How To Get More Traffic And Increase Sales [Website Review with Derek Halpern]

October 26, 2011 By 72 Comments

My motto has always been to find out who’s doing it right (aka: getting REAL results) and find out what they’re doing (and what they’re not doing). That’s why when my friend Derek Halpern of Social Triggers recently offered to review my site, I jumped at the opportunity.  After all, Derek is THE GUY that the best-of-the-best call on to help them turn web traffic into leads and sales.

Here are some valuable takeaways you’ll learn in this video:

  • Find out what a “Feature Box” does and why you need one for your site
  • How to get more people to opt-in to your list
  • The most valuable spot on your website to add a testimonial
  • AND the easiest (yet most GENIUS) content marketing tip ever…

Derek’s tips and insight have already increased my overall lead conversion and sales. If you want to know how to optimize your website – quickly – you don’t want to miss out on this *must see* training video.

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  • Terry Crowe

    That was great. That’s a lot of awesome tips that I’ve never heard or thought of. Can’t wait to update my site and see the results.

    Thanks guys.

  • Anonymous

    Thanks for putting yourself out there as an example, Amy. It takes a lot of guts to let someone critique you in front of all those people.

  • http://twitter.com/Coach2Excel Grant Willcox

    Great to such honest, upfront & stellar advice from Derek on this call – great take away value, so thanks to Amy for inviting Derek to review your site – I learned heaps!

  • Scott Haase

    Blog is looking GREAT after the changes! Awesome!

  • Scott Haase

    Dang!!! I felt like I went through a coaching session…for FREE!  Thanks Amy!

  • http://www.scottwyden.com scottwyden

    I agree with a lot of what was said but disagree about thin content.  Or not necessarily thin content specifically, but more how Derek displays his content on the individual post.  I find it sloppy. If the content is going to be that thin I’d prefer it to be a bulleted list.

  • http://twitter.com/jeunesse1 jean compton

    Awesome post, Amy!  I feel like I learned so much about my own site from listening to Derek’s review of yours.  Thanks again!
    XO
    Jean

  • Perla

    Awesome info! However, I was wondering if anyone can tell me how to create or put an opt- in form a website?

  • http://socialtriggers.com Derek

    It’s not about disagreeing. 

    It’s about what people read. 

    Will people read big blocks of text? Yea, some will, but most people will be turned off. Large blocks of text are a usability fail on the internet.

    I didn’t invent this writing style. I’m just standing on the shoulders of giants here, and passing the information along :-)

  • http://www.denisewakeman.com DeniseWakeman

    Love Derek and his blog reviews. I learned a lot when he reviewed mine. And, I just learned a couple of new thinks listening to his review of your blog, Amy. Thanks for sharing this…blog on!

  • Karen Pelletier

    Great suggestions.  Can we get a transcript of this video?  I tried to take notes but I’m sure I missed a bunch.  Thanks Amy & Derek.

  • http://IsaacAWardell.com Isaac A Wardell

    Great video Amy. I know my website is horribly out of date, need to spend some time getting it redone. :) 

  • Peter Wheaton

    Thanks Amy.  Some really great tips on Blogs sites and I will be applying a lot of changes.  My question is can this strategy work the same for a product site/business site?

  • http://twitter.com/wahmshelleyw Shelley Washington

    This was an excellent review for you to share…The best part for me was that as you and Derek went through your blog, I did too and I saw the before and after for the tips that Derek gave that you have already implemented…Thanks for sharing…

    Shelley

  • Meagan

    Love, love, loved Derek’s advice here Amy! Thanks so much for sharing it with us. I’m off to update my site with some of his suggestions!

