Impending failure? Advice needed!

26 replies
Ok, I am working on a website with my dad entitled LowGlycemicRecipes.net . It's aim is to help people with blood sugar problems, especially Type 2 diabetes. A low glycemic lifestyle also helps people lose weight and even control acne. To continue helping these people, we need to make money to keep it going.

Our product is a module of "more than 150 true low glycemic recipes" that people can access for $14.97 for an entire year. (We tried doing it as a monthly subscription with the $14.97 price but no takers).

The problem now is even at the $14.97 price for an entire year, we have had only one sale (in the one week that the new price has been up). We had 247 unique visitors during that week. No sales! We have accumulated a mail list of 290 people who have signed up to receive free recipes (we send them out with low glycemic info every week). We sent that list a broadcast announcing the new price. One sale resulted from that effort.

I would appreciate any advice. What are we doing wrong? The e-mail caputure page is LowGlycemicRecipes.net and our sales page is on the main site on our Learn page. The one sale from the broadcast directed them to lowglycemicrecipes.net/home/login/good-news-for-you
Health and happiness to y'all.
#advice #failure #impending #needed
  • Profile picture of the author Art Turner
    To me it seems to scattered. I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do...register, login, sign up, ask a question, answer a question? I didn't know if the recipes were tasty, for a diet, for blood sugar or for acne.

    The word free appears 6 times on the site, the fourth highest repeating word. Probably getting lots of visitors looking for free stuff.

    Just my first impressions.

    BTW, you might want to remove the affiliate link from your sig, as it's not allowed here.

    Otherwise, welcome.

    Art
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    • Profile picture of the author Jeremy Kelsall
      The other thing that you might consider is actually really giving the recipes away for free to your visitors -- collecting their emails -- and then selling them something else that would help them.

      There are so many "free recipe" sites on the internet that it might be a tough nut to get people to pay for them.
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      • Profile picture of the author tulsatech
        Originally Posted by Jeremy Kelsall View Post

        The other thing that you might consider is actually really giving the recipes away for free to your visitors -- collecting their emails -- and then selling them something else that would help them.

        There are so many "free recipe" sites on the internet that it might be a tough nut to get people to pay for them.
        True, there are a lot of sites that CLAIM to be "low glycemic" AND they do give away their recipes. The problem with them is they are NOT truly "low glycemic" (at least not according to the Glycmic Index).

        That's one of the reasons we started our website. I think (to stay competitive) we may have to give away the recipes for free and then try to sell other products that are related. We do have a "Recommended Products" page, but I suppose I could also add some banner ads on the side as well.
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      • Profile picture of the author tulsatech
        Originally Posted by Jeremy Kelsall View Post

        The other thing that you might consider is actually really giving the recipes away for free to your visitors -- collecting their emails -- and then selling them something else that would help them.

        There are so many "free recipe" sites on the internet that it might be a tough nut to get people to pay for them.
        Yes, tough nuts are hard to crack. I was thinking of making the recipes I currently have into an e-book and selling it on Clickbank. My original idea was to make the site into a Membership website with the intent of creating a niche community.
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        • Profile picture of the author tulsatech
          Originally Posted by theyoungmarketer View Post

          Definatley paydotcom it as you can email all affiliates on there of it's arrival, with clickbank you can't.
          That's the other service I was trying to think of! Thanks!
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          • Profile picture of the author sylviad
            Hi,

            For me, the video overlaps the column on the right, so I cannot read the bit about Dr. Beecher until I get down below the video.

            It is a bit confusing because the site doesn't really have a focus. You might do better concentrating on the diabetes angle and offer more of an introduction, ie: you've found the best site for tasty recipes to control diabetes... or something. Tighten up the spacing on that Dr. Beecher piece on the right so people don't have to scroll down to read it all.

            You have some info here on your contest page that you can use on your front page but without the contest reference. Also, take yourself out (we) and tell your visitors what (they) will get out of your site. Rule #1: Focus on Benefits to the visitor.
            There are over 23.6 million people with Type 2 Diabetes and that is only ONE of the chronic conditions we address through nutrition at lowglycemicrecipes.net. We believe there are so many individuals who need the type of information that is available exclusively here that we believeyou may be willing to help. After all, someone close to YOUR heart could be helped by learning the low-glycemic lifestyle
            Take a look at some other diabetes-related sites to get some better ideas on how to approach the subject yet still make the site fun and lively.

