Handy Tips: How to Maximize the Return on Your Website

By: Helen M. Overland, 2004

Having a website is a great marketing vehicle that can do much for your organization. But are you getting all the benefit you can out of your site? Effective online marketing doesn't end with a professional website. Here are some handy tips to maximize the profit from your site.

Customer Contacts

Answer all customer email in 24 hours or less. The faster the response, the more likely a sale
Advertise specials and company news on your site
Use pictures of your products or services on your site
Update the site every once in a while
Make sure your website is friendly to use for your target market

Marketing

Make sure your website has the same style as your other marketing material
List your site in directories dealing with your business
Exchange links with other websites in a related business
Place your web address on your printed marketing material
Make sure your employees are familiar with the website, and mention it to customers

Damage Prevention

Never, ever spam. It's okay to email your established customers, but don't buy "opt-in" lists. First contact with a potential customer should almost never be by email
Make sure your employees are trained and comfortable with their software
Make sure all the computers in your network stay virus free. If it doesn't have up-to-date virus protection, it shouldn't be plugged in
If you have a network, it's a good idea to have a decent firewall. If you are doing e-commerce (your website takes customer orders), make sure you have a good firewall
List as few email addresses on the site as possible. (this will streamline email management & reduce the amount of spam you'll receive)