  • Debbiesaviano.blpgspot.com

    Hi Amy
    I have followed you ever snce I first saw you on The Rise to the Top. Love your positive attitude about things! This entire video devoted to Derek looking it all over was AMAZING!
    The openness, honesty and attention to detail was great!
    Now need t go to my site and make some “changes -adjustments ”
    Thanks Debbie

  • Daniel Boswell

    Incredibly helpful video Amy! Thanks for opening your site up to constructive criticism that we can gain insight from! I’ve never heard of Derek but he definitely demonstrated he knows his stuff! I’ll have to start checking out his content too!

  • Amid

    Great Great post amy. Thanks for sharing your website critique

  • http://www.AmyPorterfield.com Amy Porterfield

    Hey, Daniel!  Derek is my new secret weapon – I got to spend a little time with him this past weekend at an event and each time he opens his mouth I am amazed by what this guy knows!  So glad you liked the video as much as I did.

  • http://www.AmyPorterfield.com Amy Porterfield

    Thanks for taking the time to watch it, Amid :-)

  • http://www.AmyPorterfield.com Amy Porterfield

    Debbie!  You message just made my entire week – thank you so much for taking the time to reach out here in  the comments.  I am so glad you liked the video – I was really hoping others would find it as valuable as I did.  Thanks again, Debbie, for your post!

  • http://www.AmyPorterfield.com Amy Porterfield

    Hey, Meagan!  Good luck with your tweaks – let me know when you have them up and running – would love to see them!

  • http://www.AmyPorterfield.com Amy Porterfield

    Hi, Shelley!  I’m so glad you noticed the changes!  I have a few more for sure, but my goal was to get the majority of them out there before I launched the video – so it forced me to move fast!

  • http://www.AmyPorterfield.com Amy Porterfield

    Hey, Peter. I would say it would apply – but I think your content strategy on your site is important.  Do you have a content strategy to support your product/business?

  • http://www.AmyPorterfield.com Amy Porterfield

    Hi, Karen!  I did not get a transcript of it – but I have to admit, I watched it 3 times to make sure I did not miss anything :-) 

  • http://www.AmyPorterfield.com Amy Porterfield

    Isn’t Derek just awesome?!  I really love watching his reviews and reading his blog post.  My latest favorite was his post on Contagious Content – priceless stuff!  Thanks for stopping by, Denise.  Can’t wait to see you at Blog World next week!

  • http://www.AmyPorterfield.com Amy Porterfield

    Hi, Perla.  If you are not a programmer or a designer, let me try to break it down into 3 easy chunks:      1) Have a designer design an opt-in graphic for you (I suggest using a designer so it will look great) 2) Use an email system like aWeber or MailChip to create a web form for your website.  3) Once you create the form inside your email system, give the code and the graphic from your designer to a programmer and have them  set it up on your website. 

    That all was a bit rough, but I hope it makes sense!

  • http://www.AmyPorterfield.com Amy Porterfield

    I KNOW!  I totally agree, Scott :-)

  • http://www.AmyPorterfield.com Amy Porterfield

    Thanks a bunch!  A few more changes for sure, but it is shaping up!

  • http://www.AmyPorterfield.com Amy Porterfield

    Hi, Grant.  So glad you found it as valuable as I did – I really learned a lot too!

  • http://www.AmyPorterfield.com Amy Porterfield

    Hi, Terry.  I must admit, I was a bit nervous because I knew Derek would find a bunch of areas for improvement.  But the advice was so valuable, I could not pass up the opportunity!

  • http://www.AmyPorterfield.com Amy Porterfield

    Send me a link when you have your changes up and running – would love to see them in action :-)

  • Peter Wheaton

    G’day Amy, Very new to this marketing, and enjoy learning.  Can you explain Content strategy, I have a website but it has returned what I have wanted,so do you have any info about this please.

