Many of my clients ask me what they should include in their website sidebar and this does vary between different sites and businesses.

A sidebar shouldn’t be random clutter that you use to fill up space just because you think something “might work”.  I have seen websites that are filled with STUFF and it winds up being super confusing, distracting, and hard to navigate.  You really need to think it through.

One of the most important things on a website is the content, so a good amount of time and planning will go into that when setting up a new site.  But planning what to include in your sidebar can actually  be just as important. 

So I would like to share some of the options that you might want to consider for your sidebar when planning your site design.

Items to include on a WordPress Website Sidebar:

• Owner Bio – All you have to do is add a short blurb from your About page with a photo and a link to “read more” that links to your About page.  Super easy, but often has a big impact because people want to know who you are and what you are about.

• Testimonials – It has a huge impact for people to see what OTHERS are saying about you and your business.  And if you are interested in learning about What Makes a Good Website Testimonial, be sure to read my recent article on the subject.

• Search box – Gives your visitors the ability to search your site for what they’re looking for. If they can easily find the information they need, they won’t go somewhere else to find it.

• Optin Box – Communicating with your visitors is a good way to keep your business in front of them. The best way to do this is to use a newsletter platform like Aweber, Mailchimp, Constant Contact or others and have them optin to receive your emails. This is one of the most important things you can do for your business, so it really needs to be the first thing on your side bar below your search box.  If you are interested in learning more about about How to Use an Optin to Grow Your Business List, be sure to read my recent article on the subject.

• Social Icons / Links – Adding your social icons and links to your social networks gives your visitors another way to connect with you. The more ways you provide to them, the better chance you’ll have of staying connected with them. These social icons can include Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest, Youtube, and RSS (just to name a few).

• Facebook Followers – Listing your Facebook followers will encourage others to request to follow you as well.

• Twitter Feed – Twitter is one of the most popular social networking sites online right now and it’s also one of the most valuable ones to use. When you post tips, articles, and other helpful information your visitors will see that and hopefully follow you so that they can see what else you can help them with.

• Recent Posts – Using a blog for your business is a great tool because it gives you the ability to post about your business and what you offer. It’s an easy way to advertise your business and share information that’s helpful to your market. When you post your recent posts on your sidebar they’ll be easy for your visitors to see and they’ll have even more help than before when it comes to discussing how you can help them.

• Video - A welcome video is a great way to create a “personal” connection with your visitors.  Allow your visitors to have control over whether or not they want to watch the video, so don’t have the video on auto-start. When you create your video be sure to include what they can expect from your business and how you can help them.

• Contact Information – I always tell clients that if they don’t have much to include in the sidebar, then it is a good idea to include contact info or even a small form that allows for visitors to send a message to them right from their sidebar.

Additional Sidebar Items:

• List of Categories
• List of Comments
• Tag Cloud
• Blogroll
• Ads and Promotions
• Events Calendar
• As Seen On Logos
• Image Slideshow

A website sidebar is valuable real estate.  You may even want to consider having different sidebars on different pages if you find that things are getting too cluttered.

A sidebar is a space where you can share valuable information with your visitors.  It is a place where they can learn more about who you are and why they should choose to purchase your product or service.  It is a place where you can provide different means of communication through social media.  It is a space where you can gather information that will help you to stay in contact with your visitors on an ongoing basis.

And like I said in the beginning of this article – you really have to think things through and figure out what to include and what NOT to include.

Your website is your storefront, especially when you work solely online. You may not have the ability to walk up and talk to someone when they visit, but do have the ability to bring clarity and keep a person coming back for more.

A testimonial (in business) is a written affirmation, recommendation, or statement made by a customer that demonstrates satisfaction with your services or product.

Testimonials are word-of-mouth marketing, and they work wonderfully in adding credibility for your business.  It’s hard to sing your own praises.  If you do, it could be considered bragging.  But if someone else says it, then it must be true!

