How many times have you gotten excited about what you sell? I mean really excited in front of a customer and just kept talking and talking and talking and talking... Then it hits you .. shut-up you tell yourself. Maybe you stopped in time to listen and understand your customer and maybe you didn't. In person you may get a second chance, but on your website not so much.

How have you designed the content for your website? Is it all about YOU ... what great sale you have going on ... what inventory you have in stock ... what information you require on your web forms ... what click paths/navigation you want your visitors to take. Have you stopped and thought about what your online shopper feels? You may not be talking verbally, but your website is shouting something. Is it all about you or are you listening to your shopper?

This video posted on YouTube is a great example of what your online shopper might be hearing from you...



It's not as difficult as you might think to listen to your online shoppers. Simply start by not forcing your website shoppers to follow your pre-determined click-paths and give them some answers to their questions without them having to jump through hoops. Then keep on building from there.

In my last post (RVIA in Louisville) we touched on using Internet marketing and new technology as an advantage for your RV Dealership instead of ignorning it and hoping it goes away ... maybe because you think it's costly or you just don't understand it.

Over Christmas the Wallenbeck Family traveled back home to Watkins Glen, NY where I grew up to spend some time with my extended family. Weather was gracious to us over the 1400 miles back and forth and it was a great time. When I travel and even at home I enjoy visiting local coffee shops. Not because I enjoy coffee that much (only been drinking it for a year), but rather because each one is typically unique and has a Unique Selling Proposition (USP). I'm not talking about Starbucks or The Beanery, but local, sole proprietor type java houses.

Take for instance StoryLines (see photo) in my small hometown. You can see the outside in the photo ... it looks interesting and has character. You walk in and it feels warm and cozy. Well placed rows of family friendly books. Comfortable lounge chairs and many games to play with a friend. And yes ... thy sell coffee which is where they make their money ... obviously. Yet, they provide all those other unique features so that you'll stay and drink your coffee and make plans to meet your friends there again. Maybe you'll pick-up a book and read it. Maybe you'll like it and buy it for yourself or a friend.