I Used This 12-Point Website Checklist and Finally Started Getting Leads (You Can Too)
For the longest time, my website looked great—but it didn’t do anything. No form submissions. No new leads. No calls from potential clients. I told myself it was just “bad timing” or “the algorithm,” but deep down, I knew better.
The problem wasn’t my services or my brand—it was my website strategy. Or rather, my lack of one.
So I decided to stop guessing and start fixing. I created a 12-point website checklist focused entirely on improving visibility, user experience, and conversion. And guess what? Within a few weeks, things changed.
Here’s the checklist that turned my quiet website into a consistent lead-generating machine.
✅ 1. A Homepage That Says Who You Are, What You Do, and Where You Do It
Most small business homepages are vague. If visitors can’t figure out what you offer and where you’re located in five seconds, they bounce. My new homepage leads with a clear headline like:
“Custom Landscaping in Tulsa, OK — Designed for Curb Appeal and Built to Last.”
That one change alone helped me rank locally and kept people from clicking away.
✅ 2. Every Service Has Its Own Page (With Keywords)
I used to have one generic “Services” page. Now, every major service gets its own dedicated page optimized for SEO.
Each page includes:
A keyword-rich H1 headline
Internal links to related pages
A strong CTA like “Book a Free Consultation”
Testimonials or proof relevant to that service
Google loves specific content. So do customers.
✅ 3. Strong Calls-to-Action on Every Page
My old site said things like “Contact us if you’re interested.” Now? Every page tells visitors exactly what to do next:
“Schedule a Free Call”
“Get a Custom Quote”
“Book Your First Appointment”
These CTAs are repeated mid-page and at the bottom so users always have a next step.
✅ 4. A Contact Page That Actually Works
Turns out my old form was glitchy. No wonder I wasn’t getting leads.
Now my contact page:
Loads quickly on all devices
Includes a short form (only what I need)
Lists phone, email, and location clearly
Embeds Google Maps for local SEO benefit
And yes—I tested it on desktop, tablet, and mobile.
✅ 5. Keyword Optimization on Every Page
I finally took the time to research keywords my audience actually searches for.
Think:
“Best residential plumber in Kansas City”
“Affordable bookkeeping services for small businesses”
“Custom wedding cakes in Springfield MO”
Then I used those keywords naturally in headlines, page titles, image alt text, and URLs. That boosted my rankings way faster than I expected.
✅ 6. Internal Linking That Guides Visitors Through the Site
SEO isn’t just about keywords—it’s about keeping users engaged. I started linking related pages together strategically, like:
From my About page to my Services
From blog posts to lead forms
From FAQs to testimonials
This not only helps users—it helps Google crawl my site better.
✅ 7. Mobile Optimization That Feels Native
Over half my traffic is from mobile. My old site looked like a shrunk-down desktop page. Now, everything is thumb-friendly:
Big, tap-ready buttons
Simple navigation menus
Text that’s easy to read without zooming
Forms that work on the go
Mobile-first isn’t optional—it’s SEO fuel.
✅ 8. A Blog That Targets Real Questions
I launched a blog—not because I love writing, but because my customers keep asking the same questions.
Each post is:
Centered around a common search query
600–1000 words with subheadings
Written for humans, optimized for bots
Ending with a CTA to keep the conversation going
The blog gives Google more pages to index, and gives my audience more reasons to trust me.
✅ 9. Real Testimonials That Build Trust
I stopped hiding reviews in a carousel and created a full testimonials page.
Bonus: I pulled quotes from Google reviews, added photos, and grouped them by service.
Now, I include a testimonial on nearly every page—especially right before a CTA.
Social proof isn’t fluff—it’s a conversion tool.
✅ 10. Page Speed That Doesn’t Make You Wait
I used free tools like PageSpeed Insights and GTmetrix to test my load times.
Then I:
Compressed all my images
Installed caching plugins
Switched to better hosting
Removed junk plugins I didn’t need
The result? My bounce rate dropped 30%. My conversions increased.
✅ 11. Google Analytics and Search Console Set Up
Before, I had no idea what was working. Now I know:
Which pages bring traffic
What keywords people are using
What devices they’re using
Where users drop off the funnel
With that insight, I tweak my site weekly and see improvements almost immediately.
✅ 12. A Website That Sounds Like Me
Finally, I rewrote my copy to reflect my actual voice. No more corporate jargon. Just me, talking to my customer like a real person.
When your copy is relatable, clear, and confident, people stick around longer. They feel like they know you before they even reach out.
This Checklist Turned My Website Into a Full-Time Lead Generator
I didn’t add any fancy bells or whistles. I didn’t pay for ads. I just made my site faster, clearer, more SEO-friendly, and more useful to real people.
If your website looks fine but doesn’t convert, go through this checklist.
Fix what’s missing. Then track the difference.
Need a partner to help? That’s what I do. Let’s make your website something that works for your business—not just something you “have to have.”
