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How to Improve Your Website Conversion Rate: A Practical Checklist

4 January 2024·6 min read·By Steve Welsh
Website Conversion Rate - Consultant checking data

Originally published: January 2024
Last updated: October 2026

Quick answer:

To improve your website conversion rate, make it obvious within a few seconds what you offer, who it is for and what to do next. Put one clear call to action on each page, show proof such as reviews and examples near the top, make contact as easy as possible on a phone (tap-to-call, short forms), remove anything that slows the page down, and answer the common objections that stop people enquiring. Then measure enquiries per page in Google Analytics 4 and test one change at a time.

What a conversion is, and why it matters

A conversion is the action you want a visitor to take: a call, a contact form, a booking, a quote request, a purchase or a download. Your conversion rate is the percentage of visitors who take that action. If 1,000 people visit and 15 enquire, the rate is 1.5%. Improving that rate is usually cheaper than buying more traffic, because every visitor you already have becomes more valuable.

This guide combines our earlier articles on website conversion strategies and website conversions that boost sales into one practical checklist.

Website conversion rate - reviewing a website's enquiry performance

1. Make the first screen do its job

Most visitors decide within seconds whether they are in the right place. On your key pages, the area visible without scrolling, especially on a phone, should show:

  • A headline that says what you do and for whom, in plain words. Commercial cleaning for offices in Glasgow works better than Excellence in every detail.
  • One sentence on the main benefit or what makes you different.
  • A single, clearly visible call to action, such as Get a quote or Book a free survey.
  • A trust signal: review rating, number of customers, accreditation or a recognisable client.

2. Use one main call to action per page

Pages that ask visitors to do five different things often get none of them done. Decide the one action that matters on each page and repeat it after each major section. Use specific button text that says what happens next. Request my quote converts better than Submit.

3. Show proof where decisions are made

  • Reviews with names and details, placed next to the call to action rather than on a separate page.
  • Before and after photos or short case studies with real outcomes.
  • Logos of clients or accreditations relevant to your customers.
  • A clear guarantee or what happens if something goes wrong.

Our guide to getting more Google reviews explains how to build a steady supply of reviews you can use on your site.

Website conversion rate - adding reviews and proof to a page

4. Make contact effortless on mobile

  • Phone numbers as tap-to-call links, visible in the header.
  • Forms with as few fields as possible. Name, contact detail and a message box is often enough.
  • Large buttons with space around them.
  • A confirmation message that tells people what happens next and when.
  • Alternative contact options such as WhatsApp or online booking where your customers prefer them.

5. Answer objections before they are raised

Write down the questions people ask before they commit: price, timescales, what is included, areas covered, what happens if they are not happy. Answer them on the page, ideally in a short FAQ section near the call to action. Showing a price or a price range, even approximate, usually increases enquiries from the right people.

6. Remove friction and speed things up

  • Pages should load quickly on a phone. Large images and too many scripts are the usual culprits.
  • Remove pop-ups that appear immediately or cover the page on mobile.
  • Make navigation simple, with the main services one tap from the menu.
  • Check every form actually sends, and that someone replies quickly. Speed of response is one of the biggest factors in turning enquiries into customers.

Our guide to SEO optimisation for WordPress includes a step-by-step section on speed and mobile usability.

Website conversion rate - testing forms and calls to action

7. Measure and test

What to measureHow
Enquiries per pageSet form submissions and phone clicks as key events in Google Analytics 4, then view them by landing page
Where people drop offLook at pages with high traffic and few key events
What visitors doHeatmap and session recording tools such as Microsoft Clarity, which is free
Whether a change workedChange one element at a time and compare a few weeks before and after

Start with the pages that get the most traffic and the fewest enquiries. Small improvements there usually make the biggest difference.

Quick conversion checklist

  1. Headline says what you do and for whom.
  2. One main call to action, repeated down the page.
  3. Reviews and proof next to the call to action.
  4. Tap-to-call number in the header.
  5. Short form with a clear confirmation message.
  6. Prices or price ranges shown where possible.
  7. FAQ answering the main objections.
  8. Fast loading and no intrusive pop-ups on mobile.
  9. Enquiries tracked in Google Analytics 4.
Website conversion rate - conversion checklist for small business websites

Getting help

If your website gets visitors but not enough enquiries, Steve Welsh Marketing can review it and recommend specific changes. See our Website SEO service or get in touch.

Questions

FAQs

  1. What is a good website conversion rate?

    It varies widely by industry, traffic source and what counts as a conversion, so compare your own pages over time rather than against general averages. A page that improves from one enquiry per 100 visitors to two has doubled its value.

  2. How can I increase enquiries from my website?

    Make the headline clear, use one main call to action, show reviews and proof near it, make contact easy on a phone, answer common objections, speed up the page and track enquiries by page so you know where to focus.

  3. Do reviews on my website increase conversions?

    Yes. Specific reviews placed next to the call to action reassure visitors at the moment they decide. Use real names and details where customers agree, and keep them up to date.

  4. Should I show prices on my website?

    Usually, yes. Even a price range or starting price helps the right people decide to enquire and filters out those who are not a fit, which saves time for both sides.

  5. How many fields should a contact form have?

    As few as you need to respond properly. Name, a phone number or email and a message box is often enough. Every extra field reduces completions, especially on mobile.

  6. How do I track website conversions?

    Set form submissions, phone clicks and bookings as key events in Google Analytics 4, then view them by landing page and traffic source to see which pages and channels produce enquiries.

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Steve Welsh
Written by
Steve Welsh

Steve Welsh is a digital marketing consultant and founder of Steve Welsh Marketing, helping businesses improve search visibility, attract better leads, and grow through practical, results-focused marketing.

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