What is your call to action? You have built this fantastic website.
The landing page looks great, all the links work...
Assuming you attract visitors to your site (and that is a whole other subject...
) what do you want your customers to do while they are there? You should actually have considered this up-front.
This is a very important step in the initial planning of a web site, and should be clear in your mind before you start.
Knowing what you want your customers to do is critical.
There are millions of web sites out that miss this step.
Without knowing what you want your customers to do you cannot create a 'call to action'.
Here is a list of 'most wanted actions' on websites 1.
Buy a product 2.
Ask for more information 3.
Make a booking 4.
Come to my( physical) shop 5.
Attend my event 6.
Leave contact details 7.
Leave feedback I want my visitors to: Place an order I have products to sell.
So I need to have very clear 'BUY' signs and make the easy to buy! The buying process should be clearly defined.
Have a look at some sites specifically designed to sell product on line and see how they signpost the process for the buyer.
Request a quote or more information I have established credibility on my site.
Now I want to invite my prospects to engage with me.
Again, make it easy to do - non-threatening.
Make sure it is no-obligation.
Even if they just would like to find out more, make sure you contact details are easily found.
Book a service I have sold the product/service - now invite customers to book my service/product on line.
Make sure your booking form is relevant to your service (Don't ask for information you don't need) and be sure to collect your customers contact details.
Confirm the booking either by auto-responder or by personal email.
Come to my premises My potential customers have come to see my product/service that I have described/displayed.
Now I need to invite my customers to come and see for themselves.
Make the signposting - directions clear.
Perhaps offer an incentive - a discount if they make a store purchase and they can quote a code only available from your web site.
(This can be useful in tracking the effectiveness of your website).
Come to my event Describe and promote your forthcoming event.
Be sure to invite your customer to book on line.
Again - make sure your booking form is relevant to the event (Don't ask for information you don't need) and be sure to collect your customers contact details.
Confirm the booking either by auto-responder or by personal email.
Or give them a discount code to book by other means.
Encourage them to BOOK - make the commitment to come! Sign up for more information I can keep in touch with my customers by offering them something for free - newsletter, regular tips, offers...
The more customer the better.
Leave feedback and/or ad content I can ask my customers for their ideas - By allowing them to be involved I can get feedback and ideas to improve my business.
Without a call to action your web presence is just another bit of information out there on the www.
Understanding your purpose, message and visitor action are key planning elements that should be assessed and described before you start building a web presence.
A good web site planning workbook can help ensure you cover all the important steps when you are building your web site.
The landing page looks great, all the links work...
Assuming you attract visitors to your site (and that is a whole other subject...
) what do you want your customers to do while they are there? You should actually have considered this up-front.
This is a very important step in the initial planning of a web site, and should be clear in your mind before you start.
Knowing what you want your customers to do is critical.
There are millions of web sites out that miss this step.
Without knowing what you want your customers to do you cannot create a 'call to action'.
Here is a list of 'most wanted actions' on websites 1.
Buy a product 2.
Ask for more information 3.
Make a booking 4.
Come to my( physical) shop 5.
Attend my event 6.
Leave contact details 7.
Leave feedback I want my visitors to: Place an order I have products to sell.
So I need to have very clear 'BUY' signs and make the easy to buy! The buying process should be clearly defined.
Have a look at some sites specifically designed to sell product on line and see how they signpost the process for the buyer.
Request a quote or more information I have established credibility on my site.
Now I want to invite my prospects to engage with me.
Again, make it easy to do - non-threatening.
Make sure it is no-obligation.
Even if they just would like to find out more, make sure you contact details are easily found.
Book a service I have sold the product/service - now invite customers to book my service/product on line.
Make sure your booking form is relevant to your service (Don't ask for information you don't need) and be sure to collect your customers contact details.
Confirm the booking either by auto-responder or by personal email.
Come to my premises My potential customers have come to see my product/service that I have described/displayed.
Now I need to invite my customers to come and see for themselves.
Make the signposting - directions clear.
Perhaps offer an incentive - a discount if they make a store purchase and they can quote a code only available from your web site.
(This can be useful in tracking the effectiveness of your website).
Come to my event Describe and promote your forthcoming event.
Be sure to invite your customer to book on line.
Again - make sure your booking form is relevant to the event (Don't ask for information you don't need) and be sure to collect your customers contact details.
Confirm the booking either by auto-responder or by personal email.
Or give them a discount code to book by other means.
Encourage them to BOOK - make the commitment to come! Sign up for more information I can keep in touch with my customers by offering them something for free - newsletter, regular tips, offers...
The more customer the better.
Leave feedback and/or ad content I can ask my customers for their ideas - By allowing them to be involved I can get feedback and ideas to improve my business.
Without a call to action your web presence is just another bit of information out there on the www.
Understanding your purpose, message and visitor action are key planning elements that should be assessed and described before you start building a web presence.
A good web site planning workbook can help ensure you cover all the important steps when you are building your web site.