How To Increase Online Sales

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Make that Squidoo sale...

Everyone likes a little extra play money in their pocket so let's get a little extra flowing into yours. This article offers up a few tips on how to increase those all important Amazon, eBay, and other affiliate sales.

If you are writing on Squidoo, or host a webpage elsewhere and are looking to pick up a few extra dollars in doing so, then you are going to want to know how to increase your online sales.

Websites like Squidoo pay out for how high your article ranks in the tiers, but competition can be stiff for those high paying spots, and it is actually through acquiring a share of online sales that you can really start to make the money flow in from your work efforts.

Keep track of your business plans...

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By keeping a record of what works in your business you will be able to adapt as you move forward. Be patient. Be open to diversify. Be open to change.

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Before you can make a sale you need to get targeted traffic to your articles...

All online sales begin with you attracting the right type of visitors to your webpage. You cannot make a sale on Squidoo if you do not have people visiting who are genuinely interested in the products that you have listed for sale. The individuals who would be interested in what you are selling are referred to as targeted traffic and they are the people who you want to lead to your webpage.

You want a steady stream of visitors who are likely to, or can be persuaded to, purchase what you are selling. This is why inflating your traffic numbers by having bots, friends, or relatives visit your webpage time and again just won't work to garner you extra long term income. Bots and relatives are really just not all that interested in continuously purchasing a large number of items from your webpages.

In order to increase your online earnings through sales you are going to have to encourage external targeted traffic to your article. You do this by first deciding on a niche topic. A niche topic is a theme which is very specific rather than general. Then from here you will develop a sales strategy and search out appropriate keywords for your article.

Check your grammar and spelling...

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Having good grammar and accurate spelling on your articles will give your webpages a trustworthy appearance and increase your likelihood of sales. Always spell check and if in doubt then have a proof reader look over your article for errors.

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Have your keywords match your topic and your product...

If you want to increase your online sales then the traffic you want to visit your webpage will be those who are interested in what you are selling. So whether you already have an article written, or you are just creating one, take the time to use keywords appropriately throughout your article. Keywords are the words or phrases that people type into the search engine to find what they are looking for.

You can find your keywords with the free Google Keyword Tool.

Having a good quality article of sufficient length can help to increase traffic and sales if you have the appropriate usage of keywords on your article. The more text that you provide on your article then the more opportunity you will have to use keywords in a proper manner.

You do not want to go too keyword heavy as not only does this " keyword over use" frighten your visitors away, but it will also let the search engines know that you are trying to manipulate their system, and they will stop sending traffic to your webpage. You need to find a correct balance of keywords. You would use your keywords more often than you would if you were in a conversation with a friend but about the same amount as you would if you were speaking to a very young child.

Once you have your article set up and ready for the search engines to find, then it is time to create linkage to, and from your article. This linkage will let the search engines know that you are out there. Having a number of intertwining articles on the same topic but on different sites is one way to create viable linkage into your article. You can also put links to your articles on other relevant sites as well. It all adds up to increased linkage to your article.

Use trial and error to your advantage...

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Consumers often click through an affiliate ad but buy another product rather than the one which is advertised. Keep track of popular selling products, and which season they sell in, then use this knowledge to help you increase your future sales.

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Squidoo sales modules...

Squidoo provides you with a number of affiliate sales modules which can be easily applied to your lenses. You can currently choose from Amazon, eBay, CafePress, Etzy, and Zazzle modules. Profits from Amazon, eBay, and CafePress sales are split with Squidoo, and the charities which Squidoo contribute to. Squidoo's Amazon sales modules will earn you a 50 percent cut of their profits. You can read the full scoop on sales payouts at SquidooKimberly's Money Making Modules.

You are allowed to place 20 Amazon modules and 6 eBay modules on each lens that you create. (If you are new to Squidoo then this number may be less.) Don't worry that this won't be enough. It is quite a sufficient amount if you want to keep your article from looking spammy. If there are too many advertisements, and not enough text, then your webpage looks like a hard sales pitch.

