Small Business Advice on 5 Ways to Turn Your Website Into a Client Magnet

As small business owners, when we think about our web sites, we're often thinking fancy and impressive. Then we invest hundreds, often thousands, to get our dream web site created. The web designer adds flash, moving images, a generous helping of oh-so-cool graphics, music and all the glitz and glamour. In the end, you're totally impressed with your fabulous new web site, and you just know your web site visitors are sure to be impressed as well.

Big mistake and here's why... (um... no offense to the flashy web designers out there). I would venture a guess that your business goal is not to impress others, but to attract prospects and clients to whom you can provide a valuable product or service. Last I checked, prospects don't turn into clients because of an impressive web site (just ask them.) They become your clients because you effectively conveyed how you can solve a specific problem or meet a specific need they had.

Now if you're flaunting a fancy brochure web site right now, I'm certainly not dissing you here. :-) But how do you turn your web site into a magnetic marketing tool that brings in loads of prospects, clients and, of course, sales? Here are 5 actions you can take immediately to turn your web site into a client magnet:

1) Speak to what’s on my mind right now: When you ideal visitor arrives at your web site, they should feel like you just read their mind. Their reaction should be something like "Yes, that's exactly what I was looking for!" Too often web sites are set up to talk about the business and all the services offered. But it does nothing to let the visitor know the key problems you solve or how you meet their greatest desires. Your web site becomes magnetic when it connects with exactly what your visitor is thinking when they arrive.

2) Give me a valuable FREE offer I can’t refuse: Anyone visiting your web site for the first time wants to know a little more about how you can help them. Upon arrival, they should be invited to take action in the direction of solving their key problem/need/desire. The best way to invite someone to take action is to offer them a taste of that solution at absolutely zero cost.

There are many ways to do this: a free checklist, a free assessment, a free report, a free audio, a free CD. Your web site becomes magnetic when you offer something of value at no cost so your prospects can get to know you and what you have to offer.

3) Ask for at least my first name and email: Your freebie would require the visitor to enter their name and email address so they can get the free offer. You will quickly learn that as a small business owner, your most critical and most valuable asset is your list. The name and email serves to build a list of people interested in your area of expertise and allows you to follow up. Your web site becomes magnetic when it continuously builds your list.

4) Connect me to a follow up plan: So your visitor was interested enough to submit their name and email to get your freebie. This means they’ve raised their hand indicating they are interested in what you do. Now what? Rarely do people instantly become customers after having just one interaction with you. So you’d need to keep in touch by continuing to share valuable information. Your web site becomes magnetic when interested visitors are fed into an effective follow-up system.

5) Use a tool for follow-up: Trying to follow-up manually with a growing list would only frustrate and overwhelm you. You would need some type of list management system. Check out http://www.greatsmallbusinessCART.com (the system I use) or
http://www.ConstantContact.com (another great system I've used in the past). These systems allow you to quickly and efficiently manage and communicate with your list. They both include tracking features to measure different aspects of your follow-up. Your web site becomes magnetic when it is connected to a system that manages your list, and allows you to easily build an ongoing relationship that creates sales.

If you enjoyed this article, you'll love Allison's Ultimate Clients & Cash System which reveals a 4-step formula for creating a IFO (irresistible free offer) as an ultra-magnetic prospect-attracting marketing tool.

Copyright © 2009 Allison Babb International LLC


Allison Babb is an author, speaker and Small Business Coach to solo entrepreneurs. Allison publishes the "Small Business Success" weekly Ezine on how to create a steady stream of clients for your small business at: www.GreatSmallBusinessAdvice.com