Below you’ll find our favourites for this month from content we’ve shared on the Web Chameleon Facebook page and on Twitter ~ @WebChameleon, as well as new content & favourite finds from @BelindaJackson.

Read, Share and Enjoy!

Our Top 5 from content we’ve found this month:

Top 10 Facebook Apps for Building Custom Pages & Tabs
Easy to use tools and apps to help you build functional Facebook pages via @smexaminer

3 Tips to Help You Create Great Looking Videos
Great tips for creating videos that people love to share via @ExpertEnough

The True Cost of Bad Customer Service [Infographic]
How customer service impacts your bottom line via @Socialmouths

How to Get Testimonials for Your Business Using Twitter as Social Proof
What are mentions and retweets really worth to your business? @kikolani

How Much is Too Much Self-Promotion?
Is it possible to ‘over-promote’ yourself on social media via @MelonieDodaro

Highlights from the @WebChameleon Blog: 

Three Tips for Email Marketing Success 
How to maximise the success of your email marketing

12 Ways to Attract Visitors to Your Website
Get more traffic to your website with these simple strategies!

Our favourite finds and articles from @Belinda Jackson:

Do Women Take Business Too Personally?
~ via @DeniseDT

Personal Branding Is a Leadership Requirement, Not a Self-Promotion Campaign
~ via @Forbes

The Power of Case Studies
~via @ValerieKhoo 

And finally, our quote of the month:

“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” ~ William Arthur Ward

Below you’ll find our favourites for this month from content we’ve shared on the Web Chameleon Facebook page and on Twitter ~ @WebChameleon, as well as new content & favourite finds from @BelindaJackson.

Read, Share and Enjoy!

Our Top 5 from content we’ve found this month:

How to use Facebook offers for small business
Learn how to spread the word about your business through Facebook ~ via @FlyingSoloAU

5 Common Misconceptions Newbie Bloggers Have about Blogging
Great tips to avoid some of the common pitfalls of blogging  ~ via @kikolani

6 tips for using images on social media  
Attract people to your brand with attention getting images ~ via @DynamicBusiness

Forget Opens: The Stat You Really Need to Track is Sales
Open rate is important, but does it really tell you if your campaign works? ~ via @marketingland

How to Take Your Pinterest Engagement And Results To The Next Level
Are you ready to bump up your engagement on Pinterest? ~ via  @jeffbullas

Highlights from the Web Chameleon Blog:

Using Social Proof to Boost Sales
If you want your website to sell for you, it must contain ‘social proof’ and customer feedback

The Online Promotion Blueprint
Our brand new program has launched!

Our favourite finds and articles from @Belinda Jackson:

9 Basic Principles to Finding Happiness
~ via @finerminds

How to Get Better Clients 
~ via @christinekane

The underbelly of entrepreneurship – what they don’t tell you when you sign up
~ via @valeriekhoo

And finally, our quote of the month:

“Above all, be true to yourself, and if you cannot put your heart in it, take yourself out of it.” ~ Unknown

Just to be clear I’ll be revealing everything I know MINUS the bits you don’t need. That means I’ll share exactly what you DO NEED to get results! So if you are keen to cut out all the fluff and clutter, and learn the strategies and the how to from a trusted business advisor (that’s me!) then let’s get started!

Learn more & register here – http://onlinepromotionblueprint.com

It’s a seriously good deal. $297 to learn directly from me, and to IMPLEMENT as we go!

How serious are you about doing the following?

• Optimising your online presence
• Tapping into online opportunities available to your busines
• Getting more visitors to your website
• Generating more leads for your business

If you are serious about achieving the above, then we start this week, and I’d love to have you in the group!

It’s time to make your online business presence and your online lead generation a priority!

You can learn more & register here - http://onlinepromotionblueprint.com

If you have a question please contact us.

To your Online Success,
Belinda Jackson
CEO of Web Chameleon

PS: Want to tap into Facebook, Blogging, SEO, Twitter, Email Marketing, Video, LinkedIn and all the other online opportunities to get results (clients!)? YES – then register today ~ http://onlinepromotionblueprint.com

“I want what she’s having” (or him, of course!) ~ that’s the feeling you want to create for your prospect when they see testimonials on your website.

