make your webpage engage – InovediaMarketing.com

Every website can benefit from a “How to” demonstration whether its created with video, photographs, an article, a power point presentation or an animation, simple or elaborate. Even the most basic demonstration can make a big difference.

Where should you start? What “how to” should you do?

Ultimately these questions should be answered by your customers, so ask them! Start with a list of your services and related topics your customers may be interested in and be sure to included other random ideas – anything goes! The idea here is to educate, entertain or somehow engage visitors with useful content. You don’t need to go all out with an elaborate video, a couple of photos accompanied by short explanations can work extremely well just ask Ikea!

Here’s an example using a simple list and photo layout and they’ve even included a video at the bottom of the page. “How to Make Cous Cous”

Simple descriptions & photos work well! — Simple descriptions & photos work! click to visit site

If you want to create a video, for your first one, narrow it down to only topics you’re extremely knowledgeable of that can be performed in a quiet, well lit area. Here’s a link to a great example of a video shot very close up, in one take. “How to Tie a Tie”

*Please note, these videos and photos are well lit and shot very close to subject of the video. Instructions should be clear and to the point. Keep in mind that with web video your audience is watching a pretty small screen, they’ll want to see what you’re showing them!

I’m not suggesting you do anything that will cause you to lose business or give away your family secrets, but the chances are that even if you did give away your award winning recipe noone could replicate it anyway! That being said, try to showcase your expertise and give useful information.

As a final suggestion, look for opportunities to link to existing demonstrations. For example: to enhance InovediaMarketing.com as a small business resource we use “Delicious” to bookmark useful “New Marketing” articles. You can learn about using delicious from this very creative video:

Here are some other sites you can peruse for “how to” examples:

-Richard

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In the spirit of ending on an up-note, here are 3 “Don’ts” and 3 “Dos” that will immediately improve your homepage ten-fold, making it more effective in selling your services and bringing people back!

DON’T: Tell me all about your company on your homepage. This is the number 1 mistake I see on small business websites. No offense, but first impressions dictate your product must be showcased above all. Tell me “all about you” on a page called “about” so I can learn about your products and then choose to learn about you or at least move your “about me” paragraph to the very bottom or you homepage after your menu / list of services. (DO: Strategically placed “bits” of information that enhance your homepage but only if they add specific value to your product.)
DON’T: make visitors search for answers, try to give them what they’re looking for within 1 click. One way to gauge how easy it is to navigate your website is to walk someone who’s never seen it through it. If you have even the slightest bit of trouble taking them through typical scenarios your website may be too complex and you’re probably losing visitor’s interest fast!
DON’T: make your visitors work or wait! This is especially important when your visitors are on cell phones. Some of my pet peeves are: Long drawn out video introductions, pre-roll on video (please use post roll), large images that must load, clutter.
DO: Be sure “What you do” is clear and prominent! By simply glancing at your homepage I should know exactly what your business does, what differentiates you from others and how much it’s going to cost. Avoid blanket statements that mean nothing: “The Biggest Selection” …selection of what? If your slogan doesn’t reflect exactly what you do / have / provide / etc., it needs to take a back seat on your homepage to one that does. Play dumb if you have to and make it that obvious!
DO: Put your menu or list of services on your front page! The word “menu” or equivalent should be above the fold for quick identification and as a courtesy to mobile users who will have to wait even longer if they have to click to get there – key for restaurants, entertainment venues and other services!
DO: Post something weekly. New information gives a website energy and purpose. It shows you have something going on and you care enough to keep everyone in the loop. If you hit the right information you will start to get customers checking in with your website to see what’s going on. This could be a very good thing for your business! You don’t need to post some huge amount of information or make a novel out of it, it could even be one or two lines if it’s relevant. Consider something useful like specials, events, a new recipe, discounts for the week, shipments you’re expecting, schedule changes, when you won’t be available, when you will be available, etc.

If you found this, or any of our articles useful, Linkedin recommendations are greatly appreciated! To view my Linkedin profile visit: www.Linkedin.com/in/richardbouchez For help marketing your business or to learn more about me click here.

-Richard

You may also be interested in our article: 6 Random Rules for Owning a Website

Tag: make your webpage engage

Just “HOW TO” Examples You Can Do Too! (More Than Video)

Make Your Small Biz Homepage Engage!