They can provide the much-needed encouragement for clients who are on the fence about hiring you to then actually making the decision to become a paying customer.

What Makes a Great Testimonial?

• Need Specifics.  A great testimonial needs to explain exactly WHY the service was exceptional or HOW the product made a difference.  Just saying that a company did a good job or that the customer service was good is not enough.

• Needs to be Believable.  If a testimonial sounds fake, then this can cause distrust.  It is important to include personal details such as person’s full name, business name, and photo.  This will add credibility.

• Needs to be Relevant.  If customers buy Product A and your testimonials are about Product B, people will notice that being incorrect.  Be sure to include the specific testimonials for the specific product or service.

• Don’t over-edit. Testimonials work best when they are in “real” language. Those small grammar and language quirks help the reader connect and demonstrate they are real.

• Don’t keep them hidden away.  Be sure to take the time to post any testimonials that you receive on your website, on your social networks, and anywhere else that they would be visible to potential clients.

• Ask for Specifics. Here are some example questions…

- What is the one thing you liked best about working with me?

- Before you bought our service/product, what did you think of the company or the product?

- How did your perception of the service/product change after you became a happy customer?

- What benefits did you or your company see after becoming a customer?

- Would you recommend a friend or colleague?

• Don’t Make Them Up. While testimonials are crucial, it’s not worth the risk to fake them. Most people have well-trained BS detectors that can smell a fake a mile away.

What to include in a Testimonial:

• Name
• Business Name
• Job Title
• Website Address
• Testimonial
• Headshot Photo or Logo

Website Testimonials

The testimonials section of your website can turn a lot of visitors into paying customers.  This is one of the first things I look for on a website.  I like to be able to read what other people are saying about a particular business, service, or product.  So, having a page dedicated to client testimonials on your website and / or blog is key.

There are many different ways to incorporate testimonials into your website or blog.  In WordPress, I am a big fan of the LTW Testimonial Plugin.  You can see it in action on my Testimonials Page.  I also have a place at the bottom of the page where clients can submit a testimonial right from my site.  I set that up through the Gravity Forms plugin.  Whenever I close out a client project, I send them an email with a link to my testimonials page and ask them if they would be so kind and submit a testimonial.  I then get an email with all of their info and I can easily copy and paste it into the plugin so it will display on the page.  Easy Peasy.

Another testimonial option for WordPress is to incorporate things that your Twitter followers say via Twitter Favorites or you can even copy and paste your LinkedIn Recommendations.

Placement of testimonials on a website is also important.  Having a dedicated testimonials page is great, but how about adding them to your About page or to your site’s sidebar?  Even adding one or 2 after the content on a product info page would be beneficial.

Well, I am definitely sad to see the old format go for Facebook fanpages.  But… In with the new and out with the old…  Life goes one.

Anyway, I have had several clients request for me to design their cover photo graphics to replace the previous vertical profile banners.  And in spite of the many restrictions for the graphics, I was still able to be creative and provide my clients with some fun and inspiring ideas that they love.

Here are a couple screenshots, starting with my favorite…  Check out the matching app tab button graphics…

Those are just a few of my designs.  If you would like to learn more about the recent changes to the Facebook fanpages, read my recent article on the topic: Facebook Fanpage Changes – What you need to Know

And if you are interested in updating your graphics on Facebook, contact me and I would be happy to help you.  The cost for a Facebook cover photo is $85.

Here are some helpful tips to use as you are getting started…

How to Build your List

Building your list first consists of signing up for an email marketing service such as Aweber, Mailxhimp, 1ShoppingCart, iContact, Constant Contact, and many more.  And then people need to know you HAVE a list for them to join by having an optin box on your website to gather names and emails.  You can also market your list by posting on your social media networks such as Twitter, Facebook, Google +, and Facebook.  Another option is to pay for ad space using Facebook ads, Google Adsense, or even on other sites and blogs within your target market.  These options usually have a fee associated with them, but work well because of the abilities you have with them.

