5 Tips To Convert Web Traffic into Sales

Below are 5 useful tips to help you turn your visiting website traffic into sales. There are thousands of tips, websites and companies out there who will offer advice – free and paid, but I thought I might add some of my own thoughts.

Our business – Polaris Design Studios - started out in the same way as many others, an innovative idea and a skill set that other people wanted and needed. From gaining a few local customers our business has grown to encompass clients from as far afield as Costa Rica and Australia. As our website has grown in popularity, it’s become easier to convert our visitors into paying customers as we now have people visiting the site who actually need our service.

The one thing that will keep your business thriving is a return on your investment or ROI as it is commonly known. You’ve often got to speculate to accumulate and the bottom line is having the courage to invest in the hope/certainty that you will get a return. One of the main driving forces behind your success is you. Your determination and commitment will ultimately determine the level of your success. Yes, you will at some point have to invest money, but there are lots of things that you can do yourself. One of your major investments will be a website unless this is something you can develop to a high standard yourself. Other things like Search Engine Optimisation and Marketing can be done without a large expenditure if you’re prepared to put in the time and the effort.

I hope you’ll find these tips useful; I always look forward to hearing your comments. Feel free to get in touch with your comments, I value them.

1. I think the first tip is probably the most important and relates to your website. In order to convert visitors into traffic, you need to instil confidence in potential customers. One way to do this is to have a superb looking website with flawless functionality. Basically, your website needs to look good and work well. If you put buying goods into real time, you’re more likely to purchase goods from a shop that is clean, well presented and shopper friendly. This applies to your website equally. If your website hasn’t been updated within the last 18 months, it’s really time to consider giving it a facelift or at least adding/updating your content. Find a web design company who you feel comfortable with and strike up a long term relationship.
2. Offer secure on-line payment. In this day and age people have grown considerably more suspicious and paranoid with regards to parting with money on-line. Provide various payment options – Paypal, Sagepay, etc. Also consider giving your clients the option of paying via on-line bank transfer. This puts the customer in control and can boost confidence.
3. Offer guarantees and flexible payments. At Polaris Design Studios, we’re committed to providing quality web design and development and we make sure the customer gets what they pay for. We don’t expect people to give things away for free (we always ask for a 50% deposit), but be flexible with regards to your payment options. If you’re selling goods, offer a money back guarantee (and stick to it). Treat your potential customers as you would like to be treated. One of the best ways to generate business is by word of mouth. If a shopper has had a great experience on your website, they will tell other people. People always like to boast about bargains and great products!
4. Great communication is a key element of boosting your sales. If someone makes an enquiry, respond to them as quickly as possible. The longer you leave correspondence, the greater the likelihood that people will look elsewhere. When you do correspond via email with your potential customers, try and produce unique mail. Customers like to feel valued. If you write personalised emails, this will make your potential customer feel important and individual. Don’t just copy and paste pre-written emails. Include the customer’s name (if you know it) and refer to specific parts of their enquiry.
5. Give your customer an incentive to buy from you. What can you offer that competitors either can’t or won’t offer. Enter customers into a prize competition when they have purchased from you. Offer a free gift/product with a minimum spend. Give reductions on shipping costs if customers buy more than one item.

I hope this article has proved somewhat helpful. We pride ourselves on our Customer Service. Our clients are our revenue and allow us to maintain our business. Without them, our business wouldn’t exist. We recommend that you treat your potential customers in the same way, and they will buy your products and services.