16 Web Design Tips for Higher Sales

Improving Conversions With Informed Design Choices

The following sixteen pointers provide an overview to improving the conversion rate and general customer satisfaction with your businesses website and landing pages.

1. Focus on what’s in it for THEM using clear benefits and your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
   1. USP must be unique and specific
   2. Example of weak USPs: using lowest or best price (no longer credible)
   3. Example of great USPs:
      1. Fed Ex: “Get it there overnight” (was unique when they first used it)
      2. Domino’s “30-minutes-or-free guarantee”
      3. Strongest reasons why buying from you is best FOR THEM
2. Headline packed with specific, measurable benefits (not features)
   1. The more specific the more believable
   2. Improved headlines can increase sales by 400-1000% or more
3. Up to two sub-headlines with the second and third strongest benefits
4. One-click navigation
   1. No more than three clicks to order – two is better
   2. Navigation in the same place on every page – left side or top only
   3. Buttons must be clear on what they do
5. Use all your strongest benefits above the fold
6. Have a clear “Call to Action” clearly telling visitors what you want them to do
7. Establish Credibility
   1. Use Testimonials that include:
      1. Specific, measurable results
      2. Use first and last name
      3. Web site address
      4. At least the state and ideally city and state
      5. Photo of person
      6. Use 1 minute video clips for the ultimate testimonial
   2. Explain why you’re qualified to help them or solve their problems
   3. Show that you’re “just like them”
   4. Make it interesting – tell a story
8. Place Your List Opt-in offer above the fold on every page.
   1. Writing Your Offer
      1. Make it compelling
      2. Emphasize the benefits of joining
      3. Use a clear Call to Action
      4. Link to your privacy policy
      5. Request first name, last name, and email address (other sources recommend first name and email address only)
   2. Following Up
      1. Use your list to build relationships over time.
      2. Send a free monthly newsletter
         1. Information with a strong benefit
         2. Entertaining or informative
         3. Highlight the contents in bullet points at the top
         4. Generate back-end sales with member only discounts and special offers
         5. Include link to privacy policy
         6. Include unsubscribe information
9. The Sales Copy on Your Site IS Your Sales Person
   1. Long copy is best if:
      1. You sell only one product
      2. You sell a service
      3. You have one type of product with limited variations
      4. Use separate sales letters/pages for multiple products
   2. Short copy is best for sites with many products
10. Transfer Ownership by writing your site as though they already have the products/services offered
11. Remove the risk
    1. Compelling, powerful “no risk, 100% money back” guarantee
    2. Do not limit the guarantee to 30 days – 60, 90 or one year is best
12. Create added value for buyers with free bonus items such as e-books
13. Create Urgency and encourage immediate sales with:
    1. Limited time discounts and offers
    2. By rotating free bonus items regularly
14. Make it easy for customers to contact you in multiple ways
15. Use effective formatting techniques
    1. Scannable
    2. White space
    3. Limited number of fonts and colors
16. Consider using Hover Ad technology for:
    1. Opt-in mailing list
    2. Contests
    3. Surveys
    4. Last minute offers
    5. New product announcements
    6. Coupons
    7. Time limited offers

Written by PPC Think and reposted with permission.