Would you like to have a top-notch sales person that works 24/7 for less than minimum wage? Are you looking for ways to automate your sales process? Invest in a consumer-driven Web site with the right combination of interactive features and information, and transform your online presence into a powerful lead generation tool.

Ten Tips to Online Lead Generation:

1. Consumer-driven Web sites: Make sure your Web site addresses the wants and needs of your target market. Word of warning: this is not always synonymous with your personal taste.

2. Plan ahead: Do your Web site marketing research before designing your site. This important first step will help you to accurately address your market's needs. No time? Most full service online marketing firms will do the market analysis for you.

3. Well integrated marketing: Your online marketing presence should carry the same theme, and to a large degree, the same look and feel as your off line (print) marketing collateral. This helps to convey a cohesive message to your clients and promotes brand recognition.

4. Free information: Your Web site should be chock full of free, helpful information that conveys your extensive knowledge of and experience in your field.

5. Update frequently: Add new material (verbiage, articles) to your site frequently. The more frequent the better. You should add new information to your Web site at least once a month.

6. Standard functionality: Incorporate all the standard Web site functionality that is common in your industry.

7. Unique functionality: To set your site apart, identify unique functionality that no one else in your industry offers. Focus on unique interactive ways to make the buying decision easier, faster, and more fun for your prospects.

8. External links: Google, the most popular search engine, ranks your site based on the number and quality of external links coming into your site from other sites. You should always be looking for good external linking arrangements. 9. Online newsletters/e-magazines: Publish your own online newsletter that offers information and advice about your products and services in a "soft sell" format. Online newsletters are extremely easy to publish with the new tools available.

10. Google Adwords: This is the Holy Grail of Web site marketing, and it's affordable for just about everyone. Come to a NuRelm workshop on Google Adwords to find out more, or call us for free advice.

About the Author

Mona McGraw is the COO and President of NuRelm. NuRelm is a Web software and services firm that focuses on helping non-technical professionals utilize on the Web to build business. For more information, please visit www.NuRelm.com.