As usual, before meeting I did my home work/ research tasks and presented a 5-slide presentation on his website information architecture and layout options.

He was excited with my presentation.

Next day he called me for 2nd meeting at his residence - he told me: "Huhh! my 9-year son can also make websites -- why are you charging so much... and what is the difference in his and your work"

As a mature & experienced consultant I chuckled and said - "the difference is so much that can either make or break your website".

Here is what I shared with him:

 1. The first step in website development should be working on the Information Architecture (which describes how you structure the layout and content of your Web site)

 2. Next step should be: determine the content of your site (What information will be beneficial to customers or prospects need; How many pages will you need; What type of information will be on each page; How much information will you need to convey etc.)

 3. Third step will involve choosing a design layout. (Over the years I have learnt the simplicity in design is the key to success of your website. I always recommend to avoid flashy & jazzy stuff on your website - they don't serve any purpose. Just keep your site simple/ basic)

 4. After selecting design layouts - take multiple tours of your website during the website building process. Check and re-check: is your site easy to navigate? is all links are working? etc.

 5. And as a final step it advisable to test the site twice before making it live to the public.

My practical and effective recommendations answered all the questions Mr. Professor had and he finally gave me his website project and recommended my name to his friends & associates...

Now I am preparing next website presentation meeting :)

Wanna come & learn - The Secrets?

Akshar

P.S.: These days here in India schools are having summer vacations. Now professor and his son has decided to get a pro coaching in website development from me and guess what the coaching fee is far more than professor's website development project :)

The lesson for you is to: RESPOND to situations rather than REACT to situations.

I had learnt this tip from my dad -- who follows simple & no-nonsense principles in life. Thanks Dad!

Ideally that would be the name of your business: abcd pvt. ltd., for instance, would optimally want www.abcd.com as its' domain name. But majority of domain names are already taken, either by another business named abcd ltd., or by cybersquatters, people who register many likely domain names and attempt to sell them, often at high prices.

In this blog post, I am sharing few tips for selecting an alternate domain name:

• Localize your business domain name: if your company serve locally or a small area, think about adding that to your business domain name: delhiabcd.com, for example, or newdelhiabcd.com
  
• Personalize your business domain name: if your business features your personal services and expertise, you can use those to you business Web site's advantage: yourname.com
  
• Put products in your business domain name: if you have a distinctive line of products or services, use them for a distinctive business domain name: abcdgps.com, for instance or even abcdgpsindelhi.com
  
• Phrase making can make effective domain names: if your business lends itself to it, consider using a memorable phrase for your business Web site's domain name: a seating company, for example, might try seatingsolutionsforall.com. Done right, a cleverly phrased business domain name is not only memorable, it becomes a key part of your business Web site branding efforts
  
• And consider different web site extensions: think about abcd.org, abcd.net, abcd.in etc.

Last week I was reading an e-book on Attracting New Customers prepared by Jimmy  & Travis. I found it interesting and useful. So I thought to share that info with all of you.

Okay onward!

David Copperfield is a world renowned illusionist. Every year, he alone makes rupees 285 crore approx.

In this blog you will read Copperfield's best kept marketing secrets with which you can also steal his best business building secrets and achieve magical results in less time.

So without further delay, here are the 7 secrets behind Copperfield's magic of customer attraction:

1. It's a Show
Customers love to be entertained. They are paying for more than just your product or service - they are buying the experience. And the better the experience, the more they will pay.

2. Prepare
Take some time every week to think about your business, your show, your experience and your selling skills. Then take some action every week to control it and put systems into place that make it rock solid, controllable and duplicatable.

3. The Realty Is What You Create
You need to know that people's perceptions are changeable and controllable. How you will be received is determined before a customer ever steps foot in your business. How?

Through your story, that's how.

Create a story for your product or services (in other words create an imagery - a picture) - which will help you create a group of people who are pre-disposed and pre-motivated to do business with you before you ever have a chance to meet them. In this way your sales cycle becomes shorter and your closing ratio higher.

4. Burning Desire
Burning desire crates a greater emotional response and most buying decisions are made based on emotions and backed up by logic. The more emotional the pitch and offer, the more sales you will make. You need to focus on creating an eager want in your prospect's mind and heart for what it is you have to offer.

5. Simple Sells
The clearer your message is and the more relevant it is to your prospects, the better your results are going to be at attracting their attention and capturing their hearts. Remember to keep it simple and keep it emotional.

6. You Can't Do It Alone
If you want to get to the next level you need others. But here's the warning... you need the right people. The wrong people can shut you down and set you back. You need to surround yourself with winners, who are better than you at what they do - experts in their own field.

7. Big Is Available
Getting out of your comfort zone and doing things that most people would avoid at all costs, is what will put you on the map. It takes massive action combined with courage and creativity to build celebrity for yourself and your business and ignite a buzz that spreads the word and makes you and your business a household name.

Commemorating the spirit of the adventure sports & active lifestyle, my client A&S Creations (master distributor of Suunto watches in India) has announced the annual Suunto Mega Sale.

It's limited period & limited stock offer.

I recommend this once-a-year offer! Go grab your watch before somebody else does.

Click here for more info.

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Quick note on Suunto:
Suunto is a leading designer and manufacturer of sports instruments for diving, mountaineering, training, hiking, skiing, sailing and golf. For more info about Suunto please visit suunto.com.