4 Easy Steps to Automate Your Online Sales Process
Posted on 09. Jun, 2010 by Adam in Blogging, Business, Entrepreneurship, Internet, Making Money
So you’ve got your blog up and running, you’re starting to gain a following, and you want to capitalize on your growing popularity. One of the best ways to do that is by creating products around whatever your expertise is. Your followers obviously like what you have to offer, so whether it’s through e-books, audio programs, webinars, or video workshops, creating products to deliver what they want is a no-brainer. Once you’ve created products to offer on your site, one of the greatest things about the Internet comes into play: you can automate the entire process. Sure, you have to do the work upfront to create the products and the process, but once it’s in place, it takes very little attention beyond tracking your progress and making necessary adjustments. This is a great thing, because it frees you up to create more quality content, and more products. So, how do you automate your sales process? Here are four easy steps to make it happen:
1. Get ‘em on the list. The first step to the automated online sales process is to get your site’s visitors on your email list. Your list will become the biggest asset you have, so this step is critical to your success. To entice people to sign up for your emails, there are two critical factors you must nail down. First and foremost, your free content (your blog) must be high quality and compelling. If you’re not delivering value to your visitors, there’s no way they’ll sign up to hear more of what you have to say via email. Secondly, you’ll want to offer a valuable incentive for people who sign up for your emails. Value is the key. While you’re not going to give away the farm in a single swoop, the offer you create must have real, valuable content, or the subscribers you do get will promptly unsubscribe. The point is, you shouldn’t be trying to trick anyone into signing up. They’ll detect it immediately, and no one wins.
2. Send out the emails. The next step in the process is to decide what you’ll send out once a person subscribes to your list. Obviously you’ll be sending a welcome email with a link to the free product you promised. But then what? One of the greatest tools in the email marketing toolbox is the sequential autoresponder. Whatever email marketing provider you sign up with, they should have the ability to set up sequential autoresponders to each new subscriber. These autoresponders might even serve as the free product offer the subscriber signed up for. For example, you might offer a “Free 7 Day E-Course on How to Make Money with Affiliate Links.” Then, each day for the next seven days, your subscriber will receive an email with another part of the course. If you follow this path, it’s a good idea to just provide the content without selling anything in these emails. Even if you’re giving value, that value is diminished when you turn it into a sales pitch. This brings up another good point: When setting up your sequential autoresponders, make sure you’re not selling in every one. People get a ton of email, and if they know they’re in for a sales pitch whenever they open one of your emails, they won’t be on your list for long. You want people to look forward to your communications, and then when you do present an offer, it’s far more likely to be acted upon.
3. Accept online payments. So someone has signed up on your list, they’ve received some great value from your emails, and now they want to buy the video course you just offered. This is the coolest part of selling on the Internet. It used to be that you had to be present to sell something to someone. Now, you can do it in your sleep! Whether you use a service like PayPal, Google Checkout, Amazon Payments, or your own merchant account, it will be easy for you to sell your products on your site. The nice thing about the ready-made services (PayPal, Google, Amazon, etc.) is that you don’t have to purchase shopping cart software to use them. You’ll be able to create “buy now” buttons and easily incorporate those into your page. The down-side is that you pay a little more in fees, and you have less creative and functionality control. In either case, you’ll have access to comprehensive sales reports, so you can…
4. Track and measure. As your online sales get underway, and for as long as you sell online, you’ll want to know how you’re doing – not just in terms of sales, but with marketing and conversion rates as well. You want to know how many people are visiting your site, how many of those are signing up for your email list, and how many email subscribers are clicking back through to your site and/or ordering products. Using your site analytics, coupled with the stats provided by your email marketing company and your e-commerce provider, you’ll have easy access to all this information. These statistics are very important, because they will paint a picture of how your content and your marketing are working to convert browsers into customers. Using this information, you’ll be able to make necessary changes to improve your click-through and conversion rates. Of all the steps, this is probably the least “easy” but it’s really not hard once you get used to looking at the numbers. Then just make small adjustments and see what changes. There’s no fool-proof formula that works for everyone, so you get to build your own!
Bonus step! This isn’t as much a step as it is a suggestion. Provide outstanding service at every turn, and whatever products you create from your expertise, always offer a money-back, “risk-free” guarantee. Few people, if any, will take you up on it, and it just makes people feel better about spending money on your products. For those who do ask for their money back, don’t hesitate to return it, no-questions-asked. Then try to get some feedback, but don’t count on it. Sometimes you just have to move forward and focus on those who love you and your stuff!
The Internet has given us the ability to make money using automated systems, and we’d be crazy not to take full advantage of that. So follow the steps above and get your cash-flow on autopilot.
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50 Responses to “4 Easy Steps to Automate Your Online Sales Process”
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Payday Loan Lenders
09. Jun, 2010
I would say that for doing this, paypal is really handy and it really helps to get the transaction done but yea for overseas paypal charge way too much and also there are too many convenants.
