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NZTO team happy about the two wins! |
Hello Beautiful People!
It's been a faaaaaaaaannnntastic September here at 208 Cashel Street. Last week, our sister company New Zealand Tourism Online won two more New Zealand Tourism Awards, and were also finalists in the Champion Canterbury Awards. Avatar provides the Web design and marketing expertise for New Zealand Tourism Online, and we all work from the same office, so it's a real boost to the in-house vibe.
In this month's newsletter Tara gets intimate and talks about building beautiful relationships and making buying attractive. Giddy up!
For the first time this year, we don't have a whizzy widget in this edition, but stay tuned because we intend to have them pop up from time to time in upcoming newsletters.
Building Beautiful Relationships
Your Web site's aim should be to have as many beautiful relationships as possible! Why? Because they facilitate the path to loyal customers giving you repeat business, as well as word-of-mouth marketing. Ideally you want your customers to simply love your brand, and the products and services that you offer, to the point that they tell all their friends about you, and never look anywhere else. A recommendation from a friend comes with an endorsement that offers more value than any other type of marketing communication.
So how do you create this lovin' situation via your Web site?
Here are a few pointers:
- Relationships are all about giving. Give viewers useful tips, advice, the latest news and fresh content. Why else would you expect them to keep returning to your site?
- Give preferential treatment. Incentivise them with repeat purchase discounts and valued added benefits for loyalty.
- Make your viewers feel special. Invite them to join your private membership club, making them the first people to hear about new products, news, services or special offers.
- Get to know them better and talk to them. Collect data wherever possible, not just at the point of booking, and maintain regular personalised contact by newsletter and email.
Make Buying Attractive
Further to our article on conversion rates in June, we'd like to build on that and talk further about placing compelling calls to action on your site. Remember, it's a competitive environment out there. It's easy for visitors to jump between sites to directly compare competitor's features and benefits, as well as search for the best deals. You need to persuade the visitor that your site is the best by emphasising your unique selling points. To clinch the deal and create action, offer attractive incentives with lots of perceived value.
Consider how incentives maximise sales and assist your wider business needs. Here are some examples:
- Use incentives proactively to manipulate demand, for example place strong incentives just before predicted downturns.
- Consider incentives to help the adoption of new products and services, or create awareness to support areas which are not selling well.
- You may use incentives to target certain audiences that you have not
considered before. For example, special offers to locals if they bring guests to an attraction, or group incentives aimed at clubs and organisations.
Incentives don't always have to be financially orientated; they can
range from offering value added services, entry to free prize draws, gifts with purchases though to discounts off future services.
$300 Spring Sale!
We've just talked about making buying attractive. Let's walk the talk. During October, Avatar are offering a special spring saving of $300+gst. All you need to do is speak to Bradly about a Web design project valued over $3,000+gst, pay the 50% deposit during the month of October, and we'll give you a $300+gst saving on the project. Nice one.
Sites of Interest
Here's a selection of sites we've designed and/or promoted recently. Last month we received feedback that some of our links weren't functioning correctly in Outlook's email software, so we're repeated some of the links this month.
- Army Museum Waiouru (design and promotion)
Discover New Zealand's military history, and be enthralled by the stories of real life soldiers in this informative site built for the Army Museum Waiouru.
- Fresh Fruits Company (design and promotion)
An intriguing mix of fresh fruits and crisp leaves combined with sand and a distinct Arab feel. This Web site was a special order for a Middle East target audience.
- Christchurch Kart Club (design)
Find out the latest results, up to date news and upcoming race events at the Christchurch Kart Club site. This informative site was specifically developed for the Club and its members.
- Rocket Florist International Directory (design and promotion)
A directory of international florists. The newest addition to the Rocket Family of Web sites.
- PDL New Zealand (design and promotion)
PDL's electrical and electronic products can be found in almost every New Zealand home and office.
- PDL Global (design and promotion)
Owned by the Schneider Electric group, PDL's electrical and electronic products are sold in many international markets.
- Elm Tree House (design and promotion)
Christchurch bed and breakfast accommodation in an elegant 1920s setting. View some creative design touches for this classy accommodation provider.
- Stoneleigh Lodge (promotion)
This character French Chateau-style lodge offers luxury accommodation in a unique style. Set in 20 acres of landscaped grounds and close to a world class fishing river and international golf course, it makes a perfect recreational playground.
- Qualmaster (promotion)
A revolutionary recruitment tool which aids the employee to build a professional CV, whilst providing a database of suitable candidates for employer recruitment.