Sales

Sure, having lots of traffic and a large social media following is helpful, but unless your sales page or website is converting into actual sales, does it even really matter?

Buying traffic and blasting all over social media is one thing, but at the end of the day it really comes down to quality.

When traffic finally does come to your site, do they like what they see?

Especially in the beginning when you are still building up a following, having a thoughtful and well-designed website is essential. Here are the 8 most crucial steps to getting your website sale-friendly:

1.) Remove all Conversion Barriers:

Everyone has their own idea over what will and won’t convert well, but some of the things we can all agree on is this-

  • No typo’s or incomplete product descriptions
  • Up to date images and products
  • No difficult to read fonts
  • No slow page loads
  • Avoid clutter

2.) Is Your Site Easy to Follow?

Think of your webpage like a trick-or-treater approaches a house. Can you see the front door clearly or is it covered in bushes? Does it look like there are some delicious treats inside or is this a house you may want to skip? Your “buy now” button is like the front door, if users cannot see it or it doesn’t look delicious, chances are it won’t convert to sales.

When it comes to site layout, think of it like a funnel. Map out where you want your users to go, and target those particular areas on your site to stand out.

3.) What is Your Vision?

Take a good look at your site- does it reflect your vision? One tool that will definitely help you to navigate where you want users to go, is to work out what your vision is for your site or company. If your goal is more long term, perhaps its more beneficial that they sign up to your email list first. Work out what is important to you and your vision and then work backwards from there.

4.)Does Your Buyer feel Welcomed?

Everyone wants to feel welcomed and supported. If you don’t have a clear contact page or you don’t include the refund or cancellation policy, then chances are you may have lukewarm sales. Be open and up front about what you are offering and always give buyers the chance to reach out to you. This way, even if you don’t offer a full refund, the buyer can feel secure about their purchase.

5.) How Many Steps Does the Buyer Need to Take?

If you have a 100-step check out process, chances are your buyers are going to abandon ship by step 3. Having the least amount of actions from site entrance to sale is going to make a much better experience for your customers. Aim to direct customers straight from your sales page to the checkout page. This means that your sales page should contain all the information the buyer needs in order to make a purchase.

6.) Is Your Call to Action Aggressive or Strong? 

There is a difference between having a strong ‘call to action’ and an aggressive ‘call to action’. No one wants to feel bombarded with “buy now or it will sell out in 10 seconds or less” buttons at every corner of the page. Give your buyers some breathing space and allow the product to speak for itself. Offering a free service such as a blog or e-book that is delicately laced with ‘call to actions’ is also a great way to increase sales and will reduce buyers remorse.

7.) Collect Email Addresses 

Whether you have an email opt-in or you ask for customers to enter their email at the start of their purchase, ensure you collect their emails and treat them as gold. Even if the customer does not go through the entire checkout process, having their email means you can re-market to them at a later date. Typically, you want to send a follow up email to a partial sale within 24 hours.

8.) What to Do After a Sale

So you got a sale, now what? Send them a thank you note and be on your way? Not so fast, buyers want to feel valued and they want to know what to expect. Not only should you send a thank you email but you should also send information about their order, when they can expect it, and contact information if they have any issues. Even consider throwing in a coupon code for their next purchase. This ensures that your one time customer, becomes a customer for life.

Generating sales starts with having a solid webpage. Spend the time to evaluate your site and ensure you are following these 8 crucial steps.