Sharing with others is another way to build your list. You can do this through guest blog posts, list sharing with others that have the same market as you, email signature lines, solo ads offered by others, and offering something for free when they join. These ways are usually free of charge or they cost very little, but they work well. You must continually promote your list in order to build your business.

Benefits of List Building

The people that join your list will be truly interested and want to know more about what you offer.  You will have the benefit of sharing information to those who will listen.  Each time you have a special offer or add something new you’ll be able to share it with your list.  Oftentimes, people will either make a purchase or spread the word to those who they come in contact with you might be in need of whatever it is you have to offer.

If you don’t have a list you are missing out on the opportunity to expand your  reach.  to continually share your offerings with other techniques and you’ll find they aren’t coming. You can market in the same place each time, but if you’re not reaching out to the same people, they won’t see your future posts and miss out on the most valuable thing for them. This is the main reason why it’s important to build your list every day.

List Building Tips / Ideas

There are countless things you can do with your list but you may find you can’t do them all and that’s ok. You need to find two or three strategies that you think will work and then focus on those.

• Freebie – What are you planning to offer in exchange for a persons name and email?  Give away something that would be useful. Write an ebook or a PDF report then give it away to your subscribers once they sign up for your list.

• Opt-in Form – Needs to be  eye-catching and on every page of your site and in a prominent place (normally above the fold).  Using an Optin Box to Grow Your Business List.

• Monetize – figure out how you plan to make money from your list.  (product, services, affiliate products, etc.)

• Set up Autoresponder – Depending on what you offer you may be able to create autoresponders that keep your business in front of new and existing list members without doing a thing. This will be beneficial when it comes to those new people that you really want to encourage.

• Provide useful, relevant and unique content. Your visitors will not stay subscribed to your list if you don’t provide unique and valuable information that will be useful for your subscribers.  You can also utilize your blog and then set it up so that your subscribers receive an email with the article each time you publish a new post.

• Privacy Statement – Address your subscribers privacy concerns. Most people are worried that they may receive spam after giving out their contact info. Be sure to share that you respect their privacy and link this statement to a privacy policy page.

• Word of Mouth – Ask that your subscribers or clients spread the word.  If you are are providing informative information and content, then people will be more likely to spread the word about you and your business.

The ultimate path to building an active list of subscribers is creating long-term relationships with them.  Keeping your business in front of your market is valuable and priceless, but it’s something so many business owners neglect every day. If you’re new to list building or you need help understanding how it works or how to do it, these suggestions will help. You’ll find they explain what’s necessary and how to get it done. When you do you’ll be able to grow your business and be happy with the results.

The goal of all internet marketing is to build a database of people who are interested in your products or services.  When someone visits your website they are a potential lead and, therefore, you will want to capture their name and email address before they leave your site.

Having an optin box provides an avenue for you to connect and build relationships with the many people who visit your site. It is a great means to help you grow your list and  communicate better with your target market. When you use it correctly you can grow your business to levels you never thought were possible – believe me… I know that it works!

What are Optin Boxes?

An optin box gives you the ability to gather names and email addresses for people that visit your site that are interested in what you have to offer.  It automatically gathers the information that is submitted and sends it to your email management program such as Aweber, Mailchimp, Constant Contact, and others where it is stored in a database.

Optin boxes are used on both websites and blogs. They are normally placed in the side bar (above the fold) so they are easily visible and they don’t get lost with the rest of your content. Occasionally you’ll find them in the middle section of the site or even in the header as well.  Pop up optins are another great way to utilize this feature.

Why have an Optin?

Staying in constant communication with your market and your customers is extremely valuable. It gives you the ability to quickly and easily send an email containing specials on your products or services, business updates, recent projects and any general information you want to share. It’s easier to have names and emails added through an optin box and email management system because it is all automatic.  You don’t have to do anything aside from the initial set up and installation.