            Really hype up just what makes your recipes / offers so unique, otherwise your site really has nothing new that they can't find elsewhere. Build up your membership level so people know exactly what they'll be getting for their money. Make it something they can't live without.

            You might offer a 3-month or 1-month free trial so they can get a peek inside. Once they sign up for the free trial, you have their info so you can pitch them to become paying members before their trial ends. Let them know what they'll be missing if they don't renew. This will mean making your content amazingly irresistible.

            I really don't see a problem with the colors - they are bright and are colors you find in food groups.

            Hope this helps.

            Sylvia
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    • Profile picture of the author tulsatech
      Originally Posted by Art Turner View Post

      To me it seems to scattered. I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do...register, login, sign up, ask a question, answer a question? I didn't know if the recipes were tasty, for a diet, for blood sugar or for acne.

      The word free appears 6 times on the site, the fourth highest repeating word. Probably getting lots of visitors looking for free stuff.

      Just my first impressions.

      BTW, you might want to remove the affiliate link from your sig, as it's not allowed here.

      Otherwise, welcome.

      Art
      Thanks Art. I've linked the LGR website to my sig. I hope that's alright. I agree that our squeeze page needs some work. Thanks again for your input.
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      • Profile picture of the author KenJ
        Hi Tulsatech

        I have a recipe website in a very tight niche and it makes sales of about one a day with traffic of 30-50 uniques per day. Quinoa Cookbook - Home
        (I'm not trying to promote - just helping a guy)

        I think your niche is very good but the presentation is a bit all over the place.

        I run a quinoa blog that points to this website and that has a few free recipes on it. My aim however is to get people to the sales page of the main site.

        Perhaps you could use your current website as a presell for a straightforward sales page website. PM me if you want to know more
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  • Profile picture of the author David Raybould
    Hi Tulsatech,

    In order to maximize the sales from your site, you really need to rethink the whole layout and format. The main page is currently set up to do 2 or 3 different things, but you'll have more success if you concentrate on one thing per page.

    Check out the successful pages at clickbank.com. Have a look through their marketplace, and you'll notice a few trends among the real successful sales pages.

    That should give you a good idea of how to lay the site out to get better conversions.

    I can give you a free video critique to help you get your site converting...drop me a PM if you're interested...

    Hope that helps

    David
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  • Profile picture of the author PVReymond
    Hi Chris,

    I visited your capture page and to me you have too many colors
    and many different fonts.

    Also, your headline is too general, I know nothing about this
    topic but I would like to know what acne has to do with
    overweight and blood sugar.

    Your headline has to be more specific, think about who you want
    to target (acne or blood sugar)

    Another thing is that you have many options on that page, I
    mean links pointing out to a survey to an audio, login...

    What is the main objective of that page? If it is collecting
    names and emails then, why don't you try to do only that?

    Split/test your actual page with a simple page with headline,
    bullet points and opt in form.

    When I clicked to listen to the Dr. Breecher's audio I got this
    [audio:http://members.lowglycemicrecipes.net/welcome2.mp3] so
    it doesn't work.

    What if you create a simple page with that audio or even better
    a Dr. Breecher's video explaining what you have, and how they
    can benefit from it and then invite to opt in.

    Also, you can give a great piece of advice upfront, something
    that they can use immediately, and even if they don't opt in
    they get something from you, it will create a great first
    impression.

    I see you have a survey, are people taking this survey? If so,
    what are the conclusions you are drawing from it?

    Another thing is that in your Thankyou page you are offering
    nothing, why don't you offer a $1 trial for the first 30 days
    if they act now? You want buyers not freebie seekers.

    Your main page has too many things, if you are trying to sell,
    then just do that, be specific... write a sales letter and send
    them there.

    I think you can start working on these points.

    Thanks,
    ^PV Reymond
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    • Profile picture of the author tulsatech
      Originally Posted by PVReymond View Post

      Hi Chris,

      I visited your capture page and to me you have too many colors
      and many different fonts.
      I appreciate you pointing this out to me. I'll take a closer look at the template we are using to see what can be changed (or perhaps even use a new template altogether).
      Originally Posted by PVReymond

      Also, your headline is too general, I know nothing about this
      topic but I would like to know what acne has to do with
      overweight and blood sugar.
      I am unable to post links yet, but if you click on my signature link it will take you to the members area and under the Medical Studies blog you'll find an article entitled "Proof that Low Glycemic Eating Helps Prevent and Control Acne". I know that doesn't really address the headline, but I thought if you were curious it might help.

