September 11, 2007
Three Hot Business Website Trends (article)
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Three Hot Business Website Trends
- by Jim Edwards
© Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved
http://www.thenetreporter.com
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The things I did ten years ago on the Internet now belong in the Dark Ages.
Things I did five years ago seem quaint and so 2002, like my dad’s scanner (though he considers himself cutting edge with his old 20th century photos). Even things I did last year seem out of date now.
I always stay on the edge wondering what will come out next to shake up things that work so well right now. Even basic websites can’t remain immune from the ever-changing world of the Internet.
The first trend I see for websites involves "video-only" landing pages. I don’t mean web "infomercials" either. I mean a landing page where the whole emphasis of the page focuses on the video as the star of the show.
It uses the same classic direct response advertising methods as a conventional "mini-site" to grab people. A video landing page uses a headline to grab attention combined with bullets to build further interest. It then uses a call to action in the video and on the web page to entice people to take further action.
Now don’t fall into the trap of thinking that with video you don’t need to worry about length. A twenty minute video would probably kill your sales. You want a 3-5 minute video to fit in with what you offer on your website.
When properly scripted, the amount of content and sales information you can cram into even 3 minutes would amaze you.
The next trend started happening because of the Google "Slap!" Google divides their search page into two sections, a free side on the left and a paid advertising side on the right. A conflict develops when people go online to find content meet up with smart marketers want to develop leads from their paid ads on Google.
Google started getting complaints about forced opt-in pages and "sales pitch" websites and decided to "slap" those advertisers which don’t look like "real" (corporate) websites.
If you want to buy ads on Google and avoid the "slap", you must set up your site with what I call "stealth" content or, for lack of a better word, non-obvious content. You can use content from places like Wikipedia.com, the public domain, and even your existing content. The key to success is to make sure that your website navigation remains somewhat inaccessible and not distracting (usually at the bottom of the page).
Bottom Line: You want Google’s content robot to come look at your site and see that you do offer content, but when your prospects visit the page they only see your sales message and must hunt for anything extra.
The third hot trend uses mini-site sales letters and blogs together for a double whammy effect in your marketing. Let’s say you launch a new product.
First, you use a blog to build interest towards the launch day with videos, articles and relevant information. You use the blog to create a dialogue, which builds over a fairly short period of time.
Next, you launch a mini-site that works as your 24/7 sales person to whom your blog refers people who want to find out more specifics on your product. Together your blog and mini-site keep prospects engaged and then sell them when they get into the buying mood.
As with any trend, these will change and adapt over time. But from my direct, day-to-day business experience online, smart online marketers - regardless of your business - will take heed of these trends and apply them to your online business right now.
–
Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and the
creator of an amazing course that will teach you step-by-
step and click-by-click how to finally create your own
money-making mini-sites…
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14 Comments
September 11, 2007
Doug Hudiburg :
I’m building my first video landing page next week, so it looks like I’m on trend!
Not sure I “get” how to do the ’stealth content’ thing.
Doug Hudiburg
http://www.DailyMarketingAce.com
BigJim :
Doug,
Watch this webinar for the stealth content info
http://www.MiniSiteWebinar.com/jim.html
Jim
tim :
Great article Jim, I’m putting together a blog site now and will keep in mind your trend info. Also, if I’m not mistaken you were promoting a product recently that was a kind of “blog plugin dashboard” for lack of a better description-could you supply the link for that again? Thanks, Tim
Ken Chandler :
As always you are spot on Jim. Guess I should get you a Hawaiian shirt for x-mas Thanks
Missy :
Are video landing pages best suited for actual physical products or how about a mag affiliate program? I just recently created a page on my (Groovy Veg) blog to spike affiliate sales of Vegetarian Times Magazine. Should i post a video there instead or in addition to what i have there now?
Thoughts?
Aaron Dwyer :
I always enjoy your predictions Jim. Why, because they inevitably turn into reality.
And yes, if you are not constantly evolving with the internet you will get left behind quick smart.
It’s like the internet works on a faster has it’s own time span, like 1 human year is 7 dog years. I wonder what 1 human year equates to in internet years??
Thanks again
Aaron
Dedy :
Hi Jim,
Interesting post and your strategy about 3 hot trends has opened my mind. Thanks for your great post, Jim!
Regards
Dedy
Leon :
Jim,
I’ve been reading your articles for years and you never fail to deliver eye-opening insights about marketing online. Thanks so much for all the wisdom you share!
All the best,
Leon Smith
Derek :
Thanks for the tip on the stealth content, as well as your thoughts on online marketing as it eveolves.
Your articles are always helpful.
Thanks a lot.
Derek Jones
September 12, 2007
Rick Dearr :
Great description of what needs to be done. If it was not so late tonight I’d do it right now. Look for a video on my landing page by Thursday… http://nopayplay.com
Hope to see you again at an event soon.
Rick
bportlock :
A year ago I would have said that this video article was complete rubbish, but since then I’ve had one of my customers do exactly this.
It seems that your prediction engine is firing on all cylinders….
Regards
Brian
Srinivasan :
Hello Jim,
I have been a great fan of your writing and consistently read all the mails sent by you.
I don’t agree with you on one thing. Though video is going to be very important in the coming days, video on a landing page does not make much sense.
Internet users have by nature become scanners. They quickly scan the content and pass on if it seems uninteresting. Videos take time to load and you cannot scan through a video quickly.
I still feel great written content is going to be the key to retaining visitors in your site for longer.
Srinivasan
September 14, 2007
Darren Salkeld :
Hey Jim,
I got to agree 100%… the internet is moving toward video very fast. I am in the process of creating videos for my landing page and even for the salesletter pages. It just makes sense!
All the best,
Darren
http://www.thereversefunnelsystem.com
April 14, 2008
Kamal Abbas :
Hi,
An eye opener article,
all the best wishes
Kami