People are getting wiser to the ways of the Internet, and if your webpage looks like spam rather than a reputable site, then people are going to walk away from it.

What you are ideally looking to do is provide a service to the consumers who are reading your article. The products you advertise should blend casually into your article and actually draw your reader into investigating them. If you want to increase you sales then provide an informative review of the products you are featuring. Give your visitor a reason to want to buy that product.

In this Amazon advertisement I use not only keywords but also color to my advantage.

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Rather than just scanning over the Amazon advertisement I draw you into looking at it.

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Store your photos on cute USB computer storage drives...

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Don't over clutter your webpage with ads...

The Internet is flooded with advertisements and it has actually worked to decrease a visitors attention to them. Visitors now often simply skim over ads without paying much attention to them.

Acknowledging this, and in a desperate attempt to get people to notice their ads again, companies started producing highly annoying "in your face" advertisements. Noisy ads, ads that leap from the page at you, and even ads that cover over what you are trying to read. People started quickly clicking the ads off or simply exiting out of sites that carried them.

There are better ways to advertise the products that you carry.

1) Target people who are actually interested in the product you feature.
2) Don't over clutter, or annoy your visitor with too many, or too flashy an advertisement.
3) Create a high quality enjoyable site to visit.
4) Make your advertising a part of your article.
5) Subtly draw your visitor's attention to your advertisements.

You can focus on one specific product throughout your article or you can place a number of relevant products onto your lens. What you want to do is keep your article attractive, non spammy, and containing only relevant products to your topic.

Credit Your Sources

If you want to increase your online sales then you must have a reputable looking webpage.

Always give proper credit for any photos which appear on your article and also cite your sources of reference.

The basic 5 product amazon module can be used to feature a variety of products.

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Increasing sales with Squidoo's Amazon spotlight module...

Squidoo currently offers you a number of different Amazon sales modules and a customizable eBay module which you can use to diversify the setup of your sales products. Etzy, Cafepress, and Zazzle modules can be used to feature product which you may have on those stores.

So long as your lens is not spammy in nature, or leads to what Squidoo considers to be a taboo product or topic, then you also have the option of using your own affiliate advertising here at Squidoo as well.

Throughout this article I have been using Squidoo's Amazon sales modules and displaying them in a number of different ways. All of these methods are intended to get my visitor to look at the advertisement.

I have bolded the text, used colored text, outlined the module, and also used a colored background in an attempt to have the Amazon spotlight modules stand out from the remainder of my article. Most importantly I have used original keyword rich text within the Amazon spotlight module. If you scroll upwards you can see exactly which marketing methods worked best to draw your attention to the advertisement.

Many lensmasters creatively craft their articles but they often forget to highlight their Amazon spotlight modules as well.

The single most important difference between using Squidoo's Amazon spotlight module, compared to using the basic 5 product Amazon module, is that the spotlight module is visible to the search engines while the basic Amazon module is not. This means that when you use the Amazon spotlight module at Squidoo you can keyword it to help increase your attractiveness to the search engines, hopefully increase your ranking with them, and increase the relevant traffic to your site.

Just keep in mind that Amazon products can sell out so you have to keep checking back on your spotlight modules on a regular basis to insure that they are still live.

You can also use the basic Amazon sales module to act as a divider on your webpage.

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Be patient, be aware, and be willing to adapt to changing circumstances...

Use your interests to design your business. Some individuals are great writers, others are amazing photographers, artists, or cartoonists. A love of animals, crafting, mechanics, science, biology, cooking, or of the written word could be the theme of your online business venture

Use your unique talents and interests to help you design a business, which will not only net you an income, but also give you a great sense of personal satisfaction to run. You can greatly increase your online sales simply by doing something that you love to do.

