July 1, 2009

Silverback Strategy

Posted by Rey Villar

Use Test Pilots to Create an Effective Website

Whether you’re making the “small” improvements recommended in this article or completely re-designing your website, it may help to keep in mind one of the keys to creating successful websites — make it easy for the customer.

Most customers looking for your website probably have one thing in mind. They want or need health insurance.

But they also want to make sure they’re making the right decision.

Your website should make it easy for them to find the information or tools they need to get to that buying point. Don’t force prospects to jump through hoops or play Sherlock Holmes to find the find the information they need.

Once you do have a website you like, put it to the test. Recruit potential clients to take a tour of your website.

You can also go on Craig’s List and find people who may not have insurance at this time. Ask them to review your website and provide suggestions on how it could better help them make a decision about their health insurance purchase.

Large corporations actually pay contractors thousands of dollars to do this on a larger scale. You can do it for much less (or free) if you can recruit cooperative friends, relatives and colleagues.

By getting practical feedback from people who resemble your prospective customers, you’ll get a better idea of your site’s usability and effectiveness — before you officially launch.