When visitors come to a website, there is a 3-5 second window you have to let them know what you offer. If they don’t find what they want in that time, they will leave. The rate or percentage of visitors that leave is called the bounce rate. Web design can be improved to reduce the bounce rate, increasing the likelihood of visitors becoming customers.
When there is a high bounce rate, it means you are losing potential customers. While many factors can be involved, a common one is the design of your website, so here are some tips on how to improve it.
- Plan your website design right from the start. It doesn’t need to be artistic or have all the bells and whistles, although those elements may come into it. The main thing you should keep in mind is the end user, your visitor. Map out the journey you want your customers to take and make sure it is easy for them to follow this plan from the first page to the last.
- Remove distractions from your website. Don’t have ads that will take them away from your website. Don’t use animations that will not only make your site slow to load. Don’t use jargon that thousands of others use. Simply state your offer, the benefits to the customer, and how they can get it – all in plain language.
- Include buttons for social media sharing on every single page of your website so visitors can share your content or offer with their friends. This is an easy and effective way to market your product.
- Tell your visitors what to do next with clear calls to action. Samples are: click here for more information; download xyz; watch a video; see pricing and so on.
- Don’t be cheesy with images. Many people use stock photos, but it gives a more authentic flavour if you use photos that are taken from your office or staff. If you don’t have an office or staff, choose images carefully so they reflect the topic well.
- Have you ever been to a website where you can’t find anything? Don’t make yours like that; it is a sure turn-off. Instead, make the navigation clear and easy to find and follow so visitors know where to go for more information or to purchase a product.
- To scroll or not to scroll, that is the question. Once, it was not; these days, it is put more information on the home page because it is easier to scroll as you read than click and lose your place while waiting for the next page to come up. When a visitor can find what they need with the fewest clicks possible, they are happy visitors.