7 Things to Remove From Your Website Immediately

Summary

This video script offers expert advice for boosting website effectiveness in converting visitors into clients. It suggests removing confusing color schemes, complicated menus, self-indulgent wording, traditional contact forms, distracting social media links, and inauthentic stock photos. Instead, it recommends streamlined navigation, clear communication, direct booking tools, and genuine imagery to enhance credibility and guide visitors toward becoming paying customers. The script also teases a master class video for a comprehensive blueprint on optimizing service business websites.

Takeaways

• 🌈 Remove confusing color schemes to improve site credibility and ensure a professional appearance.
• 🧭 Simplify your website's menu to five items to guide visitors clearly and avoid overwhelming them with choices.
• 🗣️ Use selfless language that focuses on the visitor's needs rather than self-promotion to build trust and engagement.
• 📚 Keep the language simple and relatable, avoiding jargon and complex terms to ensure accessibility and understanding.
• 📝 Replace traditional contact forms with direct calendar booking tools for a seamless and clear booking process.
• 🚫 Eliminate social media buttons and feeds from your website to prevent visitors from leaving your sales funnel prematurely.
• 🎨 Avoid using overly posed or generic stock photos that can detract from the authenticity of your business.
• 🖼️ Opt for natural and high-quality images that reflect the genuine experience of working with your business.
• 👥 Remove detailed team bios and social media links to keep the focus on the business and not divert potential clients.
• 👋 Include a simple group photo on the 'About Us' page to show the real people behind the business without oversharing.
• 📈 The script offers a blueprint for converting first-time visitors into leads and clients through an on-demand video training.

Q & A

What is the primary issue with websites that fail to generate leads or attract paying clients?

The primary issue is not that they need to add more elements, but rather they need to remove confusing and off-putting elements that distract visitors from the intended actions.

Why should a website's color scheme be reconsidered according to the transcript?

A color scheme that is too vibrant, uses too many colors, or is improperly coordinated can make a website look amateurish and detract from the site's credibility.

What is the recommended approach for using color on a website?

Colors should be used subtly, primarily for accents like buttons, headlines, and icons, against a more neutral background to guide visitors without overwhelming them.

Why is a complicated menu considered detrimental to a website's effectiveness?

A complicated menu can confuse visitors and make it difficult for them to find the information they need, potentially leading them to leave the site without taking the desired action.

What is the suggested number of menu items for optimal navigation?

The magic number for menu items is five, which helps to cut through the clutter and provide a clear path for visitors.

What should be the focus of a website's written content according to the transcript?

The content should focus on the visitor, addressing their challenges and how the business can help solve them, rather than self-indulgent wording or corporate jargon.

Why is using easily understandable language recommended for a website?

Using simple language helps the audience understand that the business is an expert in their field without making them feel confused or overwhelmed by complex terminology.

What is the issue with traditional contact forms on websites?

Traditional contact forms can be vague about what happens after submission, creating uncertainty which may deter potential clients from taking the next step.

What alternative to traditional contact forms is suggested in the transcript?

A direct calendar booking tool like Calendly is suggested, allowing visitors to see available times and book appointments without back-and-forth communication.

Why should social media buttons and feeds be removed from a website according to the transcript?

Including social media buttons and feeds can distract visitors and encourage them to leave the site, moving backward in the sales funnel rather than progressing towards a conversion.

What is the problem with using overly posed or exaggerated stock photos on a website?

Such stock photos can make a site feel staged and disconnected from the actual experience of working with the business, potentially leading to a loss of authenticity and trust.

What should be done with the 'About Us' page to avoid using misleading stock photos?

Instead of using stock photos that might be mistaken for the actual team, a genuine group shot should be used to show real people behind the business, fostering trust and authenticity.

Why should detailed team bios be removed from a website?

While it's good to celebrate the team, detailed bios can distract potential clients from the main path you want them to follow, leading them away from the conversion process.

What is the final call to action offered in the transcript?

