100ThingsForOnlineSuccess

100 Things Every Business Should Do To Succeed Online

Get On line, Get Found, Get Clients

Expect Things To Change

• Very few businesses finish up the way the started off….and that’s OK.– Be willing to adapt and change as you grow– Experiment with colors until you find ones you feel

represent your brand– Buy a domain based on your own name. This will

allow you to experiment with different business name – Spend time thinking about exactly WHO is your target

market & what they need– Identify what differentiates YOU from the competition

Brand Decisions

• Your brand is the image people observe, develop & relate to– Think about your Big Why, your mission & vision– Be clear about your values– Set your standards and be pared to defend them.– Map out your ideal working day

Brand Decisions

– Create a logo, using your colors & that supports your vision – use free software or outsource

– Develop a brand purpose– Create a brand personality– Create a brand promise– Create a list & plan of each branding & marketing

opportunity available

Your brand is who you are, what you represent & what makes you unique

Finances & Start-Up Decisions

• Careful planning & implementation can save time & mistakes– Write a business plan that includes start-up capital

requirements– Research & register your business with correct

government agencies– Protect your business name by filing appropriate

documents– Create articles of organization– Check on tax regulations

Finances & Start-Up Decisions

– Open a business bank account– Decide on a payment processing system– Establish an accounting system– Obtain a small business credit card or small business

loan– Obtain the necessary business licenses and

professional indemnity insurance.

Your business is now set up & it’s time to start making money!

Domain & Hosting Decisions

• This will be your company’s home on the internet– Create a list of potential domain name ending in .com– Identify your preferred domain registrar service– Register your primary .com domain as well as

supporting domains as necessary (.net, .biz, etc)– Proofread your contact information on your registrar

account– Set your domains to auto-renew

Domain & Hosting Decisions

– Register your domain either as public or private– Verify information in the Whois database– Choose a website host that meets your requirements

• Web space, bandwidth, price, support, etc– Setup business email with your primary domain in it

• example: [email protected]– Choose a template, hire a designer or put up a

squeeze page so early visitors don’t find a blank page

WordPress Customization

• Install WordPress according to your hosting instructions– Clean the default settings on your template

• Delete default posts, comments, links, etc– Choose your theme, header image, hire a designer or

DIY & activate your theme– Sign up for a Google account & install Google

Analytics to your site– Register for a Feedburner account for RSS options– Choose, install & activate relevant plugins

WordPress Customization

– Modify the theme’s general settings for title, tagline, time zone, etc

– Set up permalink structure that is professional-looking & easy to understand

• Example: http://www.sample.com/sample-post– Take steps to protect your site with unique logins &

deleting the main login link from the home page– Create unique 404 error pages to guide lost visitors– Create a blog page structure

• Include About page, Disclaimer, Privacy, etc

WordPress Security

• Hackers are ready to cause problems – don’t make it easy for them– Remove visible info about your site, such as the

version of WordPress used & your login link on home page

– Secure login & add security plugin(s)– Add SSL for your Admin, available from your web

host– Establish systems for scanning for viruses, making

back up copies & keep software updated– Create a strong password for login

WordPress Security

– Use reputable & trustworthy service providers• Give each a unique login & delete when project is

finished– Change the default label prefix for your WordPress

database– Uninstall & remove extra themes, plugins or users– Join a reputable hosting company that puts a high

value on good security measures– Create a system to ensure your back up system

works

Get Your Website Visitor Ready

– Use images and text to add interest• Use bullet points to limit text

– Use Attention Grabbing Headline– Add video and an Opt In Box At the top of your home

page to capture attention.– Create a valuable free gift or training

• Offer this in return for an e mail address– Add a Guarantee– Include Testimonials

Plan Your Offer Funnel

– Create an introductory product that meets my audience’s basic needs

– Identify an introductory price my audience can afford & justify

– Create a mid-level product that meets my audience’s basic needs

– Identify a mid-level price appropriate for my target audience

– Establish a marketing strategy to connect with customers as they move through the funnel

Email Marketing

• One of the most efficient & effective ways to connect with your audience– Identify your overall goal & the individual goal of each

message– Research & identify various autoresponder services

• Create an account– Establish a content/email schedule that consistently

provides value & supports your business message– Know who your email list is targeting– Define your email marketing message

Email Marketing

– Set aside time each week or month to analyze the analytics of each campaign

• Make adjustments as needed– Create attention-grabbing email subject lines

• Use test subject lines & analyze which one gets more response

– Include a call to action within each email message– Create engaging content that supports your goals– Test each email for faulty links, low spam rating &

pleasing design in various browsers

Sales Funnel Checklist

• An effective sales funnel & supporting marketing system will earn you sales around the clock– Make a list of all your products or services along with

their price points– Identify the problem solved, the target audience &

benefit each product or service provides– Create a content plan that will drive traffic/prospects

into the funnel– Create opt-in offer to build email list

Sales Funnel Checklist

– Create automated email messages to follow up with subscribers

– Choose an autoresponder service & schedule multiple messages

– Identify opportunities to upsell, cross promote or offer promotional offers on your current products or services

– Create a sales page for each offer– Test all elements of the sales funnel to check for

errors– Implement a time to analyze your results

Facebook

• Widely used by many target audiences• Effective way to grow your audience &

sales– Choose a Facebook name consistent with business

name– Create a vanity URL for your Facebook business

page– Brand your page with logo, current photos & relevant

images

Facebook

– Create an About page that represents your company voice, message & image

– Create a goal for your Facebook activity– Establish a message for your page that supports your

Facebook marketing– Create a steady & consistent flow of quality content– Set aside time each day to connect with potential

customers– Integrate Facebook with other marketing tactics– Automate as much of the process as possible

Twitter & LinkedIn

• The audiences are different but many of these tips are the same– Create informative Twitter profile with link to your site– Customize Twitter background with logo or relevant

image– Create a lengthy & informative LinkedIn profile page– Create goals for each of these social media platforms– Create a message that supports these goals– Create a consistent flow of content using hashtags for

Twitter

Twitter & LinkedIn

– Set aside time each day to connect with prospects while also supporting your marketing goals

– Integrate Twitter & LinkedIn with other marketing tactics, such as your blog, email signature, Facebook

– Automate the process, using software such as HootSuite

– Create systems to track & analyze your Twitter & LinkedIn marketing results

Pop On Over To http://www.luanamattey.com for more information and resources.

Get On line, Get Found, Get Clients