Social Proof means the inclusion of customer feedback, testimonials and case studies. It allows your potential customers an inside view into what’s possible and available to them, based on what your existing and past clients have to say. Without social proof the visitor only has you to believe.

Your message is much more powerful when somebody else stands behind your message by providing a testimonial or case study.

It’s much like what happens in real life human relationships. Let’s say you need a service such as a builder or carpenter. Are you more likely to book someone that has been recommended to you by a friend or colleague? Well of course!

When someone speaks out about a service provider or a product that they’ve been happy with or that they’ve got great results from, that gives you assurance and confidence that it’s worth your investment too. Your prospect will want those same results that your existing clients have had. And that’s why having social proof in the form of testimonials from clients on your website is so important. It let’s your potential clients hear from your existing and past clients and get an insight into what they too can expect.

If you have not yet addressed Social Proof on your website then please read on for my tips on generating testimonials from your customers.

Give the Good Stuff

No one will provide a testimonial if your product or service is no good. So make sure first up that you are making and keeping your customers happy. Maybe I shouldn’t need to say this but honestly it’s worth a reminder – make sure you are providing your clients with amazing results.

Ask as a Matter of Habit

Build in a feedback request when you work with, or immediately after you finish working with a client. Preferably within 30 days of completing the work and sometimes, if the client is a long term client, ask them anytime as long as you are confident there has been enough results to warrant some feedback and a testimonial.

Make it a Win-Win

Let them know they’ll get exposure on your website and perhaps even on your social media profiles and in your newsletter. This puts their face, their name and their business in front of all your visitors, readers, subscribers which for many businesses is worthwhile. Many times I’ve personally visited a website and connected further with someone who I’ve seen featured as a testimonial for someone else. This is very common so when you tell your client it’s a WIN-WIN be confident that it is, because it IS.

Guide Them on What to Say

Make it super easy for them. These days when asking for testimonials we send 4 or 5 key questions to a client that they simply need to answer, we then combine the answers to create a case study or testimonial as appropriate. Many times simply by providing a few clear questions or guidelines to them they will be able to write in a way that makes it super easy for you to copy and use what they say. Ensure your questions focus on what results they’ve had since working with you or buying your product or service.

Make it Super-Duper Easy for the Busy Ones

Many times I’ve had clients who offer to write me a testimonial but never end up getting around to it. If that’s the case you can always offer to draft something for them or give them a call, have a chat about their feedback and results and then draft the wording for their approval. Always get their approval before publishing if you have written it or if you have amended their own writing.

Include a Photo

Preferably a photograph of the person, after all this is a person that is providing the testimonal and that adds more social weight and it’s social proof we are aiming for. If it’s a business testimonial a business logo may be more appropriate. If you are in an industry where confidentiality is a concern or your clients are hesitant to have their details published you just have to go with what’s doable and that may mean no photographs. With photo’s is better, but a testimonial without a photo is still better than no testimonial.

Say Thanks

Gratitude goes a long way so make sure you thank your clients who provide feedback and a testimonial. And let them know when and where you feature them – this part is a small courtesy act but it shows you care and you want to keep them up to date.

Check out some of our own testimonials, aka social proof here and within a program page here.

Below you’ll find our favourites for this month from content we’ve shared on the Web Chameleon Facebook page and on Twitter ~ @WebChameleon, as well as new content & favourite finds from @BelindaJackson.

Read, Share and Enjoy!

Our Top 5 from content we’ve found this month:

Don’t Forget The “Marketing” in Content Marketing 
Are you writing great content but failing to promote it? via @neilpatel

7 Advanced Social Media Marketing Strategies
How to leverage social media to build great communities via @kikolani

The Rookie’s Guide to Instagram for Business
Instragram can do a lot more than just take pictures of your lunch! via @unbounce

Social Media for Business: Damage Control
Great tips on how to deal with social media complaints  @dreamgrow

 The Science of Storytelling
6 Ways to Write More Persuasive Stories via @ProBlogger

Highlights from the Web Chameleon Blog:

7 Tips for a more effective website
Tips to improve your website and ensure it works effectively for your business

Personal Branding & Business Blogging
How much of YOU is OK to share on a business blog?