The transcript offers a master class video training that provides a blueprint for converting first-time visitors into leads and paying clients, encouraging the viewer to click and learn more.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Streamlining Website Aesthetics

The first paragraph emphasizes the importance of simplifying a website's color scheme to enhance its professionalism and appeal. It suggests that overly complex color choices can confuse and deter visitors, potentially affecting the site's credibility. The speaker advises using a limited color palette for accentuation rather than domination, recommending the use of colors in buttons, headlines, and icons against neutral backgrounds to guide visitors and highlight important elements like calls to action and testimonials.

05:01

🗺️ Simplifying Navigation for Clarity

The second paragraph focuses on the necessity of a clear and straightforward website navigation to prevent visitors from feeling lost. It argues that a cluttered menu with too many options can confuse users and detract from the site's purpose. The speaker suggests that five menu items is an ideal number to maintain simplicity and provide a clear path for visitors. Additionally, the paragraph advises removing non-essential pages from the main navigation and placing them in the footer to maintain a clean and focused user experience.

10:02

📝 Refining Content for Relatability

This paragraph discusses the pitfalls of self-indulgent wording and corporate jargon in website content. It stresses the importance of making the visitor the hero of the narrative by addressing their challenges and offering solutions. The speaker recommends using simple language that is easily understandable, akin to explaining to an eighth grader, to connect with the audience and establish expertise without alienating them with complex terminology.

🤝 Enhancing User Engagement with Direct Booking

The speaker addresses the traditional contact form's shortcomings, such as vagueness about the follow-up process, which can deter potential clients. They suggest replacing it with a direct calendar booking tool like Calendly, which allows visitors to see available times and book appointments seamlessly. This approach eliminates back-and-forth communication and provides clarity, making it more likely for visitors to take the next step in engaging with the business.

🚫 Minimizing Distractions with Social Media

This paragraph argues against the inclusion of prominent social media buttons or feeds on a business website. The speaker believes that such elements can distract visitors from the sales journey by encouraging them to leave the site and return to social media platforms. The focus should be on keeping visitors engaged with the content and moving them towards a decision, rather than gaining a new social media follower at the expense of a potential customer.

🎭 Authenticity Over Exaggerated Stock Photos

The speaker criticizes the use of overly posed and exaggerated stock photos on websites, which can make a site feel staged and disconnected from the actual customer experience. They advise against using such images that might make visitors question the authenticity of the business. Instead, they recommend using natural-looking images that capture the essence of working with the business or creating AI-generated images that don't appear stock. The paragraph also emphasizes the importance of real locations in images to add a layer of authenticity.

👥 Humanizing the Business Without Oversharing

The final paragraph discusses the balance between humanizing a business and oversharing on the 'About Us' page. The speaker advises against using team bios that delve into personal details, as they can distract potential clients. Instead, they suggest a simple group photo to show the real people behind the business without leading visitors off the desired path. The paragraph also touches on the importance of not using stock photos to represent the team, as it can diminish trust.

Keywords

💡Leads

Leads in marketing refer to potential customers who have shown interest in a company's products or services. In the video, the speaker emphasizes the importance of a website's ability to generate leads, which is a critical step in converting visitors into paying clients. The script mentions that if a site isn't helping to get more leads, it may need to remove certain elements that confuse or deter potential clients.

💡Credibility

Credibility is the quality that inspires trust in a business or individual. The video script discusses how a poorly designed website with a confusing color scheme can negatively impact a business's credibility. The speaker suggests that even if clients can't pinpoint why something feels off, they will have a gut feeling that can make them second-guess the business's credibility.

💡Color Scheme

A color scheme is the set of colors used in design, often to create a harmonious and visually appealing look. The video script criticizes websites with 'crazy color schemes' that can make a site look homemade and unprofessional. The speaker advises using colors subtly and in a way that supports the overall design rather than dominating it.

