Understanding Key Terms Written by Todd W. Winslow
Whether you're operating your own online business, wanting to start one, running affiliate programs, or wanting to advertise in e-zines - or sell advertising in your own e-zine or on your web site, it's important to know and understand relevant terms used in e-business today. Hits: You see this term everywhere, and often, it is misunderstood and misused. Each hit to a web site doesn't necessarily represent one visitor. Generally, hits refer to not only web page itself, but all files requested, including all graphics. Therefore, if a page has 25 graphics, each visitor to that page represents 26 hits - one hit for page and 25 for graphics. As you can see, hits can be very misleading when representing web site traffic. Page View - Also known as Impressions: As term indicates, this refers to number of times each page on your site is viewed by a visitor. If your site has 20 pages, and a visitor goes to all pages, that visitor generated 20 page views. Keep in mind, every time that same visitor returns to your site, they will again generate more page views, regardless of time between visits. Please note that some affiliate programs use term page views or impressions synonymously with unique visitors. Unique Visitors: This, by far, is best and most reliable measure of traffic. A unique visitor is one visitor to a web site, regardless of how many pages he or she visits or how many pages or files/graphics site contains. Unique visitors are counted only once for a specific period of time - depending upon how site statistics are configured. Generally, a visitor is only counted once in a thirty day period, no matter how many times they may have returned during that time. Keep in mind, this time period varies wildly in industry, so when talking about unique visitors, make sure you know how long it takes for a visitor to be counted again.
| | 4 Must Have Elements To Keep Your E-Business in Business!Written by Christine Weymouth
Imagine walking into your neighborhood Home Depot store and there's not a soul in sight. There's no one around to answer your questions, or assist you with your purchase. Suddenly you are filled with thoughts of dissatisfaction, confusion, and anger. Why would you buy from a store that made you feel like that, and why would you ever return? YOU WON'T! And if your web site isn't set up to offer terrific customer service, YOUR VISITORS WON'T either. If you've got products or services to sell, but don't offer customer service to go along with it, you can say goodbye to your Internet business dreams, and hello to bankruptcy! Lucky for you, I've outlined 4 major elements that you MUST HAVE on your web site if you want to STAY IN BUSINESS, and be PROFITABLE doing it!#1: Be Prompt in Responding to Your Email Requests! We are now living in an age of convenience. And on Internet especially, your site visitors expect instant service. Email is prime communication tool used in e-business --- USE IT TO YOUR ADVANTAGE! An instant email response may not be possible, but a reply to your customer within 48 hours is a must! If I email a company and request info about their products, and I don't get a reply back within at least 48 hours, I'm moving on to someone who wants my business and is eager to answer my questions. You want to let your visitors know that they are important to you, and your prompt email reply will show them that they are. They'll return favor by making you money! Making this simple modification to your email communication will most certainly turn your common visitor into a paying customer - making MORE PROFITS FOR YOU! #2: Offer a Phone Number To Your Visitors! It may not be enough just to offer your email address. Some people are still weary about e-businesses, and not being able to talk to a real person will certainly turn visitors away from your site. They will move on and find someone else who does offer a real person to contact. Offering a business phone number will also help to build confidence in your visitors. You'll be letting them know that you are a stable, well-established company that has actual people behind scenes. You'll also want to ensure that you display your phone number in a prominent location on your site. If it's located in a hard to find place, your visitors may get frustrated trying to find it, or may not be able to find it at all. That's not going to help your business or your visitors. If you have means, providing a 1-800 number would be ideal. If your visitors know they don't have to pay for call, any concerns about cost have now been eliminated. When your business in on Internet, you have to remember that your potential customers are WORLWIDE. Make it as easy as possible for your visitors to contact you, and more business you'll generate.
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