Website design

So you have a website, you're online but you're not getting many - or worse any leads. But fear not! You can begin to change that with 10 simple tips.

On your website content

1. Convey what you do and why you are a great choice on the home page. Don't make your visitors dig to find out the who, what and why of your company, because they won't.
2. Speak to the customer in terms of benefits instead of features.
3. Give 3rd party reinforcement of how great you are with as many testimonials as possible.
4. Think about adding a poll, forum or comments functionality- if visitors can interact with your website they are more likely to remember you and return more often.

Summary: remember your audience- write your website content with them in mind. If you are having trouble with this, it's worth it to hire a professional!

On your call to action:

Once your visitors are on your site and interested, you have to ask them to take action, whether it's pick up the phone, come into the location or fill out a contact form on the site.

5. They have to be asked to take action on every page of your website in order to convert them from casual browsers to prospective customers.
6. For the 80% of visitors to your website will leave within the first 8 seconds, but if they came to your site in the first place, they do have some level of interest. So why not ask them for their contact information so you can market to them later? Offer an ethical bribe- something for free for their email address.
7. If they don't give you their email address, ask them to become a fan on Facebook or follow you on Twitter- that will still give you the opportunity to keep your name and brand in the forefront of their minds, so when they are ready to buy, they'll think of you and not your competitor.

Summary: Make sure you have an end goal in mind, and you're constantly asking your visitors to act.

On exposure:

Promote your website! There are thousands of websites added to the internet every day. Don't let yours get lost on some back country road in the middle of cyberspace nowhere.

8. Promote your website on Facebook, Twitter, Buzz, your email signature, LinkedIn and anywhere else you are online.
9. Offline, make sure your site is mentioned on your voicemail and all your signage, business cards, stationary, vehicle decals and anywhere else you can think of.
10. Get your site on page one of Google, through Google Maps, Google AdWords.

Summary: Don't just build a website and expect that it will perform for you- promote it!

If you follow these simple steps your website will attract visitors, engage them and convert them to customers.