2626Here is our compiled checklist from the book titled “Advertise, Promote and Market Your Business or Website” by Bruce C. Brown:
Ten Steps To A Profitable ECommerce Site
- List your goals and ideas
- Review your products and services
- Compare against competition
- Determine your target market
- Set a budget for your website
- Determine your unique selling proposition
- Create a marketing plan
- Develop a site structure
- Get all your services together
- Launch your site
Mistakes To Avoid
- Home page is unfocused or does not communicate quickly
- Pop-ups, splash pages, and flash advertising
- Poor navigation
- A website equals a marketing plan or promotions strategy
- Failure to attain online relevance and not update content
- Too many text effects
- Too many graphics
- Use Microsoft themes or other off-the-shelf templates
- Using a frames based site
- Ignoring search engines
Marketing
- Search engines
- Pay-per-click
- Keywords and meta tags
- Affiliate Programs
- Banner Ads
Repeat Customers / Customer Retention Online
- Coupons for Repeat Customers
- Contests for Existing Customers
- Newsletters
- Chat Room for Existing Customers
- Discussion Groups, Forums, or Message Boards
Top Three Reasons for Going Online
- Want or need information
- Want to make a purchase or donation
- Want to be entertained
Non-Traditional Types of Web Advertising
- Advertorials
- Advertainments
- Customer Loyalty (Ladder of Loyalty)
Five Ways to Improve Online Marketing
- Site Design
- Honesty
- Customer Incentive
- Domain Name
- Testimonials
Increasing Website Traffic
- What’s New Page or New Products Page
- Promotions program – free or trial products, coupons
- Contests
- Content-relevant professional articles, news events, press releases
- Viral marketing
- Signatures in Emails
- Affiliate marketing
- Include URL on all printed/electronic collateral
- Free search feature
- Win some awards
Benefits of Database Marketing
- Reach new customers and encourage them to try your products and services
- Reach existing customers and send them timely information
- Increased profits through personalization
- Increased satisfaction with existing customers that reinforces your relationship
- Increased potential referrals through satisfied customers
- Reduced marketing expenses through automation
Types of data in Database Marketing
- Contact information
- Lead information
- Sales information
- Service after the sale information
- Forecast information
Building A Marketing Database Plan
- Analyze your database
- Define assumptions about your market and demographics
- Plan your offers based on above analysis
- Continue to build your database