Be patient. Stay away from get rich quick plans. If you work diligently toward your goal then you will succeed. It takes time to create an online presence on the Internet, but everything that you do today, will earn you income in the future. Have a 3 to 5 year plan for success rather than a shorter term goal. A business on the net can take a little while to give you visible results. Be patient. The long term results are worth it.

To succeed at any business you need to be aware of what works and what does not. In order to increase your sales, be aware of which products are popular sellers, and which ones are not. Then plan out your future sales direction by the sales statistics you are seeing. Adapt accordingly.

Be willing to adapt to changing circumstances: The plan that you originally set out for yourself may not be the right direction for you to head in, so don't ever be afraid to move away from something that is not working, and begin a new plan which possibly may be the correct one for you. Diversify and you will discover which pathway is best for you to follow.

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How to improve your sales performance...

How To Improve Your Sales Performance - Sales Training by Peter McLaughlin of "Winning Sales Habits"
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Basic html code for text, borders, colors, & other cool ways to creatively display your article.

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Are you finding the tips for increasing your sales helpful?

  • kovid7 May 31, 2012 @ 8:09 am | delete
    I have just read the lens. Of course, I am going to try some of the tips mentioned here.
  • miaponzo May 24, 2012 @ 2:54 am | delete
    I just love the advice here.. I am always coming back to this for reminders.. blessed!
  • Graceonline May 14, 2012 @ 2:58 pm | delete
    Yes, thank you! I have a long way to go to understand what makes some people so successful on Squidoo and others not so much, and this article is certainly helpful.
  • Graceonline May 14, 2012 @ 2:58 pm | delete
    Yes, thank you! I have a long way to go to understand what makes some people so successful on Squidoo and others not so much, and this article is certainly helpful.
  • ---Chazz May 2, 2012 @ 9:30 pm | delete
    More excellent advice. Like the use of color to create interest in amazon modules. Thanks for sharing your expertise.
  • thesuccess Apr 15, 2012 @ 7:18 am | delete
    A lens worth returning to
  • squidoopets Apr 6, 2012 @ 1:15 pm | delete
    This is a great tips for increasing sales page, I Iearned some new things :) Will be featuring on my Squidoo Kids Tutorial lens, many thanks
  • sherioz Apr 6, 2012 @ 4:07 am | delete
    This is excellent advice. I haven't yet got it regarding how to seamlessly incorporate sales items in a lens that is not really sales oriented. Lots to learn.
  • drbilltellsexcitingstories Mar 19, 2012 @ 12:18 am | delete
    Very useful... I will want to return here regularly. Thanks for sharing!
  • ajgodinho Mar 4, 2012 @ 12:09 pm | delete
    Thanks for sharing your knowledge on increasing online sales. I think one of the most important things, like you pointed out, is to be patient with the process. Ultimately, what you sow, so shall you reap. Wishing you continued success and blessings! :)
  • eternisemoi Feb 18, 2012 @ 3:44 pm | delete
    Thanks for this information. I find these tips helpful.
  • miaponzo Feb 17, 2012 @ 2:42 am | delete
    What a helpful lens!!! Thanks for sharing this important selling information with us Squidooers! Blessed!
  • Mujjen Feb 15, 2012 @ 10:29 am | delete
    Knowing how well these online sales tips work for you, I will be back and take notes! Have never really thought of changing the color and text in the amazon spotlight module. Great idea.
  • Tipi Feb 14, 2012 @ 10:34 pm | delete
    Awesome presentation of just what you do perfectly. All your articles have a beautiful and inviting flow that carries the reader along and your Amazon modules draw my attention like no others....yup, I have work to do! Blessed!
  • AnthonyAltorenna Feb 11, 2012 @ 11:21 pm | delete
    Thank for the tips to increase online sales. I need all of the help that I can get, both on drawing traffic to my work and on converting a visitor into a customer.
  • Terrie_Schultz Feb 11, 2012 @ 7:33 pm | delete
    Thanks for the great tips! Will Pin and Google+ this so I don't lose it!
  • CruiseReady Feb 11, 2012 @ 3:03 pm | delete
    Am I finding your tips for increasing sales helpful? You bet Iam, and I really need them, too!
  • Jimformation Feb 11, 2012 @ 12:53 pm | delete
    Awesome lens. Great tips. Thanks
  • karmicchristian Feb 11, 2012 @ 5:04 am | delete
    Thanks for sharing these tips! Hope they work for me too! :)
  • OhMe Feb 11, 2012 @ 12:47 am | delete
    I need to come back here and really study all the information you provide on How To Increase Online Sales. Thanks.
  • fanfreluche Feb 10, 2012 @ 1:56 pm | delete
    Agreed about: Don't over clutter your webpage with ads. Stay focus. We all made that mistake, time to go back to our older pages and blog and fix that!
  • SereneSea Feb 10, 2012 @ 1:13 pm | delete
    Very useful tips for increasing sales. May your sales increase further.
  • ravenko Feb 9, 2012 @ 11:25 pm | delete
    What a well put together information source, another great one from you...
  • mary_lighthouse15 Feb 9, 2012 @ 9:00 pm | delete
    Thanks for the information. I found this helpful for my lenses.
  • cinstress Feb 9, 2012 @ 10:00 am | delete
    thanks for the tip on the amazon spotlight mod!
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Did you find some helpful information which you can use in your business?

