2009 Website Marketing Tips

[kalgary1]

Benefits SELL. Features TELL.
Usually programmers, developers, designers build features first, then try to discover / guess the benefits to them. For example, Flash was HOT at one point, because its FEATURES made it "cool". But cool is trendy, and has no benefit to the end user.

These are only my opinions... I encourage disagreements!

1. Empty Categories - Remove them. Why? You are 'featuring' the fact that you can support them, but there is no benefit to those that find nothing inside. Instead add a link next to "Where to?" at the bottom that says: "My Category is not listed". This goes to contact page to Recommend Category in subject.

2. SEO Friendly URLs - Use them. Then create keyword'ed user accounts (not previously used). SEs will find them & rank them by keyword, driving organic traffic. Example: username is designer-in-toronto. Google ranks page by keyword as: designer, toronto.

3. Username Auctions - Create & Sell. These ranked names created in #2 are now worth money, because they are ranked. Auction them off to highly qualified existing users that can carry on the good name.

4. Blog & Video - Create both, at least 5 each. 5 each equals at least 10 backlinks. Create quality content. One idea is to go to Google Trends, look at the top searched keywords, then find the words that refer to your business and blog about it.

5. Meta Description/Keyword - Modify All from stock iLance template. They are located in Template SHELL, Template SHELL_leftnav, & Template Headerbit.html. Be original. Speaking of original...

6. Be Original - Do it now. Contrary to popular belief, you will get NO WHERE copying word for word someone elses business model. The user doesn't care about you, the user cares about themselves. Build for them. It is better to be FIRST, than to be BETTER. UNLESS BETTER IS GREAT. Tough pill...

7. Lead Feedback - Not "leave" feedback... On everypage, at the bottom, where it says: "Where to?" Add a link that says "Leave Feedback". I recommend setting target to "_blank" so the user won't leave completely, as they may still purchase. Only non-marketers would disagree.

8. Compete.com | quantcast.com - Create accounts. Use this information to find out about your competitors, if there are any. Compete gives you the top 5 keywords that drive traffic to anyone's site for free. Put those keywords into your keywords, IF relevant.


Comments are greatly appreciated! :D

On #1, I would love feedback on how to add another radio button so that it becomes the title in the subject of the email...

[Erin]

Great, Great, Great,

Thank you for posting! :D

[Peter]

1. Empty Categories

I also strongly believe this is a downfall for most markets. You don't go to any popular (or even well funded start up) and see empty categories for listings, items, videos or articles. It just doesn't happen.

Great write up ! :)


On #1, I would love feedback on how to add another radio button so that it becomes the title in the subject of the email...

I'm not sure I understand. Where do you want to put that "radio button" and exactly what will it do? Title of subject from what email ? From what I understand #1 refers to Empty Categories...

Thanks

[kalgary1]

on Contact Us page are these radio buttons:

Feedback
Registration
Other

If I select "feedback" then I receive email titled Feedback. Maybe it states feedback for any email type?

I wanted to add one that says: Add / Suggest Category.

Overall: A NICE TO HAVE, but I can work around this by adding a watermark in the input field to the right of "other" that says:
"e.g. Add or Suggest Category..."

While we have the dialogue going:

What would be GREAT to have is a popup (modal background) for the contact form. Similar to "Buy Now" pop-up that grays out the website. User fills in info, and can continue shopping, this way we don't loose the sale.

[Peter]

While we have the dialogue going:

What would be GREAT to have is a popup (modal background) for the contact form. Similar to "Buy Now" pop-up that grays out the website. User fills in info, and can continue shopping, this way we don't loose the sale.

That would be very possible if done in modal and then within an iframe so the modal doesn't go away to some other page after the form is submitted :)

We'll look into this some more. Keep this thread active by bumping it once a week :)

Regards,
Peter

[kalgary1]

Benefits SELL. Features TELL.
Usually programmers, developers, designers build features first, then try to discover / guess the benefits to them. For example, Flash was HOT at one point, because its FEATURES made it "cool". But cool is trendy, and has no benefit to the end user.

These are only my opinions... I encourage disagreements!

1. Empty Categories - Remove them. Why? You are 'featuring' the fact that you can support them, but there is no benefit to those that find nothing inside. Instead add a link next to "Where to?" at the bottom that says: "My Category is not listed". This goes to contact page to Recommend Category in subject.

2. SEO Friendly URLs - Use them. Then create keyword'ed user accounts (not previously used). SEs will find them & rank them by keyword, driving organic traffic. Example: username is designer-in-toronto. Google ranks page by keyword as: designer, toronto.

3. Username Auctions - Create & Sell. These ranked names created in #2 are now worth money, because they are ranked. Auction them off to highly qualified existing users that can carry on the good name.

4. Blog & Video - Create both, at least 5 each. 5 each equals at least 10 backlinks. Create quality content. One idea is to go to Google Trends, look at the top searched keywords, then find the words that refer to your business and blog about it.

