When it comes to website design, there are certain things you can do to increase your chances of converting website visitors into customers. In this blog post, we will discuss the do’s and don’ts of website design with regard to conversion rate optimization. By following these tips, you can create a website that is both visually appealing and effective at converting visitors into customers!
What is conversion rate optimization?
Conversion rate optimization (CRO) is the process of creating website design elements that increase your website’s chances of converting visitors into customers. This can include things like using color psychology to create a visually appealing website layout, or using persuasive copywriting to nudge visitors toward making a purchase or signing up for your mailing list.
When it comes to website design, there are certain best practices that you should follow to increase your website’s conversion rate.
Let’s go over some of these best practices.
Start with a clear and compelling website design that is optimized for your target audience and goals.
When was the last time you thought about your target audience and website goals? If you haven’t given these factors much thought, it’s time to start thinking about them more seriously. Your website design should be optimized for the people who will be visiting it – whether they are potential customers, leads, or existing customers.
Create a sales funnel that guides website visitors toward your ultimate website goals, such as making a purchase or signing up for your mailing list.
Another key element of website design is creating a sales funnel that guides website visitors toward your website goals. This could mean incorporating an opt-in form into your website sidebar that encourages website visitors to sign up for your mailing list, or including an attractive product page with clear pricing and purchase options. Whatever website goals you have, be sure to create a website design that leads website visitors down the path toward accomplishing those goals.
Use high-quality unique imagery, not stock photos.
Studies have shown that website visitors respond more positively to images that are customized for your website and brand, rather than stock photos. This can include things like product photography or images of your team in action.
Use videos to showcase your products and services.
Video is a powerful medium for website visitors, as it can help to convey information in an engaging, visual way. By incorporating product or service demonstration videos on your website, you can show website visitors what your products or services are all about, which can help increase their interest in making a purchase.
Use persuasive copywriting to nudge website visitors in the right direction.
In addition to using visual elements like images and videos, it’s important to use persuasive copywriting techniques on your website to guide website visitors toward a desired action. This might include things like adding an “add to cart” button directly below a product image, or using prominent CTAs (calls-to-action) throughout your website to encourage website visitors to sign up for your mailing list or make a purchase.
Make sure your website navigation is intuitive and easy to use.
One of the most important website design elements for conversion rate optimization is your website navigation. You want it to be intuitive and easy for website visitors to find exactly what they are looking for, whether that’s information about your products or services, a contact form, or a shopping cart. Try using clear calls-to-action or prominent navigation buttons to help website visitors quickly and easily find what they are looking for.
Optimize your website for mobile devices.
In today’s digital landscape, website visitors are increasingly likely to be accessing your website from a mobile device. As such, it is important to ensure that your website is responsive and optimized for mobile devices. This can include things like ensuring that website text and images are large enough to be easily viewed on smaller screens and using shorter website navigation menus to minimize the amount of scrolling required.
Design your website with user experience in mind.
To create a website that is effective at converting website visitors into customers, it is important to put yourself in the shoes of your target audience and design your website accordingly. This can include things like using website navigation menus that are intuitive and easy to use, providing detailed product descriptions that address common questions or concerns, and making sure that website contact information is visible and easy to find.
Use color psychology to your advantage.
Color psychology can have a big impact on how website visitors perceive website content. For example, using red on website buttons or call-to-action banners can help to create a sense of urgency and motivate website visitors to take action. Similarly, choosing website colors that are associated with trust and reliability, such as blue or green, can help website visitors feel more comfortable and confident about purchasing from your website.
Use white space to make website content stand out.
Another important website design element to consider when optimizing your website for conversion rate is the use of white space. White space, or blank space in between website elements like text and images, can help to make website content stand out and give it more visual appeal. This can help website visitors better focus on the website content and can help website elements like CTAs or website buttons to stand out more.
Incorporate website testimonials and reviews into your website design.
If you want to build trust with potential website visitors, adding website testimonials and reviews is a great way to do so. By showcasing positive feedback from previous website visitors or customers, you can help website visitors feel more confident about purchasing from your website. This can be done using website elements like customer reviews or website testimonials, and it’s important to encourage website visitors to leave feedback on your website as well.
Add live chat.
Another website design element that can help to optimize your website for conversion rate is the addition of live chat. Live chat allows website visitors to get in touch with customer service representatives or chat directly with website owners, and it can be a great way to provide website visitors with quick, easy assistance when they need it most. Whether you use live chat software or chat widgets embedded on your website, adding live chat functionality can help website visitors connect with you in real time and is a great way to build trust and increase website conversion rates.
Include clear calls to action throughout your website.
Your website’s main call-to-action (CTA) should be clear and visible on every page of your website, urging website visitors to take the next step in their conversion journey. For example, you might include CTAs to sign up for a free trial, subscribe to your email list, or purchase a product or service. Additionally, it can be helpful to include multiple CTAs throughout your website to encourage website visitors to continue browsing and exploring your website.
Create website forms that are easy to fill out.
