The following began as a simple post on my Facebook wall.

Blows me away! Out of all the people who appear on Shark Tank only a handful have their websites optimized for new traffic.
Most do not have a way for visitors to opt in for anything whether it be a coupon, a report or a training video as it relates to their products and services and market need. Oy vey.
These people are being seen by millions of people yet they are not doing all they can to have their site completely “visitor” ready.
Wake up folks. If you’ve made it to the Shark Tank wouldn’t it be a good idea to prepare your site for it?
The number of likes and comments I received on this short post were a lot more than expected. Most people agreed with me while a couple of people said I shouldn’t be critical.
It’s not about being critical, it’s about educating entrepreneurs on how a few simple steps can increase effectiveness and revenues.
Imagine the hoops Shark Tank contestants have to go through to appear on the show. This is no easy feat.
It is beyond my comprehension that contestants wouldn’t do all possible to bring their site up to the highest standard possible when their story will be seen by millions of people.
You can bet lots of viewers are checking out contestants websites on their IPads, IPhones, and laptops while watching the show.
Imagine how many opportunities are missed if there isn’t a way for someone to opt in. Ouch!
Without capturing contact information visitors will likely never come back to your site and will soon forget about you. A harsh reality.

Here’s a simple rule; have an opt in opportunity with something of extremely high value for site visitors. 
When you have someone’s email address you can let them know about specials, discounts and product bundles while continuing to create massive value for your subscribers.
Once someone opts in continue to create high value as well as offer products and services they would benefit from.
If you’ve been looking for a simple solution on how to increase revenues you generate from your site, I just gave it to you.
Far too often people say, “My business is not working.”
Yet, when they are given the solution on what to do they don’t take advantage of it.
For example, there was one Shark Tank participant I had a phone conversation with after he appeared on the show. He was frustrated he didn’t get the funding he had hoped for nor was his site selling much at all.
Within seconds of being on his site I identified a few glaring problems with his site.
I told him I wanted to use his site as a case study for a group of my high level clients. I wanted to show them a few simple changes that he could make to make the site a money magnet.
“Absolutely,” he said without hesitation.
I created a short screen capture video in which I pointed out the most obvious steps he could take to improve conversions. The video was made available to my private clients as well as to the owner of the site.
The guy got really excited about the information, saying he was going to update his site as soon as possible.  
One change would have been very simple; offer a gift such as a report, short video or MP3 that visitors would opt in for.
Another was to offer a fabulous special for Shark Tank viewers. Make it super easy and very low risk for people to make their first purchase.
The site owner received the video about four months ago. Not one change has been made.
Mind you, if he would have said, “I’m not interested, I have no desire to change things, beat it,” I would be fine with that But the fact is, he got really excited by my offer, said he didn’t know much about using the Internet to market his business and welcomed my recommendations.
So why hasn’t he updated his site? Simple. He’s not convinced it’s worth the effort.
Consider this, online purchases this holiday season were up considerably from last year.
Retail web sales increased 12% over last year’s holiday shopping season and surpassed $92 billion according to Shop.org, the digital division of the National Retail Federation trade group.
The increase covers shopping during November and December.

E-retail spending to increase 62% by 2016.U.S. consumers will spend $327 billion online in 2016, Forrester Research says.

Personally, I think the projection is low. I predict the increase will be well over 100% in the next three years.
Most consumers are choosing online means to purchase what they want. For an entrepreneur not to have your site fully optimized (especially when millions of eyes will be seeing what they offer) is crazy.
If you’re not doing everything you possible to ride this ever-increasing wave, you’re soon to be left behind.
Mind you, opt in boxes are not the only thing you have to do. There is more to the process. It would behoove you to be fully prepared when any opportunity arises.
What would you do to prepare if you knew you were appearing on Shark Tank? Comments welcome.
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