Are You Accidentally Driving Away Potential Customers?

Jan 2
10:47

2024

Marc Goldman

Marc Goldman

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Imagine visiting a website so cluttered with programs and banner ads that you can't help but hit the back button on your browser. This is a common scenario for many online shoppers, and it's a problem that many websites unknowingly perpetuate. These sites participate in banner exchanges, displaying banners on their homepage, and inadvertently driving away potential customers before they've even begun to explore. The goal of any website should be to not only attract visitors but to keep them coming back. This is achieved by creating a 'traffic magnet' - a feature or aspect of your site that draws in and retains visitors.

The Power of Traffic Magnets

Traffic magnets can take many forms. For instance,Are You Accidentally Driving Away Potential Customers? Articles discussion boards can be incredibly effective. A friend of mine runs a discussion board that garners nearly a million page views a month! These forums are addictive, with users checking back daily to keep up with the conversation.

Another successful traffic magnet is an article library. Offering free articles and relevant tips that resonate with your audience can result in a significant amount of repeat traffic. The key is to provide something valuable that people will want to revisit and share with others.

The Art of Selling

Once you've established a traffic magnet, the next step is to sell. It's crucial not to become so focused on attracting visitors that you forget to sell to them. This doesn't necessarily have to be done directly through your website. One effective strategy is to encourage visitors to opt into your mailing list. By offering a newsletter or updates about site changes, you can capture their name and email address. This allows you to send product offers and special deals to your list. Since these individuals are already familiar with you and your site, they're likely to be more receptive to your sales efforts.

If you're using a discussion board as your traffic magnet, consider setting up a rotating banner script that displays ads for your products, rather than participating in banner exchanges.

Building Your Traffic Magnet

So, how can you create your own traffic magnet? Here are a couple of suggestions:

  • Start Your Own Discussion Board: You can find the necessary software at sites like CGI Resources. If you're not comfortable installing CGI scripts, consider hiring a professional. If you choose this route, it's also worth having them install rotating banner software. You can then design or commission banners for your products.

  • Create Your Own Article Library: The internet is a treasure trove of free, useful articles that could appeal to your target market. Collect these and post them on your site to create a valuable resource for your visitors.

Once your traffic magnet is in place, remember to sell to your audience. Set up an opt-in list and make the most of it.

Remember, internet users can be skeptical and quick to leave a site. By providing a traffic magnet, you can encourage them to return time and time again, rather than losing them forever.