💡Call to Action (CTA)

A call to action is a prompt encouraging visitors to take a specific action, such as making a purchase or signing up for a newsletter. The video script suggests that websites should guide visitors to the CTA, using color and design elements to draw attention to it, rather than overwhelming them with too many options or colors.

💡Complicated Menu

A complicated menu refers to a navigation structure on a website that is difficult to understand or has too many options. The script points out that a cluttered menu can confuse visitors and detract from the site's goal of converting visitors into clients. The speaker recommends simplifying the menu to five items to provide a clear path for visitors.

💡Self-Indulgent Wording

Self-indulgent wording is language that focuses excessively on the business's own achievements or qualities, often coming across as bragging. The video script advises against this approach, suggesting that it can be off-putting to potential clients. Instead, the speaker recommends focusing on the visitor and how the business can solve their problems.

💡Corporate Jargon

Corporate jargon consists of specialized terms or phrases often used in business contexts that may not be easily understood by the general public. The video script warns against using such language on websites, as it can alienate visitors and make the business seem less relatable and approachable.

💡Contact Us Form

A 'Contact Us' form is a feature on websites that allows visitors to send inquiries or requests for information. The script argues that traditional contact forms can be vague and create uncertainty about what happens after submission, which can deter potential clients. The speaker suggests replacing them with direct calendar booking tools for clarity and convenience.

💡Social Media

Social media refers to online platforms that allow users to create and share content or participate in social networking. The video script advises against prominently featuring social media links or feeds on a business website, as it can distract visitors and pull them away from the sales process. The focus should be on keeping visitors engaged with the website's content.

💡Stock Photos

Stock photos are pre-existing professional photographs that can be licensed for use in various media. The script criticizes the use of overly posed or generic stock photos on websites, as they can make a site feel inauthentic and disconnected from the actual experience of the business. The speaker recommends using images that feel natural and represent the customer's experience more accurately.

💡Authenticity

Authenticity refers to the quality of being genuine or original, not copied or imitated. The video script emphasizes the importance of authenticity in business, especially on websites, as it helps build trust with potential clients. The speaker suggests avoiding stock photos that represent the team or business in a staged manner, instead opting for images that feel real and relatable.

💡Team Bios

Team bios are short biographical descriptions of team members, often found on a company's 'About Us' page. The script advises against including detailed team bios on a website, as they can distract from the main goal of converting visitors into clients. Instead, a simple group photo is recommended to show the human aspect of the business without leading potential clients off track.

Highlights

The importance of decluttering a website to improve lead generation and client acquisition.

Eliminating confusing color schemes that can undermine the credibility of a business.

The recommendation to use a limited color palette for accents rather than overwhelming the visitor.

The significance of a clear website navigation with a maximum of five menu items to reduce clutter.

The need to remove self-indulgent wording and focus on the visitor's challenges and solutions.

Using simple language to make the website relatable and understandable to a wider audience.

The argument against traditional contact forms due to their vague post-submission process.

Advocating for direct calendar booking tools for clarity and convenience.

The potential negative impact of social media links on a website's conversion rate.

The case for removing overly posed stock photos to maintain authenticity and trust.

The suggestion to use AI-generated images or natural-looking stock photos to convey a genuine experience.

The advice against using stock photos to represent the team on the 'About Us' page.

The recommendation to replace team bios with a simple group photo to show real people behind the business.

The strategy to focus on elements that convert first-time visitors into leads and paying clients.

An offer for a blueprint video training to learn and copy the presenter's client-attracting website strategies.

The emphasis on removing distractions and keeping visitors engaged with the content to move towards a decision.

The importance of maintaining a balance between showcasing the team and not overwhelming the visitor with information.

