The blog has been remodeled.  Some of the old posts to the blog have been re-published and therefore all of them are now in August.  Any new posts will have a later date than this one.  Sorry for the confusion.

2:26 PM GMT  |  Read comments(0)

Selling Online

I'm not an expert at selling products and services online, but I do shop and purchase things online.  What helps make a sale to me?  What sends me somewhere else never to return?

1. First Impressions Count  If a website seems like it was quickly thrown together without much thought or care put into how it looks I will probably not look much further than the home page.  A professional appearance is very important for trust. A disorderly website is like a disorderly store, would you shop there?
2. Fast Loading    Don't forget that there are still people using dial up for their internet service, if it takes long for each page they are going to lose patience and go somewhere else.  Fancy effects, slideshows, videos are a wasted effort with me as I rarely will wait for them to load.
3. Great Images  If I am purchasing a product the only way I can tell if it is a quality product is by the images.  Clear images with links to view a larger image is a must.  If you provide a link to a larger image, be sure it really is a larger image.  I've been to some sites where I click to view a larger image and it is barely larger than the thumbnail or isn't larger at all.  The images shouldn't be huge pictures that take long to load, but do need to be large and sharp enough to clearly see details.
4. Product Details  A picture speaks a thousand words but there are probably details that will be missing.  A good description that covers any questions I might have will go a long way.  I'm unlikely to take the extra step to email someone just to find out what something is made of or if it comes in other colors.  If I do, while I am waiting for an answer I am also looking at other places online to buy from.
5. Shipping  Shipping costs are part of the price.  Be sure your customers can easily find out how much it will cost before starting to purchase.   If the shipping costs aren't revealed before I am asked to pay, I will stop right there and am unlikely to return.  It's also very dissapointing to be actually purchasing an item and then find out the shipping is more than I want to pay.
6. Returns  Can I return an item?  How do I do that?  I want to know before I purchase.
7. Orders  Can I order online by credit card?  Is it secure?  I really need to know that.  Let me know how I will be notified that my order was received and what to do and where to contact you if that doesn't happen.  Glitches happen, don't leave me wondering if my order went through.
8. Follow Up  Let me know when it will be shipped.  I really like getting an email telling me my item is on its way.  If there will be a delay and it will take longer then expected let me know that right away.  Good communication will help get me to return to your site and recommend it to others.

I may be a little difficult to make a sale to.  I'm sure I'm not the only one and there are many shoppers like me.  Would your Offlice Live site pass with me or would it send me somewhere else?

2:13 PM GMT  |  Read comments(0)

Share a Tip

Many Office Live users have great ideas and tips.     Now there is another place to share your wisdom.  The  Best Tips page lets you add your own Office Live tip and a link to your website to share with other visitors to Office Live Design Tips.   Be sure to check back and see what new tips have been posted.

2:12 PM GMT  |  Read comments(0)

Updates

Some new features have been added to OLSB.  Quick highlight of whats new:

• Use your own image in the Office Live Themes
• Expanded Contact Us Module includes phone # and a sign up for newsletter
• New Modules - Newsletter and Event Calendar
• Can remove the Office Live Small Business Logo
• Able to Backup the site

Happy Designing!

2:11 PM GMT  |  Read comments(0)