Getting Customers to come to the site

hereiamlive · Mar 20th, 2008, 00:41

I do not know what the secret is, but my problem is getting quality visitors to my website. I do get some visitors to the site but really very little in the way of paying customers. I have a web design and hosting site. I am already am listed on Google and other search engines. I am active on forums and bb's. I have even submitted a couple articles to the article directory sites with links back to the site. My meta is very good.
I get about 2000 Unique visitors a month and some months go by and I don't even get any sales at all still.
Well, I guess I am just a little frustrated, took me all this time and energy to get it to this point and still not very much to show for it.
If any one has some tips to get more quality visitors without spending more cash please clue me in.
Thanks for your time in reading this and hopefully someone will have some good ideas for me.

Monie · Mar 20th, 2008, 01:20

I don't have a clue on this, but can I see your website

hereiamlive · Mar 20th, 2008, 03:46

Link to Site:
Hereiamlive.com
The Forum
The Blog
Thanks for the interest

hereiamlive · Apr 6th, 2008, 19:49

Well, I made some changes to the website. I changed the entire design to css as it is a better fit for Google and its bots. The site passes a markup validity test now so search engines will no have any problem with the sites code. I really think this will be a factor to getting higher on the search engines.
Take a look at the new site. It is not all flashy any more but it is simple and functional and hopfully simple and functional is what sells, because I know flashy does not.
Site URL: http://www.hereiamlive.com

Emzi · Apr 9th, 2008, 14:01

To be honest when someone is looking for a web design service they look at how the site is laid out rather than reading the content.

First impressions of your site, I thought it was about girls in bikini's. Potential customers probably wouldn't read the content to find out it's a web design company. Put a picture of businessman in a suit there and you might be on your way.

welshstew · Apr 9th, 2008, 14:12

as emzi says, you really do need to keep these two businesses seperate. they don't really overlap in anyway -

i did however enjoy the pics, thanks.

/* runs before emzi throws a frying pan at stew for being a s£xist pig */

Emzi · Apr 9th, 2008, 14:35

welshstew - did you really think I suggested putting a pic of a businessman in a suit on there for professional reasons?

welshstew · Apr 9th, 2008, 14:55

just for you emzi:
http://www.supermanhomepage.com/imag...t-rip-skin.jpg

Emzi · Apr 9th, 2008, 15:15

*Saves picture for future use. You know... just incase*

MikeHopley · Apr 9th, 2008, 15:50

As others have said, you need to be more purposeful in your design. Do not cross-promote your enterprises unless they are harmonious.

Hot babes are good for some websites, and it's great that you have a hot babe business.

But it's really, really unwise to spreadeagle them over your web design site.

Mmm...spreadeagle...
*ahem*

You need a more striking design: based on your own site, people will make superficial judgements about your web design skills.

You need to make it obvious that you are selling web design services -- obvious within seconds, even to an idiot (most people are idiots

).

You need to direct your visitors towards action. You want them to: check out your portfolio; contact you.

Make your portfolio page prominent, so they are drawn into checking out your previous work. Don't show too many websites -- only your best stuff, especially your most visually pleasing designs.

Make your contact page prominent, and encourage people to contact you without commitment.

Be more succinct in your writing. No-one is going to read those big blocks of text, because they don't care enough about your site. You need to explain why you're better, but you don't have many words to do this -- at least, not on the homepage.

hereiamlive · Apr 9th, 2008, 16:35

I did cross promote the two companies.
It was something that just happened one night at a local bar.
I was in need of a promotional girl to cover for a no show and she had no outfit to wear so I gave her a Hereiamlive Web Design shirt. And the sales came in the next couple of days.
Since using the promo girls to promote the web design sales have doubled.
I would agree that if someone from the search engines came to the site looking for web design they would not understand why there are pictures of hot girls there. But they are not coming to the site and if they are they are not buying and have not for some time.
Now the people that seen the girls are coming to the site seeing them again and buying the service.
I have got more sales from word of mouth in a few weeks from these girls than a whole year of plugging the site online in many different ways.
Not really sure what the answer is but at least now the site is not only paying for itself but it is making a little money.

hereiamlive · Apr 9th, 2008, 16:40

Thanks for the input.
I have many changes to make still.
The portfolio is a good idea. I should have that right up in the front easy to see.
I guess what I may have found so far is that you can get more quality customers from cross promoting the site and more people are going to buy from you after they talk to someone in person, which makes good sense really.

MikeHopley · Apr 9th, 2008, 17:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by hereiamlive

some months go by and I don't even get any sales at all

Quote:

Since using the promo girls to promote the web design sales have doubled.

Put these two statements together. "Sales have doubled" is statistically meaningless unless you had a respectable number of sales to start with!

Sure, the girls might provide you with some short-term exposure (emphasis on exposure

). But in the long term, I think they will lose you sales.

Put it this way: would you rather have 50% of a pie, or own 2% of a bakery?

Of course, it's your decision, and I could be completely wrong about it.

hereiamlive · Apr 9th, 2008, 18:56

I do understand what you are saying.
And last year I did have a few sales I think six to be exact. That is what I called having no sales.
Now I had two sales the day after the first promotion.
and after a few weeks, and only 3 more promotions another six sales.
It may be the wrong way to do it, but I believe something has been learned, and that is, promoting the site face to face is working.
I may invest a few hundred dollars in some local advertising.
I think my budget on this would be between $200.00 and $300.00.
Maybe a local ad in the news paper or something.
Those mailers not to sure.
See if that helps.
Any ideas or personal experience would be helpful.
Thanks again

shalom_m · Apr 13th, 2008, 17:34

I think there is a logics flaw here.

By all means use the "girls site" to promote your "design site". BUT keep your "design site" free of the "girls site". i.e. let the girls drive customers to the design business but do not mention the girls on your business site.

Your front page is cluttered with information not needed to "hook" your customer.
Keep in short and sweet - details should come later.

Golden Rule: Never mention money in your starting paragraph, unless it is below $9.99

In addition, you have some typos there too.

Offer customers a choice (set out in table form) on another page.

I could go on and on....

nuideas · Apr 17th, 2008, 16:43

Quick gestion fella - do you have any clients?

I dont mean to be rude - so dont take it that way - but you might find that people are coming to ur site and thinking what the fluff.

Are you trying to sell merch? flaunt ladies? or sell websites?

Split the site into three in need be - make the text short and punchie - pay a copyrighter if you cant do this yourself and make yourself market specific weather that means men in suites or pictures of city scapes.

What you have to think is what is going to make people choose your product over someone elses!

just my 10p worth (god i need a signature

)

Blue Ice Web Design · Apr 20th, 2008, 22:08

hi,

yes clarity of what your website sells is a huge issue, make sure the images are relevant to your site name etc.