website conversions

17 Clever Ways To Boost Website Conversions That Won’t Break The Bank!

There is no denying the fact that small businesses are getting more and more competitive in today's market. It seems like every day there is a new startup popping up trying to take your customers and clients away from you, so it can be hard not to feel overwhelmed and defeated when you're faced with this challenge. You have a website that's great, but it doesn't do much good if people visit your site and don't become customers, clients, or new leads. I've compiled some of the best tips for making your website a 24/7 sales force for your business at lightning speed. Here are 17 clever ways to boost website conversions.

 

What Is Website Conversion?

A website conversion is a term used to describe the number of website visitors who take action on your website. There are many different types of actions that may be taken, and they vary depending on your services or products. For example, if you're a dentist someone might book or request an appointment on your website. If your business sells chocolate cake pops then someone might buy them on your website. So whether you want to increase sales or just get more people through the door, it all falls under website conversions!

 

What Is A Good Conversion Rate?

Every industry is different so there is no actual answer to this question. What you want to look at more than anything else is whether or not your conversion rate is getting better or worse as time goes on. If it's going up, then that's great! That means you are doing things right and improving your strategy (or just have the good fortune of more people wanting to buy what you are selling). If it's going down, then there is a problem and you need to figure out why. Some questions you may want to ask yourself are:

  • Are the majority of your visitors coming from search engines?
  • Is the number of new customers staying level or increasing/decreasing over time?
  • Are you getting repeat customers, or is nearly every sale a first-time buyer?
  • Is it the same amount of traffic each month that is leading to conversions more or less than last year?

You may not actually be able to answer these questions right off the bat with great precision. However, if you write down some notes and start monitoring and regularly checking your Google Analytics you will be able to pinpoint the exact reason why your website conversions are falling.

 

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How To Increase Website Conversions

 

1. Use Persuasive Words and Phrases In Headlines, Subheadings, and Copy

You have a very limited amount of time and space to convert your prospects into customers, so you need to use every tool at your disposal.

One of the best ways to get attention on a website is through headlines and subheadings. Do you want your prospect's eyes to quickly skim over the page, or do you want them to take their time reading?

For short copy, use words that are action-oriented and get to the point. This includes words like: "learn," "see," "tips," and "steps." If you want them to feel something or experience something while they're on your site, include descriptive adjectives and sensory language in your copy.

 

2. Optimize Website Content For Search Engines

Your website isn't complete until search engines can easily find your content. If you have a local business, for example, that doesn't show up in the map results on Google then people won't find you. Be sure to optimize your website with keywords, title tags, meta descriptions, and headers so it appears properly when someone searches online. Also, be sure to do proper topic and keyword research so that you are targeting the right keywords that your customers and prospects are searching for.

Use keyword research tools such as Google Keyword Planner, SEMRush, AHRefs, or a host of other tools to get an idea of what keywords your audience is using when they search online. I find that using these tools along with a little trial and error works best. Try out different variations of your title tag and copy until you find the right combination for your audience.

Plus, if you're running low on targeted keywords that attract traffic to your site, don't worry! There are hundreds of ways to find marketable keywords and topics that are relevant to your business and prospects such as brainstorming, research, listening on social media channels, asking around your community, and more.

 

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3. Include Video On Your Homepage

Video marketing has been proven to increase conversion rates by as much as 80 percent, so it is no wonder why it's one of the most powerful strategies you can use. The best part is that creating your video can be done for very little or even no cost as there are hundreds of free or low-cost tools and templates online to help you get started.

I would recommend creating a video at least three minutes long that explains what your business does and how it can benefit the viewer, what makes you different from the competition, and why they should choose you.

Audiences always want to know "what's in it for me?" Consider creating YouTube videos that will educate, entertain, and even inspire your target audience. Make sure to place a call-to-action at the end of the video that prompts viewers to convert by making it easy for them to sign up for special offers or purchase services or products.

 

4. Fix Small Things That Annoy Visitors

Visitors come first when it comes to boosting conversion rates. If they see something on your site that is broken or annoying they will leave your site to find what they are looking for elsewhere. Here are a few things to check:

  • Are your links broken or outdated?
  • Are all of the images on your blog post clickable?
  • Does the text read well?
  • Are there any spelling errors or poor grammatical choices (even by accident)?
  • Is it too difficult to read?
  • Are there images that are too big or make your page take too long to load?
  • Is the blog post link broken on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram?

