I’d like to improve conversion rates on my web site.
SEO is actually pretty good – in some key word combos I show above the fold on Google.
Traffic is decent – between 10 and 30 unique visitors on an average day. Some days less. And I’m OK with that because what I do is fairly narrow.
The dilemma is the lack of conversions. At least once a day someone hits my page using a search that is DEAD ON for my speciality and it is very rare that they will pursue it any further. They hit the page they’ve searched for, perhaps look at one or two other pages and go away.
So, I’m looking for ideas. We all think our own babies are the cutest and brightest in the nursery, and I think my pages are nice. But nice isn’t worth a bucket of spit if the prospect isn’t compelled to act.
Here’s an offer:
I have two copies of Jay Abraham’s new book The Sticking Point Solution and I will send one each to the first two people who provide me some helpful feedback in the comment section. I reviewed the book last month and highly recommend it.
I’ll send an autographed copy of my latest book Leadership Re:Vision to the next five people who comment. If more than seven people respond, I’ll think of something. If you give me constructive input, I’ll go to my personal library and find books to reward your efforts.
My goal is to have one or two people a month in serious consideration of my services as a retreat facilitator or strategy auditor.
Thanks for your help.
Okay, I’ll bite. Selecting a facilitator has to be more about personality-fit as much as skill. Secondly that you are the right scope for the company/team level looking for a facilitator. So you need to answer these questions to convert.
The few sites I looked at weren’t much different than yours. You do better by speaking in the first person, but there still could be more content. Ideal would be some video of you working with a group. But also good would be any kind of video where we get to see Jim in action.
Watched Mission Impossible 3 before? What about the James Bond movies? What about movie trailers?
A great story begins, or teases you enough to draw in by giving you the near climax of the story to make you want to see where this goes. Same like a preview of 24 – gives you enough to know where the story GOES, BUT never gives you the ending.
It’s been known statistically facts (figures, bullet points, numbers) aren’t remembered as well as STORIES.
My suggestions: You open some of your sites with a series of short clips of people citing the near climax of a case study, or lecture response, “Jim came in and started talking about this new idea. I was doubtful, but two hours later the place was jumping with excitement. The CEO saw it and two months later we killed the project and everyone thought we were crazy, but that move got us a new 25 million dollar contract.”
“I was ready to quit. I quit already the business and I was ready to quit on myself, but you know what it was only after our talk that Jim got me on THIS GREAT IDEA that changed the direction of our business.”
I agree with what Dave J. says…
I was wanting a link like almost in every paragraph that would have some kind of way to connect with you personally and fast.
To me, the key would be MORE LINKS to connect with you in your writing .
I came here to look at your site to see what Downstairs Design was doing for you; for I am considering having Steph and Brian do one for my music publishing.
BTW, it’s good to see you on Facebook and your continuous pushing us to excellence and thinking in general…
Thanks Jim,
GAP
Hi Jim,
This is an old thread I see, but maybe my 2 cents will still count? I got to know you through “Counter Intelligence” (maybe through Mikeys Funnies? not sure) and those columns have added lots of value to me. You write in a way I understand, with content relevant to me. So I “believed” in you long before coming to the website (I only hit the site for more info on the free webinar upcoming) So the website only add to what I know of you. However, trying to look at your website through “fresh eyes” one of the things that jumps out at me is the “Certified” That word appears frequently (3 x on one page) and it could be interpreted differently. If I did not know you, I could assume “This guy is just leveraging someone elses program / content… Who knows if he really knows what he is talking about” (Which is always my question when I hear the word “consultant”) So even though the “strengths based” copy is what I want to hear, I could fear you are just a talking head, parroting Marcus B, but not having the insight to truly impact my team/organization. However, because I “know” you through CounterIntelligence, I already think you have the goods, and I don’t really care whether or not you are certified (other than if that matters to my boss whom I have to “sell” you to) I am confident that you can stand on your own insight and experience, and be able to help me, but not because I saw the magic word. This is just my thoughts / hypothesis FWIW. I think you bring value on your own, and if you wrote more, we’d read more, and it would elevate you in our minds. Who of us would not want to get a retreat with Seth Godin, because we know what he can bring — his blog reminds us of that daily.
Thanks Nate – I appreciate your thoughtful comments.
My experience with Strengths goes back to 2001 – I’ve been using it since then with 100s of people, I’ve taken university courses on it and recently became one of only 4 people on Earth certified by Marcus Buckingham to use his name and material in my practice. So, from my perspective – I have the goods. He is VERY protective of his brand.
You make a good point about people who use someone else’s stuff and pretend to know what they’re talking about – which is the value in my certification. There are people all over the place who claim to have expertise in using strengths with their clients. I am hoping the “stamp of approval” from Marcus will set me apart.