      Originally Posted by PVReymond

      Your headline has to be more specific, think about who you want to target (acne or blood sugar)
      I agree. We also have a website that specifically targets people who suffer from Acne (and how to control it with a low glycemic diet).
      Originally Posted by PVReymond

      Another thing is that you have many options on that page, I
      mean links pointing out to a survey to an audio, login...
      True. I think the survey should probably go. I'd like to use it somehow though. Any suggestions?
      Originally Posted by PVReymond

      What is the main objective of that page? If it is collecting
      names and emails then, why don't you try to do only that?
      Straight and to the point. I like it.
      Originally Posted by PVReymond

      Split/test your actual page with a simple page with headline,
      bullet points and opt in form.
      I'm in the process of creating an A/B split test. Thanks again for the suggestion.
      Originally Posted by PVReymond

      When I clicked to listen to the Dr. Breecher's audio I got this
      members . lowglycemicrecipes. net / welcome2.mp3 so
      it doesn't work.
      Strange, it worked for me. I'll test it out with different web browsers.
      Originally Posted by PVReymond

      What if you create a simple page with that audio or even better
      a Dr. Breecher's video explaining what you have, and how they
      can benefit from it and then invite to opt in.
      Good idea! We have our first YouTube video showcasing one of our free recipes. It's called "Eggs Florentine Scramble" on YouTube.
      Originally Posted by PVReymond

      Also, you can give a great piece of advice upfront, something
      that they can use immediately, and even if they don't opt in
      they get something from you, it will create a great first
      impression.

      I see you have a survey, are people taking this survey? If so,
      what are the conclusions you are drawing from it?

      Another thing is that in your Thankyou page you are offering
      nothing, why don't you offer a $1 trial for the first 30 days
      if they act now? You want buyers not freebie seekers.

      Your main page has too many things, if you are trying to sell,
      then just do that, be specific... write a sales letter and send
      them there.

      I think you can start working on these points.

      Thanks,
      ^PV Reymond
      Your advice has been VERY helpful. Looks like I've got a lot of work to do.
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      • Profile picture of the author PVReymond
        Originally Posted by tulsatech View Post

        True. I think the survey should probably go. I'd like to use it somehow though. Any suggestions?
        Put the survey in the confirmation page, they receive a message
        and they have to click on a link to confirm, right? Then that
        link can redirect to your survey.

        I am almost sure that you are going to have more people taking
        the survey.
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        • Profile picture of the author Steadyon
          Straight to the point reply:

          The site itself is dispersing. I was looking all over the place.

          Your headline is too close to the top and left. It gets lost a little.

          The aesthetic design is wrong. It doesn't flow to what you want them to do.

          What exactly do you want them to do?

          Don't have his picture on the right and down below. It is distracting.

          I hate to say it, but the picture of him does not align with the site's purpose. I thought, would I take advice from him on this subject? He looks fat.

          You had two sign up boxes. One on the left, one at the bottom. Why?

          I would probably make it a two column home page, with your sales letter in the middle and the various sign up boxes on the right. Then your headline doesn't mix up with the big column on the left.

          Are people looking for free recipes? Maybe this isn't what they are really looking for...
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  • Profile picture of the author Rob Whisonant
    I'm going to toss out an idea. Your product may do better as a physical product instead of a membership site.

    Why not try putting all your recipes on a CD and sell it for $14.97 and then within the CD upsell a recipe of the month club where they receive a new CD each month with new recipes.

    Or possibly a printed product. A printed product can be purchased as a gift for someone that does not have or use a computer.

    Re's
    Rob Whisonant
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  • Profile picture of the author Tsnyder
    #4. Also make sure your page is optimized well. go to www dot instantposition dot com / seotest
    Tulsa...

    I get nothing but "the page cannot be found" at that url.

    Tsnyder
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    If you knew what I know you'd be doing what I do...
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  • Profile picture of the author Tsnyder
    Here's the correct url... found it in google

    Web site promotion tools - SEO Doc Mini Version

    Tsnyder
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    If you knew what I know you'd be doing what I do...
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  • Profile picture of the author Tom Dean
    As a type 2 diabetic I applaud your efforts.

