Coverting Website traffic to sales

[Wag]

Hi all,

I have a small online bussiness call Naturally Wagging http://www.naturallywagging.com.au. I mainly have handmade dog care products that are not found in pet stores. My main problem is that I am getting quite good traffic to the web site (however would like to increase this) but I am not sure why the sales are not matching to traffic, bit of a loss.

Any ideas on how to convert traffic to sales?

Would love some input and Ideas on this

[DavidThomas]

Hi Wag,

Have you got google analytics installed? It's important to constantly monitor where your traffic is coming from, how long they are staying, what pages they are looking at etc. I revise my traffic every few weeks.

With this information you will be able to work out what your website isn't providing.

1st: If you have a high bounce rate, then your website isn't grabbing enough attention or looks cheap or too much text, or too complicated. (I don't think this will be the issue, as it looks quite nice, bright colours etc).

2nd: Check your traffic sources. Maybe people are hitting your website from keywords that aren't really specific to your products? So they might not be looking for your products when they hit your site, so they move on.

Also, note this traffic isn't a bad thing, maybe think of a way of keeping this traffic interested in your site, or generating even more of this traffic to boost your page rank (visibility in search engines). Maybe provide specific content

3rd: Go through your adwords - keywords with a fine tooth comb. Remove anything that isn't directly related to your services (in combination with the traffic sources, keyword checking tool). You don't want to pay for traffic that isn't looking for your services.

Let me know if I have been too techy here, as this is my first attempt at trying to help answer such a question.

Cheers

[JohnW]

Hi Wag,

There is an awful lot more to selling a product than simply listing it on a web page. You need to think like a visitor to your website.

The brand is unknown, the manufacturer is unknown, the product performance is unknown as is the quality.

Then your terms of trade tell the visitor you are not responsible for any... "accuracy, suitability, quality, or completeness of any content or goods...".

And you want them to hand over money to you?

I don't think you have given people enough reasons to buy.

Regs,

JohnW

[Wag]

Hi David,

Thanks for letting me know about Google analytical. Will have it installed asap. I stoped using google adwords as it became very expensive in relation to product pricing and number of hits that I was getting. Actually I was getting more hits away from the google ad words.

[Wag]

Hi John,

I relise there is an awful lot more to selling than just listing on a web page. My main question is that how to you get those messages across if the brands are unknown etc ?

As for the terms of trade well that is a legal matter of point.

These products are unique and the concept of my store is unique. They are farm gate products.

Originally Posted by JohnW

Hi Wag,



There is an awful lot more to selling a product than simply listing it on a web page. You need to think like a visitor to your website.

The brand is unknown, the manufacturer is unknown, the product performance is unknown as is the quality.

Then your terms of trade tell the visitor you are not responsible for any... "accuracy, suitability, quality, or completeness of any content or goods...".

And you want them to hand over money to you?

I don't think you have given people enough reasons to buy.

Regs,

JohnW

[melbstrip]

Hi Wag,

I sell gorgeous naked women, you'd think they would be flying off the shelf.

What gets someone to your site, what makes them stay and what makes them buy can be like walking through a minefield to us non-marketing experts. Don't let frustration or confusion pull you down. There are some incredibly awesome soloists very willing to help.

I've recently plugged in to Google Analytics and found that it really delivers the info you need. Once you wrap your head around what it is telling you. :) Before that I was relying on my website CPanel stats.

When you find the marketing holy grail make sure you share it with the rest of us mere mortals :)

Cheers

[Wag]

Thanks for the support melbstrip,

I will try google analytical once I work out how to install it on my website, I have techie people for that.

once I can work out hows and whys I will bottle it. I an not a marketing person but I have done quite a bit off line.

Cheers

[King]

what is your conversion rate?

Anything between 0.1-1% is normal, higher than 6% is considered good. Some big brand names in the US with sophisticated followup and real world.

Look at this to get some perspective

[Wag]

I know that my conversion rate is below what would be considered normal.

I would like normal

Originally Posted by King

what is your conversion rate?

Anything between 0.1-1% is normal, higher than 6% is considered good. Some big brand names in the US with sophisticated followup and real world.

Look at this to get some perspective

[altima]

Hi Wag,

when you install Google Analytic define goal page (I guess that it will be a kind of 'Thank you for your purchase') page and you will see, on what stage you are loosing customers.

One of possibility (after very quick look) is your mandatory registration before you can make a purchase. I have not tried actually to proceed further than checkout page, but at least it is perceived that way. Many people hate it and prefer simple check-out.

You may offer 'soft' registration (at very final stage offer client to save her profile in site database).

I would also think about some lack of credibility (mailbox at contact page, 1-300 number, that as many people know can be forwarded everywhere, no family name, photosof business owner) may make some people suspicious.

Agree with DavidThomas regarding traffic sources point, it affect conversion rate greatly.

BTW, what is your current rate?

Regards,

Alex