Posts Tagged ‘ohio web design’

Research Shows Your Website Can Drive Offline Sales

Friday, August 7th, 2009

By David Lee Cummings, Top Dog Marketing Group

Website SuccessCincinnati & Columbus, OH – Web design implemented effectively is a crucial factor not only in your online success. A website that is strategically implemented can also boost your offline sales.

Online market research and analysis firm eMarketer published a report concluding that consumers are increasingly conducting online research to augment their offline purchases. The results show that all retail businesses, whether in Columbus, Cincinnati, or elsewhere in Ohio or the world, need to take advantage of this rising trend.

“Any retailer who isn’t using the online channel to promote offline sales—as well as online sales—is missing a sizable opportunity,” says eMarketer.

eMarketer estimated that, in 2007, a total of $471 billion in offline store sales were influenced by consumers conducting online product research first. The research firm also predicted that this online-to-offline dynamic will translate into $1.124 trillion in 2012.

Armed with this information, you now have a prime opportunity to influence more sales through your website. Your e-commerce website should, first of all, be a funnel that skillfully persuades Web visitors into making a purchase online. However, for those consumers intent on only conducting product research, your website should also provide them with the right balance of information to both answer their questions and convince them of your product’s and store’s advantages over those of your competitors—in other words, your unique selling proposition (USP).

If you struggle with creating compelling product descriptions, however, do not fret. You can still leverage the expertise of a skilled online marketing firm—such as Top Dog Marketing Group—to help you craft descriptions that accomplish the online and offline results you seek.


***

About the Author
David Lee Cummings is Director of Creative Services at Top Dog Marketing Group, a Cincinnati and Columbus, OH web design and Internet marketing firm. David is a designer and Internet marketing expert who has written and edited marketing copy for some of the biggest technology companies in the world. As well, he has propelled many clients to top search engine rankings through search engine optimization.

Republishing Rights: You may republish this article in your website, e-newsletter, or e-book on the condition that you agree to leave the article, author's byline and signature, and all links completely intact. For more information, see our Article Republishing Rights page.


Share/Bookmark
line

OMG! Who’s Doing Your Web Design?

Sunday, August 2nd, 2009

By David Lee Cummings, Top Dog Marketing Group

Columbus, Ohio – Web design is a specialized endeavor. Wait—let me rephrase that: quality web design is a specialized endeavor.

These days, just about anyone can throw together a website. But, consistent with the way things have always been, only a highly trained professional can create a website that does justice to a serious business.

I can’t tell you how many times lately I have heard a small business owner say they’ve had or are having their nephew, friend, spouse, or other self-taught acquaintance design a website for them. Every time I hear this, I mentally slap my forehead.

Over 80% of your potential customers will visit your website at least one time before they decide to do business with you. Moreover, studies have shown that the majority of customers will make their decision to do business with you within 10 seconds of viewing your website.

If you are truly serious about your business, leaving the design of your website to anyone other than a professional is one of the biggest mistakes you can make.

The most common result I have seen from a friend or family member designing a website is one that looks amateurish, functions poorly, and does not contain the features the site needs to be effective. Quality Web design is hard enough for a professional; impossible for a novice.

Cincinnati & Columbus Web Design Done Right

Your website is a digital representation of your business. It reflects your professionalism and capabilities. Therefore, don’t risk letting a sloppy website be your online ambassador.

Ask yourself, is it okay for my company to look amateur and inept? Or is it more advantageous for us to look like all-stars?

If you want your business located in Columbus, Cincinnati, or elsewhere to be appropriately represented online, you really should hire a professional for the job. But do consider that not all professionals provide the same level of results.

I have seen numerous businesses get gouged for Web design or search engine optimization services—and yet receive sloppy or underperforming results. This type of business practice really irks me, and I will write more on this topic soon.

For now, know that if you plan to design or redesign your business website, please be wary about putting the project in the hands of a friend or relative who says they can do the job. Chances are, they will waste a great deal of your time and enough of your money and leave you severely frustrated.

Additionally, you will offend your friend or relative when you soon turn the website over to a professional to redesign. Or, if you are too loyal or too uncomfortable to turn the site over, you will then have to suffer with a website that makes your business look awful.

Keep in mind the idiom “penny wise, pound foolish.” It applies most aptly when it comes to whom you hire to design your website.


***

About the Author
David Lee Cummings is Director of Creative Services at Top Dog Marketing Group, a Cincinnati and Columbus, OH web design and Internet marketing firm. David is a designer and Internet marketing expert who has written and edited marketing copy for some of the biggest technology companies in the world. As well, he has propelled many clients to top search engine rankings through search engine optimization.

Republishing Rights: You may republish this article in your website, e-newsletter, or e-book on the condition that you agree to leave the article, author's byline and signature, and all links completely intact. For more information, see our Article Republishing Rights page.


Share/Bookmark
line