Web Strategy
How to Build a Website That Converts: 7 Essential Tips for Small Businesses
Learn how to optimize your small business website for higher conversions with these seven essential tips, designed to improve user experience and drive more leads and sales.
Published on
Oct 22, 2024
Building a website that looks great is important, but what’s even more crucial is ensuring it converts visitors into customers. For small businesses, having a website that generates leads, drives sales, or encourages engagement can be a game-changer. Here are seven actionable tips to help you create a website that does more than just exist online—it works for your business.
Prioritise a Clear Call-To-Action (CTA)
A well-placed Call-to-Action (CTA) guides visitors towards the next step, whether it’s booking a consultation, signing up for a newsletter, or making a purchase. Make sure your CTA stands out, is easy to find, and uses action-oriented language like “Get Started,” “Claim Your Free Trial,” or “Shop Now.”
Pro Tip: Position your CTA above the fold (visible without scrolling) to capture attention immediately.
Simplify your Navigation
A well-placed Call-to-Action (CTA) guides visitors towards the next step, whether it’s booking a consultation, signing up for a newsletter, or making a purchase. Make sure your CTA stands out, is easy to find, and uses action-oriented language like “Get Started,” “Claim Your Free Trial,” or “Shop Now.”
Optimise for Speed
Website speed is critical for user experience and SEO. A slow-loading website can frustrate visitors and increase bounce rates. Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to check your site’s performance and optimize by compressing images, using a fast hosting service, and reducing plugins.
Pro Tip: Aim for a loading time of under 3 seconds for both desktop and mobile devices.
Make it Responsive
With over 50% of web traffic coming from mobile devices, having a mobile-friendly website is non-negotiable. A mobile-responsive design adjusts to different screen sizes, ensuring that your site looks great and functions well on smartphones and tablets.
Pro Tip: Test your website on various devices to ensure all features are accessible and visually appealing on mobile.
A dog sits between his owner's legs by a bench
5. Create Engaging Content with Value
Content is king when it comes to conversion. Offering high-value content like blog posts, tutorials, and videos helps establish trust and positions you as an authority in your industry. Incorporate customer pain points and show how your product or service provides a solution.
Pro Tip: Use a mix of formats (text, video, images) to keep visitors engaged and interested.
6. Leverage Social Proof
People trust the opinions of others, which is why social proof is a powerful conversion tool. Adding testimonials, case studies, or customer reviews to your website can help potential clients feel more confident about your brand.
Pro Tip: Feature your best reviews prominently on your homepage and product pages to build instant credibility.
7. Focus on User Experience (UX)
A website that’s easy to use is one that converts. Focus on user experience by ensuring your website is intuitive, accessible, and visually appealing. Avoid cluttered pages and broken links, and create a smooth journey from the homepage to the checkout page or contact form.
Pro Tip: Regularly test your website’s usability by getting feedback from real users or conducting a website audit to identify and fix any issues.
Conclusion
Building a website that converts takes time and thoughtful planning, but by following these seven essential tips, you can create a website that not only attracts visitors but turns them into loyal customers. Remember, your website is a critical part of your business strategy—make it work for you, not against you.
Want to improve your website’s conversion rate? Contact Matsu Studio for a customized website strategy tailored to your business needs.
Tags
# Strategy
# Design
# Development