As you know, selling with social media involves driving traffic to your primary website and subscriber list so you can convert that interest into profitable outcomes. So, let’s talk about how to better optimize your website content.
#1 Answer the Most Important Questions
In my social selling program at Social Media Marketing World 2015 we discussed the importance of removing buying obstacles to increase sales. Buyers are looking for solutions to their problems; so your website has to answer the most relevant questions before buyers will hire a company like yours.
This weekend I updated the About and Speaking pages of my primary site. These may give you some ideas. I still have to add some new video, but just about everything else is fresh.
Other than the home page, what are the pages where visitors are making decisions about whether to hire your business? Determine those top converting pages and freshen them up.
#2 – Search Your Outbox for Solutions that Sell
If you are wondering what the most relevant buying questions are, look no further than your outbox. In addition to helping customers individually, take your solutions and optimize them for your website and blog, starting with the headline.
The headline is the most important SEO quality of your online content. Optimize it by thinking like a buyer that has a problem in need of a solution. As an example, the headline for this post addresses a relevant small business concern: How do I optimize my website? It also answers why you want to optimize at all, which is to sell.
#3 – Replace Dead Ends with Calls to Action
You as the seller have to guide your buyer on their journey. In terms of website optimization this means having a call to action on every single page. This is usually a link to more and better information and resources. Whatever you do, don’t leave them hanging or they will move on to another website.
If your business offers a high value subscription resource such as a newsletter or podcast, then encourage visitors to signup so you can help them further.
It’s also possible your visitors are ready to buy now. So, don’t be shy about sharing how your business can be contacted. My preference is a contact form, but a phone number is vital for buyers that prefer that communication channel.
When we think of website optimization, the first thing that comes to mind is probably keywords. That’s optimization for search engines. These three tips are about optimizing for real people that buy what your business sells.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on website optimization? Meet me over on Twitter to take the conversation further.
About the Author: Jeff Korhan, MBA, is the author of Built-In Social: Essential Social Marketing Practices for Every Small Business and host of This Old New Business podcast.
He helps mainstream businesses adapt their traditional growth practices to a digital world. Connect with Jeff on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Google+
Shelia Butler is a growth strategist, team-builder, and host of To The Trade Radio and Successful Women Talk. She works hands-on with To-The-Trade professionals helping them solve their toughest and most critical business challenges.
