So, you now have a website, maybe a Blog on it, maybe some sort of sales page but you're not capturing any leads are you?

The reason is really simple, so simple that 99% of small business owners never consider it.

Your Website, Blog, Sales Pages even your 'About' page were probably designed (and designed beautifully, no doubt) by a web designer or a graphic designer - fantastic! Except they are NOT marketers! No matter that they say they are, they are primarily designers - nothing wrong with being a designer - but they are NOT marketing people.

What has to be remembered is what your website is there FOR! What is its primary function? What is it supposed to do?

NO, it's not supposed to sell stuff, although it's an added benefit if it does. The primary purpose of your website is to generate and capture LEADS. That is what it is ALL about, LEADS pure and simple.

When I say that LEADS are what it is all about, I mean that you have to make it very easy for every tyre-kicking Hooray-Henry who happens across your site to join your funnel.

So, what you need is a method or several methods to make sure that you capture his contact information for subsequent follow-up.

There are several ways to do this and an example of each should be spread throughout your website, you need to set up opt-in forms on your blogposts, homepage, sidebar, sales pages and your general info pages.

One of the easiest to use is the Lead Magnet. This can take the form of a free or minimal cost E-book, Report, White Paper or simply a free download. Don't feel restrained by what others have done, feel free to experiment but be careful always (always) to test which Lead Magnet or other freebie produces the best lead captures for your page.

Be very careful not to give the whole box and dice with the lead magnet, there would be very little point in getting them into your funnel only to find that you have nothing left to sell them! The whole point is to give them the flavour, not the body.

Even if you are getting leads with your website as it is, I can almost guarantee that you are not getting enough leads. Every single part of your website should be designed for lead collection, make it easy and painless for viewers to become leads.

I know that I, and I suspect you, roll your eyes with dismay every time you come across one of those infuriating little pop-up opt-in forms every time you try to leave any website. They are effective in lead collection, so keep the eyerolls to yourself.

Once you have your Lead Magnet(s) in place we can move on to the next location for your marketing education - why aren't you getting the traffic to your website in the first place?

More soon