8 Common Features of High Converting Websites
by Jeff M. WriterOf course, there
are many people who just have a website for the sake of having one, without any
plans to use this otherwise powerful tool to elicit any action from visitors.
On the other hand, if you have some
action you’d like to get from your website visitors, whether it’s as simple as
just reading the random thoughts in your head, and perhaps sharing with their
connections, or as complex as opting into your email list to grab your lead magnet and
be led down your sales funnel, then I bet you’ll want your website to convert
as high as possible.
Okay, just so
I’m sure we’re on the same page, let’s talk about “conversion” before we move
further.
When it comes to
websites, conversion is when a visitor takes the action you desire – converts
from being just a visitor to becoming whomever you want them to be on your
site.
For example, when
a visitor opts into your email list, the person has just converted from mere visitor
to lead. When such person later buys anything you’re selling, such person has
converted from lead to customer.
So, conversion
is as simple as getting a person to take an action on your website. And the
percentage of visitors you can compel or incite to take action on your website
will determine your website’s conversion rate,
whether high or low.
This is why it’s
important that web designers, particularly those specializing in small business web design,
have conversion in mind when designing a website.
Now that (I
believe) we’re on the same page, let’s discuss the common features of highly
converting websites. Here are 8 of them:
1. Powerful headline
The first thing
a visitor sees on your site has a lot of influence on what the visitor does on
your site.
If a first time
visitor cannot immediately determine what your website is all about (in the
first 2 seconds of visit), then you’ve lost them.
This is why a
bold, powerful, beneficial headline is necessary on your homepage and every
single page of your website.
2. Decluttered design
Highly
converting websites are always neat and decluttered. It’s easy to see what the
website is all about and what step to take next. Navigation (aka finding what
you want) too is no headache. Be smart; be like those webmasters.
3. Loading speed
Unlike in
driving, slow speed is the killer
in web design. Once your site cannot load in less than 3 seconds, your valuable
visitors are lost. High converting websites don’t toy with speed.
4. Useful content
Whether it’s
video or bullet points, or images, or blocks of text, your website visitors must
have content showing them:
i. that they’re
in the right place
ii. benefits of
doing business with you, and
iii. what to do
next
5. Single, strong call-to-action
Yes, I just
mentioned “what to do next” above, but it’s worth having its own separate space
– because of how very important it is.
You must tell
your visitor exactly what to do next (called “call-to-action”).
But you don’t
just write it anyhow.
It must be
simple and easy to understand. But more importantly, your call-to-action (or
desired next-step) shouldn’t be more than one (yes, I understand how hard that
is, especially when you have a lot of things you want visitors to do) and you
must use strong action words (like “click here to buy now”).
6. Social Proof
Testimonials,
certifications and badges, customer review, star ratings, and every other thing
you can get to show you’re truly an expert and you deliver on your promises,
are all social proof. And you must pepper your website with these – for your
site to also become high converting.
7. Guarantee
High converting
sites try to make visitors (prospective customers) confident about doing
business with them by removing all risks and fears, especially of loss of
money. Imitate them and you just might see your conversion rate skyrocketing.
8. Exit pop-ups
Have you tried
to exit or close a site and then suddenly a bribe (gift or incredible deal)
pops up? You can’t imagine how high that gets their conversion rates – until,
well, you try it yourself.
These are 8 of
the many features of high converting websites, and they are good enough to
start with on your way to increased conversions for your website.
Sponsor Ads
Created on Dec 31st 1969 18:00. Viewed 0 times.