Having a website is essential for any small business. Not only does it give you a place to sell your products or services, but it also allows you to reach a larger audience than you could if you were relying on brick-and-mortar locations alone.
However, simply having a website is not enough. In order to be successful, your website must be optimised for conversion. That means that it should be designed with the goal of turning visitors into paying customers.
Creating a high converting small business website can take time, but there are a few key things that you can do to increase your chances of success.
- Keep design simple
In the age of information overload, it is more important than ever to keep your website design clean and simple. Visitors to your site should be able to easily find the information they are looking for without being bombarded with too much text or overwhelming visuals. When it comes to conversion rates, less is definitely more.
Studies have shown that a simple design is more effective in converting visitors into customers than a complex one. In addition, a simple design is also more likely to be remembered and shared by users.
So if you want to increase your conversion rate, focus on keeping your website design clean and simple. Your bottom line will thank you for it.
- Don’t sell, solve problems
Solving problems for customers on a website is one of the most important things a business can do to convert visitors into customers. Every customer comes to a website with a specific problem or need, and if they can’t find a solution, they’ll likely leave without making a purchase. That’s why it’s so important to make sure that your website is designed to help visitors solve their problems.
Start by clearly identifying the most common problems that your customers face. Then, create solutions for those problems and make them easily accessible on your website.
Finally, test and refine your solutions to ensure that they’re as effective as possible. By solving problems for customers on your website, you’ll not only increase conversion rates, but also build trust and loyalty among your customer base.
- Social proof
Almost any website today has some form of social proof, whether it’s testimonials from happy customers, images of people using the product, or even just the number of likes or shares on social media. And there’s a good reason for that – social proof is one of the most effective ways to convert visitors into customers.
People are naturally skeptical of new products or services, and they tend to rely on the opinions of others when making purchase decisions. By featuring social proof on your website, you can tap into that natural tendency and give visitors the reassurance they need to make a purchase.
There are a few key things to keep in mind when using social proof on your website.
First, make sure that the proof is genuine and from credible sources.
Secondly, highlight the points that are most relevant to your target customer.
And finally, don’t be afraid to use a little bit of humor – sometimes a light-hearted approach can be extremely effective.
If you use social proof correctly, it can be a powerful tool for increasing conversions on your website.
- Calls to action
Any website seeking to generate leads or conversions needs to have calls to action. A call to action is text or a button that encourages visitors to take a specific desired action, such as filling out a form, signing up for a newsletter, viewing a product, or making a purchase.
Calls to action should be placed prominently on a website, and they should be clear and concise. The language used in a call to action should be action-oriented and compel the reader to take the desired step.
For example, rather than using the passive phrase “click here,” it is more effective to use an active phrase such as “sign up now” or “order today.”
Including calls to action on a website can help to increase conversion rates by making it easy for visitors to take the next step.
- Capture Email Addresses
A website is only effective if it is able to capture the attention of its visitors and convert them into customers. There are a few different ways to capture email addresses on a website. One of the most effective methods is to offer something in exchange for an email address, such as a discount code or free shipping.
You can also create a pop-up that appears when a visitor arrives on your site, or add an opt-in form to your blog posts. Another effective strategy is to run a contest or giveaway that requires an email address for entry. By using one or more of these strategies, you can start converting website visitors into customers.
- Engage via LiveChat
Visitors to your website are potential customers, and it’s important to engage with them in order to convert them into actual customers.
LiveChat is a great way to do this, as it allows you to have a real-time conversation with visitors and answer their questions immediately. This can help to build trust and rapport, and ultimately lead to more sales.
In addition, LiveChat can be used to upsell or cross-sell products and services, as you can make personalized recommendations based on the specific needs of the customer.
Finally, LiveChat provides an opportunity to collect feedback from customers, which can be used to improve your business.
Overall, using LiveChat on your website is an effective way to engage with visitors and convert them into customers.
- Get social
As a business owner, you can no longer afford to ignore social media. With over 4 billion people using social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram every day, your potential customer base is massive. And if you’re not engaging with them on those platforms, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity.
When it comes to social media, engagement is key. By connecting with your potential customers on a personal level, you build trust and loyalty. And that leads to conversions. So how do you go about engaging with social media users?
Here are a few tips:
- Create quality content that speaks to your target audience and provides value.
- Be responsive to comments and messages. Show that you’re listening and that you care about what your customers have to say.
- Encourage user-generated content. This could be in the form of product reviews, testimonials, or even just photos of people using your products or services.
- Host giveaways and contests. This is a great way to get people talking about your brand and generate some excitement around your products or services.
Applying these techniques will help you increase your website’s conversion rate and turn more visitors into paying customers. As always, start with a simple design that is easy to navigate, solve problems for the customer, offer social proof in the form of testimonials and reviews, and include clear and powerful calls to action. Capturing email addresses should also be a priority so you can continue marketing to potential buyers even after they leave your site.
Ivana Katz is a website designer extraordinaire and owner of Websites 4 Small Business. She has the innate ability to take a business and turn it into an online powerhouse. With over 18 years of experience in the field, Ivana knows how to craft websites that are both functional and beautiful. She loves working with clients to help them grow their businesses. Download her free ebook, Ultimate Website Design Secrets Blackbook – 10 Bulletproof Strategies for Designing an Outrageously Successful Website today to get started!
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