  • http://BasicBlogTips.com Ileane

    Thanks Amy. I use red links on my blog too so I can definitely related to what Derek said about the links being one color and the text another. I really like the advice about internal linking – I have a plugin that’s really helpful in reminding my guest bloggers to do that also. 
    There’s one thing he didn’t mention about your “shop” page that I wanted to share my opinion on. I think you should have your pricing right up at the top and maybe a little image with you coaching a client that might make the page feel more personal. Besides, once someone has clicked “shop” I think they are prepared to see services and prices up front. 
    Thanks so much for sharing this review Amy. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

  • Janin

    Thank you Amy for sharing that review with us (your audience).  I have learned sooo much from what Derek said that I will use it on my website.
    I love everything that you do in your business it keeps me inspired.  Aloha! Janin

  • http://toddgragg.com Todd Gragg

    Amy before I watched the video I thought these ideas will be subjective, maybe I’ll incorporate maybe I won’t. But after watching Derek explain why his set up is so specific I realized that the suggestions are must do’s. Thank you for this substance filled post.

  • JoreJj Z. Elprehzleinn

    Dear Amy, having a website for 15 years now I have been exposed to and ignore so much of the noise that comes across my desk from people that want to teach me about internet marketing. Why is it that I love to see your stuff and pay more attention to it than most anything else? http://togetherwithdivinelove.com/circulatelove.htm

  • Nichole

    Wow, Amy, Derek- Thank you SO much for this info, MORE than helpful. YOU GUYS ROCK!!!!

  • http://profitbasedmarketing.com Bonnie

    Thanks Amy (and Derek)! I’ll definitely be putting these tips to work — not only on my own site, but those of my clients, as well.

  • Mon_sun

    Thanks Amy for putting yourself in our shoes. This was awesome information and am glad to see this video. I’ve always loved your work as it has helped me alot. Thank you so much Amy for sharing!

  • http://www.famzoo.com/ Bill Dwight @FamZoo

    Amy (and Derek), that was truly fantastic. Really practical advice with solid rationale. Lots of great points to consider – e.g.,  I was intrigued by the feedback on tags/categories and what to do instead. I made a nice list of things that I can apply to our blog and site.

    I’m also super impressed with how you handled the feedback without even a hint of defensiveness. That’s a real fine quality that doesn’t come easily to most.Thanks for sharing a terrific post.Bill

  • http://www.AmyPorterfield.com Amy Porterfield

    Hey there.  What a nice message!  Thanks for reaching out – I am really glad you found the video valuable!

  • http://www.AmyPorterfield.com Amy Porterfield

    Hi, Bill!  Your post made me smile – thanks for your kind words about the video.  I was not sure if it was a “good business move” to show my vulnerabilities in this area, but I also knew that so many others would find something valuable in there for their site as well.  So your post just sealed the deal for me that I did make the right decision!  Have a great weekend :-)   -Amy

  • http://www.AmyPorterfield.com Amy Porterfield

    Fantastic, Bonnie!  I am so glad you liked the video!

  • http://www.AmyPorterfield.com Amy Porterfield

    Hi, there!  Well I am not 100% sure why you love to see my stuff, but I sure love that you do!  I promise to keep putting out valuable content, because I agree with you -there is way too much noise out there for sure!  Have a wonderful weekend, JoreJi!

  • http://www.AmyPorterfield.com Amy Porterfield

    Hi, Todd.  You posted exactly what I was thinking – Derek delivers the WHY behind his strategies and that’s why I am such a fan of his teaching style.  I hope you will check back when you have made some changes so I can check them out!

  • http://www.AmyPorterfield.com Amy Porterfield

    Hi, Janin!  Wow – that message is a keeper for me.  I love that you are inspired and I wish you so much luck on all you do in your business!

  • http://www.AmyPorterfield.com Amy Porterfield

    You are so right  my “shop” page still needs some work for sure – that is the page that I have not gotten to just yet.  I will take your advice and I hope to have that page tweaked asap!  Thanks!

  • http://socialtriggers.com Derek

    Thanks Daniel. Glad you enjoyed the video :-)

  • http://socialtriggers.com Derek

    You’re welcome Nichole. What in the video are you going to implement over at your site? :-)

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