Myth #2 Sell features to get a higher price

Myth #3 There’s no methodology to selling - it’s pure art

Myth #4 Objections are a sign of customer interest

Myth #5 Open questions are better than closed questions

Myth #6 You can’t teach a person to sell

by P J Chandler

How welcoming is your web site - and how easy is it for potential customers to buy from you?

Some otherwise professional-looking sites put unnecessary obstacles in way of their users - they may as well put up a sign saying "Don't Buy From This Site". Is yours one of them?

Here is a checklist of 10 things you can do to maximize sales from your site:

1. Keep it focused - don't try to be all things to all surfers. Specialisation is king in a global marketplace: aim to be best in your particular field.

2. Keep it simple - make sure your navigation system is easy to use. No page on your site should me more that two clicks away from your home page.

3. Use plain language - net jargon has its place, but do not use it on non-technical sites. The same goes for unexplained abbreviations.

4. Don't exclude people - if your offer is only available in a defined geographical area, say so clearly and up front before people start filling in forms. A prime offender is holiday offers that turn out only to apply to US residents.