Radical Marketing Solutions Website Redesign
by Bill Parlaman
Filed under Bill's Blog
Hi Everyone. I hope you are having a nice week.
I know for me the days just keep flying by.
This is a quick note to let you know I’ve redesigned the Radical Marketing Solutions website and I’d like to get your opinion on the redesign.
I’m also going to discuss why I did what I did and keep you up to date on the results from the changes.
I was really tired of the old design and in my opinion it was not working the way I wanted .
Let me explain…
For one thing my bounce rate was just too high. I think it had to do with the way my home page was set up. My home page was really a landing. If you’ve read any of my posts on home page optimzation you’ll know this is a deadly mistake.
I also felt the header was too cluttered with images and “stuff” . So I removed the lead capture from the header and went with a much more clean and simple design.
With my lead capture form in the header I felt like I was asking you for something the moment you hit my website.
I think it’s a much better strategy from a home page optimization stand point to give value then your prospect can decide whether or not they want to take you up on my free offer.
Now remember, if you’re sending a prospect to your website from some sort of ad (ie; Direct Mail, Adwords of Facebook ad) there is nothhing wrong with making a pitch right away because your prospect had an expectation of an offer.
This is not the case when it comes to your home page. Most people arrive on your home page from a search result or clicking a link from another site. Most times your prospect arrives on your site a little disoriented until they can find their way around your home page.
Remember, you want to answer these questions:
Then you want to take your visitor by the hand and guide them step by step on how to navigate your site.
You’ll notice I did this on my home page a few different ways.
1. First, by cleaning up my header and using a simple logo and tag line you know exactly where you are and what my site is about.
2. Second, I replaced the old headline and sales copy with a much simpler headline and subheadline. Both of these headlines get right to the point. No thinking involved. My prospect gets the message right away.
3. Third, I use a short introductory paragraph explaining in plain simple English what this website is all about. I expand on this thought with a second paragraph. This paragraph is full of benefits and it reaffirms they are on the right website.
4. Fourth, I come right out and tell you- There are three main ways to use this site. This statement answers the third question you must answer- “How do I get started”. What I’m doing here is optimizing my prospects thought sequence and leading them through my site the way I want.
Now that I’ve removed the lead form from the header I’m left with just one PRIMARY offer. Making two offers on your home page just confuses things.
Do you want the free report or do you want the e-book and poster? Remember, don’t make your prospects think! I will test my offers to see which one pulls best but you should only make one primary offer.
Since I cleaned up the header I added my social media icons in a more prominent location.
Social Media is quickly becoming hand and hand with SEO. I want to make sure my website is socially optimized so it’s easy for my prospects to connect with me. Again, it’s all about easy!
You’ll also notice I added a search option on the top right navigation bar just under the social media icons. Again, this makes it easy for you to find the stuff you’re looking for.
I added a nice yellow color to the search button and it really stands out.
And speaking of color…the final change I made was to the colors of the website. I got rid of the dark blue side bars and added a TON more white space. Then I simply accented with color.
Having more white space allows me to use color to draw your eye to the important places on my site like my headline and free offer. It also makes your website feel lighter and less cluttered. This will help keep your visitors on your site longer.
So what do you think?
Do you like the changes?
Do you hate the changes?
Do you have any recommendations for me? I would love your feedback!
Please leave all your thoughts and suggestions in the comment box below!
Now go dominate Google, Bill Parlaman
P.S.
Enjoy your weekend. Spend time with your family and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
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Bill, I love the simplicity of the new site. Now that I can compare the old site to this one, this new one is more about what you can do for your customers and less, well less of you to be honest. I did not realize how overpowering the previous site was until I saw the new one. I have two suggestions. One between your business name and the phone number is an open space that seems like a really good piece of “real estate” that can be filled with perhaps, a photo? It just seems that maybe be something can be placed there to get as much use of the header. More important though, the download for free button for your ebook is not completely visible on my computer when I open it. Perhaps you can place it on top giving it more emphasis that it’s a free download. You may get more downloads that way. By the way, from past converstions with you I was really suprised at first to see your white background. Once you exlain it and I am able to see the results, it looks REALLY SHARP! Great job. Wishing you more success than ever, Edwin.
Hey Edwin,
Thanks so much for the kind words. Yes, sometimes theory is hard to wrap your head around until you see it in action.
Its Good. My only thought is I’m a big fan of the impact of photos and/or video right up front. People bonding with you is a key to repeat visits, they help with that.
Congrats on getting it done!
Jason
HI Jason,
Yes photos can help if they are used correctly. Too many business owners rely on photos and video too much. The eye is naturally drawn to photos and video. Sometimes it draws the eye AWAY from your primary goal of the site. I like to use photos if it tells a story and furthers the thought sequence optimization of the visitor. For example, I use an image on my optin form. Its an image of the ebook I give away. This is a good use of an image because my visitors can visualize what they are getting. What I hate to see are stock images of business people sitting around a board room, “Connie” the friendly operator standing by or a family of five jumping off the ground. Your photos and video MUST help your cause. Not be there for the heck of it. I hope this helps.
Ironically I was discussing this very topic with a Chicago based web designer earlier today and the next time I flipped over to Twitter your tweet hit me in the eye. Having not seen your old site I cannot compare, however, I do like the clean layout. Have clicked all the social buttons and grabbed a copy of your 101SEO book so I guess the work I had planned this afternoon might get postponed. I also agree with your response to Jason. The only pictorial distraction you need on your home page is in the opt-in box.
Best wishes for a safe and happy festive season.
JR (down under in NZ)
Hey JR, Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave meaningful comments. If you want to check out my old web design check out the waybackmachine.com.