I scour the internet for knowledge that I can pass along to my readers about how to increase online sales. It’s always gratifying read from other sources things that we have been preaching for years so let me get down to it.
Sometimes it’s not the things you are doing, but the things you not doing, that are the costing you bookings. Here are some mistakes often made.
1.It seems obvious, but we are all guilty of it. Throughout your website, on your home page, on your blog postings, on your Facebook page you need to have a clear call to action (CTA). If you are trying to stimulate action, and if you have a website to create transactions, you simply can’t let an opportunity pass. For an example, are you interested in seeing a quick infographic that will guide your entire digital marketing plan?
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If you are promoting a departure or daily activity, get that little Book Now button front and centre. If you are trying to increase sign ups to your site to keep informed, make sure there is a sign up link in an obvious place. (If you just came to our site, you will probably have noticed the pop up to get our newsletter. Obnoxious to some, but it works. If you are using WordPress and you’d like us to help you get more active CTA’s, contact us – we have a WordPress technician.
2.This next one is a little counter intuitive, but you have to think like someone searching around on the web, looking for reasons to select or deselect your company. You need to have an About Us page with lots of info. Here’s what’s going on. The hero in your shopping story has seen your call to action, but is reluctant to commit. Who knows, maybe they’re afraid of water, but really desiring to go with friends on a paddling trip. Or maybe they were ripped off once and are more averse to giving away their credit card over the internet. They will look at your About Page to check you out, understand your values, check your credentials, see if you are legitimate and have a real address and phone. At this point, you need to become their mentor and tell them who you are, where you are, how you protect them, their privacy and their money. Why are you the one of many, that will be “the one”. You need to earn their trust. No trust, no sale.
3.Answer the call. After they’re convinced you’re the one, you better be making it easy for them to book. In today’s mainly mobile world of multi-tasking, heavy competition and endless choice, you need to figure out the best way to manage this. My suggestion is, at minimum, have an automated online booking system that gives your hero the assurance that they have the spot they wanted, that their money’s safe, and that they are in good hands. You can up your odds by having live chat link on your site and, if you can staff it, a live person to handle phone call inquiries and take bookings. But don’t over commit. I’ve seen way too many sites that have a chat link that is never live. And having a voice mail message might be your only choice for phone, but at least let people know how soon they can expect a call back. And stick to it or you’ve lost the sale. Like Lisa Gevelber from Google said in another post you need to Be There for them. And you can get a free Google Think report below.
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There are many other things you need to get right but if you fail at any of three above you will be climbing a big hill trying to get sales. We can help you with getting your online booking system in place and making it work for you to close more sales and save you valuable staff resources by automating at least 8 steps in the booking process. Send us an email and we’ll get back to you.