In Design
Multi-channel marketing communications - all in one!
Let’s Bend the Edges
What makes a landing page “great”?
Depending on our background, experience, or right/left brain status, we may all have different answers.
Some of us love a bit of flash — some people prefer simple.
In our marketing software solution, we strive to provide templates that meet a wide-ranging spectrum of designs and tastes. (And then of course, you can always create your own pages from scratch).
One thing that you can do to enhance the look of your landing pages is modifying the input fields that collect contact information.
With just a bit of code to define the style, you can really spice up their appearance.
Below is an example of a landing page whose contact fields have been modified.
Modifying the appearance of contact fields
Do you like it? Do you have an idea as to how you would like your contact fields to look? If so, please let us know… We can help you figure out how to change it on your own, or we can do it for you as well.
Tags Mailer Design 101
Mailer Design 101
I’m asked to do various task concerning design elements throughout each week – but one of the most common would be to design a direct mailer.
Direct mail is one of the most popular ways to reach out to prospects and here are a few things to keep in mind when designing what will land on their doorstep.
Know Your Contact:
It’s important to send mail that is relevant to your prospects wants and needs. If you send out content that is in no way helpful to them, you’re now spamming your prospects, and what good is that? Make sure you address them directly. Personalize your direct mailer “Hello Jamie” is probably the simplest way but if you have more data put it to use. “Hello Jamie, just a reminder that your dog Teddy is due for his monthly grooming.” Small bits of personalization can keep your mailer in hand, instead of in the trash.
Don’t Overwhelm:
We’ve all come across commercials on television that screams at you “THIS WEEKEND ONLY!”, “OUR CUSTOMERS LOVE US – YOU’LL LOVE US”, “YOU KNOW YOU CANT MISS THIS” – There’s text everywhere, images flying across the screen, fast music, its overwhelming! When you send your mailer out it’s important to put as little text as possible. Simplicity is key, let your prospect take in your point; intrigue them, if they want to know more they’ll follow up. But, if you send them a card full of testimonials, one time only deals, and a full description of your company’s history you’ll lose them before they read one line.
Try Out Different Designs:
Don’t stick with the first idea that comes into your head – Grab some markers and scrap paper and just sketch. You don’t’ have to be an artist to layout a mailer. A box can represent an image, scribble line – well that’s text. No one needs to understand it but you! Once you find a layout that works throw in some filler text and images in a design program, print it out and let it sit in front of you for a few days. You’ll notice type that you want larger, colors that could work better, and show it to friends for feedback.
Do’s and Dont’s For Your Next Landing Page
Posted by Jason Pinto 
on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 
at 9:31 AM 
in Business, Design, Marketing, Technology | Simple changes to help make your landing pages more effective. |
Tip #1: Less Reading, More Intriguing!
The dreaded scrollbar! Okay, that’s not always the case. There are certainly some topics that require web pages with reams of information. But when it comes to designing a landing page that will be used in a marketing campaign, it’s important to make sure that you cut down on the clutter. This is not always easy. Most likely, you (or your customer) is very excited to share the world with exciting information about their company or a product. But, a sale doesn’t happen overnight.
You have already hooked them a bit by getting them to travel to your web page. Make sure you tell them the important details, and then get them to provide you with some information. Perhaps a link to a survey form, where they will enter their contact information.
If that happens, you will have plenty of other opportunities to share more information with them later.
Tip #2: Sit. Stay. Good reader!
Some of the best looking landing pages (both in style and content) have fallen short when it comes to “response rates”. The reason why: the landing page had great content, but it had too many links to other sources with great content. If you have a flashy button leading to your homepage, there is a good chance that your visitors will click that link… and most likely, they will not make it back to your landing page. So, use the landing page for what it’s for – to provide specific information on what you are offering.
You can always put those great links on the Thank You page!
Tip #3: Scary Forms!
A lot of online registration forms can be “scary”. People can quickly become intimidated by lengthy forms that require data entry. Keep your registration forms short by only asking for the essentials (name, address, e-mail, phone, etc.). For example, if you are trying to get people to subscribe to your e-newsletter, do you really need their mailing address? It would be great to have, but there is time to collect that. Ask them for what you really need for this purpose… most likely, just their email address.
People can also be afraid of what happens to their information once they’ve registered. Try adding some text to reassure visitors about what will happen with their contact data.
How hot is our newsletter?
The above chart is a report from our January 2009 e-Newsletter. Basically, it tells us how many people clicked the links to each of the four articles in the newsletter. Yes, it helps us to tell us which areas of the e-mail provided the most heat, or attracted the most attention.
When it comes to e-mail blasts, the most common statistics that may be bantered about are the “Open Rate” and the “# of Bounces”.
Another piece of data that can be very helpful though involves which links people are clicking on in your e-mail. With that data, you can then analyze your design, your layout, wording and more. Also, that data helps provide insight into ideas for future articles.
Are you interested in how you can gain valuable reporting data for your e-mail blasts?
Feel free to contact us to find out how. 1.888.872.4608 or Sales@interlinkONE.com