Every business website should have a place to collect names and email via an optin box.  Both small and large businesses alike use them to grow their lists and expand their means of communication. You can see an optin box on the side bar of my website (to the right). You will even see them on corporate sites like Walmart and Staples.

 Benefits of an Optin Box

While there are many benefits to using an optin box, one of the biggest would be the ability to communicate quickly and easily with potential clients or customers as well as staying connected with current customers.  They’re easy to use and they give you the information you need to send emails without doing anything else once the list is created in your email management system.

Optin boxes are a valuable tool that should be on every page of your site because you never know when someone will read something of interest causing them to want to join your mailing list.

Optin Box Tips and Advice

• Prominent Placement – Put your opt-in box where it can be seen right away.  The top right corner of every page is your best bet. You can also integrate it into your website banner or header (the space on the very top of your website).  Your optin box should also be seen on all pages of your site, not just the homepage.

• Include a Free Offer – Offering a just a newsletter is not going to draw people in. Nowadays you have to offer something to people to give them the incentive to sign up for your list.  Some ideas of things to offer would be a special report, info product, audio seminar, email ecourse, discount coupons, etc.  You can then include in smaller lettering that by signing up you will also receive your newsletter or email updates.  But it should not be the focal point.

• Use Eye Catching Graphics – The goal for your optin box to draw people in and make them want to sign up.  Use visually stimulating graphics.  If you are offering something such as an Ebook, free report, or audio then include a 3-d Ecover into the optin-box design.

• Call to Action- “Download my Free Report Today” is pretty boring.  Make your download invitation something that draws in the attention of the reader.  It should make them WANT to enter their name and email and subscribe to your list.

Here are some examples:

“Don’t Miss the Action! Subscribe for FREE Updates and Reports“

“Get A Customized Report at NO Cost –Limited Time only”

Your submit button can also be a way to include a “call to action”.  Instead of using the word “Submit”, customize the button to include something like “Download Now”,  “Sign Me Up”, “Send My Free Report”.  It should also stand out visually, so use a contrasting color or a 3-D graphic effect.

• Privacy Policy – It is important to include a short privacy policy statement at the end of the optin to show your visitors that you respect their privacy and will not share your contact information with anyone.  Your visitors should feel secure when signing up on your website.

The way you generate leads is to add an opt in box on your blog with an enticing offer that will turn your website visitors into long term customers.  The more people’s names and email addresses you have on your list, the more chances you have of increasing your online sales. Every name and email address is worth money.  The bigger your list, the more money you will have.  So be sure to take advantage of this important list building opportunity by incorporating an optin box into your website TODAY.

If you need assistance with an optin box design, be sure to Contact Us and we would be happy to help you.

]]> http://dpk-graphicdesign.com/using-an-optin-box-to-grow-your-business-list/feed 0 http://dpk-graphicdesign.com/facebook-fanpage-changes-what-you-need-to-know http://dpk-graphicdesign.com/facebook-fanpage-changes-what-you-need-to-know#comments Mon, 12 Mar 2012 15:44:12 +0000 DPKGraphics http://dpk-graphicdesign.com/?p=3224 I have never been one that has been good with change, but as we all know – it is a huge part of life.  Changes mean growth and an opportunity to become better both personally and in business.

When Facebook first changed the personal pages over to the Timeline layout, I had a hard time getting used to it.  But, I’ll tell ya, I never thought they would change the Fanpages over to the Timeline layout.  But low and behold, a client emails me and fills me in on the news.  So, starting March 30th, all Facebook Fanpages will automatically be switched over.

