The Purpose of a Website

Most people think that a website is kind of an online business card.  And, yes, while it is nice to have an informative website presence (more about that later...), the most important function of your website is ONE thing.

The key function of your website is to collect email addresses so that you can begin to create a web-based relationship with potential clients.

Of course, potential clients rarely just cough up their email addresses.  As in any relationship, there is a give and take.  You have to give your potential clients something of value in exchange for their email address.

This can be a free report, a video, an audio, a mini-session...it's up to you to get creative with this part of the equation.  Whatever you give your client, it needs to be something appealing and truly helpful to your client.

After all, you are starting a relationship with someone new.  You wouldn't go out with someone if they didn't have the promise of delivering something of value to you, would you?  And you, in turn, would do your best to create a nice first impression.

In the web-based world, first impressions are very important.  People are bombarded with so much data.  The average person spends less than 10 seconds on a website before they decide to stay and read more.  

You have 10 seconds or less to convince someone to get some more information about you!

That means that all those pretty graphics that take 10 seconds (or more) to download, beautiful as they can be, may actually be costing you potential clients...

To start building your business today, create a free product to offer your potential clients.  If you have a high volume of traffic to your site, make sure your free product doesn't cost you a lot of time to deliver (like free 30-minute sessions!) and are easy to access, download and attractive to your potential clients.  

Also, make sure the free product is somehow related to your business or service.

Next post:  autoresponders and how to use 'em!

Love,

Karen