Many business owners wonder why they aren’t getting leads through their website, and their first thought is often to focus on SEO. But in reality, SEO is usually the last thing they should do. After all, why drive more people to a website that looks unappealing, fails to reflect their brand, doesn’t communicate their message, and risks putting potential clients off? This is why getting the website right is essential before investing in SEO.
Jude Wharton is one of the co-founders of Ready Steady Websites®, the one-stop-shop for all your website and branding needs. Jude and her business partner and husband, Chris launched Ready Steady Websites® in 2019 and they have been running a successful digital design company, 2nd Floor Designs Ltd since 2010. Jude is also the co-author of The Website Handbook. So, when Jude talks to someone in this situation, she has a few suggestions that they should consider below:
When people first hit your homepage, is it instantly clear what it is you do and how you can help them?
If not, keep it simple. Craft a short engaging statement aimed at your ideal customer or client, something they will immediately resonate with and will make them want to stay and look around your website.
Think about what the main purpose of your website is. Do you want people to book a call? Buy a product? Can they easily do this within three clicks of your homepage?
If not, take some time to really think about what action it is you want people to take on your website and make sure it’s easy for them to do this with clear call to actions. Choose the colour from your brand palette that stands out the most and use this as your button and link colour that leads to people taking that action.Â
Do you have recent testimonials throughout your website, especially on your homepage and sales pages?Â
If not, add them. These are key for convincing people to take the next step to work with you or buy from you.Â
Do the images on your website do your business justice and reflect what you do and who you want to attract?
It can be easy to use old images of yourself that don’t reflect you anymore because you don’t have time for a shoot or just pick some from a stock photo site because it’s easy but they won’t be encouraging people to become your client or customer.Â
Do you have instant pop ups which could be driving people away before they’ve even had a chance to look at your website?
Pop ups can be great but not when you get in someone’s face straight away. How do they know if they want what you’re offering if they haven’t even had a chance to look at any of your website. Using pop ups that come up after your website visitor has scrolled a certain way down the page is far more effective.Â
If you can honestly say you have got all of this is on point, then SEO may well be what you need to work on to get more leads through your website. If you know there are improvements to be made, then this is a good thing because it’s the first step to getting your website in shape to starting to attract more amazing people to work with.
If you do make some changes to your website, make sure you test your website on all device sizes afterwards, don’t just check it’s all working well and looking good on your computer. A lot of browsing is done on mobile devices so make sure you don’t lose out on potential clients or customers by giving those checking out your website on their phone or tablet a poor experience.
