Free Internet Marketing Lessons

by Shelley Lowery

If you're looking for a highly effective method of increasing 
your Internet sales, then mini-sites may be your answer. 
Mini-sites are one of the most effective marketing tools 
online. Not only are they effective, but they're also very 
inexpensive and easy to create.


The concept is simple. Create a one or two page website 
that completely focuses on one specific topic. Everything 
within that page should have one purpose -- getting the 
visitor to take action.


This page should be neatly designed in standard HTML 
with no Flash or fancy plug-ins and very few graphics. 
There should be no banners or outside links of any kind 
and nothing that will distract your visitor's attention.


The sole purpose of a mini-site is to attract highly 
targeted traffic. The more targeted the better. For 
example, if you have a website that sells a number of
products, a good mini-site would focus on one specific 
product instead of all of the products. You could create 
a mini-site for each product you offer. 


Designing Your Mini-Site


Each mini-site you create should be optimized for that one 
specific product. Concentrate on just a few keyword 
phrases, as this will help you to tighten your targeting. 
Remember ... the tighter the targeting the better.


* Title - Your "Title" should contain your most important 
keywords. You've probably heard that before, but I've 
found a slightly different method for optimizing the title. 
Since mini-sites focus on just one product, place the 
"most" important "keyword phrase" first. Not just your most important phrase, but the keyword phrase that you think people will use when they do a search. Instead of 
capitalizing the first letter, type it in lowercase, as most 
people type in all lowercase letters when searching. This 
will assist you in ranking higher in the Search Engine for 
your targeted audience. 


* Description - Your description should focus on one 
specific product and not generalize. Make sure you include 
your most important keywords towards the beginning of 
your description. In addition, make sure your description 
describes your site in detail. You want your potential 
visitors to know exactly what you're offering. Your 
description should be less than 200 characters.


* Keywords - Concentrate on just a few keyword phrases.


* Heading tags - Search Engines pay close attention to the text displayed within the "Heading" tags. Place your most important keyword phrase within a "Heading" tag.


* Graphic Alt tags - Place a readable keyword phrase 
within your graphic "Alt" tags.


* Text - All of your text should focus on your product. 
There should be no filler text whatsoever. It should have 
one specific purpose -- getting your visitor to take action. 
Make sure you include your keyword phrases throughout 
your text.


If you'd like to set up your mini-site using tables, try to 
place your "Heading" text above your "Table" code. If this 
isn't possible, make sure you include your keyword phrases 
within your top left "Table cell" to assist you in ranking 
higher in the Search Engines.


Mini-sites are not limited to just your products. They can 
also be used with any affiliate programs you may be 
promoting. You can include extra incentives such as a free 
bonus for purchasing the product or even your personal 
recommendation. This is a great way to presell the product.


Hosting Your Mini-Site


Although it is much better to have your own domain name, 
these sites can be hosted on a free server and still rank 
high in the Search Engines. Keep in mind, free sites do not
build trust and credibility. No matter which option you 
choose, make sure you place your most important keyword 
phrase (the keyword phrase that you think people will use 
when searching) within your web address.


Drive Targeted Traffic to Your Site


Once you have tested the effectiveness of your site and 
have a good conversion rate, (the number of visitors 
compared to the number of sales) you can buy targeted 
traffic. Goto.com is the number one pay-per-click Search 
Engine and will most likely produce the best results.


For additional options, visit:
http://www.payperclicksearchengines.com/
They provide information and reviews on a number of 
pay-per-click Search Engines.


The key to using this technique effectively is to bid on "very" targeted keywords. This will weed out the casual visitors and only attract your target audience. There's no sense in paying for visitors who really weren't interested to begin with.


In addition to bidding on keywords, you can also advertise in targeted ezines and even purchase some targeted banner advertising. Be creative and take the time to test all of your promotions prior to spending a lot of money. 


If you really want to increase your sales, create some 
mini-sites. They are one of the cheapest and easiest to 
create profit generators online. 


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About the Author:


Shelley Lowery is the author of Ebook Starter. A complete ebook design kit including a guide to creating and marketing an ebook and over fifty predesigned ebook templates and book covers.
http://www.web-source.net/ebookstarter.htm
Shelley invites you to partner with her in her Ebook Starter
affiliate program. Visit: http://www.web-source.net