Hey virtual neighbor,

I want your honest opinion: What is more important? Having a beautiful website or one that converts?

Ok maybe that's a stupid question.

The big bummer is that most of us small business owners spend a ton of investment on web design, when the strategy will pay a more significant role in your website's ability to convert.

Ask yourself, what do you invest more in? Design or Strategy? If the answer isn't strategy, you have a huge opportunity to change that RIGHT NOW! Starting with:

3 Concrete Ways to Improve Your Website Conversions Today! 👊

1. IMPROVE FUNCTIONALITY

Ever clicked into a website and couldn't find anything you were looking for? This happened to me yesterday on a popular software website when I was trying to refer a client. I was so disappointed, and so was my client. It probably lost them the sale.

There is nothing more frustrating than not being able to find what you're looking for on a website... Improving functionality is easier said than done, but start with these few things first:

Mobile Friendly. Website pages have navigation menus. Funnel pages do NOT, so please consider that these suggestions only apply to website pages.

Be careful about how many menu items you have on your website menu navigation, especially if you're trying to sell a course or coaching package. Too much, and people will lose their way. Try to use the website pages to direct people into funnel pages as much as possible.

Visible CTA (call-to-action). When someone clicks onto your website, they should immediately see a CTA! Typically, this looks like a button, phone number or pop-up.

After every section, you should have another call to action: A button or link that takes the viewer to the next step.

This is important because consumers are looking for the path of least resistance, and need to be told what to do. Never assume they know what to do next. You have to tell them, and don't even have to be subtle about it!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Section. FAQ's are similar to a PS section in an email - people often will skim the content, and zero in on the PS section or FAQ section. So make your FAQ's thorough.

Your frequently asked questions should not ONLY be answered in the FAQ section. For example, if one of your frequently asked questions is 'what is the time commitment for coaching with you?', consider answering that question as you write your previous sections.

For example, What We Offer section: "We offer 4 one-on-one sessions a month, with each session lasting around 45 minutes. Beyond that, we will also provide you with 1-2 optional video trainings in between each session to supplement your learning and provide you with additional support. We recommend setting aside 2 hours a week for coaching."

Consider including an FAQ section as well.

Navigation menu. Website pages have navigation menus. Funnel pages do NOT, so please consider that these suggestions only apply to website pages.

Be careful about how many menu items you have on your website menu navigation, especially if you're trying to sell a course or coaching package. Too much, and people will lose their way. Try to use the website pages to direct people into funnel pages as much as possible.

2. WHEN DESIGN Does MATTER

You want your website to look highly professional, but not scammy or fake. This means it needs personality. However, it's important to remember that our website design either enhances or detracts from the offer.

Enhance your web performance by including these design elements:

• Use lots of white space.
  This will instantaneously enhance the look of your website and make you look more professional.

• Only use clean, easy-to-read fonts.
  Use curly or cursive fonts sparingly. Not everyone can read those, and it takes more than a glance to read. If it's critical information it may get lost)

• Use patterns or backgrounds sparingly.
  Ensure your copy can be read clearly at all times.

• Use pictures with perceived movement, such as candid photos.
  People like to see themselves represented, so diversify and try to use pictures with human faces (not just hands, legs, or back of head) to make the page feel more alive.

3. SALES COPYWRITING > EVERYTHING

Me three months ago:

"I am the worlds biggest failure, everyone hates me, and I'm quitting".

Tell me I'm not the only one who has those days.

(Those words were FAR more dramatic than my situation merited, but still. I felt like a failure).

It was THAT day... the meltdown day... when I received an automated email from an influencer/small business owner: Jenna Kutcher

I'm just one of tens of thousands on her list. I know it. She knows it.

Yet that day, I actually opened her email.

The email started "how you doin?".

To be honest, I needed a pep talk and I was hoping that's what I'd get. She didn't disappoint.

The short email went something like: "running a business is like an emotional roller coaster". It described how I was feeling.

She listed a bunch of stuff she used to always say to herself.

"I'm a failure". "I'm an imposter", "I want to quit" etc. etc.

I was starting to think she'd heard me through the screen or something. Because her email described exactly with what I was feeling.

I felt such a connection with her.

That day she went from being like any other business influencer to a trusted guru.

Since then have signed up for several webinars of hers.

Copywriting has that kind of power. The power to uplift, create connection, develop trust and loyalty.

This is why the copy on your website can not be overrated. It is their introduction to your brand. Start here:

Clear headlines. Use headlines as a way to quickly communicate to your viewer what the section or paragraph is about. Don't use cutsie or catchy headlines that force people to interpret or guess at what you're saying... Write clear and concise headlines so people can find what their looking for!

For example, instead of saying: "Look No Further"

• Say this: [Brand Name] Coaching Gets Faster & More Consistent Results

  Other good examples of section headlines:
  Websites that Convert: A 3-Step Process
  What We Offer or Our Services
  About Your Coach
  Get Inspired by our Award Winning Podcast
  Work Less, Earn More with [Name of Course]

IMPORTANT: This part can be easily hired out to a skilled copywriter. If you have the capital for it, I highly recommend doing this.

Explain offer thoroughly. Sometimes we spend so much time trying to explain WHY they need our services, we forget to tell them WHAT exactly they'll get. Be concrete and exact when listing the deliverables they'll receive.

For example, instead of saying: We Offer 5 Lessons on How to Write a Blog

Say this: Gain lifetime access to four 15-minute segments plus a 30-minute tutorial on how to write a blog. (Lessons include: content to deliver, basics of SEO, how to format your blog, and creating a blog in real time, an over-the-shoulder tutorial).

Call to action: Good copy starts with the end in mind. Think about your call to action first, and the results you're promising. Ensure your copy starts with a hook to connect to the reader. Usually in the form of a powerful story or transformation that emphasizes your point. And ends with a call to action.

PRO TIP: DRIVE quality LEADS to your WEBSITE

If a website has no viewers, does it generate sales? NO!

In order to really start converting on your website, you need a lead generating strategy. Here are three that I use with clients:

Email Launch Strategy. This strategy is designed to get a ton of people to view a sales page in a short period of time, and generate a ton of sales. This can be done several times a year and generate tons of revenue. What you need:

• Great sales copy - for both the emails and sales pages

• A large and engaged email list

Organic Social Media Posting Strategy. This strategy is great for beginners who are starting from scratch because it requires a lot of time and is easy to do yourself (without hiring out). What you need:

• A way to capture leads

• Time to create and post daily (unless you hire this part out)

• Quality content and hashtags

• Patience

• A little bit of luck

Social Media Ad Strategies. This strategy is the fastest and most consistent way to grow online. It requires an investment to get set up and run every month. What you need:

• Capital to invest in an ad manager & ad spend

• A little bit of patience

• Want to run ads but not sure if you're ready? Get your free Pre-launch Checklist and Guide here.

** Actual footage of you after you finish completing these suggestions.

I get it, it's a lot of work to revamp your website. Here is how I can help today:

I'll take a look at your website for FREE and give you some recommendations.

All you have to do is sign up here, give me some details about your business and website, and I'll send you a video of with my advice - completely specific to YOUR website for FREE!

Click here to get a free website review!

I genuinely had fun putting this article together for you, and I hope it helps.

Your friendly neighborhood marketer, Brooklyn