Turn Website visitors into Customers

"The basic function of any website is to attract more and more visitors" --- there cannot be any other misguided statement than this. Simply because there is no point in having a large number of visitors coming on to your website and you doing nothing about it. According to me, the basic function of website should be get the web visitor to do something -- that is purchase from your website, or place an inquiry or submit their information. Most of the website owners fail to pay attention to this vital point and than wonder why their website is not giving returns as they would like it to.

It baffles me to know how much less attention people give to their website design. They think, it is designed and it is there on the internet, so they are done with it. NO. You have to take proactive interest into your website right from designing to promotion. If you are planning to seel something than do not just provide it's picture, price and link which says "Click Here to place your order" --- this makes the web visitor feel as if they are wandering the woods.

So, here are some tips which if implemented will turn your website visitors into your customers;

1. Details
If you are planning to sell something from your website design, than do furnish all the details about the products that you are planning to sell. If you are providing services than you should provide simple & easy to follow Terms of Service, this will put the website visitors at ease. If there are some general questions that are common for all the products like shipping, tax etc. than create a FAQ section where you answer all this questions and include a link of the FAQ page on each product page.

2. Contact Details
Most of the ecommerce websites, who plan to sell something from the website do not provide their complete contact details. Absence of contact details can harm your website to a very big extent. Website visitors like to know with whom they are dealing and where are they located, this keeps them assured. Not all people will call on your phone numbers if you provide one, but it will certainly out many of the website visitors at ease as they know that they can get in touch with you in case of any problems. So, by all means furnish all your contact details.

3. Keep your website Updated
Having old and stale products, services and information is horrendous. You would not shop for a desktop machine from a website which marks Intel P4 Processor as their "Latest Arrivals", the world is changing everyday and so are products changing everyday. Keep your website updated with the latest products and service offerings. It will also be a good idea to start a blog wherein you write about the trends in the industry, this will lend credibility to your website.

4. Benefits, not Features !
When describing your products or services, talks about its benefits to the user. Many people think benefits and features to be the same, but they are not so. Features describe the product and benefits is something that will be useful to the end user and will solve their problems. Website visitors like to know what's in it for them and how they will be able to use it solve their problems.

5. No Broken Links
Do you like a website which has a beautiful web design, but which does nothing and goes nowhere ? NO ! Well, same is the case of broken links. Even if your website has a single broken link that will reflect very badly and will frustrate the website visitor no end. Imagine yourself wanting to buy that sports watch, but when you click on its link it says "The page cannot be found". Make it s apoint to check all the links on your website regularly, and also ask your website visitors to report any broken links. Believe me, there are people who do report broken links.

6. Surf. Pay. Relax.
If I am selling something through my website I will like my website visitors to have a good watch of what's there in the store in a very easy way, and when the time comes for them to pay ---- it's best to offer Credit Card as the payment medium. For this there are many credit card processors, but the best of them is paypal. It's free, simple, easy to use and widely available. Make sure that you furnish all your contact details while the website visitor is about to make the payment, this will make them sure of what they are buying.

7. No Sales Mumbo Jumbo
Do not use technical jargon so much that instead of educating the website visitor --- you confuse them. Also do not use over the top marketing talk. Just describe your product in detail for what it is worth and describe it's features and benefits with all honesty and believe me you have a sale on your hand. No one is interested in your sales mumbo jumbo and they are not interested in it. Give them what they want and that too --- FAST !

8. Guarantee
Whatever little guarantee or warranty you might provide --- list it down on your website. A product or service with little guarantee is much beter than the one without any guarantee. Also spell out if your provide any money back offer on your products and services. It is also a good idea to make it clear on your website design if you provide a free trial or a demo. This will definetely attract the website visitor to make a purchase from your web design.

9. Educate the customer
If a website visitor has already purchased your product or subscribed to your serices, don't just leave him abandoned there. Inform him when will their product be delivered or where can they download their product or when will they be able to log in. Make sure that you educate the customer on each aspect that is to be followed. This will make sure that you have a great customer service attitude.

Above are few steps which, if followed, will get your website visitors converted to customers and you will laugh your way to the bank.

Web Design Temple, a mumbai based web designing company designs websites, multimedia presentations and web portals for various companies around the world. Our customers are located in 22 countries of the world.

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