...continue to read "Lights On, Lights Off"

Livesouth.com is a lead generation site for retirement communities that just began using Google Website Optimizer last week. We’ve set up a couple of different tests, and this is the first one that was implemented.

Problem: Livesouth.com has tons of great content but visitors aren’t seeing all of it. They have high quality pictures on their site and they aren’t being seen. If the picture on property pages are clicked slideshows pop-ups, displaying multiple pictures. Visitors lose persuasive momentum by not seeing…

...continue to read "Google Website Optimizer Test: Simply Adding Text"

Flash is the king of bells and whistles. Some problems with Flash is that it can be distracting and stop your visitors from converting. Don’t forget that it can cause errors and alienate people, too. Don’t get me wrong; I’m sure Flash can be executed in a way that can increase conversion. This post isn’t about all the problems that Flash can cause–just how we can test it.

MattressLiquidators.ca had a large, rotating Flash image in the Active Window (i.e., the top-center, prime…

...continue to read "Is it Worth it to Flash Your Customers?"

Everyone wants to test nowadays, but few know what to do. People are out there testing thousands of headlines at a time, trying to figure out what is the best combination. While testing, there are sure to be combinations which will negatively affect conversion and the overall branding of the site.

So, why not put your best foot forward? Look at your site’s conversion stumbling blocks and find ways to break through them. Test a couple of examples, find the best…

...continue to read "Google Website Optimizer Testing: Bold Text"

When I buy something online, I don’t want to look at only one picture of it. I want to see different views. I want to be able to experience the item as much as possible from my computer. I want it to feel like I’m there. I’m a reasonable guy. I know I can’t feel or smell items I’ve yet to purchase online–I just want to get as much visual info as I need.

This week, I went shopping online for…

...continue to read "Show You the Money? Show Me the Jacket!"

Over on Jonathan Mendez’s blog, he provides his 7 Rules for Landing Page Optimization. I would certainly agree with six of them. However, Rule #5 states, “Red buttons can by themselves raise your conversion rate.” The fact is, you want your site’s Calls to Action to stand out so the visitor easily can identify what to do next. Red can certainly stand out, but often in a negative way.

In just about every culture, red means stop. In many, it implies…

...continue to read "Large Red Buttons? Oh My!"

Websites have tons of elements you can test. Some elements will have very little impact on your ability to persuade and convert your site visitors. Others will have a dramatic impact. Of course you’d like to know which elements rank among the most influential when it comes to your bottom line.

We’ve spent the month of January working on Quick Start Guides that can help you understand which elements have the biggest effect on your conversion rates and how to test…

...continue to read "Top 10 Ideas for Testing Your Headlines"

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Walking around Manhattan, the crowds are just too much for me. That’s why I’m trying to buy most of my presents online. I like to browse the stores for presents and the easiest way for me to browse around sites is using the navigation. Stores usually are laid out with different departments that display specific styles. Websites have to use navigation to accomplish this. They forget that they have to speak to the visitor in their language to help…

...continue to read "I’m Just Browsing"

(what’s this?)

I love to going to concerts. Living in New York, I can catch two to three shows a week. A lot of times I can just walk right up and buy tickets, but for popular shows I need to plan and get them in advance. Wanting to go see “Thursday” next week at the Starland Ballroom, I go to Ticketmaster.com.

Knowing that there are tons of shows listed, I decide to type Starland Ballroom into the search engine. I…

...continue to read "Error Messages Shouldn’t be Confusing"

(what’s this?)

Living in New York has been a bit of a shock. It is cold, really cold. Coming from California, I didn’t realize what it’s like walking to the subway in twenty degree weather to get to work. I figure that a jacket would be a good gift for my sister who is coming to New York at the end of December. I decide to check out Gap.com because it sounds like a good place to get something affordable and nice.…

...continue to read "Speak to Me"