Is Your Web Site So-So or Superb?
Crystal clear pictures, sound structures, and promising keyword optimization tactics - that’s what I am finding on the numerous gift basket Web sites I’ve reviewed this month.
Designers who want to ensure that their online shops are positioned to capture sales have asked me to check their sites from a visitor’s viewpoint as well as check what’s under the hood, and I see wonderful detail in both areas.
What problems do your Web site present?
These are just three questions out of many to ask yourself as you build and update your Web site.
There’s more about Web sites in the March 4th GiftBasketBusiness.com newsletter. Review it to determine if your site is on track.
How do you measure your site’s success?
Are Customer Comments on Your Gift Basket Site?
Think of me as a potential customer who’s considering buying from you.
Looking at your Web site, I read your wonderful personalized welcome message, and I also see a beautiful sample of gift baskets arranged on multiple pages separated by theme.
What I’m viewing is convincing me to click the order button for your Holiday Treats Tower design, but something’s missing.
I wonder what other people who’ve purchased this design think of it.
These are a sample of questions that may be going through prospects‘ minds when visiting your Web site, and many of these questions can be answered by clients who write you notes and Emails thanking you for a job well done.
If these comments are tucked away in a drawer or file cabinet, take them out, ask each client who wrote it for permission to post it, and begin adding them on Web site pages.
There’s no doubt that client comments act as magnets, attracting more business from people who are deciding whether or not to buy.
Here’s the comments page at GiftBasketBusiness.com. Each one is unsolicited and posted exactly as written. I know, from my statistics, that this page is visited frequently by prospects who want to know what other people think about the site.
In your case, comments will make your phone ring more often with sales from unexpected places.
Where are your customer comments? Start adding them on your Web site, and get ready for a revenue boost.
Some States Help You Market Gift Baskets
The Pride of NY program in New York State recently began soliciting farm owners who happen to make gift baskets so that a complete list of makers can be featured on a Web site promoting holiday baskets.
You can read the brief article here.
The program states that it’s looking for farmers, but they may also add your name to the list if you’re in New York.
For example, you make Welcome to New York, I Love New York, or Big Apple baskets made with products produced in the state. It makes sense for you to call or Email the contact person to learn if you qualify for a listing because these baskets feature New York products.
My point, for all of you no matter where you’re located, is to look beyond the limitations created by a few words (…looking to identify farmers, processors,…) and get yourself listed in as many places online and offline as possible.
You’ll reach prospects who are seemingly out of reach, turning them into loyal customers who refer their friends and family members.
I remember when Elaine Essary, owner of The Basket Bar, contacted me to see if she qualified for mention in The Gift Basket Design Book. I had certain stipulations for inclusion, and even though Elaine thought she may not qualify, she still contacted me.
Her story was so compelling that I decided to feature her. That’s what can happen when you’re passionate about succeeding no matter what barriers seem to be ahead.
Every U.S. state has a department of agriculture (even New Jersey, a state that tried to eliminate theirs). Visit your state’s department online to see if they will link to your site this holiday, especially if you create a gift basket with state-made products.
Is this an opportunity to sell more this season? Check for yourself.
Can Visitors Navigate Your Gift Basket Site?
Creating new and interesting gift baskets and adding them to your Web site for visitors to see and order is what keeps people returning each month.
But after a while, the site begins to expand, and your navigation becomes more complicated.
Making a site map may be the answer.
The navigation system on your home page contains the site’s main structure, but it doesn’t always lead clients to designs needed for corporate events, conferences, and everyday celebrations.
A site map is a handy tool if visitors neglect to bookmark a page, and it helps validate that you did everything possible to alert customers to return policies and other service issues.
Months before the holidays arrive is a great time to make Web site adjustments. Perhaps a site map will be a welcomed upgrade.
Not sure how to create your site map? Click here to see the GiftBasketBusiness.com site map, or type “site map” into a search engine for more ideas.
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