    I would take a look at the usability of your site. Maybe get non IM friend to perform a specific task on your site in a specified amount of time and report back to you.

    Maybe take a look at your competition/pricing to.

    Amazon.com: low glycemic recipes: Books

    Much success,
    Tom
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  • Profile picture of the author GeorgR.
    that page needs some work. It still looks more like your typical squeeze page.
    (Well, uhm, it IS)

    It doesnt create a feeling of "authority"...so a visitor would think
    "Uh! Nice...there is some really good information. The person knows what he's talking about. I sign up, i might get some good information from this".

    instead, the site just quickly wants them so sign-up....and the design is not the greatest either, there is actually some quirks with the forms here on firefox.

    It just looks like a "cheap" (sorry!) site with some few flashy headlines..but i doubt it convinces a visitor.

    I say this since i am doing something similar myself right now (in the health niche)...i built a site which is supposed to give the impression that someone has a REAL interest to give health-related information to the visitor.

    One idea i had:

    Put a name on the site - so people see the site as something like a personal recommendation site of a person. The person(s) review products, the person knows her stuff since she/he is an expert in that field...and/or he knows about the condition, maybe because he/she suffers from it her/himself.

    Whatever she offers comes across as honest advice, because she tested it, it works.

    You get the idea.

    Make the site less "flashy", make it more like a personal story of the man, describing his struggle and how he finally found this which really helped him. Make it more personal. Think hard and do some brainstorming, put yourself into the mind of someone with this condition, looking for help. Coming to your site. One of 100s he might have seen before. CONVINCE him.
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  • Profile picture of the author tulsatech
    Hello. Once again I want to thank all of you who gave my Dad and I such great advice. We have made some changes to our squeeze page and I wanted to share it with you and, once again, get your input. I've taken out Dr. Breecher's picture and narrowed down the focus of the page so that the reader is really given only one choice (to register). We've added more copy to the page (basically combining 2 pages into 1) and eliminated the right hand column.

    Tasty Low-Glycemic, Low-Carb Recipes…

    So, what do you think?
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  • Profile picture of the author Raydal
    You are making all the TYPICAL new marketer mistakes. There are so
    many things to point out, but you can get most of the remedies by
    watching this seminar.

    77 Ways To Skyrocket Your Website conversion :Copywriting Video Blog

    Good luck!

    -Ray Edwards
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  • Profile picture of the author GrantFreeman
    First off, you've got a personal story there with no sub-headline to it. When the mood of the story changes, subhead it. Make it known by showing benefits.

    I'd put the part where you're describing what the differences are between low glycemic and high glycemic in the margin somewhere. There's a possibility that you could put that person in that state when they are reading. Be careful.

    Just my opinion here, but all you really need to focus on are first, relating to the person by establishing trust. Good job there.

    Next, identify and connect with the problem. Nice work with the bullets.

    Then show them the solution to their problem and the benefits that will help them when they buy it.

    Next, show them how easy it is to order. Mention guarantee.

    Could some of these be your subheadings to?-

    "Keep, or Regain Your Attractive, Trim Figure
    Eat Delicious, Satisfying Meals while maintaining stable Blood Sugar Levels
    Better Control your overall Blood Sugar Levels and your life
    Look Better and Feel Healthier Fast
    Banish Hunger
    Lose Unsightly Fat and Excess pounds
    Eat Delicious, Filling Foods without experiencing Blood Sugar Spikes
    Look and Feel Healthier."


    "Does my story sound like yours?

    Have you recently been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes?
    Are you pre-diabetic?
    Are you trying to lose excess weight?"


    Some redundant questions there, that mess up the flow of the message. Maybe better left out?

    Hope this makes an improvement!

    Grant
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  • If our site review team were cracking in to your front page, these are the first eight things they'd want to get you started on:

    1. Your header is very generic -- we love simple headers, which it is, but there's nothing there visually to "brand" the site as anything but a template, rather than an actual business. Could you have an image of people enjoying a meal, or your typical target audience? You want to help people identify with your product upon arrival.

    2. You were saying that many "free" recipes aren't TRULY low glycemic. You should be emphasizing this in your headline -- it's your USP. Include that, along with the benefits of using these recipes (taking control of your health, adding flavour instead of sugar, making cooking properly easy and convenient, etc.)