Another key element of website design that can help increase website conversions is the creation of website forms that are easy to fill out. This can include things like using simple and straightforward web form fields, providing clear instructions and information on how website visitors should enter their information, and ensuring that website buttons or links are large enough to be easily clicked with a mouse or a finger.
A fast website is crucial for success.
One website design element that can make a big impact on website conversions is website speed. If your website is slow to load, website visitors may become frustrated and impatient and move on to another website without completing the conversion action you were hoping for. To optimize website speed, you should use high-quality web hosting services, minimize page bloat by removing unnecessary website elements, optimize website images to reduce file size, or use a content delivery network (CDN). By optimizing website speed and ensuring a smooth website experience for website visitors, you can greatly increase the chances of achieving high website conversions.
Create urgency.
Whether you’re trying to sell website visitors on a product or service, encourage website visitors to sign up for your email list, or simply get website visitors to take the next step in their conversion journey, creating urgency is a key website design element that can help increase website conversions. Some ways to create website urgency include using countdown timers, adding “limited time” messaging or website offers, or simply using strong and persuasive copy that convinces website visitors to take action sooner rather than later. By creating urgency and a sense of immediacy using website design elements like these, you can help website visitors feel compelled to convert on your website.
Simplify your website design.
While website design elements like these can certainly help to optimize your website for conversion rate, the most important thing you can do to achieve higher website conversions is to make sure that your website is simple. This means reducing clutter on your website wherever possible, using clear and concise website copy, ensuring that all of your website’s pages are easily accessible, and eliminating website elements that are likely to confuse website visitors. By keeping your website design simple and clean, you can help website visitors focus on the conversion actions you most want them to take and increase your website’s chances of achieving high website conversions.
Optimize your website for search engines.
To maximize your website’s chances of converting website visitors into customers, it is important to optimize your website for search engines. This can include things like using relevant keywords in website content, building backlinks to your website from other authoritative websites, and regularly updating your website with new content to help improve its search engine rankings.
Invest in website testing tools.
To create a website that is optimized for website conversions, it can be helpful to invest in website testing tools. These tools can help you analyze website traffic and user behavior data, identify website design elements that are not performing well and make changes to your website accordingly. Some popular website testing tools include Hotjar and Optimizely.
Test, measure, and iterate.
To create a website that converts website visitors into customers, it is important to test, measure, and iterate your website design and content over time. This can involve running website A/B or multivariate tests to compare how different website elements perform in terms of website conversion rates and user engagement metrics, using website analytics tools to monitor website traffic and user behavior, and making changes to website design elements based on website testing results. By constantly iterating your website over time, you can create a website that is optimized for website conversions.
The don’ts of website design for conversion rate optimization
Using website elements that are hard to navigate or understand.
One of the biggest website design mistakes that can negatively impact website conversion rates is using website elements that are hard to navigate or understand. This includes website elements like pop-ups, dropdown menus, multiple navigation options, and complex content layouts.
Creating website content that is overly complicated or vague.
Another website design mistake that can hurt website conversion rates is using website content that is overly complicated or vague. This can include website copy, images, video clips, and other types of website content that are difficult to understand or that do not clearly communicate your website’s message.
Ignoring user feedback and website analytics data.
To create a website that converts website visitors into customers, it is important to pay attention to user feedback and website analytics data. This can involve regularly monitoring website traffic, evaluating website performance metrics like bounce rates and time on site, conducting website usability tests, or soliciting user feedback via surveys or website forms. By staying attuned to website analytics and user feedback, you can make website design changes that will improve website conversion rates over time.
Too many options and choices.
One of the biggest website design mistakes that can negatively impact website conversion rates is offering website visitors too many options and choices. This can include website elements like navigation menus, call-to-action buttons, product listings, or other website elements that overwhelm website visitors or make it difficult for them to focus on taking a desired action.
Poor website design
Poor website design can also greatly hinder website conversion rates. This can include website elements like cluttered website layouts, confusing website navigation, confusing or poorly written website content, and more. To optimize your website for conversions, it is important to invest in professional website design services and make sure that your website is optimized for usability, clarity, and user experience.
Neglecting search engines and website visitors.
To create a website that is optimized for website conversions, it is important to invest in search engine optimization efforts and focus on website visitors as well. This often involves using website design elements like keyword-rich website content, engaging website copy, and relevant backlinks to improve your website’s visibility in search engine results pages and boost website traffic.
Conclusion
The principles of website design that we have covered are essential for driving conversions. By following the do’s and avoiding the don’ts, you can create a website that not only looks great but also helps your customers take the actions you want them to take. If you need help putting these concepts into practice, our team at Graticle can assist you in designing or redesigning your website so that it is optimized for conversions. Call or text us today! (360) 450-3711
Who is Graticle?
We are a website design company in Longview, Washington that specializes in creating high-converting websites. Our website design experts have extensive experience working with businesses of all sizes to create compelling website designs that drive website conversions and increase sales. Whether you are looking to redesign your website or build a new website from scratch, we can help you create a website that is optimized for website conversions and drives results for your business. Contact us today to learn more about our website design services! Call or text (360) 450-3711
