Lead Magnet: Simple vs Artistic?

You didn't mention what niche you're going to be marketing to. Unless you are going into a very artistic heavy niche I would tend to keep things on the clean and simple side. Make your content the star of the show.

Remember, just because the lead magnets you looked at had a lot of artwork doesn't mean they're converting well.

I hope that helps.

Hey Runway

Great post - I agree with BradKasten on just keeping things clean, simple and to the point.

As a copywriter for the past 7 years, I would highly recommend you to focus more on the text than flashy backgrounds, video backgrounds and all that other stuff.

What is being said on a landing page is most important - it MUST be truthful and believable to whoever finds their way to your page.

No distractions - Just a simple, clean page with a headline that is enticing enough to capture emails ( which is the main function of landing pages ) and that's all you need.

Hope this helps!

Feel free to PM and connect with me on Facebook @ Joshua Nazir Yahshua Mayers if you'd like me to elaborate.

-Joshua

Listen, if I have already signed up and gave you my email address in exchange for an eBook, the ONLY thing I want is good, solid information I can put to use in my business.

You can give a pig a makeover and call it a pony, but it's still a bloody pig.

Design can help with perception, but underneath the window dressing there must be something of substance.

Don't be guilty of the "all sizzle no steak" mantra. I agree with Brad and some of the others...simplicity is the best way to go.

It certainly can't hurt to have some artwork, but I wouldn't worry about using a background behind the text. What matters is the content and it is quickly and easily consumed. A background may be distracting.

The info you've shared guys.. is amazing! and str8 to the point.. i luv it!

That's what I was thinking as well. Make it, simple for the customer and the navigation process seamless.

Runway,

Marketers are adding "eye candy" because they can. Years ago graphics were not as prevalent as they are today and it was more of a "chore" to include them. Today, a lot of marketers are using PLR as lead magnets and "freebies." A good portion of today's PLR includes graphics so you notice it more often than in years past. It is also easier and cheaper to license graphics today than it used to be - so more background images.

You mentioned you were putting together "simple landing pages" and I assume you really mean "squeeze pages" - there is a difference. A landing page is any page that is the destination of one of your links. You could have hundreds of landing pages, all within your web site.

So if you are asking about the design of a squeeze page, here's my suggestion. Make it simple, intuitive, with lots of "white space" and with only one option for the visitor: click on the link to receive the "goodie" in exchange for the contact's information . . . or . . . click away from the page. You don't want any other choices. You're qualifying prospects to find out who wants to be a part of your audience.

I would suggest that the squeeze page have a compelling headline, a list of benefits of the freebie, a strong call to action, and a button to click with text. If you want to add a graphic (like a cover for your freebie report or a person enjoying the service you provide, etc) keep it relevant.

It's best if you can keep the whole page "above the fold" so the prospect can see everything without having to scroll.

There is still room for "style" and "cool" but, as others have said, they are not the main attraction - they should just enhance and professionalize your offer.

Good luck to you,

Steve

Just sell the damn thing.

At the end of the day, split testing will tell you what converts best for your niche, audience and offer. Ugly can still work well

Simplicity will always do better online. Now, this doesn't mean you can't be artistic. You can create a simple landing page with beautiful artistic qualities.

But, the bottom line is that you will never know until you actually test things out. It also depends on your niche.

Testing, tracking, and tweaking is the best way for you to really get the best answers to all of your questions.

There is only information and value. No one is going to a product or service to look for "art".


The basic function of design and color is to grab attention SO THAT you can then turn that attention to the offer. However, people carry it way to far and use visuals that detract from the offer.

No one lands on your page with the objective of finding something pretty. they are looking for information and its that information that is important.

As someone who promotes "art" I would beg to differ. One of my squeeze pages has several pieces of "art" on a slider. Tests have shown the particular pieces featured has an effect on opt-in rate.

#1 It depends on the market.

#2 Colors have a very definite affect on peoples' state of mind.

If you have a major theme color, you should definetly test other colors.

I've found shades of Blue to work best for MMO niches.

You should test every variable of your squeeze page, one at a time.