Creating a top notch website that looks good, is effective and converts well isn’t that easy to pull off. Even with all the super cool new technology available to create a website! The problem with most websites today is that they were hastily put together and rushed into going live so that there was “something” available for customers to visit. But, simply having a website isn’t enough in today’s world, especially when there are millions of active sites.
To start with, you need your website to be fast. If it’s not fast, your site visitors are going to bounce and that does nothing for your bottom line!
And part of making it fast means having the design be sleek, stylish and professional. It’s got to look good, catch the visitor’s eye and offer them information that they need NOW. If it can do that, then they are likely to stick around and check it out some more.
In order to make your website a success, you’ll want to focus on turning it into a conversion-making machine. This requires a steady stream of traffic that can lead to increased leads, conversions, and sales.
So how can you make all of this happen without losing your mind or spending a fortune? It’s easy enough – don’t go another day with a subpar website that isn’t producing the results you want. Keep reading to learn 4 tips for designing a high converting website.
1. Have a Solid Foundation
Just like you wouldn’t build a house on an unstable foundation, you don’t want to build a website with a shaky base either. A successful website starts with a solid foundation. One of the best things to do before launching your website is to plan, document, and diagram. How will users navigate the site? What type of design look and feel do you want to achieve? What is the flow on each of your pages?
All of these questions can be answered and mapped using a wireframe tool. Wireframe software not only allows you to create wireframes, but you can also use them to create mockups, user journeys, and even idea boards.
Start by thinking about the flow of your website. Consider how users will navigate, where they’ll click, and what elements will be on the page. You can then create those flows with dynamic wireframe tools so that you can visualize the website and thoroughly test it to ensure that it’s user-friendly and offers a quality user experience.
By taking the time to plan the foundation of your website, you can increase conversions as users are less likely to click off of the page because of poor design or layout.
2. Set Website Goals
The purpose of your website is to allow visitors to learn about your company and what you have to offer. But, there are also smaller goals that you’ll want to focus on. For example, maybe you want visitors to sign up for your email list, or you want them to sign up for a free trial of your product.
Your website goals will greatly drive the design behind it. The easiest and most effective way to meet common website goals is to use a call to action. Have a graphic that prompts users to sign up for your mailing list. Or have several links available that allow visitors to contact your company with questions.
With obvious and attractive calls to action, users are more likely to complete the action that meets your website goals.
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3. Focus on Ease of Use
Website visitors shouldn’t have to click dozens of links to find the information they’re looking for. Your website needs to be designed to be as straight-forward and easy to use as possible. Make things easy to find, especially important information like your products and company contact data.
Not only do these pages need to be easy to use, but they must also be easy to find. Since these pages are your main money makers, ensure they’re linked in your top navigation, footer, and sidebar.
The fact is that most visitors won’t go hunting for the information they’re looking for. If it’s not readily available, you can expect most users to navigate away from your website and land on a competitor’s site instead.
4. Maintain & Update
A website isn’t something that you build and never touch again. In fact, your website should be updated on a routine basis to ensure it’s running smoothly. An outdated website that hasn’t been reviewed in months is more likely to be problematic for visitors. Just imagine the money you lose by having a slow website or a dysfunctional page!
To properly maintain your website, there are certain things you’ll want to do on a routine basis including:
- Adding security layers to prevent data loss and theft
- Ensuring software is up-to-date (including plug-ins and third-party apps)
- Testing website speed and making changes as needed
It’s also important to keep your website’s content up-to-date. Add some new verbiage to your “about us” page and make sure your contact information is always correct. You’ll also want to add new content on a routine basis by creating new blogs, FAQs, and even new site pages. Continuously posting fresh content will drive more traffic to your site. More traffic means increased conversions!
Conclusion
With a high converting website, your company’s online presence can be much more than another corner on the web. Use these 4 tips so that you can make the most of your website, increase traffic, and in turn increase the possibility of conversions and sales