Ways to increase website traffic and sales – open a dialogue with your customers

In the early days of online retailing, websites were one-way monologues. This method of internet marketing persists even today. However, many online businesses are learning that maintaining a two-way dialogue with customers can boost sales and visits to their website.

People naturally like to talk, express an opinion, and say what’s on their mind. When we engage in conversation with our customers, we’re saying: ‘We value your opinion; we want to know what you think.’ This gives people a warm feeling of being considered important and in control. No longer are they staring at the equivalent of an online billboard, but are actually interacting with us. We’ve created a bond with our customers that encourage sales and return visits.

Here are some ideas to initiate and maintain a dialogue with your website visitors:

• Make use of a feedback form
• Create a blog
• Include live chat
• Add social publishing

A feedback form and blog is inexpensive, if not free, to implement. When hosted on your website, a blog increases website hits and may also increase search engine page rank. Live chat and social publishing can require modest to significant financial outlay but may be very advantageous as your site grows in size and popularity.

Whichever methods you use, make sure that your website or blog is frequently updated with new, relevant content and visitor input. Let people know that someone is home and ready to listen.