Quick Tip: Say Thank-You!
How often do you say thank-you to your clients?

12 Lead Generation Strategies for your website
Are you wondering why your website is not attracting enough traffic?

Failure to Launch (& why I’m finally launching)
Is there something holding you back?

Our favourite finds and articles from @Belinda Jackson:

Dream First, The Money Will Follow
10 Ways the Universe Can Support Your Goals ~ via @DeniseDT

9 Basic Principles to Finding Happiness
Happiness is a choice ~ via @finerminds

A Vibrant Life: 3 Reasons Why Taking a Risk May Be What You Need
When was the last time you took a risk? ~ via @ErinmGiles

And finally, our quote of the month:

“It is like the seed put in the soil — the more one sows, the greater the harvest.”
~ Orison Swett Marden

For all the details go here now >> Online Promotion Blueprint

This is something I’ve wanted to launch for a LONG time now. But there’s been something holding me back. And I *think* I figured out what that something is (or was).

Have you ever had a moment where you just go – oh wow – really? You uncover something about yourself or about your actions that you just never noticed before and yet it’s been a pattern or a recurring theme for sometime or all time?

That’s kind of what I discovered. Not so much the reason I’ve been holding myself back but the reason I’ve had failure to launch … up until now.

Here it is in a nutshell as best I can say it…

I come from a Marketing background and I understand fully (& love) all the marketing fundamentals and strategies. Seriously, I really love marketing with a passion.

I’m a closet tech geek. I love playing around with technology and making it my friend.

I know the strategies for online lead generation, online communication and marketing and whatever other labels you want to give it. I’m confident in my ability to strategise and to implement these strategies. I’ve been continually implementing for and with clients and having great success.

However I’ve not been implementing active marketing or NEW lead generation for my own business much lately. I’ve been distracted and my business has been a little bit “on hold”. Those closest to me know exactly what I mean and maybe you’ll understand too?

In 2010 I relocated – my business and my life. A big step. A huge step in fact and one that took me on some big inward journeys.

In 2011 I had a baby. My second child to fill our little family to the brim. The brim of completeness and love – this area of my life is rock solid and I am so blessed!

But anyway back to my point… I’ve held back because I’ve been busy. I was distracted.

Don’t get me wrong. I did do SOME marketing – mostly what I term ‘maintenance’ marketing. And my business has remained steady and consistent and it continues to support my family so obviously the ‘maintenance’ marketing has been working.

On some level I  know I made choices to hold back in my business so that I wouldn’t get overwhelmed. And yet at the same time, I still wanted to grow my business and do the work I love.

But my main sabotage and the reason I had failure to launch this online lead generation program was this … I felt that because I was not ‘actively’ growing my business and generating leads how could I possibly teach others to do these things and still be in integrity? On some level I questioned my own integrity and because integrity and authenticity are so important to me it stopped me dead in my tracks!

HUH?! So even though I was doing this work for and with my 1:1 clients and if I wanted to I knew I could switch the lead generating taps on in my business pretty damn quickly I was on some level asking myself – who am I to teach what I am not actively doing in my business?

So there you have it. My big A-HA moment. And the win for you is this.

That’s all about to change.

As I launch the Online Promotion Blueprint program I’m coming on the ride with you.

I’ll be with you on the LEAD GENERATION JOURNEY!

I’m being guided to ramp my business up this year and step fully into my purpose and my passion. So I’m READY to attract more leads to Web Chameleon this year and to launch the programs that are in me and that are ready to launch.

That means I’ll also be implementing the same online promotional strategies, aka Lead Generators, that I’ll be teaching in the Online Promotion Blueprint and I’m going to share the journey with you.

YAY that feels so good!

Will you join me on this journey and ramp up your online lead generation in the next 90 days?  I can’t wait to discover the amazing things we are going to achieve together.

Here’s the link to check out the details and enrol today >>  Online Promotion Blueprint

To Your Success with Love,

Belinda Jackson
Marketing, Business & Lifestyle Strategist
CEO ~ Web Chameleon

Perhaps you have a brand new website or maybe you’ve had one for a while. And you might be wondering when this website is actually going to start bringing you in clients. At what point does your website start working for you? And by working for you I mean generating leads for your business – and generating business revenue.

