|
/pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> |
Are You Losing Sales Because of These 4 Simple Website Mistakes?
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: http://www.web-conversion.com
Nonsense! Why Do I Need a Website?
"I don't sell anything online, I don't advertise online, in fact I don't really even know how to use a computer... why should I pay for a website?"
Is Your Website Innovative? Increase Your Business Over Night!
While studying online for IT investment opportunities, I found that one main factor was constant. All of the biggest money makers have eye-catching, simple, innovative, and the cleanest websites online!
Website Strategy!
A website lets you put your products in front of a world-wide audience. It can help you generate new revenue, cut costs and build better relationships with both customers and suppliers.
How To Write More Powerful Online Text
Although there are significant differences among the various types of online communication, there all have one critical thing in common - they're read off a screen. There are substantial benefits, too, in that while your message is on someone's screen usually it has their undivided attention. You are genuinely "one-to-one" with them and that's something you must respect - you are literally "in their face" and encroaching on very personal territory. The bad news about online communications is that your message can be "disappeared" faster from a screen than with any other medium.
Five Essential Questions to Answer Before Creating Your First (or second...or third) Website
Right after the thought, "I need a website," people usually say, "I need a web designer!" Actually, before even whispering "web design," you need to answer these five questions in as much detail as possible. Once you're clear on your strategy, you can provide better information to your web designer. And most likely you'll be pleased with your new home on the web.
Instant Relevant Web Site Content - No Its Not a Bot
In about the Time it takes to Watch a Reality TV Show (About 1 Hour) I added 10 Pages of Relevant Content to my Web Page without a Bot.
Website Content & Usability
Writing for the web is totally different to writing for printed matter. We tend to scan content on the web hunting for the information we're after, as opposed to reading word-for-word. As a result of this, there are certain guidelines you should be sure to follow when writing copy for your website:
Creating Compelling Content , Write It and They Will Come
In a previous ezinearticles.com article,"I Need real visitors, Not Search Spiders" we discussed the need for content. Well written, insightful, informative content will bring your readers/customers in and keep them on your site Long enough to hear about your products or read about the event you are sponsoring. What ever the object of your desire is content holds the key.
Make Your Own Website - General Website Design Tips
Wow, we`ve already taken a domain and chosen a web host. Great job ! Now it`s time for something special: making your own website. You could`ve completed this step before, but at the time you`d had finished it, the domain name could`ve been taken. We don`t want any complications right ?
Writing Effective ALT Text For Images
Anyone who knows anything about web accessibility knows that images need alternative, or ALT, text assigned to them. This is because screen readers can't understand images, but rather read aloud the alternative text assigned to them. In Internet Explorer we can see this ALT text, simply by mousing over the image and looking at the yellow tooltip that appears. Other browsers (correctly) don't do this. The HTML for inserting ALT text is:
Five Reasons You Have to Stop Your Web Site
That's right. Your method, behavior and strategy you are now using to manage your website may be justifiable reasons to stop it as soon as possible.
A Network Of Web Sites Is Not Enough!
The big thing these days is your ability to capture the market. So how do you do that?
What Business Owners MUST Know BEFORE They Commit To Having A Web Site
Q1.Why would I need a web site? A1.
Revealing the Firefox Secret Used by Top Web Developers and Power-Browsers
Profiles are one of the best kept secrets around regarding Mozilla Firefox (my browser of choice).
Set Up Your Website in Minutes ? For Free
There was a time not long ago when setting up a website meant endless technical jargons, hiring a web designer, writing the html or jawa codes, selecting the right hosting platform and deciding on the band width.
I Want To Be A Freelancer
So you have decided that you want to do freelance work. You have done your homework and have developed your skills in HTML, PHP, CMS, and a slew of other applications. Now you are ready to start your new career. So how do you get started? Without clients your business is non existent. So how exactly do you build your business and find clients. Below are just a few key elements to help you get started.
Three Way Linking - Webmaster Strategy
Three way linking and concerns.
Why Should Your Business Go O.N.L.I.N.E.
Optimize your time. How much time each day must you devote to paperwork, scheduling and accounting? You strive to meet the needs of your clients, but when chained to the obligations of business management, it's just as important to make sure the doors stay open as it is to satisfy customers. By integrating your daily tasks and taking advantage of the amazing Web-based software solutions out there, you can make more time for clients and spend less time behind your desk. Do you work from home? When your business is online, you can manage your business any place you have a connection to the Internet
Make Your Web Site Stand Out
When visitors add your web site to their Favorites or bookmark your site, what shows up in their list of sites? There are at least two things you can do to make sure your site stands out on anyone's list of Favorites, including a great idea that very few sites use. If you have a webmaster, he or she should be able to make these changes quickly, and those who maintain their own sites can easily handle these simple tasks.
I Did It: Six Months to a Successful Website
For years now I've been looking to start my own business, but my highest priority has always been to spend less time working, and more time with my family, while still giving them everything they need (and most of what they want). It's a common dream, right? No boss to answer to, less stress, more vacation, more quality family time... I wanted to get away from the 9 to 5 and the traffic. (I bet you do, too.)