Small Business Websites

Convert Website Visitors into Buyers

Written by Rayzelle Forrest Young for Gaebler Ventures

Tips on how to get your website visitors to become buyers. Highlights five key elements your site should have in order to make your site successful.

Now that you've created your website and starting getting visitors, you need to make sure those visitors are actually buying your products or services.

There are several steps you can take to make sure your website can convert website visitors to buyers. Having an attractive site is not good enough to get people to buy which means as pretty as your site may be it won't make you any money. Here are a few key elements that your company website needs to incorporate in order to convert visitors to buyers.

Fix Any Problems

Any problems your site may have should be fixed before you begin to drive traffic to it. Converting website visitors to buyers will depend largely on whether or not all your links as well as your purchasing buttons are working. It's a good idea to have a few people test these features in advance of officially launching your website.

Establish Unique Selling Position

Establish your company's unique selling position clearly on your website. Why should buyers choose to buy products or services from you as opposed to other companies that are in the same business. Clearly establish what makes your company unique from everyone else.

Create Customer Trust

Develop a trusting relationship with your website visitors by offering a newsletter or setting up a blog with tips on how your products can be used. This will show customers that you genuinely want to help them and are not just there to take their money.

Make Purchasing Easy

Allow your customers to gain easy access to your products. Don't subject them to pages and pages of "stuff" to go through in order to get to the checkout page. If you're going to have pop ups, keep them to a minimum and try to only use ones that will help speed up the purchasing process or make it easier. Offer a variety of payment methods such as credit or debit card, bank wire, standard U.S. postal service mail and even e-check.

Make Suggestions

Suggest additional products for your customers to buy. They may be interested in a grilling utensil set or grill cleaning products if they have just bought a grill. This is a great way to maximize your selling power and get your customers to spend more money in one visit.

The key to converting website visitors into buyers is to make sure you have a fully functional site. Use testers to ensure all links and payment buttons are working as well as clearly establish your selling position. In addition, streamline your purchasing process and make suggestions on products that will complement your buyers purchase. Including these features in your website should prompt your target audience to not only buy from you but also recommend you to others. Overall, this will make for a successful website and increase your bottom line.

Rayzelle is an entrepreneur and writer. Based on her experiences as an owner of her own dance studio, she will share her personal tips on being a successful entrepreneur.

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