Don't Leave This One Critical Tactic out of Your Online Marketing

Search engine optimization, in theory, is priceless.

Yes, there are hundreds of SEO factors to consider when ranking a website, but it all boils down to one main thing:

Why you want to rank.

To make more money and grow your business.

But then there are reasons such as:

• “I just want to outrank my competition.”
• “I don’t know I just pay someone for it because people told me I needed it.”

What is the point of ranking, if you can’t get someone to click on your website?

And from there, are you able to convert the visitor into a sale?

The last thing you want is users just hitting the back button, hurting your bounce rate - and ultimately, your organic rankings.

This is why your website and your SEO is rendered almost useless without proper Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO).

But, what goes into Conversion Rate Optimization?

Let’s start with your sales copy, and why it's so important.

Well, for starters, you don't want an ad to turn out like the ads Reebok or Mcdonalds have run in the past.

If your website says something like: “We are family owned and operated, and have been selling sturdy office chairs for over 20 years.”

Then it’s likely your competitor, who's website says something like: “Beautifully redesigned office chairs for maximum comfort and control. Free 2-day shipping.” is probably putting you out of business.

Remember, people don’t care about you. They care about how you can help them.

Don’t forget about your call-to-actions on your website either. Instead of "Learn More" Use a term such as "Buy Now".

How often do we have to be told to do something before it gets done? Even if it’s your to-do list telling you what to do?

Tell people to buy, and they will.

Next, how simple is it for someone to pay you? Or, how simple is your checkout process?

If you aren’t using any tools to track user behavior, it’s time to start. There are many tools out there such as Google Analytics & Webmaster Tools, and then there’s my favorite: Heap Analytics.

If your users add something to their cart, then don’t end up checking out, or they begin the checkout process but then don’t complete it, you need to find out why.

On-site optimization and user interface (UI) is also critical to user experience (UX) and conversions.

If your website isn’t mobile-friendly, or doesn’t load quickly, you will be hurting in conversions - if you aren’t already.

Think about implementing Google's beloved AMP pages for mobile.

By simply providing your users the experience they’re looking for, you are heading in the right direction for a successful online business.

If you have a local business and are providing a service - make it as simple as humanly possible for users to get ahold of you. Use features such as click-to-call, click-to-text, online chat, contact capture forms, exit popups, etc.

If you aren't yet using a service like Textline, it's probably time you looked into it.

Now, there are those people that shop around and take their sweet time trying to find deals.

And that is why you should have unique content written about every product or service you are offering. Along with a blog.

Be the authority, and people will buy from you.

Without showing people that you are the authority in what you do, why should they entrust their money to you?

Remember, talk is cheap.

Great sales copy only goes so far. Unless, of course, you’ve already established your brand, kind of like Apple. Check out the incredible copy on Apple's website.

You may be thinking “Where in the world would I find the time to learn all of this, AND implement it?!”

The answer is simple: Don’t. Hire someone to take care of it for you.

Now, more than ever, it is critical to ensure your website is at its peak performance.

Why?

• “96% of Americans shop online, and the majority of those shoppers prefer shopping online for reasons like saving time and avoiding crowds.” -CPCStrategy.com
• Today, over half of all sales are online
• It is your user's first impression of your business. Not you, not your employees, and not your storefront. It’s your website, and first impressions are everything.

Get the conversion optimization consulting you need.