5. Meta Description/Keyword - Modify All from stock iLance template. They are located in Template SHELL, Template SHELL_leftnav, & Template Headerbit.html. Be original. Speaking of original...

6. Be Original - Do it now. Contrary to popular belief, you will get NO WHERE copying word for word someone elses business model. The user doesn't care about you, the user cares about themselves. Build for them. It is better to be FIRST, than to be BETTER. UNLESS BETTER IS GREAT. Tough pill...

7. Lead Feedback - Not "leave" feedback... On everypage, at the bottom, where it says: "Where to?" Add a link that says "Leave Feedback". I recommend setting target to "_blank" so the user won't leave completely, as they may still purchase. Only non-marketers would disagree.

8. Compete.com | quantcast.com - Create accounts. Use this information to find out about your competitors, if there are any. Compete gives you the top 5 keywords that drive traffic to anyone's site for free. Put those keywords into your keywords, IF relevant.


Comments are greatly appreciated! :D

On #1, I would love feedback on how to add another radio button so that it becomes the title in the subject of the email...

Thought I'd continue this thread & create a series of thoughts dedicated to marketing, because iLance sites are just a "liability", unless YOU turn them into an "asset".

Want to make your service providers hunt you down like a predator? Try these ideas:
(Not all apply. I'm using product & service auctions. Take Heed):

1. Monetize both auction engines (Products & Services). If you sell services only, SERIOUSLY consider selling/auctioning products that your service providers use...

Marketing 101: You DO KNOW what your service providers want & use, don't you?

Example: If you provide a platform for service providers to solicit professional IT services, then auction computers, & software to them. If your service providers are home contractors, then sell drills, drill bits, wood, cement, & even saws or workboots.

How?

Go to CJ.com. Set up an affiliate account: FREE. Find a publisher selling products that your service providers use everyday. Ask to join that program. Make sure the publisher provides "product links" (these are data feeds that you can link to).

Go to goldencan.com (or similar type site, there are more...) Create an affiliate account. Link to your "merchants" store / datafeed.

Create as many stores as you see fit for your service providers. One for clothes, one for materials, etc.

Link that information (via js, php, etc into your site) Now, your service providers will use you to make money, and to save money.

2. Offer 1% - 5% Cashback. Since my product auction "engine" is used by my service providers I offer them an incentive to do business in one place.

How?

Monitor your cj account & goldencan account. If you did #1 you'll notice that you get paid like google adsense, plus commission.

Why?

If they click but don't buy, you get paid (via ad links), if they click & purchase (it appears they are purchasing from you), you get up to 20% commission from some merchants (these are not "mom & pop" merchants). So offering 1% is nothing. Consider it an investment in marketing, because your service providers are likely going to tell someone else. From AdminCP, credit their accts accordingly...

Business is all about partnerships. Become a partner with your service providers.

Motto: If you're too hands-on nothing gets done; If you're too hands-off nothing gets done...
;)

[kfrierson]

Thought I'd continue this thread & create a series of thoughts dedicated to marketing, because iLance sites are just a "liability", unless YOU turn them into an "asset".

Want to make your service providers hunt you down like a predator? Try these ideas:
(Not all apply. I'm using product & service auctions. Take Heed):

1. Monetize both auction engines (Products & Services). If you sell services only, SERIOUSLY consider selling/auctioning products that your service providers use...

Marketing 101: You DO KNOW what your service providers want & use, don't you?

Example: If you provide a platform for service providers to solicit professional IT services, then auction computers, & software to them. If your service providers are home contractors, then sell drills, drill bits, wood, cement, & even saws or workboots.

How?

Go to CJ.com. Set up an affiliate account: FREE. Find a publisher selling products that your service providers use everyday. Ask to join that program. Make sure the publisher provides "product links" (these are data feeds that you can link to).

Go to goldencan.com (or similar type site, there are more...) Create an affiliate account. Link to your "merchants" store / datafeed.

Create as many stores as you see fit for your service providers. One for clothes, one for materials, etc.

Link that information (via js, php, etc into your site) Now, your service providers will use you to make money, and to save money.

2. Offer 1% - 5% Cashback. Since my product auction "engine" is used by my service providers I offer them an incentive to do business in one place.

How?

Monitor your cj account & goldencan account. If you did #1 you'll notice that you get paid like google adsense, plus commission.

Why?

If they click but don't buy, you get paid (via ad links), if they click & purchase (it appears they are purchasing from you), you get up to 20% commission from some merchants (these are not "mom & pop" merchants). So offering 1% is nothing. Consider it an investment in marketing, because your service providers are likely going to tell someone else. From AdminCP, credit their accts accordingly...

Business is all about partnerships. Become a partner with your service providers.

Motto: If you're too hands-on nothing gets done; If you're too hands-off nothing gets done...
;)

I think this is great info! But for those of us who aren't so savy at affiliate marketing, could you implement this for iLance customers as a service?? You can PM me your reply. Thanks!!