Websites should offer a service, not just lip service. By that we mean, your web provider should walk the walk, not just talk the talk! Thankfully, we here at Hostirian pride ourselves with top of the line service, so with us, you will never have to worry about lip service. To have a winning website, you need to make sure that your website actually offers something to a visitor. Here are five pointers that will help turn a passerby into someone who will stay to learn more. By offering these options to your visitors, you can turn a “potential” client into an “actual” client.

1. Get Their Email Addresses

A good way to get a lurker to introduce himself is to offer a resource that cannot be accessed without an email address. This could be a newsletter, a free online coaching video, a subscription, or anything else, as long as it stands behind a wall where contact information is key. Once that is given, use it to slowly introduce subscribers to your work. 

2. Give the Visitors Scheduling Options

People like to have options to schedule, reschedule, and cancel appointments at their convenience. One way to provide convenience is an online calendar that clients can use for scheduling without your involvement. A tool that we like to use here at Hostirian is called Start Booking. We even wrote an article that details how to use this powerful tool!

3. Show Off 

Now is not the time to be bashful. When someone checks out your website, illustrate that your knowledge is beyond stellar and absolutely vital to a successful life. Do this by offering a small e-book, providing a “tips and tricks” newsletter or perhaps recording a video interview so that visitors can get an idea of who you are. Do whatever you can to display who you are and the mission of your business. After all, first impressions are important!

4. Help Visitors Spend Money

While it takes far more effort on your part, make a shopping cart available on your website. This will allow visitors to hire you immediately. Once they learn more about you, they won’t be able to stay away. This also shows web visitors that your business is credible and can be taken seriously. Make sure that you have gone through all of the necessary security precautions when adding online shopping to your website. You will be showing that your business is trustworthy and those loyal followers will keep on coming back.

5. Respond to Best Questions from your Ideal Client

This would essentially be the Frequently Asked Questions area of your website. Presumably, a lot of potential clients will have the same sorts of problems, so why not have a section that lists popular questions and answers? This lets visitors to the website know that other people have had their problems, and that you know how to address those particular issues.

Facebook has made many changes over the years. One of the biggest changes was the transition from Facebook Reviews to Facebook Recommendations. This change happened a few years ago, but it has had a major impact on the way that people engage on social media and leave feedback for businesses on the platform. 

Before I dig too deep, Facebook Recommendations is Facebook’s version of reviews for businesses. Users are able to express whether or not they recommend a business. From there, they can write a review, add photos and tag. Facebook recently changed their process for leaving recommendations. Up until a few years ago, Facebook gave users the option to rate businesses on a scale from 1 to 5. The change now presents users with the question, “Do you recommend (business name)? Yes or no?”, along with the option to share their experience.

This change allows users to leave feedback in a much more detailed way than they had before. In fact, it is very similar to the way that users leave a review on Google. You may be wondering, “What is the difference between Facebook Recommendations and Google Reviews?” Well, there are a few differences. Google Reviews and Facebook Recommendations are arguably two of the most important places to earn reviews. While the differences between the two are the really just the platform used, both types of reviews can improve a business in different ways. 

What are the benefits of both platforms?

Google Reviews are a way for users to review businesses using their Google account. They are so important because they can improve local search ranking, increase trust and credibility with customers, influence customers on future purchases, help businesses gain helpful feedback, improve click-through rates, create brand awareness, and so much more. Google Reviews give businesses the boost of credibility they need without spending a dime. 

Facebook Recommendations is more interactive. Instead of users ranking a business on a 5-star scale, users can now add photos along with text. They are also much more informative and help with organic reach. Facebook Recommendations is now based on how many people recommend or do not recommend a page, past reviews, and previous ratings. Facebook changed their process because they saw a lot of problems with their previous style. Facebook’s new process was created so that businesses with a Facebook page would be more visible to Facebook users. Facebook Recommendations can increase reach, allow users to share photos, and tag so that others are more likely to see your page. With Facebook, the better the recommendation score, the higher the chance that a business has of engaging new customers. 

Which platform is more important?

So, if both platforms show benefits, which one is more important? To be honest with you, they are both crucially important for your business. Neither one or the other is more important. It’s like comparing apples and oranges. Both platforms benefit businesses in their own way.

Facebook is the most popular social media platform of all time. With nearly 2.7 billion active users, Facebook’s popularity isn’t even in question. Because so many people are using the platform, it is essential that your business has a page and reviews for other people to see. Although you need Facebook Recommendations, they should not replace your Google Reviews. Your business will benefit from having a good balance of both. 

Why should businesses use both?

Google is the most popular online review platform. Nearly 57% of consumers use Google to read reviews. Nearly 9 out of 10 consumers read online reviews before making a purchase. Reviews are so important, especially those on Google. Google is the most visited website on the Internet. No wonder their reviews are so valuable. 

Facebook Recommendations is great for many reasons. It will not help your business dominate the search ratings, but it will make users feel more comfortable. More people have a Facebook account and are more comfortable expressing their feedback on Facebook rather than Google. Facebook is also a platform that was created for engagement and conversation. Therefore, users are able to have a conversation with someone who leaves a review. A Facebook Recommendation may show up in a Google results page when someone searches for your business, but they have no impact on whether your business ranks for relevant search terms. 

While there are many differences and benefits of each review platform, you do not need to choose between one or the other. Your business will benefit significantly by using both. You can start this journey by creating a Facebook page for your business (if you don’t already have one) and starting a Google My Business Account. The rest is up to your audience. Don’t forget to ask for those reviews!