Can I keep it 100% with you about websites?
A website isn’t just a digital business card, and if you’re still treating it like one, it’s time for a serious wake-up call. Your website should be the foundation of your brand’s online presence, not some forgotten link you slap onto your social profiles.
I'm not here to play around and blow smoke—I'm talking about conversions, customer experience, and building a space that makes people want to stick around and engage with you. So, if you’re ready to stop coasting and start making real digital impact, here’s a breakdown on how to use 3 top website strategies to build your site that actually converts.
But first—let me drop some hard truths.
Reality Check: Why Most Websites Don’t Convert
Most business owners think once they’ve thrown a website together, they’re done. No strategy, no customer journey planning, no clear call to action. And guess what? When you half-step your site, your customers feel it. You’re putting in the minimum, so they’re giving you minimal engagement back. It’s time to ditch the mindset of “a website is good enough” and start thinking, “How can I make this the ultimate customer experience?” That’s the mentality that leads to conversions.
And conversions? They’re not just about sales. They’re about getting people to take action. Maybe that’s signing up for your newsletter, scheduling a call, or downloading your latest guide. Whatever it is, your website needs to lead them there. You get to decide what and how you want folks to convert, so use your website strategies to set this up properly.
Ready to dive in? Let’s break down how to make your website work harder for you.
Stop Ignoring the User Journey
Before you even think about design or content, map out the journey you want users to take. Your website isn’t about you; it’s about them. Think of your ideal customer’s experience as they visit your site. Ask yourself these questions:
- What’s the first thing they should see? This should be the most compelling statement or offer about your business. You only get one shot at a first impression.
- What’s the end goal of their visit? Do you want them to book a call? Buy a product? Join a mailing list? Have that end goal in mind.
- How will you guide them there? Plan the steps. Use clear calls to action at every stage to direct them naturally.
With these questions answered, you can start laying out a website that flows logically, leading your visitor step-by-step toward taking action.
Don’t Overload with Random Content—Be Direct & Intentional
Here’s where a lot of businesses go wrong—they dump every little detail onto their homepage or drown their product pages with paragraphs of text. Less is more. Be clear, concise, and direct. Think punchy headlines, short blurbs, and crisp visuals.
Each piece of content should have a clear purpose:
- Build trust: Share testimonials, quick insights, and simple, powerful statements.
- Drive action: Create obvious and enticing calls to action. Every page should have a goal, whether it’s clicking through to another page, filling out a form, or reading a review.
If you feel yourself rambling, stop. Ask yourself, “Is this necessary to get my point across?” If the answer is no, cut it. Clarity over complexity wins every time.
Optimize Your Site’s Speed & Functionality
Did you know that if a site takes more than three seconds to load, 53% of users will bounce? That’s more than half of your potential leads gone before they even see your content. Keep your site lightning-fast by compressing images, avoiding heavy graphics, and simplifying your design. Check your site’s loading speed on mobile as well—many business owners forget that more than half of all web traffic comes from mobile devices.
In fact, be realistic. The more code and functionality, the more time to load your site. Figure out what you really need on your site, prioritize what needs to load first and what can wait, organize what's important at any given time and what can be removed because the need is obsolete, and know your platform and what it can handle best. Leave the fluff for 3rd party platforms like social media.
Break Down the Must-Have Elements for Conversions
Now, let’s get into the specifics of what a site needs to convert effectively. These aren’t just nice-to-haves; these are essential:
- Clear Navigation: Your visitors need to know where to go and how to get there. Keep navigation intuitive, and make your important pages easy to find. Think about your site from a new visitor’s perspective—if it takes more than a couple of seconds to understand where to click next, you’re losing people.
- Calls to Action (CTAs): Every page should lead somewhere. Use bold, clear CTAs that stand out on the page, and don’t be afraid to repeat them. Make it crystal clear what the next step is.
- Credibility Boosters: Social proof is massive. Customer testimonials, reviews, and case studies all build trust and show new visitors you’re the real deal. Showcasing logos of clients, awards, or any recognitions also adds to your brand’s authority.
- Responsive Design: In 2023, there’s no excuse for a site that doesn’t look perfect on mobile. Invest in responsive design that automatically adjusts your website’s layout, font size, and buttons for mobile, tablet, and desktop.
- Quality Content with SEO in Mind: Your blog posts, service descriptions, and about page should be optimized for keywords that help you show up in search engines. This is how people will find you without needing to type in your exact URL.
- Tracking & Analytics: Install Google Analytics, track conversions, and see where visitors are spending their time. This data is pure gold for optimizing your site’s performance.
3 Top Website Strategies to Implement
Here are 3 additional strategies that’ll take your site to another level:
- Craft a Unique Selling Proposition (USP) Statement on Every Page: Don’t assume your visitor knows who you are or what sets you apart. Each page should convey your brand’s unique value in one or two sentences. Why should they choose you over the competition?
- Engage with Interactive Features: Consider adding interactive elements like quizzes, surveys, or calculators. This not only keeps visitors on your page longer but also gives them a more personalized experience. For instance, a style quiz for an online clothing boutique or a cost calculator for a digital marketing service. These elements make your website more memorable.
- Develop a Resource Section to Drive Leads: Resources like guides, e-books, or toolkits can serve as lead magnets. Create a “Resources” or “Learning Center” on your site where you can showcase downloadable content that requires an email opt-in. This builds your email list and positions you as an authority in your industry.
The 80/20 Mindset for Long-Term Success
Ever hear of the 80/20 rule? When it comes to your website, spend 80% of your energy on proven tactics that drive results and only 20% experimenting with trends. While it’s fun to add the latest chatbot feature or test out a trendy color scheme, these will never replace the core essentials that keep your website converting. Focus on what works: clear messaging, great visuals, and a user-friendly experience.
Why Your Website Matters More Than Social Media
Social media is important, but it’s borrowed real estate. You don’t own it, you can’t control algorithm changes, and there’s always a chance it could disappear overnight. Your website is the one online space you fully control. Make it a powerful tool in your business, not an afterthought.
By investing in a well-thought-out website, you’re not just building a brand—you’re creating a long-lasting asset. The goal is a website that works for you, attracting leads, converting visitors, and building trust, day in and day out.
Ready to Create Your Website Strategies?
If you’re serious about creating a website that turns visitors into loyal customers, head over to my 1-Day Intensive, Scale Evergreen™ and register to start focusing on creating your own strategy to build your website to support your brand. We go into even more detail about optimizing for conversions, understanding your audience, and positioning your website as the powerhouse of your digital marketing strategy.
Let’s make your website a place that not only represents your brand but actively grows it.