The online world in many ways is no different to the offline business world. On and offline, it’s all about people. In fact, if you think about it, every dollar that is spent online must come from an individual making a decision to trust the business or person behind the website.

Creating an effective website that brings you new customers and makes you money will be easier and more successful if you remember the human element. Unless your business and brand is already very well known then this often means allowing your visitors time to get to know, like and trust you.

It’s essential to build relationships with your prospects to earn their trust. Your website is important to begin the process of persuading visitors to like and trust you. They will also be getting to know you by what they read, see and experience on your website.

To convert many more visitors into customers follow up is also necessary.

And that’s where an Email Newsletter comes into play. One of the most beneficial jobs your website can do is to encourage visitors to join your email list. You can have a sign up form on your website that will work 24/7 to capture leads for you.

To encourage a higher sign up rate you could offer an incentive such as a free report, special offer or discount. And try not to have too many distractions on your website if your main purpose is to build a list. Keep the focus on what you want your visitors to do, make it easy for them and give them good reason to sign up.

Once they are on your list you’ll be able to keep in touch and communicate further with them over time. And you’ll be leveraging your time by marketing to a group of prospects all at once - “one to many” marketing. Do this well and your prospects will come to know, like and trust you enough to take up your offers and become customers.

If you don’t already have an Email Marketing Plan in place, then consider adopting this time proven communication and conversion method. Once a customer is on your mailing list, they’re a prospect (and hopefully a new customer) for life!