There’s no doubt about it: it is essential t optimize your website. But with so many tactics available, knowing where to start can be a challenge. Don’t worry — we’re here to help you sort through some of the most impactful (and accessible) ways you can improve your site. Here are ten simple strategies that will work wonders for your website for free:
#1. Remove the “Click to Continue” Button
One of the most important things, when you optimize your website, is to make your landing pages makes them as simple as possible. This often means stripping a page down to its most basic elements and removing all distractions, including navigation menus and extraneous buttons. For example, many marketers use a button reading “continue reading” or “read more.” A better choice? Keep it short and sweet with a simple call-to-action that requires nothing more from the user than their click: “read now.”
#2. Use Scarcity On Your Site
Scarcity has been shown time and again to encourage action. In fact, according to researchers at Stanford University, the inclusion of absence leads people to act 77% of the time, producing a 26% increase in revenue. In addition, the lack can be used on your website to encourage visitors to take advantage of a sale, download an eBook, or pre-order a product they’re interested in at the moment.
#3. Add Sharing Buttons To Your Pages
Did you know that one of the most shared pages on Facebook is from BuzzFeed? How do you think all those shares happened? It’s because BuzzFeed has strategically placed “share” buttons throughout its articles and posts. This makes it incredibly easy for anyone reading their content to share what they’ve read with others who may enjoy it — resulting in more traffic and higher page views. You should follow suit by adding sharing buttons to your blog posts and website as well.
#4. Create An Online FAQ
A great way to optimize your website is to entertain questions. FAQs (frequently asked questions) allow users to get the information they need without spending time on hold or hanging up the phone. If you receive commonly asked questions about your company or product, creating an online FAQ can be a great way to save yourself some headaches and lower your cost-per-lead. There are tools available that will let you make an online FAQ for free with just a few simple clicks.
#5. Make it Obvious Where You’re Located
It’s no secret that physical location matters in business — especially if you have brick-and-mortar stores, regional offices, etc. Showing where your business is located is key to getting people to come to you. An easy way to do this is by adding your address, location, and phone number directly on your page — even if it isn’t visible at first glance.
#6. Send a Weekly “Tip” Email
If someone has opted into receiving communications from you (by signing up for a free trial or demo, placing an order, or simply submitting their email address), sending them a weekly tip can help solidify their trust in you as well as reinforce how valuable your product/service is. They will be able to learn more about what you offer and see the benefits of using it first-hand. The best part? You can send these emails for free using tools like Mailerlite.
#7. Add Sharing Buttons To Your Blog Posts
Another way to optimize your website is making blogs. When people come across a blog post they like, the easiest way to share it with their network is by using social media buttons. To add sharing buttons on your posts, all you need to do is paste some code into the HTML section of your post, and each time someone clicks on one of those buttons, that button will lead them to another page, allowing them to choose where and how they want to share your content.
#8. Reduce Your Page Loading Time
Page load speed is essential — especially given what we know about scarcity and fear of missing out. In addition, people don’t want to wait around while a page loads — which means they’ll often abandon a page that takes too long to load. You can check your page speed using Google’s free PageSpeed Insights tool.
#9. Start a Podcast
Podcasts have been growing in popularity over the last several years, with even celebrities like Stephen Colbert and Lena Dunham getting in on the action. In fact, according to Edison Research, about 40% of Americans have listened to a podcast at one time or another — many of them listening weekly or more often. What makes podcasts so powerful is that they allow you to establish a real relationship with your audience based on trust and credibility — all without having a huge marketing budget.
#10. Conduct an Annual Survey
One way to find out what your customers want from your company is by conducting an annual survey. The key to a successful survey is asking the right questions and using a tool that allows you to easily collect this information in a way that’s both engaging and easy to understand. Try using SurveyMonkey or Google Forms — both of which are free.