10 seconds…
That’s how long your website has to grab a visitor’s attention before they click. And that number is dropping fast: some statistics show that you only have 7 seconds to let your audience know you’re in the right place.
Your website has a lot to do in a fraction of a minute. Here are 5 questions to ask to make sure prospects stick around.
#1 Are you clear about who you are?
When a visitor lands on your website, can they immediately know who your company is and what it does? Your logo, tagline, graphics/photos, and title should quickly lead the reader to identify what you are about.
#2 Is your content customer focused?
Too many websites go to great lengths to “welcome” site visitors and share their mission and vision for the world. But nobody cares When someone is looking for an answer to their problem, they don’t care what you think, they want to know that you can help them.
Therefore, write the content for the reader, a reader, drop the platitudes and overused clichés, and tell the reader how he can solve his problem. It starts with a catchy title and runs through the entire content of your website. Write from your reader’s perspective, not yours.
Example
Business Focused: We provide the best quality widgets in the world.
Focused on prospects: you will never have to replace your widget again. Guaranteed!
#3 Are you capturing and holding their attention?
This starts with understanding what your prospect values. What are your problems? How can you solve them? Get to the heart of the emotion behind your problems.
Your content should stand out as the clear choice over all others. Share the benefits. Tell a story. Engage the reader.
If you must include text-heavy passages, break them up with photos, infographics, varied text positions, or background colors to make it easier to read.
#4 What do you want visitors to do?
What is the first action you want visitors to take on your site? Do you have a clear call to action? It could be for:
• Download a free report.
• Try a free demo.
• Schedule a courtesy session.
• Buy now.
A recent statistic showed that 70% of small business websites did not have a call to action! This is a great missed opportunity! Include a clear call to action on every page.
#5 Can its content be shared?
In the age of social media, sharing articles and ideas has become the norm. Is your site content worth sharing? Do you make sharing easier by including social links? You should add new blog posts to your website regularly and use them as a means of attracting social attention.