  • thesuccess Mar 17, 2012 @ 8:22 am | delete
    Touch of Angel Blessings for a Mermaid!
  • JoshK47 Mar 16, 2012 @ 9:56 am | delete
    Absolutely awesome guide - blessed by a SquidAngel!
  • kathysart Feb 22, 2012 @ 5:44 pm | delete
    This soo ROCKS! Thank you.. angel blessed!
  • miaponzo Feb 17, 2012 @ 2:43 am | delete
    There is some really great info here! I have done my share of selling with Amazon and Ebay modules.. I also sell using links to my own selling site (Desert Boutique.com).. and other affiliate offers too.. so this is great info!
  • Nimsrules Feb 13, 2012 @ 12:52 pm | delete
    Haven't made a single Amazon sell through Squidoo yet, I hope following your tips might strike off at least one. Great lens!
  • Lifeboost Feb 12, 2012 @ 3:13 am | delete
    Thanks so much for this really helpful information on increasing sales! Blessed. :)
  • CruiseReady Feb 11, 2012 @ 3:04 pm | delete
    Sure did!
  • karmicchristian Feb 11, 2012 @ 5:05 am | delete
    Nice that you could compile all these useful tips and info. There is always something new to learn!
  • Mistel Feb 10, 2012 @ 5:13 pm | delete
    Great advice! :) thanks for sharing it in such an easy to read way.
  • ToTheBrimm Feb 9, 2012 @ 10:44 pm | delete
    I most appreciate your illustration that compares the black-and-white thumb drive ad to the color thumb drive ad. I would not have guessed that the color text would make such a difference, but seeing is believing. Thank you.
  • Ramkitten Feb 8, 2012 @ 7:52 pm | delete
    Excellent! (Looks great too.) Doesn't matter how long you're around Squidoo or how many lenses you create, you can always learn something from others like yourself who really know what they're doing.
  • Ladymermaid Feb 9, 2012 @ 8:10 am | delete
    You are so very correct. I learn so very much just by visiting the lenses of other lensmasters here at Squidoo. There is a wealth of knowledge and entertainment on these webpages.

Photo sources for this article:

A special thank you for GreekGeek's amazing Squidoo graphics.

Other images displayed on this article are from my family's personal photo album and Karen's Whimsy: Public Domain Images

The DMCA copyright act protects the rights of those who post information on the Internet. This act applies to all photos and information provided on this webpage.

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Ladymermaid

Writing is my passion, my play, my hobby, and my work. I love it. I write under the pen names Ladymermaid and A-Redneck. more »

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