Keeping visitors on your website is like holding onto a good conversation – you want them to stick around, soak in what you have to offer, and maybe even inquire for a virtual cup of coffee; just like a great dating profile, your website should hit all the right points to spark that connection. However, in the vast expanse of the internet, there are a lot of factors that might be causing new visitors to leave before they’ve had a chance to make that meaningful connection with you. This is why I'm excited to share my 4 essential tips to authentically engage visitors and keep them captivated by your offerings, ensuring they leave with no regrets about their decision to click your website link and find out more about you. 

Let’s the Get Practical Out of the Way First

Speed and Keywords

Before we dive into the content and design there are some important practicalities that could be holding your website back. The major factors of this are loading speed and keyword clues. 

If your website is taking too long to load visitors 100% will change their minds, I mean, wouldn’t you? If images that are supposed to be the first impression are missing because of their sizing it can really ruin that first look and create higher bounce rates from your website. 

Then you want to make sure your services, location, and important keywords are easy to read and find within a few seconds. People don’t like wasting their time so if they stumble upon your website and can’t figure out what you do, where you do it, or what you can offer them it’s very likely they are going to find someone who has that more clearly defined for them. 

Beyond the simple practical aspects you always want your website to be search engine optimized at least to the best of your ability. That includes keywords and correct image sizing but it also goes a bit further. If you need an easy-to-understand checklist about this check out my free checklist here. 

Seamless Navigation

Alright, now that we have those practical bits figured out, the next essential tip is to ensure clarity in your website's navigation. The tabs on your site play a crucial role in providing a literal GPS for visitors to navigate around your digital space. Think of them as trail markers in a dense forest, guiding your visitors and preventing them from feeling lost. While some things may seem obvious and intuitive to you, they may not be for your less tech-savvy customers. So it’s important to strive for an incredibly user-friendly, readable, logical, and prominently displayed navigation.

My advice is to keep the main tabs simple and straightforward; this isn't the place to get overly unique. Tabs like Services, About Me, Contact, and Portfolio are classics for a reason. While tabs like Offerings, Investment, Art, Connect, Journal, etc., might be visually appealing, they might not necessarily convey clarity to your visitors. If you're keen on using creative names, consider incorporating them within the page content or reflecting them in ways that don't impede website accessibility.

As you craft each page, strategically scattering navigational cues can be incredibly beneficial. Beyond the top tabs, consider replicating them in the footer or reorganizing your content within the body of the webpage. Try terms like "How Can I Help You" or "Why Working with Me Would Be Amazing," as engaging and unique pathways to your Services and About Me sections.

Lastly, it's crucial to always incorporate a compelling call to action towards the bottom of every webpage. Whether it's prompting visitors to get in touch, join your email list, follow you on social media, or take any action that fosters engagement, ensure that these prompts are prominently displayed and easily accessible to every visitor, encouraging meaningful connections.

Design Layout that Takes the Visitor on a Journey

   Let's dive into how your design layout can play a huge role in guiding your visitors around your website from your beautiful work, services, and who you really are. When you're laying out your website, do it with heart, leading visitors through a story that flows and builds trust. A super well-designed layout can do wonders in keeping those curious eyes scrolling through your site with all kinds of interest, giving you more chances to really connect and leave a lasting impact.

Think graphics, colors, and fonts – get a bit artsy to make info easy on the eyes and appealing. Use words that pack a punch and nudge them from one section to the next. Keep the energy fresh and natural so they don't find themselves lost, but instead feel like they're on this exciting journey of discovery, like real explorers.

Instead of presenting all the information on a single lengthy webpage, consider breaking the content into engaging sections, such as frequently asked questions or four key points every visitor should grasp before considering your services. Maintain a positive tone throughout, and be sure to include links to other parts of your website, encouraging visitors to explore further while effortlessly finding the next intriguing topic that catches their attention.

Build Connections Strategically

When it comes to keeping your website visitors engaged, it's all about making a connection through your content. Imagine your content as the bridge that links you and your audience. 

Your audience wants to read something that speaks to them like a close friend. So, when you are deciding what to go on each website page consider thinking from the visitor’s perspective. Especially for your home page, you want that first impression to be authentically you but also intriguing enough for them to stick around. Maybe it's a how-to guide, a heartfelt note about who you are and why you love this work, or a compelling introduction into how your potential customer really will benefit from working with you. Hit them straight away with the goods, don’t hide it away due to a lack of confidence!

Storytelling and being yourself are your greatest assets for building that deep connection. Weave narratives that tug at heartstrings, share laughter, or come from genuine parts of your experience. Remember, it's not just words on a screen – it's a journey you're inviting them to take with you. And when they feel like they're at the center of each story, they're more likely to stick around and explore further.

Beyond just writing to connect you need to be open and honest too. Sharing about your life and journey makes you human, relatable, and, well, builds the incredibly necessary trust that is hard to find online. Whether it's sharing the birth of your first child, the funny way you decided on photography, or an honest glimpse of your creative process, these anecdotes are the building blocks that create a lasting impression on your website visitors. 

Now let’s take this connecting content a few steps further and consider things like strategy and market research. What words are your past clients using to describe you? What responses have you gotten about how amazing your work is? Using the real words people are describing you with can be really effective marketing strategy. 

A few ways of doing this on your website are, adding in things like testimonials and then even weaving that language into your informational sections to reiterate that connection. 

Or try writing your frequently asked questions from a “Yes, and” perspective, Rather than answering practical questions you could solve through email later down the line. Use your featured FAQs as an opportunity to say YES and share more of the ways you can enhance their experience.  For example

Questions like “How long is the turnaround for my photo gallery” could be answered with “I spend 3 weeks pouring over your images to make sure they are beautiful and well edited from top to bottom. But if you need them sooner I have a rush fee of $X that I love offering to move your gallery to the top of my cue and send it back within 48 hours” This answers a question they are likely asking and adds value they didn’t know was available. It makes it clear that whatever timeline they have in their head is available.

Remember, your content isn't just words – it's a conversation starter, a friend-maker, and the key to creating an online bond that's solid before you even start winning them over with your in-person charm. 

So let’s sum all of this up! Keeping visitors on your website is as important as keeping someone engaged in a good chat, too short and they may not get to know you well at all, too boring and they may look for an excuse to find someone else to chat with entirely. You want them to scroll, absorb, and connect with your content, with the end goal of course to reach out to you directly through inquiry or at minimum connect with you on social media. In order for your amazing writing and content to be given a chance you also have to consider some practical steps like, speed, directions and lay out. The strategies shared here are a sure way to transform your website into a way to authentically connect with your audience.

Website Designer, Marketing Strategist, #Boymom, and passionate Birth Keeper! I love hiking in the English countryside, late-night wine chats and helping other small business owners grow and find holistic balance!

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