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Is this "Bait And Switch"?

by dgmufasa
20 replies
Hello all,

I am looking to sell website design services.

On the landing page, for the "bribe" to get the persons email address the thought was to offer something like:

"Set up a website in 15 minutes"

Then, when downloading the PDF file, I would say that Wix would be their best bet (for such an offer)

BUT

I would tell them about the pros and cons of using Wix.

Hoping to make a good case to ~not~ choose Wix.

I thought I would end with something like "Well, now you know the pros and cons, you can make an informed choice".

Then, having the Affiliate link pointing to Wix and letting it go at that.

How does this approach sound?

I am new to all of this - so - any help, hints or advice would be greatly appreciated

TIA
#bait and switch
  • Profile picture of the author discrat
    You trying to use Reverse Psychology by playing it down in hopes that will buy ??
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    • Profile picture of the author dgmufasa
      Originally Posted by discrat View Post

      You trying to use Reverse Psychology by playing it down in hopes that will buy ??
      Telling the guy that here is a way to get it done quickly
      - but -
      because of reasons X, Y and Z - it won't work for your organization.

      Here is a better way instead - it will be longer than 30 min. but, it will help your organization.
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  • Profile picture of the author dgmufasa
    Not really - Wix really is not that good - but - I am sure that that's what people will focus on if you want to charge a decent amount for web design: "why would I pay all this money when I can go to Wix and get it done for next to nothing"
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  • Profile picture of the author Regional Warrior
    yes but we know which will get the most traffic...!
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve B
    Just my own opinion . . . others will surely feel differently.

    I think this approach is very sketchy and if I were one who was looking to have a quick web site setup responding to your ""Set up a website in 15 minutes" pitch, I would feel that you misled me.

    You're flip - flopping all over the place!

    First, you're telling your prospect:

    "I would say that Wix would be their best bet (for such an offer)"

    and then in the next breath you tell him:

    "Hoping to make a good case to ~not~ choose Wix."

    Then you flop again and are going to offer him "the Affiliate link pointing to Wix and letting it go at that."

    Very sketchy marketing IMO. I would never do business with you.

    Steve

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    • Profile picture of the author dgmufasa
      OK then, if one is selling websites.

      How do you convince the people who are looking at Wix that your solution is better?

      Just Curious ...

      TIA
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  • Profile picture of the author elmo033057
    Honesty is always the best policy. It kind of reminds me of when people get you on their mailing list and before you know it, you are in a sales funnel the very next day.

    Sure, you always know that you're eventually gonna get pitched, but you never expect it so quickly.

    If you're serious about looking building an online business, you want to develop good solid relationships that'll last for years. A good business model to look at would be Dan Kennedy's because he knows how to deliver solid business advice for free while still making a pant load of money.

    Once you deliver solid material that people can actually try and use with some success, you have an excellent method of building a fan base.

    If I were you, I'd build a high quality info product that actually told people how to do something and you could use the Wix product that you're trying to promote as a resource link.

    However, if you don't use the product and don't actually believe in it, don't try to sell it.

    That will eventually come across as phoney-baloney

    God Bless,
    Elmo
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  • Profile picture of the author mdallen
    I agree with Steve. It sounds sketchy and you will get that reputation in circles so that Steve won't be the only one not buying from you. I'd either sell the benefits of WIX or sell the benefits of the other product, but don't tell them buy wix, don't buy wix, buy wix.... that's craziness
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  • Profile picture of the author yesacpow
    Hey dgmufasa,

    I'm not sure what exactly is your primary objective. Are you selling your own design services or are you looking to promote wix?

    Reason I ask is because if you are selling your own services, why would you mention wix any at all?

    Please clarify.
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    • Profile picture of the author dgmufasa
      Originally Posted by yesacpow View Post

      Hey dgmufasa,

      I'm not sure what exactly is your primary objective. Are you selling your own design services or are you looking to promote wix?

      Reason I ask is because if you are selling your own services, why would you mention wix any at all?

      Please clarify.
      Selling my own.

      The goal was to get around the problem that the customer may say : "Well, why should I pay money for a web solution when I can buy Wix". I know Wix has some deficiencies - but - need to communicate that to the customer ...
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      • Profile picture of the author Greg guitar
        Originally Posted by dgmufasa View Post

        Selling my own.

        The goal was to get around the problem that the customer may say : "Well, why should I pay money for a web solution when I can buy Wix". I know Wix has some deficiencies - but - need to communicate that to the customer ...
        We all do this in some areas of life I suppose, so don't take this hard, but this is a totally self defeating approach. You are seeing problems that aren't there, and creating them; picking an uphill battle when there are perfectly level and pleasant pathways to where you want to go.

        Are you aware of the concept of creating a customer avatar? It seems likely you aren't, so let me explain: it is simply a detailed description you create of the ideal customer you'd like to attract. The idea is to try to figure out where that customer is likely to hang out, what kind of appeal would attract them, etc. In other words, aim all your marketing at the kind of people (using the avatar to help you think about it), you'd most like to attract.

