If you’re like many business owners nowadays, you’ve got more time on your hands, and that can lead to anxiety. Here’s a helpful way to reduce anxiety and move your business forward — review your website to make sure it has the top 3 secret ingredients.
1. Can potential customers become customers easily?
In the opening chapter of his book Don’t Make Me Think, Steve Krug says, “ People often ask me: ‘What’s the most important thing I should do if I want to make sure my Web site is easy to use?’ The answer is simple. It’s not ‘Nothing important should ever be more than two clicks away,’ or ‘Speak the user’s language,’ or even ‘Be consistent.’ It’s ‘DON’T MAKE ME THINK!’ ” (pg.11)
This means that people need to take at least the 1st step towards the end goal on your home page, and the entire process should be easy for them to follow.
I.e. Think of a funnel… the home page is the large opening, and the sale or them contacting you is the “exit” end of the funnel. You need to make that process as smooth as possible. If you don’t, you’re leaving money on the table.
2. People coming to your website are looking for a solution to their “problem”
Does the 1st glance of your home page speak to that solution? We hate to say it, but people care about their need more than they do your “woo hoo”.
Ex., if you sold shoes made specifically for people who are on their feet at work, having the opening line on your website be: “Welcome to my website, we’ve been in business for 20 years” does not speak to the person’s need. They want shoes! Your opening line should be “We have shoes that are proven to reduce foot pain when you’re on your feet all day”. Then the two options should be “Mens Shoes” or “Womens Shoes”.
3. Does your website introduce the conversation that you have with people in person or on the phone?
We call this one “corporate speak”. The conversation with potential clients starts on your website and continues either on the phone or in person. Speak to your potential clients on your website the same way you would if you were “in person”. Don’t use 3rd person, disconnected language on your site. Skip the corporate speak, get personal!
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When we do our in-depth website reviews, we start with these 3 things and dive deeper. If you’d like to maximize your website, Christy would love to do a completely free, no strings attached review of your website. It goes far beyond just page speed and potentially where you’re ranking, or what techie things to look at. The goal is to give you a tool and resource to be able to implement improvements on your own. Schedule your free website engagement review now.