When it comes to your online presence, your website is the ultimate storefront for your business. It’s where you make that crucial first impression, convert visitors into leads, and ultimately drive sales.
But just like a cluttered store can overwhelm customers, a website filled with outdated elements can do the same. Is your website unintentionally pushing potential clients away?
It might be time for a website refresh!
9 Updates You Should Make To Your Website Immediately
Let’s dive into the top 9 elements you should remove from your website today to create a clean, user-friendly experience that maximizes your conversion rates.
1. Remove Your Vague Homepage Headline
A vague homepage headline does little to capture your visitor’s attention and tell them what you do. It’s like having a store sign that simply says “Open.” Visitors won’t know what kind of business you are or why they should step inside.
Replace your vague headline with a clear, concise statement that communicates your unique value proposition. This should instantly tell visitors who you are, what you do, and why they should care.
Try to keep this “header” statement to ten words or less. Your visitors will only glance for a few seconds, you must grab their attention!
2. Remove Meaningless Or Vague Subheads
Subheads, also referred to as subheadings, act as mini-headlines throughout your website content. When it comes to subheads, you need to ditch the duds!
Vague subheads are like empty calories on your website. They take up valuable real estate but don’t tell visitors what you actually do or how you can help them.
Search engines also consider subheads when ranking your site, and meaningless text won’t do you any favors with SEO. Replace vague subheads with keyword rich headings that give value to the reader and your SEO score.
3. Remove Extra Slides In Your Homepage Slideshow
You don’t need a carousel overload on your homepage. Data shows that most visitors only glance at the first slide or two in a homepage slideshow.
It’s important that you don’t bury your most important message under a rotating pile of images.
If you have a lot of slides, simplify. It’s better to consolidate your message into a single, impactful image that grabs attention and clearly communicates your value proposition.
The other problem with slide shows is that they slow the load speed of your site, and can create penalties for this from the search engines.
4. Keep Your Social Media Icons In The Footer
Social media icons are great for building a following, but resist the urge to plaster them anywhere on your site other than in the footer.
Prime real estate on your website pages should be dedicated to converting visitors into leads or sales, not tempting them to click away from your site.
Brightly colored social media icons can be visually distracting, further pulling focus from your desired actions.
So again, keep social icons in the footer, where they remain accessible to interested visitors without creating a visual detour.
5. Remove Dates From Your Blog Posts
You might be surprised to learn that dates on your blog posts can actually hurt, rather than help.
While it seems intuitive to timestamp your content, the reality is that dates can unintentionally label your evergreen content (information that remains relevant over time) as outdated.
Imagine a reader coming across a well-written blog post from a few months back. The presence of a date might subconsciously make them think the information is irrelevant, even if the core message remains strong.
By removing dates, you allow your valuable content to shine on its own merit, regardless of its publication date. This ensures readers focus on the value you provide, not when you published it.
6. Remove Long Paragraphs
Long, dense paragraphs can intimidate website visitors and send them running. Imagine walking into a store and being confronted by a single, overflowing shelf of products.
It’s overwhelming, right? The same goes for website content.
Break up your text into bite-sized chunks, ideally no more than a couple of lines each.
This makes your content easier to scan and digest, improving user experience and keeping visitors engaged.
Think of it as creating a visual invitation for readers to explore your content, rather than a looming obstacle they have to overcome.
7. Remove Your Testimonial Page
While a dedicated Testimonial page might seem like a good idea, it can actually bury your social proof.
Think about it: how often do visitors specifically seek out a “Testimonial” page?
The reality is, many high-traffic pages on your website get far more views than your Testimonial page. By scattering positive testimonials throughout your website, you ensure they reach a wider audience.
Imagine powerful quotes from satisfied customers strategically placed on product pages, service descriptions, or even case studies.
This exposes potential customers to social proof exactly when they’re most interested in what you have to offer, maximizing the impact of your testimonials and boosting conversions.
8. Remove Email Links
Ditch the email links and instead, send visitors to a contact form.
While a simple email link might seem like a quick way for visitors to reach you, it lacks the power and functionality of a well-designed contact form.
Here’s a few reasons why contact forms are the superior choice:
Analytics Advantage
Contact forms provide valuable insights into your website traffic. You can track how many visitors initiate contact, analyze which pages they were on when they contacted you, and even identify any trends or common inquiries.
This data is invaluable for understanding your user journey and improving your website’s effectiveness.
Post-Submission Power
With a contact form, you can seamlessly direct visitors to a thank you page after they submit their message.
This page can serve multiple purposes: it confirms their message was received, offers additional resources relevant to their inquiry, and keeps them engaged with your brand.
Focus On Specifics
Contact forms allow you to structure the query process, guiding visitors to provide specific information. This can include a dropdown menu for selecting the nature of their inquiry.
This ensures you receive the most relevant details upfront, saving time and frustration for both you and the visitor.
Smart Routing
Some contact forms can be configured to intelligently route messages based on the visitor’s selections, such as a form asking about the type of service needed.
The form could then automatically send the message to the most relevant department or team member, ensuring a quicker and more personalized response.
9. Remove Your Blank Thank You Page
Don’t let your Thank You page be a digital dead end. After taking the time to submit a contact form, website visitors are naturally curious about what happens next.
A blank Thank You page is a missed opportunity to keep them engaged with your brand and nudge them towards further action.
Here’s why you should ditch the blank Thank You page and make it a strategic part of your website:
Confirmation And Reassurance
A Thank You page can act as a digital handshake, confirming their message was received and their inquiry is valued. This simple reassurance builds trust and strengthens the positive first impression.
Valuable Extras
The Thank You page is prime real estate to offer additional resources relevant to their initial contact. This could be a downloadable brochure related to their specific inquiry, a special introductory offer, etc.
A Clear Call To Action (CTA)
The Thank You page is the perfect place to include a clear call to action.
This could be encouraging them to subscribe to your newsletter for industry updates, downloading a free lead magnet, or scheduling a consultation to learn more.
By providing a clear next step, you can effectively convert website visitors into leads or even paying customers.
Need Help Updating Or Maintaining Your Website?
At Alchemy, we understand the importance of a clean, user-friendly website that converts visitors into customers.
Our team of marketing experts specialize in website design, crafting clear and compelling StoryBrand messaging, professional blog content creation, and all aspects of SEO to ensure your website ranks high in search results.
Don’t let your website become a missed opportunity! Reach out to Alchemy today at 877-978-2110 and let’s discuss how we can help you optimize your online presence.
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