7 Simple Rules for Landing Page Optimization

At the rate folks labor for website traffic you’d think it was the sole source of online success when, in truth, it’s only one part.

See, the thing with traffic is that in order for it to be worthwhile (profitable!) it has to convert into leads and clients. Standing at your front line of traffic conversion is Landing Page Optimization. Here are 7 rules to follow when optimizing your landing page.

1. Have a headline that connects

Contrary to popular belief, the first thing a visitor sees when hitting your landing page should not be a giant graphic with your name and a landscape. It should be a headline.

The goal of your headline is to connect with your visitor and to clarify that the contents of your page will help with what they’re trying to accomplish. They’re on your page to accomplish a goal, your headline states that your landing page offers a solution.

2. Use whitespace, and more of it

When a visitor arrives at your landing page there are 3 things that they do: Skip, Skim, and Scan. They do not read every single word.

When visitors arrive they’re still in research mode so their eyes are all over the place looking for keywords and other elements that might confirm that this is a page for them.

Whitespace allows visitors to easily scan your page for those elements. Big blocks of text are easily skipped. One trick is to break your paragraphs down into 2 – 3 sentences at most.

3. Provide benefits, and be brief about it

Provide your visitors with the “why?” for taking action. What will they gain? How will they benefit?

Don’t drag out your explanation, either. Get the benefits out there, front and center. Keeping rule #2 in mind, bullet points are a great way to convey the benefits of action.

4. Make your buttons big and bold

The size and color of your buttons matter. A lot. In fact, I’ve seen a simple button change increase conversion rates 100% and more.

Some of the highest response inducing button colors have proven to be red and green. Our minds are pre-programmed to respond to these colors so use that psychology to boost your results.

For more on buttons, links and traffic conversion check out this quick video.

5. Ask and answer questions

Every visitor has questions rolling through their heads so it’s important to address them on your landing page.

Some of these questions have to do with your credibility, others revolve around whether your offer is truly what they need.

Here are a couple of posts about using questions to optimize your marketing.

6. Use a compelling call to action

Don’t forget to tell your visitors what to do next. After all, without action there is no conversion so call them to it.

Mix the elements in your call to action to boost response: Try it (direct call) Now (immediacy). Start your search (direct call) Today (immediacy).

7. Build trust and credibility

It’s important for your visitors to feel that you can help them achieve their goals before they take action.

Testimonials, trust logos, and privacy policies can have tremendous impact on your conversions.

Want your landing page reviewed? As a member of HomeStomper’s private site you can. Plus, get other spectacular Stomper secrets to skyrocket your site’s success (yay alliteration!). Check it out now.