wordsandthebees

When I started my business, like most people budgets were tight and as much as I wanted a fancy new website there was no way I could afford it. As a copywriter though I write copy and create content for clients on a daily basis so I wanted to share with you a few tips on how to make a simple, cheap landing page as effective as possible.

While website that are professionally built with all the bells and whistles are preferable, if you're like most of us and have to make do for the time being, make sure you have these bases covered:

Use testimonials:
The voice of your satisfied customer speaks so much louder than your own! If you're at the start of your business and it's appropriate it might even be worth exchanging your services for testimonials, yes they're that valuable!
As long as you don't have a bunch of your mates giving you write-ups, I say the more the better. If you want to get a specific skillset across, you can always write a list of things you want your clients to cover to really make an impact about the service that you provide.

Use CTA's.
Constantly! Calls to action need to be at the end of every paragraph almost! There isn't much space on a landing page so as many as you can cram in will definitely help you, The last thing you want is for your client to have to go searching when they're ready to connect with you. Decide what you want your customer to do and make it obvious. Buy now, contact us, get a quote, sign up to newsletter - whatever it is you want them to do, make it easy for them to do it!

Be concise.
You have so little space on a landing page, don't waste it by beating around the bush and waffling. Make your points, and get out of there!

Remove reasons for people not to buy.
I see this time and time again on home pages and it drives me mad! If your opening hours are restricted, take them off. If your fees are above average, take them off. If you're unable to provide a service, don't mention it at all! So many people give people reasons NOT to buy which has put them off before they've even picked up the phone. Your fees might be more than your competitor however the person that's landed on your site doesn't need to know that until they've picked up the phone and you've already sweet talked them.

A landing page is a place for benefits only!

Talk about benefits not features.
While it's important that people know what your product or service does, all people really want to know is what's in it for them! Focus your content on how your product will make your customer feel, and what it will bring to their life.

Check your copy.
This might sound basic but it's often overlooked, If words aren't your specialty, get someone to check it over to make sure that there are no spelling errors and mistakes. It doesn't matter what your product, if your copy is filled with grammar and punctuation mistakes it will make you look unprofessional and you can wave goodbye to your potential clients.

Focus on your headline.
It's true that you can convert someone with just a few words. If you can excite them, stir emotion and get them genuinely interested in your product you can make a sale.

While this list is by no means exhaustive, it does cover the basics if you only have a small amount of space to play with but you want to make a big impact and can't afford to hire a web developer.

Good luck!

TheAnthonyJacobs

I agree. You can definitely boost your conversions by following these steps. No doubt.

But, I found a simple way (aka way less work) that's working like gang busters, and I created a free case study that shows you how I did it.

If you're interest, check out the case study and download the free plugin I used here: How I Made $3,200 Last Week Using This Free Wordpress Plugin!!

norahwhitlow

Thanks. Its helpful indeed, esp for the newbies.

Brian Driscoll

I would like to add to this:

1. Use Quora or Amazon Books To Scrap Customer Words and Concerns

Look for topics and books related in your niche, look at the comments and see what problems, concerns, and words they use.

You can practically take the words out of your target customer's mouth!

2. Tell a Story

I am not saying, "tell your story everywhere!" But somewhere, you need to show a story and humanize your company. People don't want to do business with robots.

3. Simple is better than smart

A plain header that shows what your company does and for who is better than a fancy header that seems "creative".

4. Understand the customer journey

Make sure a link, after clicked, immediately addresses the intent behind that click.

For example, if someone clicks to you service page, that service pages should immediately address, "you are here because you want..." Not literally these words, but that is the idea you should have.

Thanks for the info!