Do Fancy Landing Page Graphics Hurt Conversions?

[imlifestyle]

Unlike most other people online Eben Pagan does not have a fancy mini site on his landing pages and instead he just uses a blank page like this one: Double Your Dating | Deep Inner Game

Why do you guys think he does that?

And I'm not talking about ecover graphics (he uses those), I'm talking about the actual mini site.

Most people have header and footer graphics but none of his dating letters have those.

He makes 20 mil a year so I'm pretty sure he tested it and saw that the blank pages converted better.

What do you guys think of this and has your own testing shown that these blank landing pages actually convert better?

Please share your thoughts.

James,

[Stephen Dean]

I've always been a proponent of understated mini-sites. Meaning a low-key header that doesn't compete with the headline (unless it is the headline).

Glenn Livingston felt the same way, but he recently announced his test results are changing on this. Fancy graphics that make his page look more professional are winning for him. Not sure if that's for cold traffic or from a list.

Cheers,
Stephen

[Ken_Caudill]

Graphics should complement the copy. No graphics is better than bad graphics.

[kellyburdes]

I think it's always a good starting point to look at what the top people in the field are doing, but it's only a starting point IMO. It's dangerous to assume that what they are doing is what is also going to work best in your business. I've found that different types of pages work well depending upon any number of the things, traffic source, niche, somewhat even by the time of year (I think, but that's only a small amount of data).

[David Allen]

Originally Posted by Ken_Caudill

No graphics is better than bad graphics.

Truer words were never spoken!

[Danielle Lynn]

Stephen and Ken make great points.

The key thing to consider is that your brain can register only so much information. If you throw a ton of graphics at your viewers followed by cramming a bunch of copy down their throat all at once, they're more likely to tune out... thus you lose out on a potential sale/conversion.

So in that regard, having clean crisp writing that utilizes white space will convert much better than a mash of fancy graphics competing with copy.

However, if you have a powerful design/copy team, prepared to be blown away

[AdwordsMogul]

Originally Posted by kellyburdes

I think it's always a good starting point to look at what the top people in the field are doing, but it's only a starting point IMO. It's dangerous to assume that what they are doing is what is also going to work best in your business. I've found that different types of pages work well depending upon any number of the things, traffic source, niche, somewhat even by the time of year (I think, but that's only a small amount of data).

I agree.

You should especially consider the niche you're marketing to.

I think there is a tendency of the biz op guys to respond to fancy graphics, although at this point I cannot state this as a firm fact since it's my least favorite area to work in.

More sophisticated markets (lots of exposure to copy and direct marketing) seem to prefer more straightforward copy without graphics.

At the end of the day, you don't want graphics to take attention away from your copy.

Finally, nothing will answer the question better than good ol' testin'

[imlifestyle]

Originally Posted by Ken_Caudill

Graphics should complement the copy. No graphics is better than bad graphics.

Great point Ken.

But I'm not talking about all graphics here.

I'm only talking about the mini site graphics not the ecovers for the actual product.

I know ecovers increase conversions for sure but I'm not certain header or footer graphics on the landing page are useful.

James,

[Ken_Caudill]

Originally Posted by imlifestyle

Great point Ken.

But I'm not talking about all graphics here.

I'm only talking about the mini site graphics not the ecovers for the actual product.

I know ecovers increase conversions for sure but I'm not certain header or footer graphics on the landing page are useful.

James,

Neither was I.

[Rezbi]

Originally Posted by Ken_Caudill

Graphics should complement the copy. No graphics is better than bad graphics.

Exactly. Whatever you include should have a reason to be there.

[davemiz]

you gotta test it..... it depends on the traffic sources..... and... depends on your sales funnel and model....

it works for him based on all 3 of the points I just mentioned...

your results will vary.