Recession Proof Your Business

Billions lost, banks disappearing, retail chains collapsing, unemployment rising. Looks like we’re in real trouble. Well, maybe for some but not for you…

Here are the 3 Golden Rules to ‘Recession-Proof’ your online business

#1 How You Think! No matter how bad the economy gets the media will make it sound worse.  As their version of reality is all around us it’s easy believe it as fact and that we’re all doomed.  (Remember, this is what they want – bad news sells, appalling news sells even more!)

Many business people will buy in to the media’s view and scare themselves into inaction – a fatal move because it creates a vicious cycle…  Low business confidence leads to inaction leads to missed opportunities leads to fewer customers leads to lower business confidence, etc…

Just watch your competitors as they blame all their challenges on the recession and give up - if not literally then mentally.

This isn’t going to be you so what can you do to shield yourself?

Firstly, minimize your exposure to the media’s view of events.  (The UK economy is only estimated to shrink by 2% in 2009 so there’s still plenty of business out there.)

Secondly, focus exclusively on your business, provide an amazing service to your customers and use the very best marketing strategies to increase your business wealth.

Remember, your belief will alter your actions and negative thinking will lead to negative actions.

#2 Unfreeze Your Marketing. Don’t kill the one budget that can make you money – your marketing budget.  Online or offline, marketing is the ONLY tool you have to create lasting business wealth.  Online marketing is the more powerful because you can instantly track exactly how much money you’re making allowing you to dump what’s not working and maximise what is. 

Here are 10 basic things you should be testing;

1. Google Adwords
2. Search engine optimisation
3. Improving your website’s copy
4. Giving your visitors a reason to leave their e-mail address
5. E-mail marketing
6. Split testing web pages
7. Viral and social marketing
8. Blog baiting
9. Testing audio and video
10. Creating affiliate relationships and joint ventures

The list goes on but most businesses won't do any of these, they'll panic and slash budgets.  This is great news for the rest of us because we can sit back and watch our competitors effectively remove themselves from the market.  What a fantastic opportunity for you - less advertising competition means reduced costs and increased return on your investment.

Remember, marketing generates new customers, increases the spend of existing customers, turns a £1 investment into a £5, £10, £50 return and is critical to you surviving and thriving in 2009.

#3 Content Is Still King! 90% of commercial websites are appalling; the content is typically straight from their brochure, it’s often out of date, they opt for a 'take it or leave it' approach instead of developing a relationship with their visitor, and the only time the business addresses it is every two years when a web design company convinces them it needs to look prettier!

So, why do people visit your website?  Because they want information.  Why do they want information?  Because they need your help. 

So, help them. 

Give them everything you can to demonstrate how much your business will help them. 

Give them access to everything they need to make the best possible decision. 

Give them; advice, white papers, risk-free trials, downloads, audio testimonials, case studies, guarantees -- give them every possible reason to become your customer -- you owe that to yourself and to them.

Remember, people love value.  The more value you give on your website the more likely they will become your customer.

Here’s my challenge to you… Let’s make 2009 your best year yet.  If you’d like to me help you accomplish that you can get some direct and personal Help and Advice right now or join my Internet Growth Programme and start getting tips and strategies straight to your inbox today!