MN Interactive

Fight Recession With an Effective Web Design

There’s a saying in the business world: when the going gets tough, the tough go marketing. Yet there’s no doubt that during tough economic times, businesses are seeking ways to cut back on marketing budgets. The theory behind this is simple: when people spend less, advertisers invest less leading to a drop in budgets. In reality, the opposite should hold true – less consumer spend must be offset by higher advertising. How then does one reconcile lower budgets with quality marketing?

The answer lies in looking at the Internet, where trends to shift advertising budgets online began a few years ago and continues to grow. Websites have long since proved their effectiveness in getting the message across. An effective web design consultant can help ensure the website is created around what matters most – brand awareness – and around a budget a client is comfortable with. Lead building, search engine marketing, email marketing and list growth are the new keywords, and a targeted web design can capture these components to enrich any marketing plan.

Creative web design solutions are the new way to fight recession, while maintaining a hefty profit margin or at least not sliding down into oblivion. If your website is gathering dust, or is not search engine optimized, you are losing a viable existing marketing option. Seek out a web design consultant who can spruce it up for you and achieve the following:

Expand your in-house list: In recession, you might find it hard to spend money on capturing new clientele. In this instance, a good website will allow you to convert your in-house list by generated sales emails, targeted pitches, and limited time offers.

Focus on lead and referral management: Searching for clients through advertising is one thing; having them come to you from an existing or satisfied source, at a trade show or event, or as a visitor to your site, is another. Nurturing leads and referrals is important and your web design consultant can ensure this is part of your web strategy. An effective web design consultant will help you identify those who can be turned from potential customer into satisfied clientele by implementing creative web design solutions like an opt in list from an autoresponder (aweber or constant contact work well), landing pages and RSS feeds. The right offers make people want to buy into your products and services. Some examples include:

• Blog Invitations
• Downloadable PDF Brochures
• Teleconferences and webinars
• Videos
• E-Books
• White Papers or free reports
• Case Studies
• DIY Guides

Optimize landing pages: If your website is not optimized, you are already at a disadvantage. During tough financial times, it’s even more important to turn to simple yet creative web design solutions for answers. Research shows time and time again that optimized web landing pages can results in more leads for every dollar spent. Instead of you hunting for clients, a good keyword selection can ensure clients come right to your doorstep. Spend time on finding out how you can best maximize your investment by targeting first time buyers, buyers who are on equally tight budgets, buyers who have been categorized as ‘non-risk’ takers etc. If you don’t have experience writing optimized web content, your website design house should be able to find you a provider who can. A good marketing writer will also be able to recommend the right online marketing solutions for your business, such as PR, cross- link advertising, affiliate marketing etc.

Make use of available sales tools: With the advent of social networking tools like Facebook and Twitter, it’s easier than ever to convert your website into a community. Adding on forums and discussion boards from companies like www.Vbulletin.com and www.proboards.com will further steer visitors to other pages within your website.

Make your site visible: While SEO might get visitors to your site, a great design will keep them there. In an earlier post Web Design Mistakes to Avoid, I had mentioned the importance of a good site design. I reiterate that a strong site designed by a professional web design consultant is important to help showcase your business’ details. If there’s one thing you need to invest money in, it should be this.

Add cost effective solutions: Online catalogues and brochures can cut back on printing and distribution costs. Online FAQ’s can work in lieu of a customer service representative. Receiving credit card payments online, or via PayPal can save you big in terms of fees paid out to banks. It’s important to find a web design company which is experienced in identifying easy, yet financially viable options.

In the end, there are a lot of online solutions which can save you thousands of dollars, money well appreciated during hard economic times. Creative web design solutions offered by an effective web design consultant will help you in capturing these options for your own benefit.