Mukundan Srinivasan
09. Jun, 2010
I do affiliate marketing and this post is much useful to me. As the previous commenter says paypal charges are really high for overseas customers. I think some company should come as an alternative to paypal. I think only Google can do that. Track and measure segment of the post was nice. As u say tracking the sales and checking our performance is really important to improve. A quality post. Great job.
season episode
09. Jun, 2010
What is the best list software or solution out there that won’t cost tons of money? I can never find anything but everyone seems to be using something to build lists.
Laptop Briefcases
09. Jun, 2010
Automation is very important in the online world. You do not want to spend all of your time doing the work. It is quite rewarding to see orders coming in overnight or while you are off having fun. That’s not to say that an online business is all fun and games though.
@season episode: You might want to look into aweber, it is one of the more popular e-mail list systems. It does cost about $200 a year though.
JohnAtBlogtrepreneur
09. Jun, 2010
@season I agree with Laptop. Aweber is a good one to check out. I’ve had good luck with Mail Chimp in the past as well, although their WYSIWYG editor can be a little glitchy and frustrating at times – but whose isn’t! :)
dental hygienist
09. Jun, 2010
I’ve recently started a blog, the information you provide on this site has helped me tremendously. Thank you for all of your time & work.
John Paul Aguiar
10. Jun, 2010
Get them on the list man.. it all revolves around that list. Yet people still dont see the benefit.
Great tips.
Laptop Briefcases
10. Jun, 2010
@John: Yes lists are quite powerful. I think a lot of people are just too intimidated by e-mail marketing. They see it as something they should get into, but they don’t know what to put in their newsletter to properly balance promotion and quality content. Many are likely worried about being labeled as a spammer if they do it wrong. Others may just not know what to offer their visitors as incentive to subscribe.
Credit Girl
10. Jun, 2010
This is sure to save you time… Thanks for sharing. I’ll definitely keep this in mind once my blog gains readers (hopefully) ! :)
Samantha Milner
10. Jun, 2010
Hi guys,
Great article. I feel inspired to make more money online. Thanks for sharing.
Kind regards,
Sam
X
Alex Posicionamiento Web
10. Jun, 2010
When you say automatic it means you should create a process that is connected to each one another. This article is great because it would really tell you things to do that would connect all the dots. Each step or process should be carefully prepared and monitored so that the flow of income and processing is smooth. This is a really great article because it won’t only lessen stress but it will also provide a smooth flow of income and business transaction.
Thank you for sharing this!
Alex
Martina - advertising products
13. Jun, 2010
I agree with all your steps in automating sales process. Sending out emails is really effective, you can boost your sales through this. I, too, love to subscribe on other sites’ list and receive their emails and newsletters. Emails are the fastest and effective way of communicating with your site’s visitors and customers. Also, accepting online payments is really a must; indeed, you can still sell your merchandise even while you’re sleeping!
JohnAtBlogtrepreneur
13. Jun, 2010
A couple of comments have mentioned selling in your sleep. This is probably the best part about automating the sales process. There’s nothing like waking up to money in your inbox!
Escort Service London
14. Jun, 2010
It will take time and practice to nail down a selling process that will yield great reports, but once you figure it out, you can even delegate this task to other people.
Growing Sales Revenue
14. Jun, 2010
I agree with all your mentioned points. I’m a Seo analyst and have sound knowledge regarding online marketing. These tips cover almost all important tricks to boost up online marketing business.
Disgruntled Ex-Employee
15. Jun, 2010
Great advice here . . . Keep up the good work!
Compare Prices
16. Jun, 2010
I think the genuine thing that can increase your sales is how you market your products. Creating email lists is a good idea but what they say “the thing that matters is quality, not quantity”. Having thousands of subscribers isn’t worthwhile, on the other hand having consumers is beneficial whether you have a low rate of subscribers. You can do that by writing a great content and then its distribution to your subscribers. But don’t emphasize much on your sales pitch, people are likely to unsubscribe once they realize you are actually here to make a sale.
JohnAtBlogtrepreneur
16. Jun, 2010
@Compare Couldn’t agree more with your point about quality vs quantity. A few hundred loyal followers can make you rich, whereas thousands of subscribers who could take or leave what you’re offering won’t get you far!
Kelvin Forex Indicator
17. Jun, 2010
I totally agree with you. Building a list has been one of the best decision I have done for my business.
smartbrains
22. Jun, 2010
It’s amazing when someone visits your website for the first time and then buys something.It’s for this reason that you need to be prepared to manage a cycle that takes a prospect from being interested, to being a happy customer and then hopefully a happy repeat and referring customer!
ProbusinessGuy
29. Jun, 2010
Thank god for paypal, i get about 400-500$ a month part time doing 1 hour of work a day selling stuff on digital point. Because of that i pay my rent everymonth with extra money left over for whatever.
Cool Magazine
25. Sep, 2010
Nice tips on online sales. But extremely important and difficult thing is to find right visitors to the site.
Disfraces Dragon Rojo
08. Feb, 2011
Im according with this article, if you have a blog you need to add content that in which most visitors will motivate to return to your site, to comment, contribute content, etc. these 4 steps were very important for me and many others to grow our Internet businesses.
