How to increase conversions?

[umairrockx]

I’ve been wanting to improve the conversions on my marketing website and many people recommended I try usertesting.com.
Have any of you tried it before? I want to know how effective it is before I invest $39 into it.

 

[gemma123]

Use google web optomizer - its free and while I have not seen the one you suggest, google is quite likely better and free

 

[Digimarketeer]

I'd suggest that the best way to improve conversions would be, as has been suggested, to improve copy, or to research basic UX improvements that could be made to the design of a site.

A lot of the time something as simple as increasing the size of a button can increase your conversions.

Try to get into the mindset of a customer or, failing that, get other people to use your site with tasks in mind and see what the slow steps are for them. See what things confuse them, or potentially put them off.

 

[Motorcyclestore]

Unique or interesting content can increase conversion rate.Not only google love quality content but user also...

 

[smartboy123]

hey i think you should concentrate on CRO (Conversion Rate Optimization) of your website then you can increases your conversions.

 

[Ecler]

Hi

Conversion Rate Optimisation is definitely the way to go. What you need to do first is understand why users are not converting - look at your analytics data, your goals, funnels and identify problem pages/leakage points.
This will allow you to pinpoint issues and help you put together a testing plan for the site. You can then use google Web Optimizer to run these tests and refine your site to improve conversions. New content will be needed along the way, but it is important to test it against the existing content to find out what works better for your users.

I've put together a quick guide on how to set up A/B tests, so hopefully it'll explain in more detail what you could do to improve conversions.

Hope this helps

Etienne

 

[AldrichCarl]

Some times a website has two headlines but couldn’t decide which one to use, in that condition you could run an A/B split test in Google Website Optimizer in which - Half of your visitors would see Headline A, and the other half would see Headline B. You could then determine which headline brought you the most.

 

[cheochi]

Try putting a video demonstration

 

[seoswat]

ignore everyone else who doesnt suggest split testing. Fact is no matter how experienced you are with websites and customers behaviour, the fact is each site is different and each targeted user reacts differently.

One thing i would suggest is only change 1 thing at a time in a split test. (unless you pay for some very good software where you can do many splits at once.)

Start off with simple things like if you have a 1 page site geared towards selling one product, try replacing the buy now / add to cart button with your typical "belcher button" (google it) - doesnt look pretty but it is proven time and time again to increase conversions.

Next look at your opening title on the page and see whether it clearly explains the product well and look at editing that to maybe sound stronger

 

[webgeek]

A $39 user interface test is not going to give you the same results as you would get from hiring a conversion optimization / online marketing pro, period.

A/B testing (@seoswat mentioned) is one way of testing graphics, landing pages, text, headlines, colors, etc. Once you've built a solid foundation, A/B testing is a great way to refine it.

However, in many cases a website is needing serious overhaul to the design and/or information architecture that no amount of A/B testing will reveal the issue.

The process used at a lot of the larger digital agencies is to develop typical use cases of how buyers use your site [what do they search for, how to they approach it, etc]. Out of those use cases will come buyer personas, taxonomies and clear picture of what people are trying to accomplish when visiting your site.

By examining the current site state of affairs, in light of the above, you can find stumbling blocks to being able to accomplish those goals. Then, you can fix those issues.

The $39 user test is to 'real' conversion optimization what Scalectrix are to Formula 1, an inexpensive replacement that may give moments of pleasure, but nowhere near the same results.

 

[Steve2507]

However, in many cases a website is needing serious overhaul to the design and/or information architecture that no amount of A/B testing will reveal the issue.

Don't be lulled into thinking you've got to re-design your site, this is not always the case.

A redesign can be done through testing, Amazon are a prime example. I personally don't like Amazon but their testing and site redesign through testing is second to none.

They have their site set in such a way that they can test small areas and so the design changes slightly over time depending on these test outcomes. This is the method we are currently using. It has the benefit of our customers no necessarily noticing the changes, but them still having a positive effect on conversions.

This does depend however on your traffic. If you only have a few hundred a day then this is probably not going to get results quickly.