Cover Photos

Well, at first I thought… OK, the cover photo would make a cool place for a business to showcase their contact info and call to action for people to like their page or check out their custom tab.  I was thinking of so many creative ideas, until I came across this – https://www.facebook.com/help/?faq=276329115767498

SIGH

Yes, there are now RULES that Facebook wants you to follow.  Cover graphics are only aloud to be images / photos and they cannot contain any of the following:

• Price or purchase information, such as “40% off” or “Download it at our website”
• Contact information, such as web address, email, mailing address or other information intended for your Page’s About section
• References to user interface elements, such as Like or Share, or any other Facebook site features
• Calls to action, such as “Get it now” or “Tell your friends”

There are still ways to be creative, but the world of fanpage profile banners will officially be gone on March 30th.  As a designer, I loved creating them so I am super dissapointed about it.  It makes me sad to have to remove them from my portfolio.

Here is an example of a cover photo that Coca-Cola put on their page that is really creative.  So, though we are now very limited with what we can put on our pages – there are still opportunities to be creative.

Check out some more creative examples of Facebook Timeline Cover photos here:  http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/creative-facebook-timeline-covers/

Default Landing Pages

Pages can no longer display custom applications / landing pages as their default landing tab that non-fans first see when they visit a page.   It was a powerful marketing feature that let businesses urge people to like their page, subscribe to their list or promote special events or products, etc.

Without default landing tabs, non-fans have to actually click on one of the app tiles underneath the cover page photo.  Many will not do that and it will definitely cost marketers Likes as well as email signups, contest entries, and other key performance indicators.  Many businesses are not happy.

Page Tabs

Let me reiterate… you can still have custom pages and apps.  (Facebook is now referring to all apps as tabs).  There will no longer be an option to those pages as your default landing page.   All of your current custom tabs will still exist. You just need to think creatively about how to market them from here on out.

Here is an example of the way the tabs will display.

So if you have something to promote, you can create a custom page tab and then share the link on your timeline.  Here is an example of that:

As you can see there are no longer page links.  Instead there are boxes up at the top where your apps will be located.  Only 4 boxes will display at a time, but there is an arrow where you can scroll over to see other tabs.  Keep in mind that you can move the tabs around, but the “Photos” tab is automatically in the first spot and cannot be moved.

The one good thing is that you can customize the images that represent the tab or app.  Those images can be used as the “Call to Action”.

Private Messages

With the new Timeline option, people are now able to send private messages to your page.  This opens up a new avenue of customer service for you and your business.  It also keeps things more private so that people are not leaving concerns or even complaints on your public page for all to see.  Please note that you can also turn off this option.

Pin Important Content

Pages now have the option to “pin” posts to the top of their timeline for up to 7 days, highlighting the more important content that has been posted so that it has the opportunity for more exposure.  This can be helpful for showcasing  things like upcoming events, announcements, new projects, blog posts, etc.

A “pinned” post will have small ribbon in the right hand corner to signify it as such.

Facebook Changes – Good or Bad?

I read one article where the writer had mentioned a good point, that Facebook is just a tool, it should not be the main focus of your business.  Though this change is upsetting for many of us, it forces you to focus on the real substance of your business and to explore other avenues of promotion and marketing.

I also read in another article that default landing tabs only drive 10% of the total Page app traffic. 90% comes from published links and ads, which still function the same without the default landing tab capability.

So, even though this is definitely a big change, we will get through it.  I am happy to answer any questions that you might have and if you are looking for ways to “creatify” your cover photo, I am here to help.  Let’s make the best of this . 

Wikipedia defines a headshot as: “a photographic technique where the focus of the photograph is a person’s face”.

Typically business headshots focus on the head and shoulders because people normally want to see your face as opposed to your body.  The more of your body showing in the photo means your face gets smaller in the frame. When looking at avatars or profile photos on websites such as Twitter or Facebook, a full-body view will make the face look tiny and oftentimes unrecognizable.  So in that case it is best to use a headshot or close up of just your face and shoulders.

A head and shoulders photo is a necessity in today’s business world.  The right photo for the right social network, website or business article can create an invisible connection to your audience. It’s also important to remember others may use your photo on their site when they talk about you or post something you’ve said or an article you’ve written.