Regards.
olga rizzi-metodos para combatir la celulitis
02. Apr, 2011
100% agree, but we created a list of subscribers, we will never have an online business! always be like when we started!
Juan from Vender Desde Casa
11. Apr, 2011
Great list of things to do! I don’t like very much using a merchant account, I recommend to use Paypal or Clickbank.
Thank you for sharing this!
Juan
Kevin - Apuestas Deportivas
24. Apr, 2011
I am applying the technique and I think a great strategy to automate my online web pages …
Greetings
Kevin
Diseño web en Madrid
13. May, 2011
Keep working hard, i appreciate your work, thanks from spain
rafa - como bajar de peso en una semana
18. May, 2011
excellent article I am going to apply the 4 steps to improve my online business will continue to read your tips! greetings
Diseño Web Empresas
30. May, 2011
A good list and the autoresponders is the key. Is there a better way than offer something for free, leave the traffic grow your list and leave the autoresponder sell stuff to that list?
But it’s not as easy as it sounds. In fact, it can be really difficult. So much competitors, a lot of buzz, bad content, etc.
Great article!!
Martin Fernandez | Masajeador
02. Jun, 2011
When you say automatic it means you should make a process that is connected in an ordered manner, so each step follows the next. I found this very helpful to connect all the dots. Each step or process in any business or task should be taken with measure and prepared so it can be monitored, in order to get make the flow of income and processing is smooth. I will make sure my readers know this and you.
Thank you for the share, i will save this!
Martin
Hernan -Musica Ecuatoriana
06. Jun, 2011
Great post, I am going to put action this 4 steps as soon as posible
mar - comer para perder peso
19. Jun, 2011
Thanks for the info, I have a blog and this article clears my doubts, since I want to automate my business with any autoresponder service, as well help me get the most out of business
Susan Jenner | como quemar grasa corporal
20. Jun, 2011
the most important thing is to build a subscriber list for follow-up
Sebastian - Articulos de pesca
11. Aug, 2011
Sorry I’ve posted a reply in Spanish. Here you have the translation.
I just discovered this article is great because it really would say things to do to connect all the dots. Each step or process must be carefully prepared and controlled for the income stream and the process is smooth.
Thanks for sharing. I’ll definitely take this into account once you earn my blog readers (hopefully)! :)
Thank you for sharing this!
carlos | ley de atraccion
18. Aug, 2011
Right, automation and step by step with major in any area. thanks for this material.
thanks
carlos
Iuliana-Reinigung Klagenfurt
29. Aug, 2011
This article is great because it would really tell you things to do that would connect all the dots. Each step or process should be carefully prepared and monitored so that the flow of income and processing is smooth.
Nice tips on online sales. But extremely important and difficult thing is to find right visitors to the site.
Ivon Paginas Web
30. Aug, 2011
It is important to keep these points in order if we have a good online business, plus it is more effective to send us all the electronic media for good performance and quality is one of the most important things for me, since without it not open productivity. The post I found really useful thanks.
Victoria -Cruceros desde Cartagena
12. Sep, 2011
The list is the succesfull. great post
ruth, eliminar la celulitis
18. Sep, 2011
great article. I do not think the truth is a secret that having a list is an effective way of doing business, it is said that the money is in the list, otherwise the post is very explanatory.
Posicionamiento Web Murcia
23. Sep, 2011
Hello Blogtrepreneur,
Thanks you for your post, i want to start a business online where I can sale, repair & upgrade computers. I would like a automated system to inform me of new clients.
I’ll be back to read more next time
Vali Räumung Wien
26. Sep, 2011
A good list and the autoresponders is the key.
Thanks for sharing. I’ll definitely take this into account once you earn my blog readers.
Fontaneros en Castellon
15. Oct, 2011
Nice tips on online sales. But extremely important and difficult thing is to find right visitors to the site.
Thanks for sharing.
Miguel | negocio en internet
16. Oct, 2011
Measure is a super super base aspect, something interesting about the internet business is that everything is susceptible to be measured, so we will be able to know and be able to optimize our marketing campaigns.
In general, this article shows the pillars of a successful online business, its educational and quite powerful.
Thank you very much for sharing.
cerrajeros barcelona
18. Oct, 2011
Automation is very important in the marketing online. Good tips! I follower
Fontaneros en Castellon
22. Oct, 2011
Each step or process in any business or task should be taken with measure and prepared so it can be monitored, in order to get make the flow of income and processing is smooth. I will make sure my readers know this and you.
Trigliceridos Altos
23. Nov, 2011
What is the best list software or solution out there that won’t cost tons of money? I can never find anything but everyone seems to be using something to build lists.
Juan | Seguros Valencia
23. Dec, 2011
In general, this article shows the pillars of a successful online business, its educational and quite powerful.
Thank you very much for sharing.
Merry christmas
Diseño paginas web | Fernando
29. Dec, 2011
These tips are very useful for my business and I will put in place to streamline processes, thanks for sharing.
Ivan - Comunidad Beta
01. Jan, 2012
What is the best software in the list or solution out there that will not cost much money? I can not find anything, but everyone seems to be using something to create lists.