In its simplest description, a landing page is the website page that potential buyers will see first when looking for your product. This can be an opt-in page, a blog page, a sales page, or even a social network page. Although you have many options on where your landing page is located, there is one thing that must remain a constant; it needs to impress and be professional.

Your landing page is your product’s first impression on potential buyers. Poorly written, poorly designed, or just plain unprofessional landing pages can cost you more business than you could ever understand. Designing a landing page that impresses and leaves a good first impression is your goal. However, you don’t have to hire a professional to achieve this goal.

There are 7 easy steps to creating this website page. Following these steps can help you to avoid common landing page mistakes and create a presence on the internet that you can be proud of.

Step 1: USP
Every product has a USP or unique selling point. This can be a patent, the biggest bargain, or the highest quality. It should be whatever your product does “the best.” It is what sets your product apart from your competition. Finding a way to integrate your USP into your headline can also help to ensure that you get ample attention from search engines and are able to draw traffic in to your landing page.

Step 2: Benefits
This one is really important. Many online marketers try to sell features. This is not buyer focused. Instead, focus on what your product can DO for buyers. Use benefits wisely by keeping them focused, short, and make them stand out. You can increase the attention drawing potential of your benefits by highlighting them with bullet points.

Step 3: Photos
A picture is worth a thousand words. Finding just the right picture to characterize your product on your landing page can make a big impression on potential buyers. It gives buyers a sense of connection and can appeal to their aspirations.

Step 4: Context
You now need to provide the buyer with a “real life application” for your product. How can your product specifically change their life? This can be done with videos, pictures, or testimonials.

Step 5: Request customer information
This step is essential on landing pages. It is what ensures that you have their contact information like email address, etc. This allows you to have contact with them after they leave your landing page, even if they don’t purchase anything. Most buyers do not buy the first time so you will need this information. The best part is that you can entice them later with discounts or free offers for purchasing within a specific time frame. Make sure you use a privacy statement. This will ensure buyer safety and gives you a professional standing.

Step 6: Offer a second chance
Because most buyers don’t buy the first time you are on their page, you want to offer them a second chance. This is commonly called a “safety net.” This can be done in many different forms. However, the purpose is to help the potential buyer know that they can still do business with you later, even if they are not ready to purchase right now.

Step 7: Call to Action
The Call to Action is, ultimately, what you want your potential buyers to do. This can be buying your product, completing a survey, go to a sales page, or call your sales associates. Whatever it is that you want them to do before they leave the page, this is the place where you ask them to do so.