Here’s the thing. Your website is your online “place”. For it to do anything you need to “invite” people around to visit.

And that’s the part that stumps many business owners. They have the website, perhaps they’ve tweaked it and added to it over time, but they have no idea how to cleverly “invite” MORE of the right people around to visit!

Ultimately, you need to “promote” your place (your website), and there are numerous ways that you can go about this. Read on below for 12 ways to promote your website online and invite people to come visit.

1. Email Marketing – if you have an email list of clients and prospects you can keep in contact with them via regular emails – ideally an email newsletter. When you publish an email newsletter then every newsletter becomes an opportunity to invite your subscribers to visit your website. It’s easy for your readers to simply click through to read more on your website, to access further information that is of interest to them, or to take advantage of special offers you send them via email.

2. Pay for visitors with Google Adwords –  with Google Adwords you are paying for premium advertising ‘space’ on Google where you can place your ‘invitation’. When someone searches on the keywords that are relevant to your business and that you’ve nominated to be found for, your advertisement will appear. You can set a daily budget and spend as much or as little as you like – and it’s all based on paying per click – so you are in total control of how many people you invite to your website from your ad. With Google Adwords you can even target specific geographical areas and run multiple advertising campaigns to target different keywords and search phrases.

3. Pay for visitors over at Facebook with FB ads – Similar to Google Adwords, Facebook offer a range of  advertising options. Facebook offer sophisticated targeting options that enable you to really tap into your target market and create advertisements that appeal to them. There are also advertising options that integrate social proof – showcasing which friends have liked and interacted with a page which can often encourages others to do the same. Facebook ads are also a great way to boost ‘likes’ on your Facebook business page.

4. A Facebook Business Page – Having a Facebook Page for your business allows you to share content with your ideal audience of potential clients. Once people ‘like’ your page, your posts and content will appear in their news feeds each time they visit Facebook. Given Facebook is the hang out place for a huge portion of the online population it’s an ideal place to be visible and invite people to connect further with you and your business. People can interact with you on Facebook too by posting comments and sharing your posts, which creates even greater social reach and spreads your message further.

5. Your Twitter profile and feed – Twitter is a popular and highly active social network for sharing content in real time, having conversations and attracting visitors to your website. If you have a blog, you can easily share links to your blog content with attention grabbing headlines, questions or quotes. If you don’t have a blog, try sharing information from your FAQ page, About page or your services page.  Don’t forget that Twitter is about connecting with people, so don’t be shy – get involved!

6. LinkedIn – LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking site. Optimise your LinkedIn profile with links to your website and consider creating a page for your business as well – both great avenues for inviting people to visit your website. You can update your status regularly in LinkedIn just like you can on Facebook and Twitter, which means you can share content, tips and encourage interaction with your network. LinkedIn offer lots of different ways to connect with people through groups, discussion boards and Q&A panels and they even offer advertising options too.

In our brand new Online Promotion Blueprint program we will be covering all of the strategies outlined in this article and we will be going deep with each one – giving you the step by step, the strategies and the tips to help you maximise each of these promotional opportunities. If you are ready to invite more visitors to your website then this new program is being designed to be your ultimate training course in online lead generation!

Ensure you are on our newsletter list to get priority updates and our complimentary 101 Client Attraction Tips >> Subscribe here >>>

7. Blogging - blogging is one very powerful way to both invite more visitors to your website and to connect with those visitors. Blogging is great for SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) as you are continually creating new content that is topic specific so it can really boost your websites search engine rankings. That means more visitors finding you on search engines and that’s a fantastic way to invite people back to your website! Blogs are also useful for interacting with your website visitors and keeping them on your website for longer. The longer they interact and get to know you the higher the possibility they will take further action and stay connected.

8. Local Marketing with Google Places – if you want to attract local customers to your online presence as well as to your physical place of business, then they must easily be able to find you online! Optimising your local search results means optimising your Google Places listings as well as optimising your website for local search results. Ultimately you need to appear at the top of the search results when people in your local area are looking for the services you offer.

