Perhaps something to offer

[Tink]

I love this site and all the help I've gotten here. Being a newbie, I often feel as if I'm taking a lot more than I'm giving and have wanted to even the score a bit if I can. I've been considering this, and feel that my main strength right now is my background is sales and marketing. So take it for what it's worth... but here's my effort to be of some help to those who might not be getting the activity on their web sites that they'd like.

I worked for several years as an administrator/marketer of a site and learned a few tricks that have helped me in getting my own doodle site off to a good start, and might help others who're struggling with that aspect. My site today had 106 pageviews from 46 individual new prospective buyers and 7 returning visitors. Considering it's been up and running less than a month, and I haven't had anything to sell yet, I'm quite pleased with those stats.

I'm not paying to advertise anywhere yet, but am bringing in interested people through spider marketing. It's a matter of figuring out what people might be searching for on search engines and writing articles in my blog and pages with key phrases or words that will match their searches. For example, my blog pages brought me 6 new views today from people searching Google. It didn't cost me a dime, just took a bit of my time in writing articles that people might find interesting in their research on labradoodles. It's quite simple, and the more often my pages connect with a search engine, the more apt they are to connect again.

So there's my tip of the day for those who want to make better use of your websites.

[gracielou]

Thanks for the tip, I plan on having a blog on my new site when it is done so thanks again any other tips keep them coming.

[Jac]

Very cool! I just sent a PM to you!!

[Tink]

Tip #2
Most people make purchases based on emotion and then justify their decisions rationally.
So your home page has to have an AWWWWWWW factor to show them what you have that will excite them. Without that initial thrill they'll never get to the cold hard facts of pedigrees, guarantees, contracts, and so on.

Find your cutest puppy pictures, and make them work for you on that home page. Show them you have what they came to see and knock their socks off with the best of your best.

[Tink]

Tip # 3
Consider your audience.
Judging by the people you know who already have Labradoodles, does your site speak to them?
If they're outdoorsy and informal, and your site is stiff and strictly informational, what's the point? They're not going to get past the first impression before moving on.

[seazr]

What you breeders may want to consider is a very short informal questionairre (with a postage page return to you) to customers that have bought pups from you: why did they choose you, etc. You must keep it very short and friendly--maybe even a multiple choice. This won't always yield honest answers but it may help you "get to know" your customers and which of your features, chartaristics, etc were most appealing. You can then do as Tink suggests and strengthen those points in your site.

[Tink]

Tip # 4
Decide what your focus is and announce it loud and clear.
Are you breeding for a specific color? Size? Coat? Tell the world that so people who share your vision will find you!
If your prettiest pup is a "red parti male", use that as a caption to it's picture on your home page so when someone does a search for a "red parti male labradoodle pup" they're brought to your site! Putting the pups name there isn't going to bring anyone... his description might!

[M&Tdoodles]

Tink,
Thanks for the info on 'spidermarketing"..we really didnt know about tha but it makes sense..BTW you have a super infomative web site...
I especially loved 'I’m a Labradoodle breeder " perfect!

VERY NICELY DONE! We strive to have a better web site...I could spend an entire day trying to figure new stuff out , but for now, this one will have to do..

[Tink]

Tip # 5
Misspelling, poor grammar, or lack of writing ability can all spell disaster. Use your spell check, ask others to edit your work, and if all else fails, hire someone to do the writing for you. Not everyone can write effectively. If you can't, don’t let it be your downfall!

Write things in terms that someone new to the subject will undertand. You want to make it light and fun so they stick around and read more, learn more, and become convinced that you are the person they want to work with.

[Tink]

Good idea Diane! That's also why FAQ pages are so popular! Often people will see the same questions or comments repeated by many, so addressing them ahead of time shows that you're well prepared and have thought things out.

Thanks M&T!
It's not rocket science, but there are a few little tricks that can really help if you know them. Since you mentioned the "I'm a Labradoodle breeder" blog entry, I should admit the reason I wrote it was that when doing keyword searches to see what Labradoodle related phrases are most commonly searched for, "Labradoodle breeder" was high on the list. So now when someone goes to search for that phrase, my blog entry pops up and they're offered a link to my site.

[Tink]

Tip # 6
Poor navigational tools are frustrating and can drive viewers right off a site. Have things laid out so that a child could figure them out. Now is not the time to try to use all sorts of crazy fonts, trailing cursors, scrolling text, or background music. What thrills one might irritate others, so save the toys for your personal fun site.

Marketing materials should be designed in such a way that your prospects are guided logically along a path of education, trust building and relationship development.

[JWINGS]

Its all good I'm the Retired owner of “Webdesign Insites LLC.” “Cathlamet Computer Services” & “Columbia Computer Services”
And I still design websites and Internet marketing has always been my specialty, On my Labrador website I have never advertised it but I get 300 to 400 hits a day. not spectacular But does the job real well. I'm also very new here and don't want to step on anyone's toes but would like to offer help or hints If anyone wants them.http://www.walabs.com

[gene]

trust me.....any help or advise is always welcome!! The more the merrier!

[Tink]

Hey Jim,
I think we'd all appreciate learning tips that can help. I know I would!

[JWINGS]

Originally Posted by Tink

Tip # 6
Poor navigational tools are frustrating and can drive viewers right off a site. Have things laid out so that a child could figure them out. Now is not the time to try to use all sorts of crazy fonts, trailing cursors, scrolling text, or background music. What thrills one might irritate others, so save the toys for your personal fun site.

Marketing materials should be designed in such a way that your prospects are guided logically along a path of education, trust building and relationship development.

I leave a website right away that plays music