Transcripts

as a website marketing Pro I've reviewed

and worked on literally thousands of

websites and if your site's not helping

you get more leads or paying clients

it's much more likely that you don't

need to add anything to your site at all

but you do need to get rid of some

things things that are confusing your

visitors pulling them away from where

you want them to go and in some cases

just scaring them off so in this video

I'm going to share the seven things that

you need to remove from your website

right now while each is ruining your

ability to get clients and what works

way better so you can keep more of your

site traffic right where you want them

where they can quickly turn into paying

customers and the first thing you need

to remove from your website is any kind

of crazy color scheme so I see it all

the time especially when business owners

DIY their own site and they don't really

have that designer's eye but they don't

want their site to be boring so they end

up choosing either too many colors or

the colors they do choose are just used

wrong so it ends up looking way more

homemade than it should it's not just

about what we can do right it's about

having the instinct to pull back to edit

because even if your clients can't

pinpoint why something's off they'll

feel it and that gut feeling can make

people really second guess the

credibility of your business and this is

the kind of thing I'm talking about and

I see it quite a bit so we've got this

you know colored gradient up here and

then we've got another really bold color

solid background here and it just

doesn't really go so great with the

green above it right then as we scroll

down we've got these color blocks that

Clash even more and then as we scroll

down more we've got this you know muddy

kind of colored gradient here and this

would all look so much better so much

more like a pro designed it if they were

to pull back on how many colors they

used and use them a lot more subtly like

in buttons or in headlines maybe icons

you know those little Design Elements

that's where your color should pop out

against you know more neutral

backgrounds and the second reason to

pull back is because your website really

should guide visitors where you want

them to pay attention not overwhelm them

with color you know you want attention

on your call to action your persuasive

words and the testimonials so just pick

a few colors that feel good with your

brand and then use them to accentuate

not to dominate okay next up if you've

ever landed on a website and didn't

really know where you should go or what

you're supposed to do that's a problem

when your site visitors feel like that

guess what they're not going to waste

their own time figuring it out they're

just going to leave so your site isn't a

place for visitors to just wander around

aimlessly it's about leading them

straight to why they're there in the

first place which is to see if they want

to work with you right and the way to do

that is to get rid of your complicated

menu now based on my own experience

making hundreds of sites for service

businesses and teaching thousands more

of them through my course I find the

magic number for menu items is five and

know this isn't just like a random

preference of mine it's about cutting

through the Clutter to give them a

really clear path now this menu here for

this Law Firm just makes it too

complicated with all these choices that

means all these extras right Media blog

jobs for lawyers only whatever that

means I mean you may think that they're

important but if they're not directly

leading to a conversion like none of

these are they shouldn't make the final

cut to be up top here so what you want

to do instead is keep your navigation

really nice and simple and only include

the pages that people would actually

need to see to want to become a customer

everything else can find a home

somewhere else on your site usually down

in the footer menu where people who

really want to find them can but what

about the actual written content of your

website so if your website uses mostly

self-indulgent wording and that can look

like bragging about how good you are

like on this website or if you're

leaning on corporate jargon like on this

one or if you're just making it all

about you you're off track so you may

think that this is what being

professional looks like like but trust

me it isn't clicking with your audience

so here's what you should do instead you

know rather than making it all about how

awesome you are as a business turn your

visitor into the hero talk about their

challenges and how you can guide them

toward getting it solved just like this

website does and keep it simple like

honestly as if you're explaining it to

an eighth grader now this website in

particular caters to Savvy business

owners and leaders but the language

that's used here is still simple enough

for anyone to understand it no need for

big words you know honestly the biggest

most successful companies in the world

know not to sound like Mega corporations

on their websites they keep their

language super relatable because it

works you know it draws people in Albert

Einstein actually nailed it when he said

if you can't explain it simply you don't

understand it well enough so by using

easily understandable words on your

website it helps your audience see that

you're the expert they need without

making their heads spin okay next we

need to talk about something on your

site that's supposed to help people get

started with you but it can actually get

in the way of it instead and that is the

traditional contact us form so why

should you remove yours well because

they're usually pretty super vague about

what happens after someone hits submit

