If you have a business, your website design is your virtual storefront. Every element of the design should be professional and fit your brand.
You may already have an appealing logo, captivating copy, and quality products. But are you still be wondering what else you can do to grow your profits?
By adding a few simple features to your business website, you can grow your customer database and generate more sales.
In the following guide, we’ll give you a list of five features you can add to your website today. There’s something here to appeal to every customer:
1. Offer a Discount
Customers like knowing they’re getting value for their money. Regardless of whether it’s a product or service, a discount can tempt them to buy.
You could offer a discount to help sweeten the pot. For example, 10% or $10 off discounts are not uncommon.
Some webmasters create promo codes to give users an extra incentive to shop. They can be used to attract new customers and promote brand loyalty.
When shoppers have a time-sensitive coupon, they’ll be inclined to make an impulse purchase. They may even spend more per transition.
Here’s an example from Coupon Follow of how your coupon code can look on an external website.
You could even include a few coupons in the blog section of your business website to give users a value add. If you run a creative or local business, sharing coupons can be a good opportunity for cross-promotion.
But you don’t want to lose business to a competitor. If you share coupons from around the web, remember to only feature discounts from complementary brands.
Also, any links to external websites should be set to open in a new window.
2. Add Verified Reviews
Another way to encourage customers to spend is with user reviews. Online shoppers often read feedback from previous customers before they complete the transaction. It is like strengthening your customer support workflow for good customer satisfaction.
Any reviews should be genuine and verified. If you fill your homepage with generic testimonials, it can be counterproductive. Without verification, your customers may wonder if you wrote them yourself.
There are different programs you can use to collect genuine reviews. For example, StuDocu uses TrustPilot, potential shoppers can get a quick overview of your service with a simple star rating system, and, if they want to read more in-depth peer reviews, they can.
Let’s take a look at how StuDocu features reviews on its website. It’s a subtle implementation at the bottom of every page:
Alternatively, you could sell your products on a marketplace such as eBay, Etsy, or Amazon. If you have positive reviews, you can showcase them on your business website.
3. Feature Best Selling Products
What you display on your homepage matters. You can use the space to show off your best-selling products and anything new you have to offer.
For example, you can feature images and descriptions of your most popular products at the top of your homepage.
Or, if you have a service-based business, you can recommend a specific package or compare different services and highlight one option that’s an excellent value.
Remember to be mindful of your target audience and your niche.
Featuring products and services can be easier than you think. You may have noticed on the Pixpa homepage there is a reel of visually appealing images that suit our creative clients.
Did you know that you can add a featured gallery of your own when you use our web building software?
4. Use Live Chat
If your website visitors have a question, can they find the answer they’re looking for?
Good customer service is essential to any sales business. But how can you give online shoppers a personalized experience from behind a screen?
The answer is live chat software. Website visitors can speak to a representative from your company in real-time. You can answer questions and give the customer the motivation they need to buy your products.
Live chat is easy to install and usually sits at the bottom right corner of the screen.
Of course, you may not be available 24 hours a day. If it’s after business hours, you can ask visitors to leave a message.
Here is how a popular video production agency collects messages when its customer service team is unavailable:
It could also be a good idea to install a chatbot that does a lot of the hard work for you. A chatbot is available day and night and can answer a range of frequently asked questions.
It’s similar to Outsourcing live chat services, but conversations occur with a computer software program rather than a human being. You’ll just need to program the chatbot to interact effectively with your customers before it can get started.
Getting a chatbot is easier than you think. You can use a no code chatbot builder to build a chatbot without coding.
5. Offer Free Shipping
If you have a physical product to sell, consider offering your shoppers free shipping.
Shipping is an added cost many consumers still get surprised by. An unexpected shipping fee during checkout could cause them to abandon their cart.
When it comes to free shipping, you have a few options. If you have a high profit margin, you may feel comfortable eating the shipping costs yourself.
Or, if you have a handmade or unique product, you can increase the price of your goods to include these fees.
Alternatively, you can offer free shipping once your customers reach a spending threshold. For example, “get free postage when you spend over $150.” This strategy also encourages shoppers to spend more.
Other business types can offer similar types of incentives. For example, a photographer can offer to waive travel fees when clients book a longer session, a local artist could offer free delivery, and a software business can offer a free trial.
6. Increase Your Business Revenue
Even if you’re happy with your website, you may be wondering how you can increase your revenue.
Read More: How can you forecast revenue for your business.
There are several features you can add to improve the customer experience. In this article, we gave you a list of five features you can add today.
You can offer a discount to boost sales and increase brand loyalty. It’s also a great idea to add verified reviews to show potential customers that you are legitimate.
Consider using the homepage to feature your best-selling products and offer free shipping to convert window-shoppers into customers.
Don’t forget that good customer service should always be a priority. You can install a live chat function or a chatbot to answer questions and secure a sale.
Ready to revamp your website? We have all of the tools you need to stand out. You can add a store, blog, gallery, and more. Get started at Pixpa.
About the Author
Vikas Kalwani is a product-led growth hacker and B2B Marketing Specialist skilled in SEO, Content Marketing, and Social Media Marketing. He works at uSERP and is a mentor at 500 Startups.