        The glaring problem for me with your approach is that you seem to have done the opposite; you have set your mind on this "problem that the customer may say...", instead of focusing on the customer who would never say that.

        The customer you're worried about is the exact kind of customer you don't want to go after-in fact, not a customer at all, but rather, a freebie seeker. Why start with a "customer" in mind that wants the opposite of what you offer (high quality you must pay the price for).

        You are making things extremely difficult for yourself by setting up a problem in your head that you needn't focus on at all. You may as well go to the store and buy lemons asking how you can solve the problem of sourness, when what you really wanted was an orange, which was right across the isle.

        It would be like a frugal working class guy who is totally into camping, hiking, and hang gliding, going to clubs he hates and can't afford, to get dates with women whose lives revolve around glamour; high heels, expensive girly fashions, etc, hoping to talk them into donning jeans and hiking boots to join his ourdoor life.

        Make it easy on yourself, and forget about wix. Figure out how to find the market that is serious about quality and doesn't mind paying for it.

        You won't have much luck recruiting a congregation for a new church by screaming at atheists to repent and come join the church, while ignoring the religious zealots looking for a place to worship.

        If that's not enough metaphors for you, hit me up for a few more. Yes I enjoy getting carried away; what's the problem?
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        • Profile picture of the author dgmufasa
          Originally Posted by Greg guitar View Post

          The glaring problem for me with your approach is that you seem to have done the opposite; you have set your mind on this "problem that the customer may say...", instead of focusing on the customer who would never say that.

          The customer you're worried about is the exact kind of customer you don't want to go after-in fact, not a customer at all, but rather, a freebie seeker. Why start with a "customer" in mind that wants the opposite of what you offer (high quality you must pay the price for).
          Thanks for the input - you are correct. I just thought about it. If someone has a bad website now, then if they were going to choose Wix as a solution, they would have done it already.

          In truth, I would like to reach people who were "in the market" for such services instead of spending time convincing them why the services are needed in the first place.

          I had actually thought of selling PDF products - i.e. "How To ..." guides - for the cheap ones. But, I suppose the goal is to focus - 100% - on the avatar.
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  • Profile picture of the author mdallen
    You can always compare and contrast. I just would not approach it from a this is great about wix and why you should choose them. Show why they should choose you. And you should not recommend people jump on wix if you think they are less than valuable to your audience
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  • Profile picture of the author yukon
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    Most people won't turn down something free, they'll at least try it before pulling out a credit card.

    Free is the lure at Wix, it works great for drawing in traffic. There's actually a name for it, it's called freemium, give something free with a sales funnel to easily upgrade to a payed product.

    My point is most of your traffic will try Wix, it's free, they have nothing to lose ($$). On the other hand your product isn't free, traffic has something to lose while starting a website. Wix will win the majority of your traffic.

    I didn't look at the Wix affiliate cookie time but my bet is the average Wix user doesn't immediately upgrade to a premium product. So... the question is, are you giving away free traffic to Wix via your affiliate link because a cookie expires before traffic decides to buy (weeks/months)?
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  • Profile picture of the author mdallen
    Yukon has a very good point. If you are directly competing with Wix you may want to offer whatever you are offering with a free trial or something similar. Wix is a name brand so if it is something you do personally... you have to c compete with that known brand. So they have a known brand with a free option or your thing which is unknown and also not free... They would naturally choose Wix. You will need to offer more if you want to compete or just sell Wix with their features and your affiliate link
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  • Profile picture of the author dgmufasa
    Well, I don't believe in the Wix product.

    I have an idea now of how to switch it up so that it will be a bit more palatable.

    Thanks for the input!
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  • Profile picture of the author unifiedac
    There's nothing wrong with what you're doing, just they way you're going about it. As an affiliate you want to promote your affiliate product in creative ways, not just regurgitate the same ads and marketing material Wix offers on their commercials and banners.

    There are many affiliate web builder offers out there, Wix is just one. Weebly and GoDaddy site builder come to mind. You may offer a comparison of the three, show how they can all help the client create a nice website in 15 minutes (promotional videos work great here), and then offer the pros and cons of multiple solutions. The benefit for you is that you can receive an affiliate commission regardless of which program you offer.

    It takes more work to create a setup this way, but then you appear to be less biased and are providing the customer with more options that can be tuned to their specific needs.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brent Stangel
    Why not sell your services in a straight-forward manner? Put together a report on the "best" free website builders and use them to convince prospects, professional, original design is the way to go.

    A lot will depend on your prospect's intent. They have to be at least open to the idea of investing money. If they are just looking for "free" you won't convert many.
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    • Profile picture of the author dgmufasa
      Originally Posted by Brent Stangel View Post

      Why not sell your services in a straight-forward manner? Put together a report on the "best" free website builders and use them to convince prospects, professional, original design is the way to go.

      A lot will depend on your prospect's intent. They have to be at least open to the idea of investing money. If they are just looking for "free" you won't convert many.
      Thanks for the input - could this be offered as a "bribe" to get them to sign up?
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  • Profile picture of the author Spintent
    Why don't you just put up some comparison charts from the beginning and let them choose which one they want?
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