy even great looking websites don't convince anyone to call, email you and foremost of all buy. Only words can do that. Write a sales letter for each service or product you offer. Give your web site visitors a reason why they should buy from you.
Mistake 2 No or poorly written headlines to point the way
Solution: Put headlines filled with benefits on your home page to direct people to your sales letter. Develop the skill of writing headlines. Provocative titles will stir interest. Provocative statements capture our attention like a fish on a hook. They throw out the baited hook and reel a captive audience in every time. For example, here's a shocking statement one sex therapist used 'Wives Who Don't Want Sex.' Even if his web visitors didn't have this problem, it got the attention of the curious. Rewrite your headlines. Make sure they lead your prospects to your sales page.
Mistake 3 No testimonials or case studies
Add Testimonials. Most everyone wants to know who else has used your service and had a good experience. Testimonials speak up for your product or service. They act as a referral and even an endorsement. The compliments from another customer help melt away your prospect's fears and doubts about trusting you.
Mistake 4No compelling reason to keep reading
You may have been awarded for the most beautiful site. Congratulations! But if your web site copy is weak it may not translate to sales. Check your copy for dud phrases. Are you using trite phrases like Welcome to the official site of _____, to find out about ME, MY Company, My Achievements click here, or Sign-up for my FREE ezine. Use wording that will convince your prospects to keep reading, trust you and take action. Insert benefit loaded headlines, bullets and even links.
Mistake 5 Not enough benefits (what in it for me) on home page
Put your resume, bio and credentials on your About Us page or even the Contact page. You customer wants to know the answer to this question first. "what's in it for me?" Don't get me wrong; put them in their proper place on your site. But your audience will most want to know the value of your product to them. You must answer questions like, "Will it solve my particular problem?" "What will I gain?" "What will I lose if I don't use your service?"
If you are serious about making your website a more effective marketing tool, begin by correcting the top five mistakes above. Even one or all of the principles in place will help make your website one that your visitors will contact you from, proudly refer, and come back to over and over again. Write compelling copy and grow your business today.
Both John Wardle & Earma Brown are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Earma Brown has sinced written about articles on various topics from Writing, Marketing and Writing. (c) Earma Brown, 11 yr. Web Developer, Author Everyone loves to prosper. You and your business deserve to prosper too! Earma, principal developer at Arrow Productions helps writers and entrepreneurs realize their web dreams. Sign up for her free ezine "We. Earma Brown's top article generates over 165000 views. to your Favourites.