Today's Feature Article

Boosting Conversion Is Like Fixing a Leaky Funnel
Marty Foley

Improving web site conversion can be likened to fixing a leaky funnel.

Ideally, 100% of visitors who enter the wide end of the funnel (visit your web site), would exit the small end by being "converted" into taking an action that benefits you.

But sadly, at every step in the sales process more traffic escapes, as though through leaks in the funnel walls. Fewer visitors are retained from each step to the next, so the funnel narrows.

The end result: Too much of your traffic never converts. According to research by Shop.org, the average web site's conversion rate is a miserably low 1.8%.

Imagine: Out of every 100 visitors to the average site, 98 or so take no action. The small end of the funnel gets very narrow, indeed!

Fortunately, this doesn't have to be true of your site. There are many easily implemented changes that can bring amazing boosts to web site conversion rates!

It's Smart of You to Focus on Conversion

I want to commend you for wisely seeing the value of improving website conversion rates. That's very smart of you.

You see, web marketers often don't appreciate the value of increasing conversion rates. At least not enough to take it seriously. When they do, most exploit just a fraction of its profit boosting potential.

Response and profits suffer accordingly.

The majority focus only on getting more traffic into the wide end of the funnel. Short term, that might seem the best way to boost web site response.

But not you...

Instead of continuing to let too many visitors escape without taking actions you want, you see the value of plugging as many conversion leaks as possible.

Focusing on traffic generation is important, but often a vicious, endless cycle, with temporary benefits. Conversion rate improvements put in place once can benefit you permanently, for the life of your site.

The happy result of plugging as many possible "conversion leaks" in your site's sales funnel is that more visitors will take the actions that put money in your pocket!

Convert More Traffic Now...

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Stay tuned to this e-course for more proven conversion rate boosting tips. Or even better, join the Convert More Traffic members site now to turn more web site visitors into customers, leads, and cash profit: http://www.thecassiopeia.com/cmt/

Today's Motivational Reading

10 Netiquette New Year's Resolutions
Judith Kallos

Happy New Year! New attitude? New habits? How about 10 Little New Year's Netiquette Resolutions?

Yep! Almost every New Year's resolution is based in improved attitude and habit changes. From loosing weight to getting out of debt to trying to live a happier life, almost each of us does have some sort of conversation with ourselves in regard to the New Year and changes we have the control to make. If we follow through on 50% of them, we're ahead of the pack!

So, here is your Netiquette version of New Year's Resolutions. Everyone can improve on their skills, if they are willing. I am constantly working on my grammar and writing style to ensure my points are clear and that my emails are received and understood in manner in which they are intended. Remember, perception is the only reality online! And, whether you agree or disagree with this topic, perceptions are made all the time which are within your control - positive and negative alike.

For the most part, the following "resolutions" are covered throughout my Web site, OnlineNetiquette.com's Netiquette 101 Courtesies. However, for whatever reason, these issues in particular are those that I notice are not practiced on a daily basis.

Make a committment to improve on the issues below. It won't hurt; rather it will only add to the positive impression you will make on those you communicate with. The perception of the person you are, and whether you are a fish out of water online or not, will certainly be apparent by efforts made in these areas:

1. I will not forward a single email unless it specifically applies to the person I am sending to. I will include a personal note to that person so they know why I am forwarding the email their way. If I must send or forward the same email to a group of contacts, I will be sure to put their email addresses in the BCC: field to protect their privacy.

2. I will take the time to make sure that my sentences are complete, capitalized and include the proper punctuation. This goes a long way to making communications with me easier and has the added benefit of helping to avoid misunderstandings.

3. I will not send a large attachment of any kind (over 100K bytes), even one I think is a very special photo of [insert here: my grandbaby, my child, my pet, my car, my vacation...] until I ask when would be the best time to send it to the intended party first. This way, I do not fill their email box without notice causing all their other email to bounce. If I do not know how to determine an attachment's size, I'll learn how before I send it by email!

4. Every email I send will be courteous and include a proper greeting and closing which includes my name. My extra effort in this area, when many feel these details are not necessary, will have me viewed as someone who "get's it" and is a pleasure to communicate with.

5. I will understand that not everyone will have the same opinions as I do and that is A.O.K.! Constructive conversation and exchange of ideas is one of the great things about being online and not everyone will agree with my POV. Boy, wouldn't that be boring!?

6. There is no place online for profanities, accusations or rudeness. If I run into problems with another onliner in a chat room, message board or by email who does not communicate with clarity and courtesy, I will simply cease communications with them. If I need to respond, I will take the high road and not stoop down to that level. I will report ongoing abusive emails or threatening behavior to my ISP for proper handling.

7. I will be very respectful about how I use my employer's technology resources understanding they are paying the bill and I am on their time. I will make a point of reviewing my employer's policies to avoid any problems.

8. I will avoid formatting my email communications with colored text, bolding, italics (unless I am a professional coder) because I know it may not look the same as I intended when received on the other side. I understand that many prefer plain text in their communications and that if I communicate with clarity formatting really is not necessary.

