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Why Every
Page of Your Site Needs a Call to Action
Over the last 10 years,
I've worked on over 300 websites. Many of my clients are
business owners who already had a website, but simply needed
it redesigned. Know what I've noticed with the majority
of my redesign clients? Most didn't have a call to
action on every page of their website. So what is a
"call to action," anyway?
In a nutshell, a call to
action is when you ask the person visiting your website to do
do something - to perform an action. That action might
be to call you for more information, to email you, to make a
purchase, or to follow some other step. But do you
really need to tell people what to do next?
Of course you do.
First of all, never assume that someone who visits your
website knows what the next step they should take is, if
they're interested in your product or service. Tell them
exactly what their next step should be. That step might be:
Call us now at _____ for
your free quote
Email us for a free
estimate
Fill out the following form
for more information
Visit our Products page to
make a purchase
Where
Should the Call to Action Go on Every Page?
There are actually
different answers to this question. You can have
more than one call to action on every page of your
website. You can have a button or graphic somewhere
on the page that tells people what they can do for a free
quote, or more information (call us, email us, and your
contact info).
But one of the best
places is after you have provided your website visitors
with some basic information about what you're offering,
why they need it, and why you're the best business for
them to buy from.
A few business websites
have their call to action at the very start of the text on
a page of their website. But the problem is that
they haven't properly built up desire in the site visitor
to make them want to call yet. Before you ask them
to take the next step, make sure that you've captured the
interest of each visitor to your website.
The text on your
homepage (or any major service/product page) should:
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Have a title that
sparks interest
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Let the site visitor
know what you offer
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Tell people what's in
it for them if they buy your product/service
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Stress how this
product or service will make their life better
-
Help people
understand why they should buy from you and not a
competitor
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Mention any
guarantees you offer (money-back, warranties, etc)
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When possible,
include a positive comment from a past client
By this point, you've
built up the interest of your website visitor.
You've helped that person to see why they need what you're
selling, and why you're the best business to offer it to
them. That's when you include your call to action.
How Should You Word
Your Call to Action?
Just ask yourself what
you would like that person visiting your website to do
next. If you sell a product online, you might ask
them to make a purchase. If they need to place an
order over the phone, ask them to call you. If you
want them to learn more about your products or services,
ask them to email you, or fill out a brief contact form.
When possible, you want
to create a sense of urgency in your call to action.
What that means is that you should help them understand
why they should call or email you now instead of later.
What do they stand to lose if they put off contacting you?
Could they lose potential money, let a problem get worse,
not have peace of mind until then? Are you running a
temporary sale or special that will be over soon? People
are more likely to follow your call to action if you
stress why they need to act now.
In summary, try to
include a call to action on every major page of your
website. After you've built up desire for your
product or service, tell your site visitors what their
next step is. When possible, tell them why they
should act now, rather than later.
Still Have
Questions About Getting More From Your Website?
Call Delta Creations today.
We have developed over 300 websites since 2001, for clients
across America and worldwide.
Pick up the phone, and call 866-928-1300
or email us if you have
questions about our services.
Talk is cheap - literally - it's a toll free call, and you
don't have to buy anything from us.
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