do they just wait for an email back or a

call that might come when they're in the

middle of something else it's all just a

bit mysterious and that mystery is a

huge turnoff right people want to avoid

doing anything when they're not sure

about what comes next it's inefficient

and in a world where everyone's looking

for clarity and convenience it just

doesn't cut it anymore but you obviously

need something in its place right here's

what I found works much better so if

you're trying to book conso calls

appointments anything like that plug in

a direct calendar booking tool like

calendly right on your website so I made

the switch on my own website years ago

and it just works seamlessly so the way

it works is VIs visitors can see exactly

when you're available and then they book

themselves in for a time that works for

them and for you no tedious back and

forth necessary and it just cuts out all

the guess work they know exactly what to

expect and when it's clear and efficient

making it way more likely that they're

going to take that next step toward

working with you and believe it or not

if you want to be sure that they'll take

that next step you've got to remove your

social media from your website now hear

me out here social media is up here at

the very top of your sales funnel it's

where people probably first find you

then they get interested in you right

and they decide they want to know more

and as they move deeper into your funnel

that's where they hit your website where

you've got the homec court advantage

this is where you control the narrative

and you set the scene and you gently

nudge them closer to making a purchase

so why then would you want to distract

them and send them back to your social

media with buttons like these in the top

navigation or your Instagram feed

plastered all over your homepage you

know it's just asking for them to take a

step backward in the sales Journey cuz

once they're on your site you want to

keep them there engaged with your

content learning about your services and

moving toward a decision believe me you

don't want to get a new follower at the

expense of losing out on a potential

customer okay and our next website

element on The Chopping Block is

something that can seriously just suck

out so much of the authenticity of your

business and that is all of these overly

posed exaggerated stock photos on your

website and you know these images might

you know fill the space on your site

sure but they also make this site just

feel staged and completely disconnected

from the actual experience of working

with this business when people can just

tell it at stock especially when it's

bad stock and I would argue that pretty

much everything on this page is you know

cheap looking pretty generic bad stock

they're going to start to subconsciously

wonder what else here isn't real you

know they promises their reviews and

that's a road you just don't want to go

down but hey I get it not everyone has

the budget for a professional photo

shoot the good news is you don't have to

have one you know you can still use

stock photos or even better create your

own AI generated ones using something

like mid Journey the trick here is to

either pick or create images that feel

natural and really capture the feeling

that your customers have after working

with you now I actually recommend going

for more satisfied looking Expressions

over ecstatic and just aim for the

higher quality images that don't really

scream stock photo and here's another

Pro tip here so real locations typically

feel more authentic than those with just

like the plain solid background like

that these just add kind of a layer of

realism to the story that you're telling

but most importantly when it comes to

your about us page you you definitely

need to get rid of stock photos that are

meant to be you or your team right

people need to see that there are actual

humans behind the business you know

people just really value doing business

with real people and they need to feel

like those real people are here

somewhere so if visitors come and they

think that you're using stock photos to

represent your team or your work it's

like you're hiding and guess what that

makes them trust you less and while it's

true that you want want to give people a

glimpse of the real humans behind your

business you don't want to go too far in

that direction and make it all about you

and your team so if you have a team you

should definitely remove these team bios

from your site you know the ones that

dive deep into everyone's likes and

dislikes and maybe even their favorite

pizza toppings right here's the thing

while it is cool to celebrate your team

and make them feel seen on your site

your clients don't really care and you

know when you start linking out to every

team member's social media that is just

another detour off the path that you

want them on so instead of laying out

that grid of BIOS why not just keep it

simple with a really nice group shot

right here on your about us page so it

shows that there are real smiling people

behind your work without leading your

potential clients on you know a wild

goose chase but that's just what you

should take away from your website what

about all the things that it actually

needs to be able to auto automatically

convert firsttime visitors into warm

leads and paying clients well I've got

the entire blueprint for you literally

every single thing you need laid out in

one simple on demand video training so

click right here to learn and copy my

clients on demand website blueprint just

for service businesses it's a whole lot

easier than you think so click right

here to save your spot and I'm going to

send you the master class video right

away can't wait to share it all with you