Published:

07/29/2011 07:31pm

3 Crucial Elements Every Money-Making Website MUST Have

I'm about to make your life so much easier.

Putting up a money-making website can be as simple as 1, 2, 3 -- just as long as you have these 3 crucial elements in place.

(And, if you don't have a website, I'm going to share just how easy it can be to get one up TOMORROW. Yes, it really can be that simple -- so no more excuses about "I need to get my website finished before I can do X,Y,Z.")

Let's get started.

1. Have a place for people to opt-in and download a special free gift from you. This can be as simple as a box located at the upper right-hand corner of the screen.

Why do you want to do this? Because having a list of prospects you can build a relationship with is crucial to your business success. People buy from people they know, like and trust. A website, no matter how extensive, is only going to take you so far. Relationships are built over time and through communication -- which is why publishing a regular ezine can be such a great marketing tool.

Now, I want to point something else out -- notice how I said "a special free gift" I did NOT say that opt-in box should say "subscribe to my ezine." No one wants more email -- what they DO want is solutions to their problems. If you give them trusted solutions to their problems, they WILL take the time to read your emails.

2. Post a photo of yourself. People want to do business with people. They want to build relationships with people. Why do you think major corporations pay big bucks for spokespeople? Sure part of it is benefiting from the spokesperson's credibility, but part of it is also putting a face on an otherwise "nameless, faceless" corporation.

Folks, this is where YOU have the upper hand from the corporations. You really CAN reach out and build relationships personally with your ideal clients. So proudly post your photo -- you're a real person, let your ideal clients see you're a real person.

Now, I'd prefer a professionally shot photo if at all possible. And I would also prefer for all you ladies to get your hair and makeup done (yes, it's worth it). It really does make a difference to your professional image. However, if you're going to use that as a reason to not get your site up, then put up the best photo that you have RIGHT NOW.

What if your goal is to build a big business where people would be working with your team or your employees? Should you still put up a photo? Well, that depends on where you're at in your business development. If you're just starting out, it is easier to build momentum and get the ball rolling if you put yourself out there. If you're already established, you probably still do (because, remember, people do want to do business with people) but there will probably be other changes you'll need to make to your site so it's clear there's a team involved and not just you.

Bonus tip -- you could use a video instead of a photo. Video is a great way to increase your conversions (i.e. turning prospects into paying customers or encouraging your visitors to give you their email address) but again -- if you're going to use video has an excuse to not more forward, then just get a photo up.

3. Make it VERY clear what the next step should be if they want to move forward working with you. Now, I'm a big believer in getting the opt-in, so if you look on my home page you'll see I do encourage people to move forward by getting my free gifts. But I also give them very clear instructions on what they should do if they want to move forward as a paying customer.

Now, how do you get started if you don't have a website? Just put up one page that has your photo, a description of your free gift and a place for people to give you their name and email address. (This is also known as a squeeze page).

That's it. Yes it really CAN be that simple to get started.

Michele PW (Michele Pariza Wacek) is your Ka-Ching! Marketing strategist and owns Creative Concepts and Copywriting LLC, a premiere direct response copywriting and marketing company that helps entrepreneurs attract more clients, sell more products and se