Remember, the important thing about a headshot is showing what you really look like.

Why Include a Headshot?

•  Adds Personal Connection – There are times when people won’t do business with you online unless they can see what you look like. They feel more comfortable when they see that you’re a real person. When people can see your face, they can get a feel for what type of person you are and if you can be trusted.

• Shows your Personality – When you include a headshot on your website a potential client may judge your personality based on the photo.  Does your photo reflect the type of personality that someone will want to work with and trust?

• Builds Business Relationships - Building business relationships is important because it can help you grow your business when others trust you and feel comfortable referring you to their friends and family. When you show an image of yourself, they can see if you’re someone they want to build a relationship with.

What Makes a Great Headshot?

• Lighting – Lighting can create different moods which is helpful when you’re trying to create a mood for your image. Lighting can also help people to see your face better. If you choose lighting that’s too light or too dark they won’t be able to see your face. If you choose the wrong lighting it can make the photo look unprofessional and steer people away.
  

• Background – What’s behind you can make a statement. If you use a photo with your messy desk in the background that can cause potential clients to use someone else for fear you that you won’t be organized in your business and may miss deadlines.  A subtle one color background is best, especially if the background will need to be removed in order to overlay it onto a website header design.  A solid neutral gray is a good clean contemporary look.
  

• Clothing – Wear clothes that fit properly.  Solid colors are your best bet – maybe a color that is complimentary to your eyes.  Avoid prints which can be distracting.  You don’t want your clothing to grab more attention then your face or clash with your website or social media profiles.  Keep jewelery, accessories and hairstyles clean and simple.  Dress professionally.

• Posture – It is important to look confident and relaxed. Your attitude will be reflected in the final image.  If you are rushed, upset, forced, tired, bored – it will show.  Pay attention to your body language.

• Grooming – Your hair can make or break the picture which is why it’s a good idea to get a hair cut and clean yourself up first. It’s also a good idea to wait a week or so after the hair cut just to make sure you can do the style and feel comfortable doing it on the day of your pictures.
  

• Eye Contact – Your headshot is your first opportunity to make eye contact and express your personality to potential clients who may never have the chance to meet you in person.  Think about what you are saying through your eyes.

• Just be YOU – No over editing.  Surprising clients when they meet the “real” you can deliver a painful punch to your credibility if your headshot does not LOOK like the “real you”. Too much editing could be noticed as you are trying too hard.

• Hire a Professional Photographer – When you’re in business it’s important to have a picture that looks professional because, put simply, that’s what you are – a professional. When it’s obvious you’ve had a non-experienced photographer or have done the photo yourself it will make others wonder if you’re non-experienced as well.

• Keep Updated – Over time your look and style may change, so it’s important you don’t use the same headshot that you used 10 years ago.  If you’ve cut off all your hair or lost or gained more than a couple of pounds, new headshots are a must.

Good or Bad Headshot?

I recently had a client who I worked with on his website design.  He originally gave me a photo to work with and include in his header.  The photo was not a professionally taken photo but more importantly, my client looked very serious in the photo.  That might be fine for some areas of work, but in his case and the clients he was trying to attract it would be much better to have a more welcoming photo.  I was hesitant to let him know that at first, but after doing the design and receiving some feedback from my colleauges, I decided it would be important to let him know.

Thank God he received it without getting offended and he sent me another photo to use.  He even gave me permission to include the before and afters on my site.

As you can see, there is a BIG difference in the image quality as well as his facial expression.  You can see more of his “real” personality showing through instead of him in the old photo looking like he may have been in a bad mood even if he really wasn’t.

Examples of Website Headers including Headshots:

Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words.  You will convert more website visitors into paying clients if you have a welcoming and smiling photo of yourself at the top of every page.  It not only helps build the “trust” factor, but adds a personal connection in order to build lasting business relationships.

