Wayne Landlord Association: $100 Idea: 3 Steps to improve the accuracy of your customers’ e-mail.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

$100 Idea: 3 Steps to improve the accuracy of your customers’ e-mail.

Customer e-mail error rates can run as high as 20%. How can you reduce these errors?

Look at the text box on your sign-up page... is it long enough? If your customers can't see their entire e-mail addresses when they're typing, they can't tell if they made a typo. It should be at least 50 characters long.
Look at the error message your site generates. Does it help customers understand what they've done wrong so they can fix the problems?
Some sites use a double entry process: "enter your e-mail address", then "verify your e-mail address". You want to encourage people to type carefully, not force them to type twice. Many people simply cut and paste the faulty e-mail addresses from one box to the other so double entry registration rarely solves the problem. The best method of self proofing is a confirmation page or a pop-up. Show what they typed again and they will probably notice typos or mistakes and go back and fix them.

Making a business decision is just common-sense, when you have the facts!

Next: Should you use "if" or "when" to start a sentence in writing sales copy?

We have just completed a website that lists all the $100 Ideas by category. Every week, we will be adding to the list. Go to 100DollarBizTips.com. If you know of someone who can use our practical information, have them register at the website.

Edward King, MBA CPA
Former Director of Wayne State University's Small Business Services
Telephone: 586-771-3618
Fax: 888-756-2761 (toll-free)
E-mail: EdwKing@aol.com
Websites: TheSmallBusinessDigest.com, 100DollarBizTips.com, SmallBizKing.com (students only)

KingCo, 1721 Shore Club Drive, St. Clair Shores, MI 48080, USA

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