- Choose to use frames, java, Shockwave, Active X and all other bells and whistles with knowledge that a significant percentage of your customers can't use them (yet). In fact, these technical fireworks can cause their systems to crash. Not a good advertisement for your offerings, wouldn't you agree?

5. Red Flag #5- The "Un" Site: Never Finished, Never Updated

("Under construction -- see my wee little logo saying so? But I'm telling you, one of these days it's going to be great. Really! You won't believe what you'll be able to get here, but you'll have to come back when we're done, so bookmark now.")

Forget it. The online world functions through instant gratification. Nobody will bookmark your unfinished site. By same token, if you don't revitalize your site often through updating and enhancing information, you will be out of race.

Your Web site is "organic", an asset that grows, and even a simple change can make a difference. Cyberwave, an excellent marketing site, prominently places current month and year at top of their home page. Very smart, because it states that they are totally up-to-the-minute, offering you latest marketing information available.

Never announce your site to search engines before it is finished, because you will let down a lot of potential customers who will likely never return -- a total waste of your time and money.

6. Red Flag #6- Lack Of Interactivity; No Way To Communicate With Customers

("We're phone company. We don't care -- we don't have to." - Lily Tomlin)

But everyone else does. Customer response can make your success on Internet, and you will find as you deal with people online that personal touch and going extra mile for someone can make a huge difference.

Encourage interactivity. Give people every reason to visit your site, and capture their information when they arrive. At a minimum, you must get their email address. Best of all, get their complete contact information -- those who supply their address and phone number are your very best prospects for a business relationship.

Here are a few suggestions for building an interactive web site:

- Develop an email newsletter or ezine

- Offer to discount an Internet purchase

- Offer frequent purchase bonuses

- Give away FREE information or products

- Make product announcements

- Offer prize giveaways and contests

- Supply cool things and links to cool places

- Offer games

- Generate a discussion group

- Develop and offer a searchable database

In exchange for each of these processes, you receive contact information. But you should do even more. Find out what you can about your growing customer base, and effectiveness of your web site.

Create a Guest Sign-In Book, and give something for signing it in return.

Provide an Information Request form, in which you ask respondents: "What are top 3 things our business can do to meet your needs?"

Provide a Feedback Form, asking customers these basic questions: "How am I doing?" or "If I could offer you one more service/item, it would be."

The list goes on. Electronic Order Forms, Customer Satisfaction Forms and more, all of which give visitors to your site tools they need to interact with you. The more back and forth access you provide between potential customers and you, more successful your Web site will be.

7. Red Flag #7- No Sales Message

("Well, folks, that's what we offer here. Not much, but thanks for stopping in. Bye-bye.")

Wait! The average person is confronted by 1000's of advertisements daily. Surely people have already grown "comfortably numb." So shake them out of their stupor.

If you don't ask for order, you will not get it. Ask politely for their order now ell them to place their order right away/DEMAND they send you their money immediately VERY LOUDLY, and MORE THAN ONCE. Make sure they hear you, and you can count on this: a certain percentage will respond.

Take away these seven red flags, and you are on your way to standing head and shoulders above majority of online crowd. You will have revealed 3 basic ingredients of all outstanding Web sites:

1. Your Web Site Is Now Customer-Based

2. Your Web Site Now Lives Up To Promise Of Its PR

3. Your Web Site Is Now Easy To Access For Visitors, And For You

..http://www.Copywriting.Net.. ... Copywriting Services ...

Empower Your Business Today with a FREE Sales Copy Analysis. Call toll-free in US 1.800.798.4471 or email mary@copywriting.net

Scott Smith is the founder of Copywriting.net. Scott's experience as a print, video and online copywriter covers more than three dozen industries, with businesses ranging in size from one-person shops to multi-national corporations in Africa, Asia, Europe and extensively throughout North America. His articles on marketing have appeared in over one hundred online and print publications including ComputerEdge, Internet Day and Sales & Marketing Executive Report.

Testimonials from 'experts' certainly helps to add credibility to your offer. However, try to get customer testimonials as well - it helps to show that you have happy customers, not just happy colleagues. :-)

3) Make a Special Offer to Your Target Audience.

For example, you could offer first 20 people to contact you a free or discounted copy/sample of your product in exchange for feedback and a testimonial (if they feel it's warranted, of course).

__A FEW PARTING TIPS...

* Use real testimonials. They have that genuine 'ring' to them.

* Don't 'polish' or edit to an extreme. Let testimonial speak for itself.

* If possible, add credibility by including a name, email address or URL, your customer's state or province of residence, or even customer's company name, job title, etc.

* Longer testimonials often have more 'impact' than short ones. Many testimonials can easily be edited to read:

'...truly amazing...' '...gorgeous...stunning...'

On other hand, a longer testimonial can be far more persuasive:

'I was initially reluctant to order any type of jewelry online ... but I was thrilled when I got my bracelet! It's gorgeous, one of most stunning pieces I own. Thank you so much for your wonderful catalog, and for your excellent service. I'll be back!'

* Use specific testimonials, whenever possible. Details make a much 'stronger' or more persuasive testimonial. For example, 'I love your book!' is not as effective as:

'It's been six months since I purchased your highly motivating book. I started a new exercise program that I've stuck to now for 5 months and at 46 years of age, I have never been more fit in my life. I feel great, and as an added bonus I've even lost 10 pounds. Thank you so much. I love your book!'

You can find additional tips in article, 'How to Harness Power of Testimonials', available at http://onlinebusinessbasics.com/articles estimonialtips.html

Don't be shy to seek and display testimonials -- they're a valuable asset for marketing your business, and they help to convert prospects into paying customers.

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