9. Other Social channels – like Pinterest, Instagram, Foursquare, Google+. Depending on your market and where your ideal clients are hanging out it’s worth researching some of these channels to see which of these are playgrounds for your ideal clients. Once you learn a bit more about each network you can decide where you should hang out and connect too. In each network once you build your connections and presence you’ll  naturally be inviting people to come and visit your website and connect with you and your business outside of the social platform.

10. Online PR – This means looking for and generating opportunities to be seen by and connect with your market online. Look for opportunities to share your content as a ‘guest blogger’ in places where your ideal clients might hang out and read content. Posting quality comments on other blogs and interacting on social media is also useful for ‘being noticed’ online and therefore inviting people to get to know your further and come visit yur website.  Another opportunity, seek out opportunities to be interviewed on telesummits, webinars and podcasts on your area of expertise – it is fantastic publicity and allows you to reach different communities of people.

11. Videos – Videos are another way to turn your website into an interactive hub and attract visitors from multiple sources. Video’s are easy to share on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other social media networks which can be a great way to invite people to learn more at your website. Video blogging is popular these days but is still an area with a lot of opportunity. Video blogging or creating your own online TV program is ideal for building credibility, building a following and a community and inviting interest in your business.

12. Podcasting – If you’re not that comfortable being in front of the camera for video marketing, podcasting is a great alternative. And it’s the perfect promotional avenue for anyone with a great voice and great content.  There’s a huge range of online radio stations and podcasting hubs where you can create and share interviews, or even audio blog posts.

All of the above are fantastic channels for promoting your business and ultimately ‘inviting’ visitors across to your ‘place’ – your website.  Ultimately you need to find the avenues that are most suited to your business and then roll them out with consistency as well as with clever strategy!

In our  Online Promotion Blueprint program we cover all of the above in depth – giving you the step by step, the strategies and the tips to help you maximise each of these promotional opportunities.

Subscribe below to be first to know when the next group starts plus receive the Web Chameleon newsletter full of regular marketing tips and strategies to help you get more clients! Please take 10 seconds – the subscription form is below – I promise it’ll be worth your time!

We might say a quick ‘thanks’ to clients and business partners in our emails which is fine, but lately I’ve been wondering … is that really enough?

I’ve decided to create a simple challenge – if you do it, you’ll love the results both for yourself and for your clients. You’ll feel good. Your clients will feel appreciated. And if you do it regularly, you’ll likely set in place seeds for possible referrals and more!

Make an effort today to contact at least 5 clients personally just to say thank you for their custom. Let them know they are important to you and tell them how much you appreciate working with them.

Do it today and make it a regular habit!

Saying thank you can make a world of difference to your business relationships.

“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.” ~Oscar Wilde

how much of YOU is OK to share on your business blog?

I’ve been exploring this question for awhile now and often get asked this question from clients and readers. So I decided to reach out and ask a few of my business buddies, as well as ask you all over on Facebook and Twitter for your thoughts. And today I share my own thoughts and the thoughts of some amazing women who have successful personal brands and popular blogs.

First up, my purpose for writing on this topic is very personal. I wanted to decide in the here and now of 2013 how to roll out the Web Chameleon blog AND my personal brand this year!

To me, a personal brand means that your business is a reflection of you and your services usually stem from your passion. That’s certainly the case in my business, and for many of my clients too.

Here and now in 2013 we are in an era where amongst some of the biggest brands online, personal brands are STANDING OUT!

Take a look at personal brands like Ali Brown, Marie Forleo and Kendall Summerhawk. These three women have created global multi-million dollar brands that ooze their unique essence, and attract willing clients in abundance.

And on home turf (Australia!) a few noteworthy personal brands that are flying high are Leonie Dawson, Denise Duffield Thomas and Janet Beckers (all featured below!).

If you take the time to get to know each of these business brands you’ll see at the core of their brand is the core of the person – a personal brand, with each being amazing and unique.

And all share personal stories and beliefs from the heart.

All these women, and many more are creating global brands that truly represent them. The growth of personal brands is huge for 2013. Are you ready to get in on the action – and the RESULTS?

