If your website is doing it’s job, it should be sending you sales on a regular basis. If not, it’s time to look at a few things to help you get the most out of your most powerful selling tool: your website.
Really Know Your Customer
Spend the time to find out everything you possibly can about your ideal customer or client. This is the foundation of a successful website presence. The more you know about who you’re talking to–who will ultimately buy your product or service–the better you can communicate to them, and give them the experience they need and want. When you understand who they are, what they like/dislike, and most importantly what they need (and how you’re going to help them), you’re going to be able to make sure your website is tailored to their needs and wants–a place that feels like home, and makes them feel comfortable enough to trust and buy from you.
Make Sure Your Customer Can Find You
Your ideal customers and clients can’t buy from you if they don’t know you exist. There are many things you can do to help make sure your website is findable online, but let’s start with a few simple steps you can take right now:
- Use a simple, easy-to-use and understand seo plugin like Scribe or WordPress SEO to make sure each page of your site is optimized for search.
- Check to be sure the Discourage search engines from indexing this site setting is NOT checked in your WordPress Admin Panel. Go to Settings > Reading and uncheck this option if it is checked.
- Have a presence on the social media sites that make sense for you–at a minimum Facebook and Twitter. Share your most recent posts there if you have time for nothing else. The more places people can find you on the Internet, the better.
- Contribute to complimentary blogs and websites when you can, and make sure there’s always a link back to your website.
- Provide a way for people to share your content so their friends and contacts can find you through them. Your people know your people. If they like what you have to offer, they will tell their friends–but you still need to ask. Include share buttons on your content so it’s a no-brainer for people to share your content with others.
Make Sure Your Customers Like What They Find
If you know your customer, you know what they’re looking for. How does it need to look and feel in order to be inviting to them? You know the solution you provide is perfect for your customer–so make it clear visually from the moment they land on your website. At the same time, give them the information they’re looking for as soon as they arrive. Don’t make them hunt around to find it–because they won’t.
- Keep your website clear of excess clutter. Use a lot of white space to make sure there is a sense of room and calm (this makes is much easier for people to find what they’re looking for fast).
- Make sure the colors and layout make sense for your customer. You know who they are, right? That means you also understand the colors that work best for them (colors have meaning and impact).
- Choose the words your customers need to see (your copy is critical–keep it short, sweet, and right to the point).
- Make your calls-to-action (newsletter signup, buy now, join, etc.) clear and compelling so people know exactly what to do to get what they want without having to think about it.
Put Your Most Important Product/Service Front and Center
What is it that you provide? What problem do you solve? Communicate what’s in it for your people by telling right up front. Help them understand and picture through words and images:
- Why your product/service makes perfect sense for them.
- How it will make their life easier/better.
- What it will look like for them when they’re basking in your solution.
Provide Proof of Value
People LOVE to buy, but HATE to be sold. Most often, people will buy on emotional impulse. Help your customers see the solid reasoning behind their buying choice, and prevent buyer’s remorse. You want them to be happy with their buying decision (and you), and come back when they need more of the solution you provide. Explain why your solution will make them happy and give them proof of value through:
- Client Testimonials
- Product/Service Reviews
- Scientific Research
- Awards + Recognition
- Media Coverage
Ask for What You Want + Close the Sale
Ask for the sale, the consultation, the contact information. In the case people are not ready to buy right now (and studies repeated show most people require 6-8 contacts with your brand before they will buy), give them a compelling reason to to stay in touch with you so if they’re not ready to buy now, they remember you when the are. Create information and resources your people need and want, so they know where to go when they need help. Create a strong call-to-action to join your email list:
- Offer a Free Download
- Special Discounts or Insider Perks
- How-To Checklists
- Etc.
Your Turn
What makes you feel at home when you visit someone’s website? What makes you feel comfortable enough with a business to buy? What would make you willing to sign up for someone’s newsletter? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and feel free to share what you’ve found that works for you when it comes to making your website your own personal sales machine!
Hey there! Thanks for stopping by! I’d love to connect, so drop me a line here or shoot me an email at norma [at] connectinteractivellc [dot] com. If you like what you’re reading, be sure and subscribe or sign-up just below for email updates so you don’t miss a thing!
By the Way… If you like what you read today, you’ll love this post: Create Email Newsletters People Actually Want to Open!
The post How to Turn Your Website into a Rock Star Sales Machine appeared first on Connect Interactive.