Quick Wins - 5 ways to increase your online conversion.
5 ways to increase your conversion rate
Did you know that the average conversion rate for e-commerce websites is just around 2-3%? If that number makes you wince, you're not alone. With 15 years of experience in the e-commerce world, I've seen the highs and lows, the wins, and the challenges. But, don’t fear I am here to help and show you 5 simple steps that can help. Let’s dive into five proven strategies to elevate your conversion rates and transform your online store into a conversion powerhouse.
1. Keep the Experience Simple and Quick
Let’s face it, no one likes a cluttered store – online or offline. Simplicity is key. When your website is clean and easy to navigate, it’s like a breath of fresh air for your customers. They should be able to find what they need without a treasure map.
Pro Tip: Keep your images clean, your content concise, and your forms short and sweet. If you don’t need the information, don’t ask for it. Reduce the number of steps in the checkout process and create a progress bar so customers can see where they are in the journey.
2. Optimise Your Site Speed
Online, speed is everything. A slow website is the worst! You have 0.04 seconds to convert a customer before they disappear. If the images are too big or there is too much content, it can be frustrating and a major turn-off. Research shows that even a one-second delay can drop your conversion rate by 7%. That’s a lot of potential customers slipping through your fingers!
Pro Tip: Optimise your images, enable browser caching, and use tools like GX Metric and Google Site Speed to understand if there are any nuances that need to be addressed.
3. Visible and Compelling Calls to Actions (CTAs)
Your CTA is your chance to direct your customers where you want them to go. Make sure it stands out and speaks to them directly. Keep your CTA consistent; use contrasting colours to make it pop and use persuasive language that creates a sense of urgency.
Pro Tip: Use action-oriented phrases like “Shop Now” or “Sign up Now” to encourage immediate action. Make it hard to resist!
4. Assess Your Sales Funnel and Plug the Leaks
Think of your sales funnel as a waterslide. You want everyone who starts the ride to finish it with a splash—at your checkout. But sometimes, there are leaks. You need to plug those leaks. How? You need to review your data. Maybe it’s a confusing step or too many clicks. Identifying and fixing these leaks can drastically improve your conversion rates.
Pro Tip: Utilise tools like Google Analytics and Hot Jar to understand where customers drop off. A/B testing can help you refine each funnel step for maximum effectiveness.
5. Understand Your Data – It’s Your Treasure Map
Your data is your greatest asset. I know data can be boring but it tells the story of your customer’s journey and highlights where you can improve. Do not overlook this. Dive into metrics like bounce rates, session durations, and cart abandonment rates to uncover patterns and opportunities.
Pro Tip: Implement heatmaps to see where your visitors are clicking. Sometimes, the gold lies in the least expected places!
Bonus Tip: Mobile-First Design
This should go without saying. We spend up to 6 hours a day on our phones (UK specific) more consumers shop on their phones than ever before. If your site isn’t optimised for mobile, you need to. It’s that simple. A mobile-first design ensures that your site looks great and functions seamlessly on any device.
Pro Tip: Use responsive design techniques and test your site on various devices. Make sure your buttons are easy to tap, the text is readable, and the checkout process is smooth on mobile.