• Cache
• SEO
• Social Bookmarking
• Login Protection
• Comment System
• Backup
• Maintenance
• URL Management
• Anti-spam
• Security
• Contact

There are many different plugins out there that would fall under each category.  Each wordpress developer / designer has their go-to plugins that they prefer.  The graphic below shows some options as well.

Must have plugins for WordPress by WordPress Jedi

Difference Between CPanel and Google Analytics Stats

Cpanel Stats – Your cpanel stats will give you unique visitors, total visitors, page views, link hits, and the total bandwidth for your site. You don’t have the ability to see visitors for each page so you have no idea if they’re visiting the pages that are more important than pages like contact us, about us, and thank you pages. While those are important pages, they’re not as important as other pages that show what you do, what they can purchase, and why they need to use your business.

Google Analytics Stats – The best way to find the stats for every page of your site is to use Google Analytics. Google Analytics will give you the total number of visitors for each page, the unique visitors (brand new visitors), page views, the time your visitors are on your page, and a many other things.

Who can use Google Analytics?

It’s important to know that Google Analytics is not just for big corporations or top websites with major traffic. It’s designed for all business owners (big or small). It doesn’t matter if you’ve been in business for a few months or a few years, it doesn’t matter if your site has been up for a few days or a few months, you will benefit by using Google Analytics.

Benefits of Google Analytics

• Track Online Campaigns – The Google Analytics system is designed to track online campaigns such as keyword and email campaigns. You can use these website statistics to further optimise your campaigns and know what makes a good campaign and whether or not there is room for improvement.

• Find out Where Your Visitors Are Coming From – It is not always easy to figure out HOW your visitors are ending up on your site.  But with Google Analytics, you can see the specific pages your visitors are landing on. And my favorite is the fact that you can track which keywords or keyword phrases people are typing in in order to find your site.

• Track Which Campaigns are Successful – Google Analytics provides information about each campaign that you run. This allows you to figure out which campaign is working and which ones aren’t. Better yet, it gives you the information you need to segment your results by referral source, new or returning visitors, etc.

• Allows You To Create Better Content – With the data you get with the Google Analytics reports, you can see which pages on your website are working and which need tweaking.  It might just be a matter of adding in some additional keywords or you may find that you need to rework the content all together.  But at least you can better understand what works and what doesn’t.

• It’s Free! – There are many comparable website tracking tools out there that you actually have to PAY for.  Some hosting companies will even suck you in to pay a monthly fee to track your stats from their website, but it is not necessary. Google Analytics provides just as much or even more info and it is completely free.

How to Set up a Google Analytics Account

Here is a helpful video that will walk you through how to set up your Google Analytics accounts and how to use the Google Analytics interface.

When you have the power that Google Analytics can give you, you’ll have the advantage over your competition.  You have control over the information your website visitors access from your site, and the ability to change the content as needed according to your stats.  When you choose to grow your business and use your website to make it happen, Google Analytics is a must have. This is a valuable tool that all business owners can benefit from regardless of the size of your business, the time you’ve been in business, and what type of business you run.

 Take a Tour of Google Analytics, Click Here

This info graphic was originally posted on www.formstack.com

Cool right?

Here is a quick breakdown on the elements that should be considered when designing a website landing page:

• Page Headlines & Copy – Should be consistent and complimentary
• Clear & Concise Headlines – Should hold the reader’s attention and compell them to read more
• Impeccable Grammar – Make sure there are no spelling or grammatical errors
• Taking Advantage of  Trust Indicators – Build trust by including testimonials, security certification, etc
• Use a Strong Call to Action – Clear message so that reader knows what to do next
• Buttons and Call to Action should stand out and placed below the call to action
• Go easy on the Links – limit distractions by keeping it simple
• Use Images and Video that relate to Copy
• Keep it Above the Fold – The most important parts of the page should be easily seen before the visitor has to scroll down
• Always Test – update & change images, video, and content to see what works better and what gets you more conversions

Definitely great tips!