A thank-you page is more than just good manners
If your website is working, your visitors will take action. They’ll buy something, subscribe to your blog or newsletter, download your content, and give you their email address. Eventually they may, or may not, become customers or clients. You can increase your customer base, and potential sales opportunities, by using a thank-you page.
When a visitor takes action on a website, typically they’ll receive a thank-you email in response to the action they took. Although it’s a nice gesture and good manners to thank your visitors, you really need to see that a simple thank-you gesture is really a missed opportunity. A really big one!
Instead of just sending a thank-you email or sending the visitor to a simple “thank-you” page, you could be inspiring your visitors to take a second action and improve your site’s performance, both at the same time.
“How do I do that,” you ask?
Here are some ideas. You can come up with even more – just get creative!
Cut straight to it: Check out my own customer thank you page to see what I’m talking about.
Tell them what to expect
Although they’re nice to hear, the words “thank you” don’t really prompt a visitor to do anything in particular, when it comes to your website. If you do it correctly though, a “thank you” page could inspire your visitors to take another action. So use that thank-you page to increase sales opportunities.
Consider what would happen if you did this: on your thank-you page or in your thank-you email, you gave your visitor some additional information about what happens next. For example, say when you’ll be in touch. For e-store customers, tell them what to do if they’re not satisfied, or tell them how they can share their satisfaction and spread the word. For subscribers, tell them when to expect their subscription emails and a preview of the contents. Get them excited! Get them to share info about your site on their social media!
Make your thank-you gesture the beginning of a new conversation. If your visitor has come this far, they’re definitely interested in you and in what you do! Offer them something again, and this time they might reconsider.
Offer to add them to your newsletter or e-course
Take every opportunity to grow your email list. Your visitor is interested in you! Maybe they liked your content. Maybe they liked your blog article, or what you do or what you sell. Take advantage of this interest! Using a thank-you page the right way might prompt them to sign up for something else if you give them another opportunity.
Add a video
Videos are undoubtedly the best way to tell your story. Revenue growth is 49% more with than without a video. Show a video on your thank-you page to deepen your new connection as well as add to their understanding of your brand.
Suggest they follow you on social media
Encourage visitors to connect with you on social media networks. Give visitors a reason to take action; tell them what they’ll gain by following you.
Show off your best content
Use your thank-you page to hold your visitors’ interest. Link to and/or embed your best stuff on it. This is an opportunity to show the content they may have missed earlier.
It could be a popular blog post, video, downloadable PDF or anything else useful or of interest to them. Focus on the additional value this stuff provides and keep the tone friendly and personal.
Show proof and build trust
Build credibility on your thank-you page. Use “social proof” to show you’re an authority. Use testimonials, links to case studies, press mentions, and industry credentials. These can be reused and repurposed from existing ones.
Send an auto-response email
Once your visitor has converted (they’ve become a customer-lead by giving you their email address when they signed up for or bought something) you have one more opportunity to get them back on your website by using an email auto-response system in conjunction with a thank-you page.
Instead of just saying thank-you, use that email as another opportunity to get them back on your site by inviting them back. Provide incentive by using a discount code or a coupon or another interesting gift or freebie.
“It’s easier to deepen an existing relationship than it is to create a new one.
Focus on your visitors while you have their attention.”
Check out my own customer thank you page to see some of these ideas in action. I hope you’re inspired!
Questions?
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About the author
I developed Image and Aspect because I believe that professionals need to have an impactful web presence. One that showcases their unique talents, skills, and abilities as well as their values and style. A presence that focuses on social engagement and connection.
I’m passionate about what I do; I like helping fellow humans, I like having all kinds of social connection with others, and I want to give back, to make the world a better place.
I do much of the designing and coding myself, and I also have a wonderful network of professionals that may contribute as well; photographers, copywriters, branding experts.
I love designing and coding beautiful, elegant and responsive web creations. I ALSO teach and help others who want to learn how to do it themselves.
‘Tips and Snips’ is my blog, and it’s full of information and inspiration to help transform any online persona from “meh” to AMAZING! Sign-up HERE to get blog posts right to your in-box every Friday! I write about Design, Marketing, Search Engine Optimization, Branding, Vlogging, Color Theory, HTML5, CSS3, Bootstrap, WordPress, Social Media…anything you’d want to know to get yourself noticed online.
Visit Image and Aspect to learn more about your web presence options
Diane M. Metcalf, M.S.
