Running a website can feel like an overwhelming task, especially as a solo marketer when you’re already juggling marketing, content creation & so much more.
But here’s the good news: you don’t need a big team to significantly improve your website’s conversion rates.
With strategic tweaks & some elbow grease, you can turn visitors into loyal customers. Let’s dive in!
#1 Simplify your navigation
A cluttered website confuses visitors & drives them away.
Keep your navigation clean & intuitive. Limit top-level menu items to 4-6 options &include clear labels like Shop, About or Contact.
Tool recommendation: Hotjar can help you analyse visitor behaviour to refine your navigation.
#2 Use clear call-to-actions (CTAs)
Place CTAs in high-traffic areas like the homepage, above-the-fold sections & at the end of blog posts. Use contrasting colors to make them pop. Even better if you anchor your CTAs with testimonials too.
Be direct with your language for CTAs & keep them short. Instead of “Try our tool for free today”, go for “Start for free”.
#3 Optimise page load speed
Your CTAs should stand out & tell visitors exactly what to do next.
Slow-loading pages kill conversions.
Compress images, minimise CSS/JS files & consider a lightweight hosting provider if necessary. Faster websites not only retain visitors but also rank higher in search results.
Tool recommendation: Google’s PageSpeed Insights will help to identify speed issues.
#4 Leverage testimonials & social proof
Showcasing customer testimonials, reviews or user-generated content (UGC) builds trust. We know this works on social media so we should be pulling it through to our websites too.
If you’re just starting out, ask early customers for feedback & permission to display it on your site.
Another way to do this is by showing trust seals above the fold & on product/checkout pages.
#5 Focus on mobile optimisation
With over half of web traffic coming from mobile devices, ensure your site looks great & functions seamlessly on smaller screens. When you’re building a website, using a responsive design theme is a good place to start.
Tool recommendation: BrowserStack will test usability across various devices.
#6 Create a compelling value proposition
Your visitors should instantly understand why your product or service is worth their time & money. Highlight unique benefits clearly on your homepage & product pages. A well-crafted tagline can do wonders here.
And when you’re crafting the copy for the value proposition, use persuasive language. AKA assume they’re already taking the action.
For example, instead of “If you try our tool…”, go for “When you try our tool…”
#7 Add a live chat
Customers often have questions before converting. Offering real-time answers through a chat widget can eliminate barriers.
Tool recommendation: Tidio or LiveChat, they’re both affordable & easy to set up.
#8 Implement exit-intent popups
An exit-intent popup captures the attention of visitors about to leave your site.
Offer discounts, freebies or newsletter sign-up options to keep them engaged.
Tool recommendation: OptinMonster makes it simple to create & customise these popups.
#9 Simplify your checkout process
If you’re selling products or services, streamline your checkout flow.
Minimise form fields & enable guest checkout to reduce friction.
Tool recommendation: Stripe or Shopify can help you create smooth & secure payment experiences.
#10 A/B test your changes
As a solo marketer, you can’t afford to guess.
Tool recommendation: Google Optimize or VWO can help to test variations of headlines, CTAs or page layouts. These insights can guide your decisions & maximise your efforts.
#11 Outsource to an expert
Let’s be honest, you don’t have the time to spend doing everything. So focus on your strengths & outsource the things that don’t need to be done by YOU.
Bringing in a team like Squibble to take care of a new website build or ongoing maintenance will allow you the time to focus on the bigger picture.
As a one-person show, your time & energy are limited, so focus on implementing the changes that yield the biggest impact. Start small, track your results & refine your approach as you go.
Remember, every improvement brings you closer to converting casual visitors into loyal customers.
Are you considering your next web design project? Get in touch today.
