[http://bit.ly/bLc2m7] Lead generation is a numbers game, even today in the social media age. The more people who qualify as your prospects, who also know, like and trust you, the more people will go to your website to see what you offer, and the more that will contact you. The basis of generating leads online is to do the following with those in your target market:
- Getting people to know you;
- Getting people to like you;
- Getting people to trust you;
- Getting people to contact you.
1. Your website must be Web 2.0 ready.
What is Web 2.0 anyway? Web 2.0 is a quick way of saying "integrated and social." A website that is geared for Web 2.0 is connected with the rest of the web both from a human standpoint, and that of machines. Not only is it optimal for communicating with Google for high search rankings, but it also offers numerous tools for human communication in the form of blog posts and other user-generated content. This not only gives the impression to your site visitors that you are hip-with-the-times, but also gives you more leads through SEO, and gives social proof to others that you are legitimate and trustworthy.
2. Your website must be built with the right code.
Generating leads is about getting exposure online. Exposure on the web is garnered by web content. In order to maximize the reach of your web content, which can also be considered "lead bait," it's vital that you have a content management system CMS that can distribute your work, organize it and provide a showcase for it. Your website's CMS must be built using SEO friendly RSS in the code so it can be automatically syndicated and shared throughout the web.
3. Your website must be visually appealing & easy-to-navigate.
We humans love things that are pretty and are impressed by sleek, classy design. If yu want your website to work for you while you're sleeping, it's crucial that your site be aesthetically pleasing. The good news is this: It no longer costs a fortune to get a website that looks amazing. You can get a theme or template that looks like it was created by top designers, that has all the extras and doodads for way less than just two years ago. Having a good-looking website is now affordable, and your prospect knows it.
4. Your website must be user-friendly and user-focused.
Your website needs to keep the user, or your target customer, in mind throughout the design and content. Everything must be offered in a quick-and-easy way to them or they will leave. Remember, people are going 70mph on the web. They don't have time to figure your site out. They don't have time to guess about mystery-meat links. They are in a hurry, and your site must anticipate this. At the same time, the site must be geared towards a person, not a group because only one person is reading your site at a time.
5. Your website must have relevant, unique & valuable content.
This is nothing new. Most of us know that your site needs great content for SEO and for people. Without great content, your site is just a business card, it won't capture leads. A site that focuses on the end-user by providing excellent content is a site that is "sticky" and will be bookmarked, talked about and returned-to so long as it meets the needs of your visitors. Furthermore, the content on your website is your good-faith generous gift to your prospects, which kicks in the "Law of Reciprocity" of human engagement. Good content on your website will work for you day-and-night, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Don't skimp on it.
6. Your website needs strong Calls-to-Action.
"If you don't ask, you don't get," is a quote I've heard my whole life in the sales profession. If you don't ASK for business, you'll never get it. Your website shouldn't sell the whole way through, but rather should offer free information, with calls to action throughout. Example: "To learn more about the Law of Attraction, click here to fill out our Contact Form." A call-to-action can request the visitor do anything, from filling out a form to downloading a whitepaper. Whatever you want the visitor to do, you must ask them--or tell them to do it--on the pages of your website.
7. Your website needs to be manned.
Don't think you can build a website today and forget about it tomorrow. No, no, no. Your site needs tender-loving care almost daily to generate all the leads possible. This means you need fresh, updated content, replies to user comments, new features ads and text regularly in order to maintain the "lived-in" appeal. Remember, if you don't love your website, neither will anyone else.
8. Your website should be integrated with social media.
A site that is integrated with social media is a website that has the following elements:
- Buttons that are linked to your profile on other social sites.
- RSS Feed capabilities for syndicating content through social networks.
- Ability to add widgets which show various social media activity.
- Includes plugins that post content directly to social sites such as Twitter.
- Branded with a clear social-orientation that is personable yet non-obtrusive.
9. Your website should give social proof of your trustworthiness.
Social proof is when someone is convinced that you are trustworthy based upon the reactions of others. Based on the "herding principal" in sales, social proof is a key component in human persuasion. People believe you are good because they see others believe you are good. if your website is to be trustworthy, it needs to show the following elements:
- User-generated content such as blog comments or ranking systems to show the opinions of others.
- Testimonials of others happy with your products and/or services.
- Icons of important organizations you are associated with.
- Consistent design, branding throughout the site.
- Updated design, fresh content, working links and modern tools.
- Prompt response to comments and lead inquiries.
10. Your website must be promoted.
One way or the other, your website must be promoted throughout the web. You have many options for promoting your website online, such as:
- Social Media - Facebook, Twitter & LinkedIn
- Search Engine Optimization - Keyword content, proper code & Inbound Links
- Pay-Per-Click - Google Adwords
- Paid Social Ads - Facebook
- Personal Promotion - Business Cards, Email, billboard, etc.
Don't worry, it's easier to integrate the above-Top 10 Lead Generating Essentials for Your Website than you might think. Technological advances over the past few years have brought amazing websites into the reach of every person and every budget. My company, The Marketing Shop.com specializes in building these lead-generating websites in WordPress, and my company, dotJenna.com handles social media training for ongoing buzz generation. Please take a moment to let me know your thoughts about website lead generation in the comment section below. Talk to ya soon! @dotJenna
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