Two of the most important pages on your site are your "Thank You Page" and your "404 Error Page". And while most online marketers spend vast amounts of time creating their sales copy and their sign up page, most don't spend any time at all on what's included on these 2 important pages.
Now before I show you some ways to use these pages to expand your business let me explain why these pages are so important.
First, the "Thank You Page" is what your site visitor sees after they have performed the action you desired. They have either signed up for your mailings or purchased your product.
Of course you'll want to thank them for their action and deliver what you've promised however, this is the time to start building a relationship with them. Don't just give them what they've decided to get and then tell them to go away. Give them more! Give them a reason to believe you deliver more than promised and start building a good relationship with them.
Now the "404 Error Page" is the page people see when they try to visit a page that doesn't exist on your site. And rather than have the universally defined "404 Error Page," you should create your own so those who get lost on your site see what you want them to see.
Here are 3 ways you can use "Thank You" and "Error" pages to build a relationship and expand your business:
- Give them something extra for seeing the page. Give them a special gift, a chance to sign up for a special mailing or a special 1 time offer. Here's an example of 1 of my "Thank You Pages": http://www.friendswhocare.us/request_received.htm
- If they don't need to spend much time on your "Thank You" or "Error" page and you would like them to see another page on your site or your favorite affiliate program page, you can use some php code to send them where you want them to go next. Here's an example of what I mean:
http://www.friendswhocare.us/phpboost.php
Here's how you can make your page redirect your page visitor:
1. Put this line of code at the top of your web page code:
<?php header('refresh: 5; URL=http://www.susancarrollhome.com/dollarsale/');
?>
2. You can change the number of seconds by changing the 5.
3. Change the site url to the 1 you want.
4. Save your file as a .php file type and upload. - Offer to help them find more information. I use this primarily on my error page.
http://www.friendswhocare.us/errorpg.shtml
Note: If you don't know how to customize your own "404 Error Page" you can see how it's done in "29 Easy and Instant Web Design Tricks - Volume 2." Download the PDF file here
http://www.friendswhocare.us/free/UWV.zip to get the link to this eBook free - no cost - no sign up - totally free.
Having an online business is just like having an offline business in that you don't want to waste or underutilize any of your space. While you may not be able to set up a product display on your payment page like offline merchants do at their cash registers, you can do something similar with your "Thank You Page." And, just like those smart merchants who ask, "Did you find what you were looking for?" when you leave their store, you can help those who get to your "Error Page" by helping them find what they are looking for. Be a smart online marketer and learn to use 2 of the most important pages on your site.
To Your Success,
Susan
P.S. If you found this tip useful please leave a comment.
Tags: thank you page, error page, 404 error page, web site design, web page design, most important web page
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