It’s always helpful to look at how others are integrating their personal brand into their business blog. Here’s what was shared with me over the past 24 hours on this topic:

Amanda Moxley
Go check out Amanda’s blog here
Being a personal brand, I think it’s important to share parts of you so that peeps can get to really know, like and trust you. I love sharing pics from my adventures and about fun things I am doing. I don’t recommend being too transparent or vulnerable when you are going through a BIG shift because you don’t want to make your peeps your therapist or coach. But I do think sharing your AFTER story is awesome.  
Living my dreams and sharing about it with my peeps helped me get to my highest ever income month and then it set up a trend for consecutive months of that highest income level. What is personal is UNIVERSAL. 

Janet Beckers (Wonderful Web Women)
Go check out Janet’s blog here
It’s a fine line isn’t it? People do business with people they like, can relate to, and aspire to be like. So I like to share the highs and lows of being a mother, business woman and my passion for the environment, community and adventure.

However, you need to remember, it is about them, not you. So even when you are sharing about your personal life and passions, you need to remember that everything you share needs to relate directly to them. So think to yourself: will this inspire them to greatness? If I am sharing a problem or frustration can I use “re-framed vulnerability” so I can share the lesson and how to apply it, rather than position myself as a victim?

Denise Duffield Thomas
Go check out Denise’s blog here
I’m very honest and open in my business, but I don’t share everything. I see my job as infusing others with a sense of possibility, so I’m aware that when I have a “down” day, I don’t infect my network with my negativity. However, I’m happy to share negative experiences “after the fact” as long as there’s some lesson that will be valuable to their lives. Otherwise, it’s sharing for the sake of it.

Chris Zydel
Go check out Chris’s blog here
The work I do involves people trusting me enough to open their hearts and souls in the process of their own personal and creative growth. So it is important that I model that vulnerability and willingness to share. I essentially trust that if I feel good about sharing myself ( even when it’s sometimes scary) it can only benefit my business and my peeps! But I also keep certain things private… especially stuff that involves other people like my husband, friends or family. Just because I feel a certain level of comfort showing the workings of my inner life doesn’t mean I can assume they have that same level of willingness to be be seen. 

Leonie Dawson
Go check out Leonie’s blog here

I’ve built my half million dollar a year company on doing precisely that – sharing my heart and soul as vulnerably as I can. People resonate when you share your story with conviction, openness and truth. We have so much to learn from each other. I always trust my gut and intuition around what to share, and it’s always worked out beautifully for me – I feel like I have thousands of BFFs all around the globe!

Kendra Thornbury
Go check out Kendra’s blog here
The new paradigm of business responds to the deeper hunger people have to connect to what is real & meaningful to them. To attract your ideal clients & grow your authentic business, revealing WHO you are is a must-use strategy. Beyond strategy, it really is the only way to go if you are seeking to be free.The more I’m myself — sharing my journey, posting pics of my travels, being real about my views in life — the more I’ve made money!

Back to my own thoughts

This is a fascinating topic that I have a personal interest in as I mentioned at the start. So every view point has meaning to me, and I’m sure if you’ve read this far, to you too.

More often than not, our ideal clients will resonate with our personal reflections.

But remember that there are many thousands of personal blogs that do not make (nor do they try to) money or convert sales. In the case of a personal brand that represents a business there is more to keep in mind. The business slant that must be integrated if you are to reach success, is to ensure your blog readers understand how you can further support them through what you offer under your business umbrella.

Remember always that “it is about them, not you“. It’s creating that perfect balance that shares YOU but ultimately that provides your audience with what they desire!

If you desire to have a global, or even a national personal brand the time is NOW.

If you want to be a brand to be reckoned with. If you want a personal brand that attracts clients in abundance then take note.

Let your personal brand shine. Let the YOU that is YOU shine. Be open and be authentic about your beliefs and your passions.

Say YES to including your personal brand – your personal voice on your business blog.

Finally, my research on this topic AND my intuition lead me to the conclusion that it’s time to integrate more of my personal story and personal brand with the Web Chameleon brand and platform. Time to let go of the separation of the two. Time to honor and create based on the personal brand that is Web Chameleon, aka Belinda Jackson.

