Increase Your Conversions by Complementing a Merchant’s Website
Posted by Tennyson_Rog in Affiliate Marketing, Niches Thursday, 27 August 2009 14:56 12 Comments
For those of you with a dropped jaw right now, don’t fret. I am not suggesting you copy or plagiarize anybody’s website. What I am referring to applies to those who promote a merchant’s product.
Think about it. If your website promotes a merchant’s product, it is a mouthpiece for that merchant. What you present, and how you display it, reflects not only on you, but also on the merchant whose products you are promoting.
And I’m not talking about your landing page. We’ve written many posts on how to create an effective landing page, and the new Affiliate Classroom Version 2 offers some fantastic courses on the anatomy of a landing page and how you can craft it to result in a higher conversion rate.
Rather, the purpose here is to discuss some techniques that will help smooth the transition from your site to the merchant’s site.
So let’s take a look on how to support the merchant’s site by how you create your site.
When your visitor clicks through to the merchant’s site, make sure they don’t feel like they’ve entered into another world. If at all possible, make your site look similar to the merchant’s. Now, don’t do this by attempting to reproduce or create a copycat version of the merchant’s site, but rather by the general look and feel.
If the merchant site has a white background and blue font, consider doing the same. If the fonts and colors used are playful and the layout follow a particular orientation, create the same look on your site. Just aim to compliment the merchant site by its overall appearance and tone.
And if the merchant has credibility indicators (example: Better Business Bureau Trust E, Hacker Safe, etc.) note these on your site, possibly below your summary.
By focusing on creating an atmosphere that mimics the feel and look of the merchant’s site you are promoting, you help ensure your visitor feels comfortable once they are ready to purchase.
And that makes your site a success, and better supports your merchant, which in turn establishes a stronger presence and will result in a higher conversion rate.
What a great idea!
I’ve never thought about using this as a ’strategy’ but it makes so much sense that just by paying more attention to this extra detail and ‘make an effort’ to complement the merchant site that you are affiliated with will be a ‘win-win’ formula.
A thumb-up from me and surely will apply this to my next campaign, THANK YOU!
Cindy
Its Good For me,, i’m will test it,, thank’s
Makes a lot of sense. I agree, when I clicked on a SP and left to the affiliate page or store, it was confusing when there was a big difference between the two sites.
Thanks..
Richard
Fantastic point. However, what if you’re promoting several merchants (from one site) with considerably different brand identities/websites?
Very Useful tip, I need to get into the meat of affiliate class room, and get better acquainted anatomy of a landing page and how I can craft it to result in a higher conversion rate. That is very important,and something I failed to master.
Thanks,
Denise
Great tip! I just thought about that particular strategy the other day, but like a dumbo it left my brain almost as soon as it entered. Thanks for turning the switch on again for me. Makes me wonder how many other great Ideas I get and then let them leak. It’s time for a back up brain. the ol’ “notepad.”
Thanks I needed that!
I would have to agree on this. Making seamless transitions is the best thing for your visitor. You have to try and put yourself in their shoes by anticipating what they’re going after and what it is your potential client wants. In response to Annette’s question, I would create multiple websites with each one focusing on one merchant site.
Thanks Anik, we also like to use this method in our campaign. Especially if we’re doing Clickbank (CB) or some other affiliate program. Because building a complementary merchant site is not just about landing pages, but about pre-selling your visitors and capturing leads. Because with CB most affiliate are nothing but glorified sales people. But super affiliates use these tactics to build their list so they can get paid even once they stop promoting that particular offer.
Thanks Anik! I will try this method in practice. I find this very useful tool.
Excellent idea! I’ll implement this. Thanks.
I have done this and it works well. Some companies have policies in place and will want to review your site before you launch it. Just read the fine print.
That is really a great tip! Thank you!
Dee.