Losing website sales and traffic is sometimes simply a case of web usablity - your website just isn't clear to your visitors. By fixing these simple mistakes, you'll easily increase your conversion rate and make more online sales.
Mistake #1: No Clear Web Navigation System
Is there a clear navigation system of links both at the top and bottom of each of your web pages?
Does your visitor scroll down to the bottom of a web page only to find one or (even worse) NO links there? Do they have to scroll all the way up to the top of the web page to continue browsing your website?
Guess what - your customer is out of there. So many websites make this mistake and needlessly lose traffic.
Another mistake websites make is putting the navigation system in an out-of-the-way place that makes it difficult for the user to find. Maybe it blends in with the background. Maybe the font is so small, visitors easily miss it.
Don't assume your visitors are web savvy or automatically know where to look to navigate your website. Make it easy for them by having a clear, easy to find navigation system. They'll stay on your website longer, which increases the chance that you'll make the sale.
Mistake #2: Ignoring the WIIFM Principle (What's In It For Me?)
Does the home page state clearly and concisely what your website can do for your visitor?
Forget about telling your visitor how wonderful you are, how much experience your company has, how many years you've been around or how many awards you've won.
They don't care. They want to know what you can do for them - and they want to know it now. In the fast-paced, hectic world that is the Internet, you have about 3-5 seconds to convince your visitor that your website is worth their time. That's it (and that's being generous).
Your website should have one clear statement - in an easy-to-find place - about exactly what you can do for your customer. It should state the major benefit of doing business with you or the major benefit of your product. Your web visitors shouldn't have any questions about your site's purpose after reading that statement.
For example, instead of, 'Welcome to our web site about affiliate programs', how about 'Complete reviews of over 500 different affiliate programs. Find out who has the highest payouts and the best selling products for your website.'
Mistake #3: Overloading Your Visitor's Senses
Have you ever gotten eye strain from the first 10 seconds of reading a website? You know the ones I'm talking about - bright red font on a bright yellow background. Or dark purple font on a midnight black background.
What was the webmaster thinking (or smoking)? Quick fact: If your visitor has to work to read your website, they're already gone.
While your website may not be this bad, take a second look: Is there an overload of bold font? Is the web font so small you have to squint to read it? Are there tons of blinking images all competing furiously to capture your readers' attention?
Make sure your website isn't turning visitors away because it strains their eyes or overloads their senses.
When all else fails remember that the old standby is best: black font on a white background is the easiest for everyone to read.
Mistake #4: 'Am I Still On The Same Website?' - Having an Inconsistent Layout
If you want visitors to remember your website, nothing says 'professionalism' more than a consistent layout throughout your website. Keep your navigation bar in the same place on all pages. Keep the colors consistent and the logo in the same spot if you have one.
There's nothing more confusing than clicking on a link and feeling like you've entered a completely different website. Trust is a big factor when it comes to making sales online. To keep that trust, give your visitor a feeling of always knowing where they are and which website they're visiting!
So there you have it - 4 simple website mistakes that cost you traffic and sales. These mistakes may seem obvious, but you'd be surprised at how many webmasters make them. Steer clear of them and you'll automatically put more money in your pocket at the end of the day.
Kate Fox is a contributing writer to web conversion: how to sell more with your website
For more free tips and articles on how to improve your web conversion rate and make more sales, visit: web conversion: how to sell more with your website
one time home cleaning Highland Park ..Let's begin by setting some limits. If you're like me,... Read More
What happened on your website yesterday? What about last week... Read More
Absolutely everything stems from the purpose of your website -... Read More
Are you, like many other website owners, frustrated at the... Read More
What do you mean, you don't have a website for... Read More
Starting a business online is no longer as difficult as... Read More
An interesting eCommerce success factor that isn't precisely overlooked, but... Read More
This is a growing concern amongst many business owners. Does... Read More
There was a time not long ago when setting up... Read More
"I am a writer, not a business-person. I don't want... Read More
In this example I have used the map of the... Read More
Visitors to your site come looking for information or solutions... Read More
Making a web site is easy. Making a good web... Read More
Web accessibility has so many benefits that I really do... Read More
Can you imagine the hypocrisy of spending thousands of dollars,... Read More
In 1995 a new era of accessibility for disabled people... Read More
Like wine cars get more attractive to collectors as years... Read More
While creating a Web site may seem like... Read More
So what do you do if need to get a... Read More
In this day and age most businesses consider having their... Read More
A professional online reputation is essential to the flourishing of... Read More
"I have a small business with just a couple of... Read More
I talk with so many people who have small businesses... Read More
In the region where my company is located, South Bend,... Read More
If you ever want to create a state directory, article... Read More
licensed cleaning services Park Ridge ..Directory Generator, a product from Armand Morin and Marc Quarles,... Read More
How many Web Sites did you stumble over telling you... Read More
Before you jump into spending coutnless hours on designing and... Read More
Your site is fast and getting traffic, but conversion rates... Read More
There are many elements that are key to successful web... Read More
Having an eye catching website is great, but are you... Read More
Everyone wants one.Everyone wishes they knew how to make one.SOME... Read More
Here's something you may never have thought of before:If I... Read More
Selecting the Perfect Domain NameThe first issue I have with... Read More
The big thing these days is your ability to capture... Read More
If you haven't made the sales and built your clients... Read More
Creating and maintaining an effective presence on the Web has... Read More
Creatively marketing your corporate site takes time in the set... Read More
Your website conversion rate should concern you. This simply refers... Read More
The Internet is a remarkable publishing medium. With just a... Read More
Web templates by nature are created to aid and ease... Read More
You don't believe in astrology but you check your horoscope... Read More
Creating a content management system either from scratch,... Read More
Web sites are an Ongoing Part of Business.All too many... Read More
If you are living in a country that its native... Read More
After planning the design and content of your website, it's... Read More
If you ever want to create a state directory, article... Read More
Before you set up any scripts you will need some... Read More
Many small companies choose not to invest in a professionally... Read More
There are lots of HTML editors on the market, however,... Read More
Web Development |