Website traffic is important, and obviously the more, the better. However, just because someone stops by your site doesn’t mean they will buy from you now or in the future. Think about how many times you’ve window-shopped at your local mall. The challenge is that not everyone who visits your site is ready to buy. If you let them leave your site without collecting their contact information, you may never see them again. This is where “lead capture” comes in. Simply put, lead capturing allows you to usher prospects into your sales funnel, giving them more information on what they are looking for, and providing them with the opportunity to purchase. In addition, capturing emails or phone numbers gives you the ability to contact them later with special offers and new products. Lead capturing ensures that a potential buyer won’t walk out of your “store” never to be seen again. A lead capture offers the visitor something (an “irresistible offer”) in return for their information. HOW TO GET WEBSITE VISITORS TO CONVERT “A confused mind says no.” The most important thing to remember to get website visitors to convert is to decide exactly what action you want your website visitors to take and instruct (or entice) them to do so. If the goal is to get them to make a phone call, ensure that your phone number is at the top of the website, easily visible for the website visitor to see or click on. The next most important part is to be clear in converting language. “Contact Us”–What does that mean? I want you to contact me? Do I contact you? Or am I asking you to take action? What action? What is going to happen when I fill out that form? Another mistake we see is website who are only set up to sell. Those who are not ready to buy yet shouldn’t be alienated from the website because we can always get their information and nurture them to sell when they actually do become ready. Some other keys to conversion include: A website that is easy to navigate (with no major roadblocks) Mobile-friendliness Messaging that aligns with the target audience Lead capture opportunity with clear calls to action DOES YOUR WEBSITE HAVE A WAY FOR YOU TO CAPTURE A LEAD? Your contact form counts as a lead capture, but it shouldn’t be the only lead capture you implement on your site. Not everyone who reaches your site is ready to raise their hand and make the plunge into a sales call. Do you have any dedicated pages that contain an offer to deliver some measure of value to your visitor before they leave your website (possibly never to come back, no matter how they arrived)? Some ways to do this are by providing: Downloadable content offers such as “How To” guides or whitepapers A special offer or coupon they must “opt in” to receive A way to sign up for a webinar or instructional course A popup offer that triggers on exit intent A free demo or 30-day trial If not, you’re missing a huge opportunity to get leads inside of your sales funnel. If all you want them to do is “call for more information,” like in the days before the internet, you may be doomed in terms of generating the type of sales and profits fully available to you online.