by Keith Smiley
Here are 10 things you need on your website to persuade visitors to do business with you.
1. An ezine signup form on your homepage.
As stated before, this is the most powerful online tool that influences business buyers. If you’re hoping to collect e-mail addresses, an inviting ezine or e-newsletter sign up box must be clearly featured on the home page, with a link in the body copy and navigation.
2. A homepage that loads instantly
Web-user surveys continue to prove that Flash intros can take too long to load, and many prospects move to another site if there is a load delay. People come to your site to find solutions as quickly as possible. Flash gimmicks and music that appears before your homepage will send away visitors.
3. A homepage that offers a customer-benefit headline (big promise) at the top.
Your prospects are looking for solutions to their needs or problems. Your very first message should demonstrate that you understand their problem and can solve it better than anyone else.
4. A lead-generation marketing plan.
Your website marketing strategy should clearly spell out your company’s lead generation goals and tactics. This is critical because it drives your website content.
5. Make information easy to find.
Why do you visit a website? Isn’t it because you want to find information? Get answers. Solve a problem? Shop? Buy something? Make sure your site makes information and products easy to find. Use descriptive links, section headers and subheads.
6. Have an order page that sells.
The copy on your order page should be clear, conversational, and persuasive.
7. Show pictures of the products.
Even if it’s an information-based product like a course or booklet, try to find ways to show it visually.
8. Put an offer on the contact us page.
This always increases leads and inquiries. Even on a general purpose company site.
9. Tell readers what to do.
“Click here for a free demo.” “Visit our online store for special monthly discounts on supplies.” “Looking for an easy solution to organizing sensitive data? Click here to learn more about DataLock” You get the idea.
10. Support your claims with lots of proof.
People tend to be skeptical of what they read online. Especially if the information is from an unfamiliar company. You should prove your claims in any marketing piece. But online, that’s even more crucial.
