Improve Online Conversion on Your Web Site:
Most online marketing experts focus too much time and energy on how to increase traffic, how to bring people to your website. However, very few truly understand and know very specifically how to convert those people into customers. Converting visitors into paying customers is a critical component of a successful online business. You have use every tool and technique possible to make sure that once someone has come to your site, they not only stay, but ‘convert’ and generate results that you can measure.
According to the Internet Marketing Report, over 30% of all Web users say the biggest obstacle when trying to make a purchase on a shopping website is insufficient or confusing info on the site. Trust is also a big issue since people are skeptical of providing their credit card information to any random web site out there. So, how do you effectively avoid the most common pit falls when converting internet traffic?
Here are some of the proven methods and techniques on how to convert more visitors into paying clients:
- Simplicity: Understand what your goals are. Creating websites with heavy graphics and fancy animation is not going to impress visitors. You have to focus on your clients and understand what they want from your web site. For example, if you have a checkout process that takes five minutes and ask for way too much useless information, you're bound to suffer. People do not have time to answer questions after questions when they are ready to make a payment and make a purchase. In some market segments, over 50% of online shoppers are abandoning the purchase before it has been completed. So make sure your checkout process stay as simple as it can be. Use large buttons or font for navigating the checkout area and place them in places that make sense and don't confuse the shoppers. For example, don't place the "Remove Item" button any where near the "Buy Now" button. Check your competition and the least you can do is to make your checkout process comparable to them if not better.
- Stay on the Message: Do you have a web site that contains too much useless information? Review every single page and if you have doubts about any section or content on a page, trust me, it doesn't belong there. You only have few seconds to make a first impression and overwhelming your visitors with too much information is going to backfire. Also, ay close attention to your visitor statistics. If this data shows that your visitors are just wandering around on your site without spending any significant time in one section or another, your message is not loud and clear and you got problems.
- Understand Your Customers: Do the research, visit online forums and message boards. This could provide you real world feedback from your potential customers. Document what they like and what they are complaining about. It is equally important to know what they like and what they do not like. When potential customers can't find what they are looking for, they usually leave. Make contact information available to your visitors if they need assistance. If possible, provide a toll-free phone number. This will help building trust with your customers and they will be more willing to make a purchase if they know they can talk to a live person right away.
- Understand Your Competition: If you do not know who you are competing against, chances are you're not going to compete well. Research your competition. If you do not have time of resources, seek professional help. We provide competition analysis services at very affordable rate. Visit their web sites and review their information on a regular basis. You not only have to keep pace in terms of technical expertise but also new products and services.
- Educate Your Customer: As old saying goes, an educated customer is the most loyal customer. Build loyalty by educating your customers about your products and services. If some of your products are do not match up with your competition, be up front about it and explain why you might still be a good choice for your customers. For example, your product may not have all the features that your competition is offering but you might have a major cost advantage. Highlight your edge over your competition. If your business involves phone or email contact, be courteous, professional and prompt in returning emails or phone calls.