It can seem like a lot of work but if you take time to fix these small yet important details it will pay off in a big way!

 

5. Add A Signup Form At The Top Of Your Website With A Clear Call To Action (CTA)

Your home page is the most important page on your website it should be designed to convert the most prospects into customers, so make it count.

On top of your homepage, you need a form that says something like: "Get A Free Quote!" with an opt-in box and CTA button below. This can be easily added using website plugins or by putting custom code on your website, depending on what kind of website you have.

Reasons prospects should opt-in will vary depending on your business, but overall there needs to be a clear reason why they should fill out the form. It could be for a free consultation, report, cheat sheet, or a guide that helps them with a problem or need they have. Make sure at least one of these is on the page because the benefit of filling out this form will be clear to them.

If you have a strong call to action and opt-in box above the fold (the top part of your website that shows without having to scroll), then there won't be any confusion for prospects who land on your site.

Use action verbs to describe what they'll get when they opt-in, as well as strong language like: "book now" "take action," "get off the fence," and "make a decision." These are powerful words that will catch the attention of your prospect.

 

Keep The Number Of Form Fields As Low As Possible

 

6. Keep The Number Of Form Fields As Low As Possible

Reduce the amount of time it takes to fill out a form on your website by keeping the number of form fields as low as possible.

For example, if you're capturing a lead for your monthly newsletter, have them enter their email address only, or their first name and email address. Avoid requiring too much information like a phone number, physical address, and birthday just to sign up for the newsletter. This will increase the number of people who ultimately opt-in.

 

7. Add Live Chat or A Chatbot To Your Website

Live chat is becoming increasingly common on websites and for good reason. They help you convert website visitors into customers in real-time by allowing them to get answers to their questions right away.

Companies can increase their conversions by as much as 20% when they use live chat!

You can also use a chatbot to respond to basic questions for prospects. This way, you continue to build a relationship with them and convert more of them into customers down the line.

Live chat also allows you to keep your site visitors on one page longer and reduce "bounce rates." Keep in mind that a bounce rate is when someone comes to your site, looks around for a minute or two, then leaves without actually converting.

If you're able to reduce the bounce rate and get more prospects to convert by using live chat, then it will be totally worth it!

 

8. Add Testimonials From Customers For Social Proof

It is important to show people what others are saying about your business. Including testimonials on your website not only helps prospects gain trust in you as a company, but it can also help you increase your conversion rate.

Customer reviews have a significant impact on driving purchases. According to the CXL, over 60% of customers are more inclined to buy from a website with user reviews.

When choosing the testimonial to include on your site, make sure that it is relevant to the prospect and what they are looking for. You need to find someone that knows how your business can help them, not just anyone who liked you on Facebook!

You can even highlight your 5-star Google reviews on your website. Don't be afraid to ask people for testimonials either, as more than 70 percent of customers say they would be willing to provide a review if asked.

 

Use An Exit Pop-up

 

9. Use An Exit Pop-up

One of the easiest strategies to increase conversions is to use a pop-up that screams "Someone Is About To Leave Your Website!"

When a visitor indicates that they are about to leave your website, this exit pop-up will appear and you can entice them by offering anything from discounts, coupons, or even free reports. For example, if you sell a service like heating and air conditioning, maybe you want to offer a free guide about how to save money on their heating bills.

If your pop-up offers something that will really benefit your website visitor, then there is no reason for them not to fill it out. Plus, the more email subscribers you get, the better!

10. Offer A Discount For First-time Customers Only

Another way to get more website conversions is to offer new website visitors a discount or free shipping for their first purchase.

This has the potential to generate new customers who would have never purchased from you without this offer. Add another layer to this by adding a scarcity element to your offer as well. "Hurry! Only three hours left!" This will create a sense of urgency that causes website visitors to take action and hopefully make a purchase.

11. Make It Easy For Customers To Buy From You

Don't make website visitors wait too long to buy from you. If they're on your website, then there is a good chance that they're seriously considering purchasing your product or service.

This is why some website owners will offer free shipping, instant downloads, and other perks to create more conversions. They provide immediate gratification so website visitors are more likely to purchase.

