7 Fatal Website Mistakes Costing You Sales

7. YOUR WEBSITE COPY IS LONG AND WINDED

Web users scan-read. They’re not going wade through streams of blah-blah-blah just to get to the golden nugget of information hidden at the end. * Think of it like a recipe you found on Pinterest; you don’t want to wade through their life story about how their favorite pig on the farm lost its arm–you just want to know how to make candied bacon.

Successful websites address any concerns and objections their potential clients may have. The burning pains. They also engage visitors by using lots of headers, short paragraphs, bullet points, break-out boxes and call-to-actions. And more and more, they’re using videos and images instead of text.

PRO TIP:

Make sure your homepage has at least 500 words to keep Google happy

6. YOU’RE USING A CHEAP BUT SLOW WEB HOST

Website speed is a BIG factor as to whether someone stays or leaves your website. Many people abandon a site that doesn’t load within three seconds.

If your site takes three seconds to load, then you need to improve it pronto! Try a better web host, or pay your current web host for more bandwidth juice. A website redesign and getting rid of those old-fashioned flash intros will help big time.

PRO TIP:

Here’s a quick online test you can take: www.webpagetest.org

Email us if you’d like to take our hosting platform for a drive. It’s amazing.

5. YOU HAVEN’T DESIGNED TRUST AND CREDIBILITY INTO YOUR WEBSITE

First impressions matter. If your website is ugly and confusing, your visitors will take one look and head off to somewhere less dodgy.

When building a website for a client, we know they’re not just paying us to throw a few attractive pages together. We’re there to build the company’s online image–and help maintain that image.

PRO TIP:

Some of the things that help build credibility and trust include great design, customer testimonials, professional membership logos, returns policy information, and contact details.

4. YOU DON’T HAVE AN EFFECTIVE GOAL PAGE

We call the sales and conversion page with your crucial call-to-action the ‘goal page’. When the web visitor leaves without hitting a goal page, we call that ‘a leak’.

An effective conversion plan focuses on the things that reduce leaks, such as creating good first impressions through great design, easy navigation, benefits-driven copy, accessible pricing, and a highly visible call-to-action.

PRO TIP:

The conversion plan should also consider the sales funnel to pull your web visitors from an initial simple action, right through all the stages of engagement to becoming a customer.

3. YOU’RE NOT GRABBING THEIR DETAILS BEFORE THEY LEAVE

So… you’ve got all these hot web visitors looking through your well-designed website with the amazing web copy and fast load times. But how do you get their attention?

Easy. You offer them a bribe ‒ a ‘lead magnet.’ Something they’re willing to hand over their email address for. Give away a bunch of free resources and tools. Checklists. Cheatsheets. Your brother’s phone number.

PRO TIP:

Make sure you include a ‘request a quote’ button or link with your lead magnets. Give them an easy way to get in contact with you. Like we did!

2. YOU’RE NOT TELLING THEM WHAT TO DO

Contrary to popular opinion, people like being told what to do. They don’t want too many options either.

Don’t give your web visitors 13 options. Give them one straight-up call to action that tells them what to do next. It could be an image, a button or a line of text that prompts your visitors to take action.

PRO TIP:

Make your call-to-action big and bold. Without a strong call-to-action, your website is just a pretty brochure site that does nothing for your bottom line.

1. YOU DON’T FOLLOW THROUGH WITH SMART EMAIL MARKETING

Email marketing is a vital part of any website strategy. Many people forget this. The brand new prospect that just handed over their email address then disappears into the deep, dark abyss.

Email nurturing is a great way to build trust ‒ a way for you to connect. It also helps them work out whether or not they want to do business with you.

PRO TIP:

You might need to contact them at least 10 times before they’ll become a customer. But keep at it ‒ email marketing works…

So… how does your website rate?

Is your website making one or all of these seven mistakes? Do you feel as though your business is losing out on valuable income? Are you in need of some help?

Claim your $45 Promotional website audit today.

Simply click on the big teal button below and we’ll give your website an expert critique and identify the specific things you need to change to make it more profitable. Some of them you can do yourself.

We offer free advice and estimates on any project and a few times a year offer $45 web audits too (usually a $225 fee but keep checking the link for when we open them). We’re here for you and your business!

Request a quote below.

If you’re ready to jump right in, fill out the form, and we’ll get back to you shortly.