More than ever, online sales represent a major proportion of purchases all over the world. Successfully selling online is an entirely different game than selling in brick and mortar stores, and one that has been immeasurably influenced by internet marketing. Any site wishing to sell to online customers must utilize an effective combination of quality web design and search engine optimization, also known as SEO, in order to be found and chosen by users.
Getting Them There
SEO is the number one way to draw users to a site in the first place, which is arguably the most important step in online sales. Basically, SEO increases a website’s organic ranking in search engine result pages by improving the site’s quality and content visibility. Since an incredible 93% of online experiences begin with search engines and 70% of the links chosen on search engines are organic, SEO is certainly a worthwhile pursuit.
By optimizing onsite and giving time to offsite link building, companies can generate more leads through SEO. This can be done through bootstrapping, which is basically DIY SEO, or by hiring a professional optimizer either through an SEO reseller or directly. Either way, SEO leads have a 14.6% close rate which, when compared to the 1.7% close rate put up by outbound leads, certainly recommends optimization.
Sealing the Deal
Today’s consumers are more informed than ever, thanks to increased online connectivity, meaning that sales have changed in a major way. The tactics used by online retailers are markedly different from those used by sales associates in brick and mortar stores. Mainly relying on web design, online retailers succeed by creating simple, streamlined buying processes. Web design for an online retailer should be easily navigable, non threatening, professional, and clear.
In practical terms, this means that a site should not be overly complicated, making it easy for customers to find the information and products they are looking for. Everything should be labeled and accessible from anywhere on the site. All copy should be written not only in a way that reflects brand personality, but with proper conventions and clarity. Within those constraints, it is still possible to create web design that clearly communicates brand and style.
Online retailers are quickly taking over the market, increasing competition among themselves. Any site that wishes to be competitive must give attention to drawing customers through Seo and to quality web design. Talk to an online marketing agency today if you’re ready to take the next step toward better online sales.
That’s a pretty legitimate dichotomy. Breaking it down like that makes it much easier to scan your business model for holes.
That’s a pretty legitimate dichotomy. Breaking it down like that makes it much easier to scan your business model for holes.