Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I am putting together what I hope will be a truly valuable internet marketing resource called "Internet Marketing Secrets Revealed At Last" and I want to make sure that I don`t leave anything out. I need your input!

So will you let me know your biggest question about marketing your website? It could be anything ... even if you think it`s silly.

All you have to do is type your question in the little box on my website and click submit. In exchange for your question, you`ll automatically receive a free copy of my new book  before it is released to the market.

Check it out: AskTheInternetGenius.com

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Ben Cope - The Internet Genius
Online Marketing Tips, Techniques, & Strategies For Success
http://www.theinternetgenius.com

Here`s my problem with this ... and I`m going to pick on you because you had to label your picture with "THE INTERNET GENIUS" before you uploaded it.

If you are going to have other people do your research or write your book for you, you should not give them a "chance" to win your book - you should just give them a book as payment if you use their question and/or advice.

Personally, I think you should just do your own research, compile it, and then use it. I don`t ask people to make up my blog topics 3 times a week - I participate in places like SUN, I listen to clients, I read feeds/blogs/newsletters/websites - and then I write.

I think the problem with labeling things as the "most comprehensive internet marketing book" is that you haven`t read every book/guide/whatever out there. How do you know you are the most of anything?

And why is someone going to buy a book when they can find all the advice contained in your book somewhere on the internet ... for free? (Personally, I give away free marketing advice all the time - it`s such a vague thing to charge for. Strategy or actual production - charge for those things. Generic advice - you can get that anywhere, for free.)

Thanks for the great advice ... you are right about giving people a "chance" to win a copy of the book.

As you can see, your input was well-received and I have updated my website and forum post accordingly. I appreciate you taking the time to give your feedback!

I`m not planning to have people write my book for me ... I simply want to know what their #1 question about internet marketing is!

And while it is possible to find virtually any kind of information on the internet (including the information that will ultimately become a part of my book), the true value comes in compiling that information into one single place.

Of course I don`t claim to know everything there is to know about internet marketing!!  A true "genius" doesn`t necessarily have to know all the answers ... but I do know where to find the answers, and if I can help point people in the right direction, then I will consider myself to be successful.


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Ben Cope - The Internet Genius
Online Marketing Tips, Techniques, & Strategies For Success
http://www.theinternetgenius.com

I just wanted to remind everyone that on August 14th, the Internet will be down for cleaning. I received the notice to back up my version of the Internet, and the expected down time would likely be less than 72 hours.

I just laughed .... so .... loud.

And it`s midnight so I`m hoping I didn`t wake everyone up!

I guess I should freshen up all my local files then, so I can announce some GRAND OPENINGS once we`re back up and running.

We launched our website about 2  months ago and it gets many rave reviews about being pretty.  We have received media attention and had thousands of hits but our sale per hit ratio is REALLY low.  So please click on it and tell me the real deal.  please do not hold back.  what do you like, dislike, confused about, don`t understand, etc.  Thanks so much for your help!  http://www.poopourri.net/

Also would you buy this?... why? or why not?  any feedback is welcomed. 


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Poo~Pourri: Spritz the Bowl Before You Go And No One Else Will Ever Know! www.poopourri.net

Hi,

Viewed your site with IE6 on a DSL connection.

True, your home page is nice to look at. However, your online store appears to be very "blank".  Maybe a header image would be nice.

You might consider offering FREE shipping... shipping costs are one of the reasons why people do not buy online.  Offer a free shipping option... and charge for the overnight, etc shipping "upgrades".

Another important factor influencing the viewer is an element of "trust". T0 help instill trust you should have shipping, terms of use, return policy...etc specified on your site. Also, tell the viewer that your site is secure (with an SSL).

It is an interesting product/idea. I don`t think I would buy the product... for one reason, how would I carry it around (traveling)?

You may need to explain why is this product better than some sort of air freshener?

~Roland

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Web Design | Best Beef Jerky | ecommerce articles | Follow vwebworld on Twitter

I went to the site, (I assume it`s www.poopourri.net)? I saw a pretty picture, and that`s all. No place to click to go anywhere, nothing to do about it. So I figured it`s just a billboard that advertises some business that does something somewhere else.

Oh...! Why by gosh, I just noticed as I was closing the page that there were some "hidden" options to shop, praise, learn, and inquire. So I clicked "shop," already bored with the site, and ready to leave.

Then that opened up some Flash! thing to the right, none of which really helped me see a product, go someplace, shop, or anything else.

I think the problem here is navigation. I`m not a "traditionalist" by any means, but I do believe that certain "conventions" tend to support what people expect to see. I also think that a business should make it easy for someone to spend money, not concentrate on being strange, clever, or "different" for the sake of difference.

If you`re not making it really easy to see what you sell, then to buy what it is someone sees, I think it`s to be expected that few people will look or buy. Y`know?

I agree the site is attractive. The font
type is a little small. Overall, easy to
manuver through.

Only reason I wouldn`y buy it online
is that I like to smell it first. So I`m
more likely to hit the nearest store.

You may want to offer free samples for
those who want to experience the scent.

I believe as more people began to use the
word of mouth marketing tool for you via
the stores, then it will bloom online.

You may want to offer a discount for those who
purchase it at the stores, so they will tell others
who will have to order it online.

I hope you have found value in what I`ve
shared.

Continue to make this the best day ever!

Won`t Be Denied!
C.F. Jackson

Lighting 1,000 Dreams Worldwide!

 

I think one thing you have to overcome is why your product instead of a can of lysol or some febreeze or whatever. I can see why you would get a lot of hits (novelty factor) and not a lot of purchases (is there really a need for this?)

Secondly, I agree ... several clicks to the store is too many. It has to be more OBVIOUS.