Constructing a successful website requires organization on multiple levels—from web design, to copywriting, to image creation, to hosting fees and a variety of other essential components. And the company’s ability to achieve their business objectives will depend on nailing each one of these fundamental elements of website development. However, even with all of these integral pieces to consider, there is one piece of the puzzle that trips more businesses up than anything else— hey forget to approach building a website with the understanding that its primary function is to serve as a conversion tool. A website that doesn’t convert customers is not living up to its full potential. In order to avoid the missed opportunity of capturing sales and lead generation, consider the following: Developer discussion Traditionally, when a company meets with a developer to discuss building a website, they discuss nuanced information like how many pages it will be, what information the pages will include and the desired feel and graphic elements. However, they’re missing the most important aspect of a website—converting visitors into customers! While discussing the framework is important, teams should prioritize how the website can meet the business needs of the company, including (and especially) conversions. Define business goals If you’re just building a website without considering how it will convert and help you meet your business goals; you’re wasting time and money. Ensure your website will push your business forward by clearly defining your company’s objective. Do you need lead generation, or can you sell directly from your website? When discussing design with your developer, take the time to determine how your website can drive customers to your business and then make functionality decisions based on that goal. If one of the primary goals is lead generation, keep in mind that often a shorter form converts at a higher rate. Marketing and brand development Look at your website from a marketing perspective. Your website is part of your overall brand reputation, and as such it should showcase a forward-thinking design, use the most up-to-date technology and have a contemporary feel. Including these facets in the scope will take your website from simply serviceable to a high-performance conversion tool that truly stands out. Your website should also communicate clearly and effectively to your target market. A strong call-to-action (CTA) on the homepage has been associated with a 106 percent increase in conversions. Sometimes companies think that if the website looks good, the messaging and CTA are secondary. Some may even let the developer fill in these areas with generic content. The truth is that the entire website is a marketing piece, and each item from the design to the content should be strategically created with this in mind.

UI/UX optimizations What’s going to drive the customer to a point of action? Your design approach should be about providing a funnel that will create the fewest barriers to conversion. There needs to be a high level of strategy focused on converting when it comes to your website content and design. User interface (UI) and user experience (UX) work in tandem to provide both a functional and seamless connection to the brand story. To read more click here.