Make Sure Your Website Loads Quickly

12. Make Sure Your Website Loads Quickly

The faster your website loads, the more conversions you're going to have. People are impatient and they will bounce off of your page if it takes too long to load.

You can even do a little research on Google to see how fast your competitors' websites load in order to give yourself an idea. This is why it's important to use high-quality images, clean code, and remove any distractions or unnecessary elements on the page.

 

13. Include A Clear Call To Action Near The Top Of Every Page

Another way to boost website conversions is to make sure that each page on your site has its own conversion-worthy call to action (CTA).

For example, if someone is reading an article about your product or service, they should not have to search for a place where they can buy or sign up. Ensure that everyone who comes across your website knows what you want them to do next. Whether that's filling out a form, making an immediate purchase, or subscribing to your email list, make sure that it is crystal clear for website visitors where they should go next.

14. Create A Landing Page To Boost Website Conversions

A landing page is a web page that aims to turn website visitors into leads or sales. It's unique from other pages on your site since it isn't cluttered with additional elements like a header and footer.

What does this mean? Your landing page should be simple and include only pertinent information. If you are trying to get website visitors to sign up for a free webinar, then the landing page might also contain a video or description of the webinar along with a form to fill in.

If you are trying to get visitors to book an appointment or consultation, then your landing page would include relevant information about your services along with contact information and an easy form to complete.

The landing page should also include your offer and several calls to action on the page so website visitors know what to expect when they fill out the form or click on a button. The landing page will be different depending on your website, but if you want more website conversions, then it's well worth your time to create one!

Create A Landing Page To Boost Website Conversions

15. Include A Countdown Timer On Your Site

A countdown timer is a great conversion-boosting tool because it indicates scarcity.

For example, if you're running a promotion on your site where there are only five spots available for someone to sign up, or there's a specific date when the offer ends, include a countdown timer on your site that shows how much time is left. This will encourage website visitors to opt-in or make a purchase before it's too late!

You can also use a countdown timer when offering an incentive so potential customers know the exact amount of time they have to take advantage of what you're offering before it's gone.

16. Create A Floating Bar or Banner Bar On Your Website

A "floating bar," more popularly known as a "banner bar" or "hello bar," is a smaller promotional banner that appears on the very top of your website or sometimes the bottom of the site. Floating bars are an excellent way to increase your overall website conversion rate. The banner bar can be used to promote things like:

  • New product launches
  • Offers and discounts
  • Special E-books or checklists you want to give away
  • Latest news
  • You can also use a banner bar to promote an upcoming webinar, online course, event, live chat, or blog post.

The options for what you can do with your banner bar are limitless! Your website will have a more consistent look and feel with a banner bar too, so you can increase your website conversions even further.

17. Offer Guarantees or Money-Back Guarantees

When you offer a money-back guarantee on your website, then you can encourage more conversions from potential customers who are unsure about making a purchase.

The thought of having no risk with an economic downside is very attractive to some people, so it's worth considering including a money-back guarantee on your site if the products or services you sell are high-value.

You will of course need to decide the specifics of your money-back guarantee based on what you're offering, but there's no reason not to include one! It increases the trustworthiness and authority of your business when people see that you're willing to put your money where your mouth is.

If you are hesitant about offering money-back guarantees on your website, then consider a guarantee that you will send a replacement product or issue a credit if the customer isn't 100% satisfied with what they've received.

Conclusion

It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of things you could do to optimize your website. I hope you found some inspiration for boosting your website conversion rate in this blog post.

Keep in mind that creating a special landing page with persuasive language and clear calls-to-action can be just as effective as offering an incentive or free shipping; it all depends on what type of offer resonates most with your audience.

Experiment with different types of offers and see what works for your audience. In the end, it's all about being creative with your website to drive more sales!

Lastly, remember that you don't have to do everything on this list at once! Pick one thing from the list and focus on it for a few weeks until you see an increase in website conversions. Then, move on to the next thing!

The internet has made it easier than ever to find solutions for your marketing and business needs. If you're looking for more tips on what really works when it comes to marketing your business online, follow me on Instagram where I share my latest strategies!

Which of these 17 clever ways to boost website conversions are you most excited about trying?