Please let me know if this has been helpful and where you are up to with your own personal brand and business blogging. Come join the conversation on this topic over at Facebook or if you prefer, come and chat over at Twitter. Or comment below!

And if you’d like to more fully explore your own personal brand, your online presence AND your business blog then I’m about to open a few spots for new 1:1 coaching clients. Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter below and come check out the details of my coaching work here.

Let me finish by saying – your personal brand IS PERSONAL.

And so, ultimately YOU get to decide how to play!

Ultimately your website is an opportunity to attract and convert customers resulting in business revenue. So if that’s what you want, then it is VERY important to check through the following tips and ensure you have addressed them on your website.

Read on for the 7 tips for an effective website:

1. Your website MUST be a positive reflection of your business

Create the right first impression! Your website has to look professional and it has to present your brand well. Statistics show you have just 10-15 seconds OR LESS to create an impression.

So make sure your opening copy (words) and images get the attention of your visitor. Address the core needs of your visitor and how your business is able to help them. Build your brand image so that your visitor WANTS to work with your business, and no other!

2. Your website MUST provide relevant, quality and timely content

Most visitors to your website want answers quickly so make sure they can find what they are looking for by making your content easy to read and easy to navigate (also see 4. below).

Writing compelling words for a website is a skill, so if your website does not read well, consider investing in a copywriter to improve the performance of your website.

Always remember that a website provides you with an opportunity! An opportunity to build a relationship with your visitor so they WANT to give you their business. Use the opportunity wisely and also consider including articles, case studies, videos or how-to guides etc to create interest & build credibility.

3. Your website MUST get your visitor to TRUST you

Make it easy for visitors to learn more about the business, and about the people behind the business. Did you know that for many websites, the ABOUT page is one of the most visited pages – yes it is! Time to review your websites About page and see if it can be improved. And if you don’t have one already then it’s time for that to change – get one! Most visitors want to know some more about the business before they choose to hand over their money.

Include case studies, testimonials and other samples of your work on your website. If you have an online store, it’s a good idea to include a Privacy Policy, Delivery/Shipping information and Security Information – these are all things visitors want to know about and that have an impact on whether they’ll become a client.

4. Your website MUST be easy to navigate

Ensure visitors can easily find their way around your website, with a clear path between pages. This is also very helpful for search engine optimisation as search engines also need a clear and easy path around your website. Have lots of relevant internal links so people can navigate with ease. And make sure there are no unfinished pages or ‘dead’ links on your website. You don’t want your visitors heading off to nowhere land!

Oh and make it easy for visitors to navigate and connect with you elsewhere such as on social media! This can also play a role in building trust. But only do this if your social media presence is up to scratch.

5. Your website MUST load fast

All images and content should be optimised for speed on the web so that your pages load quickly and easily. That means images are already at the correct size and in the correct format when they are put on your website. They should NOT be resized from within your website editor (eg WordPress).

Using Flash on your website is still a no-no. Actually it’s probably even more of a no-no these days, because Applie devices (eg iphones & ipads) can’t display Flash!

6. Your website should be optimised for Search Engines

It’s important to be found easily on the search engines by your target market & prospective new clients. SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) is still very important.

Research relevant keywords that your customers and prospects would use to find you, and implement a plan to ensure your website is found for your chosen keywords. The biggest part of that is making sure that you include those keywords in your website content.

7. Your website MUST have a Call to Action

You want results from your website, right? Well make sure you are clear on how you will know if your website is working for you. Do you want phone calls, web form enquiries, newsletter subscribers, sales?

Once you are clear on the results you desire, you can ensure your website drives people to take the appropriate action. You generally have to tell your visitors what you want them to do – make it super clear and make it super easy for them!

BONUS TIP: Make sure your website is mobile friendly

People are spending so much time connecting to the internet from smartphones and tablets that you need to keep this in mind. Open up your website on your smartphone and take a look and see how it displays. A full mobile website is not always essential, but it IS essential to ensure your website displays correctly, without layout issues or details cut off.

If you’d like to learn how to pro actively master your own website (or blog) ~ then please click through to find out about our program Website Mastery.

Do you need an online business & marketing strategist & coach to help you master the online world?  Learn more here.