    3. Don't give away something you sell. Give away suggested shopping lists, or grocery tips for people with low glycemia. Or give a checklist that helps them analyze their cupboards to get rid of stuff they can't cook with. Or a list of common diet no-no's, or lifestyle tips. Easy low glycemic snacks for on the go? Anything you can think of that isn't a recipe. Also, "FREE!" isn't as compelling as you think -- people still need a good reason to trust you with their information. You need some opt-in copy.

    4. Your salescopy is in a tiny font, and blocky paragraphs, with little in the way of bullet points or subheads or boxes to make information stand out. You need to create the problem, offer your solution, build your credibility, put in testimonials -- all the classic salesletter techniques to lead someone through your sales process. And who are you? Tell your story!

    5. Don't ask for registration unless you've given them a clue to the value they'll get for registering, or what will happen. Is there a forum? Are you mailing them stuff? What's behind that curtain? You kind of tell them what will happen in a vague way later on in your salescopy, but will anyone get that far?

    6. Package the recipes like a proper cookbook, even if it's an eBook or a subscription or a membership thing. Make a "product" to show them so they know what they'll receive, even if it's a service.

    7. No images of food = no appetite stimulation. Why not throw on some cooking demos on video? Would make for a great YouTube channel! They won't put out unless you get them excited about what they can make.

    8. Not seeing any keywords being used in your code/copy. SEO will be your friend. Are you doing anything with PPC?

    That's what we've thought so far...
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  • Profile picture of the author Craig Fenton
    Hi Tulsa Tech:

    Good luck with the site and please don't be frustrated. You never fall,only stumble on the way to success. As a professional writer and public-speaker one of the tips I can offer is to look over your site, blogs, articles, and check for words that are repeated too often and in close proximity.

    For instance if you say "I had a great day with my wife today. I know tomorrow will be a great day with her too." You repeated common words only a few characters apart.

    Another idea is to look for words that create more of a sizzle. For example if you say "Morning traffic was bad", that is stated by 70 million people. Making the contents read "The traffic to the office was ghastly" would change the tone and the feeling.

    Write an article and have three different copies for words and sentence structure. Let people that are impartial check it out. Those that don't benefit one way or the other. Have the same articles read by those that are interested in the product or at least the niche and see what they think. You can always use the Warrior Forum as a sounding board.

    Take a look at the competition (or as close as possible) and find what looks good and no so perfect on their site, blogs, articles, and videos.

    Speaking of videos, don't be afraid to create a few and have a link that can generate traffic to the site. There are over 30 URL's such as You Tube that allow videos to be posted at no charge to the consumer.

    Keep at it and make a million!
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  • Profile picture of the author jamesviago
    hi tulsatech

    i am very interested in the subject, as i'm quite the carb-addict myself.

    but even so, i couldn't read the pages - i got lost as to "the point" of each page, and couldn't stay interested... so i started to skim, looking for headlines that would draw me in... and there weren't any.

    i agree with other poster's suggestions - one page, one purpose. keep it simple for me.

    also, don't give me a headline about me, and then talk about you - move the stuff about who you are to a side box or something, and get my attention by talking about ME. me. me me me. memememememe. then offer me something. one thing. don't make me think. don't give me choices. tell me what to do. big and loud and clear.

    i had to think and look and wonder, to realise that the point of the signup page was to sign me up. i just thought you were being helpful with free advice. i scrolled up and down - then i noticed the signup in the top left - i had discarded that (from the corner of my eye) as a login box and only noticed it was a signup when i forced myself to look hard - which i only did becuase your OP told me it was a signup page and i was thinking Eh? what? where?

    so if you want me to sign up, please tell me in a bold and exciting way that makes me itch to sign up. smack in the middle where i can't miss it.

    there's other stuff too but i reckon other people have already said enough to keep you busy

    rock on mate it's a great subject and people do need your product!!
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  • Profile picture of the author tulsatech
    Wow, once again I can't tell you guys how much I appreciate your input and advice. I've been busy on the website and I've made some more changes. Looks like I still have my work cut out for me though.

    We did create a "free report" that (I hope) will entice people to register. As you can tell, I am a true IM newbie. But with perseverance and a willingness to learn, I hope to break through to the top. Thanks again, I'll keep you all updated.
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