9. If I do use the "leave mail on server" feature of my email program, I will be diligent about unchecking it and clearing my email account's inbox to ensure my email box does not become full and bounce/return emails to those making an effort to communicate with me.

10. I will make a point of understanding each online service or Web site I choose to use by reading their Frequently Asked Questions or Help area before blasting the site owner. I understand that if I do not review these areas, I could misunderstand or do something incorrectly and need to eliminate my actions or lack thereof as a possible cause of a perceived problem before pointing fingers at others. If in fact something does appear amiss, I will email with courtesy asking for their assistance in resolving my difficulties rather than making blunt demands or accusations.

There you have it! Your 10 Little Courtesies to work on for the year ahead so that folks don't cringe when they see your name in their inbox. Just imagine if everyone online made these efforts? Joy, joy! ;-)

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Judith Kallos is a seasoned Technology Muse and Internet Business Coach. She is well known for her very popular Netiquette site,http://OnlineNetiquette.com and quarterly informative newsletter Netiquette Matters. Click here to find out more: http://www.TheIstudio.com/

Today's Subscriber Article

15 Commandments Of Creating A Wealth Pulling Niche
Roy Primm

Niches are like bathrooms; you never notice them until you need one.” - Primm (From NicheBrain.com)

Fact: The person who finds or creates a special niche gets the cream of our societies financial rewards. Whether you’re Bill Gates or Joe Average.

The niche, and the person who creates them, is the main factor that separates one product from 12 others.

To out-niche your competitors you must focus on these “15 commandments” of niche creation at all times. Observe the ones you can apply to your business, product, or service - and watch your profits soar.

15 Principles of Creating A Niche
(In alphabetical order)

1. The Principle of "Adaptation" - The easiest way to create a new idea is to do what others in another business or industry are doing. Next, see if you can adapt it to your own business, product, or service.

2. The Principle of "Addition" - Can you add something extra to your product or service that your competition doesn’t have or isn’t doing?

3. The Principle of "Combination" - “What positive elements can you combine from another product or service to make yours better?” A candy bar did it with simple peanut butter and chocolate, and made a successful new product. So can you!

4. The Principle of "Customization" - Can you find little ways to personalize a part of your product or service for your customers? People love the personal touch - that means so much. Can you make your product or service more personal and less cookie-cutter?

5. The Principle of "Easier" - Can you find more ways to make your product or service easier to buy, use, own, recommend to others, or attract repeat customers?

6. The Principle of "Elimination" - What negative or inconvenience can you eliminate for your customer with your product or service? Today people not only pay extra for more, they’ll pay extra for less. Less irritations, less waiting, less inconveniences, less risk, less pain, etc.

7. The Principle of "Enlargement" - Do people like your service or product? Then it’s a sure-fire bet there is a segment of your market that would like even more of it. Can you super-size something?

8. The Principle of "Entertainment" - From cradle to grave, we all have this inner urge to be entertained, amused, or fascinated - especially before we spend our money. A relaxed customer spends more. Find little ways to amuse your customers before, while, and after they buy your product or service.

9. The Principle of "Longevity" - It’s making some feature of your product or service last longer. It can also include making a positive experience or feeling last longer.

10. The Principle of "Portability" - People hate to be tied down. can people use your product or service in more than one place? Or Can you find a way to take your product or service to your customer instead of them having to come to you?

11. The Principle of "Reduction" - If you sell a product or service, is there any way to reduce a certain feature to make it more convenient? More portable? Easier to store or carry? Or easier to use? Can you reduce it and make it more affordable?

12. The Principle of "Reversal" - Look at what features or services your competition is offering or not offering and reverse them. If they close on weekends, can you be open? If they cater to seniors, target more young people. Or if they cater to high-end customers, target more low-end volume customers, etc.

13. The Principle of "Safety" - Show others how your product or service can add safety or reduce risk. People hate to experience loss, feel insecure, or waste money. Try to think of little ways you can help people avoid the above with your product or service.

14. The Principle of "Speed" - Today more than ever people hate to wait. You should always be thinking, “What could I do faster than my competitors-without-losing quality?” Can you fill your orders faster? Can you give faster service? Can your product get faster results? Can you resolve customer issues faster? Can you ship your orders faster? Think speed!

15. The Principle of "Yucky" - A billionaire once said the secret to success is to be willing to do what most people don’t like to do. So find out what people don’t like to do, find irritating or disgusting, and charge them to do it. If you have a business, find out what your competition doesn’t like to do for their customers and you start doing it. You could literally steal customers from your competition overnight. Try it.

By following the above suggestions, you’ll be able to create powerful money-making niches. And leave your competition in the dust.

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Roy Primm (The Niche Man) has written hundreds of articles on how to create a money-making niche. To get his latest report "14 Ways To Create A Niche-And Grow Rich" go to http://www.NicheBrain.com

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