Convert More By Giving Your Website A Reality Test
Even if they typically don’t make sales online, it is difficult for an author or a speaker to effectively market their book or speaking services without an effective website. But many people think having a website is as simple as purchasing a pre-made template or hiring someone off Craig’s List.
There is certainly no need to have a flashy or complicated website, you should make sure to put your site through a number of tests to make sure it is up to par. Competition on the Internet can be fierce with the economy becoming more and more global and more people and companies using websites as part of their marketing strategy.
The first impression is the most important on the web. And that impression can last less than a minute as click happy page viewers come and go. What would you say in answer to these questions about your website?
1. Do People Know Where They Are Right Away?
Do you have a visible logo that means something visually and also describes what your business is about? Before visitors start to read, they see, and so it is critical to grab their attention fast. You want to make sure to use a lot of pictures and other graphics to explain to viewers what your services will mean to them.
Words are important as well, though, so make sure your company name is clearly visible immediately and that you have a tagline that tells people what you do. Communicate immediately on every page with a strong title that tells them where they are and what they can expect.
While it’s okay to be creative, your website is not the place to be coy. Make sure your site communicates boldly what you can offer your future customers.
2. Have you checked out your computer on various viewing platforms and browsers?
A website will not look the same on all computers. What looks great on Firefox might be a mess on Windows Explorer, and even on different versions of each. Make sure you check. Ask people you know and trust to view your website on at least 5 different monitor sizes, Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 operating systems, and on PC as well as MAC computers.
Check a blackberry and iPhone as well if your customers may be using a cell phone to view your site. It can be surprising how different a site can look on different viewing platforms.
3. How functional is your website?
There is nothing more annoying to a page viewer than to sit and wait for a page to load. In most cases, that potential customer clicks away before even seeing what you have to offer and becomes a former potential customer before you know it.
Pretend you are your ideal customer and take the time to walk through your entire site page by page through their eyes. How quickly do your pages load? Do all links work and direct to the pages you want them to direct to? Are the spelling errors or grammatical no-no’s you have to correct? Is the contact information readily found on your website?
The reason to go through the Website Reality Test is to ensure that your potential customers are not driven away but instead are welcomed into your website. Make it easy for them to get around your site, find what they want (and what you’re selling) and become your customer.
Make sure to stop by ProfessionalSpeakerPromotionOnline.com to find many other resources for successfully promoting your professional speaker career online.