This post is about – How To Design A Site That Converts Traffic.
Through building hundreds of websites with my own hands and seeing the results my clients get, I got better at improving SEO (search engine optimization) and traffic conversion for them.
Successful websites are designed with this conversion in mind.
Here is the list of topics that affects your site’s traffic conversion:
- Well designed site header
- Good copy – aka content
- Action trigger – that’s what I call for something that triggers a user to take an action such as newsletter sign up, contact form, order button, and etc.
1. Header – Design with Purpose
A header is one of the most important elements of your web design. It is like the front of your house – communicating to your users about the identity, character, and a purpose of your site.
The reality is that you only have about 8 seconds before your audience decides to leave or stay on your site. If your header is designed well, you’ll pass the 8 second test and your audience will come in through your front door.
Here’s a good rule of thumb:
You’d want to make sure your header has a…
- Well designed logo for your market
- Compelling tagline
- Clean and well organized site navigation
Also, you’d want to keep your header short (not too tall) because your repeat audience dosen’t need to spend too much time at your front door, they’ve been inside of your house already – they just want to come in and get right to your content.Here are some examples of well-designed headers in fitness industry:
2. Having good copy (Content)
Some people don’t realize this. You’d always want to prioritize on content before pitching your products & services. After all, a majority of searchers on the Internet exists for information searches. There’s a way to give just the right amount of information to convince your prospects to buy from you.
Never just put a picture of your product and a buy button and expect everyone that comes to your site to buy it. Even if your entire site is about selling your service, you’d want to approach your audience with the best information you have (such as your background and product features) and solid social proofs (People don’t generally buy online from a complete stranger).
Good web copy writers are often expensive, but if you don’t have time learning and writing it yourself, consider hiring a professional copy writer. It makes a difference in your return on investment, and you’ll be glad.
3. Action Trigger
I’m not talking about just posting a phone number and contact us link on your site. You’d need a strong and tested call to action and an effective method to capture your audience’s information.
Examples are:
- Newsletter sign up form placed above the fold.
- Sign up message right blow your personal guarantee.
- Order buttons placed right under the testimonials.
Internet marketers are testing these copy- and graphic-wise all the time. Having someone sign up requires their emotion and energy – which you are going to encourage on your page.
Is traffic conversion the best answer to a successful website? No, but focusing on it will definitely improve the performance of your site. If you need a help with improving and measuring your conversion, let me know.
Would love to hear your feedback in the comment section below.
Cheers,
Shingo
Shingo,
Great post! I love how you broke down a converting website into these 3 steps, nice and simple. Traffic is great, but its nothing without conversion! Great post man
Shingo,
Awesome Post!! I’m glad you have a blog going, this is a lot of useful info.
I’m glad you guys find it useful – let me know if there’s any specific subject you’d like me to cover. – Best, Shingo
Shingo can you make a video blog or give instructions showing how to upload one of your free wordpress themes?
Awesome idea – I’ll put it together and send it to you – Thanks bud!
Shingo this is great stuff. I am now officially a huge fan. I am going to read everything you have and do my best to implement each piece as quickly as I can.
I recently downloaded your free “intrepid” theme and was hoping to swap it from blue to green. I am having a heck of a time doing that.
I currently have a strong offline business but am more and more converting to direct online sales while my offline business continues on its pace. I would like to use intrepid-green first, then consider working on having a whole new site built up for me with your expertise.
Can you advise me how to flip from color to color (blue to green) for the intrepid theme. Thanks.
my site is white and green http://www.EmpoweredNutrition.com
I am working with Brad Campbell at TopFatLossTrainer.com and that is how I came across you.
Patrick.
Wow Patrick, thanks for your cool comment – I appreciate that.
As for changing, the skin color of the intrepid, you can easily do so by following:
From you dashboard, “TBF Options” > “1. Design” > Select Green and hit “Save Changes”
I’m glad we got to start knowing each other Patrick! You’re so cool.
I admire Brad because he’s a huge action taker – his blog has literally exploded in a few months after launching it.
Let me know if you have any questions!
Thanks Shingo… silly boy, I was trying to edit from my ftp end of things as I am used to that.
OK so now its time to test this baby out and see just how much damage I can do… well I meant that in a good way. I will see what needs to be “fixed up” appearance wise and see if I can figure it out to toggle back and forth without having to do major edits each time from theme to theme.
So far I like the navigation and easy implementation to live…
Off to read your other posts and learn and implement.
Thanks again. Hope I can blow up the blog and figure out to set up multiple landing pages using “intrepid”.
Thank verymuch for all information.
I’ll be to try , I’ll be made webste as your idea.
My best regard.
Chepysakti.
Hi Shingo,
Great post. Very clear and informative and easy to understand. I will be looking forward to all your future posts.
Frank
i am self-studying web design coz building websites is my passion-.-
@Chepysakti, @Frank – THANK YOU guys – I’m back, so check back the blog when you can – peace.
Hey Jeseph, passion was mine main fuel when I started about 8 years ago. Let me know if you need some pointers for the web design.
Hi, I’m using your intrepidity them, but have 2 issues. 1) The landing page cuts off half my header/logo 2) how can I keep the optin box on the landing page?
So how do I fix these two things? Please help.
Suzanne
Hi Suzanne, thanks for using my theme. Which page are you referring to?