A squeeze page is a web page that’s used for the purpose of getting people to opt in to your newsletter or mailing list by entering their name and email address. A squeeze page generally doesn’t have as much copy as a sales letter, but most squeeze pages have some teaser text and bullet points.
Increasingly, video is being used in place of text on squeeze pages. Most text-based squeeze pages consist of a headline, a short paragraph or two of copy, a few bullet points, and an opt-in box – all “above the fold,” meaning the reader doesn’t have to scroll to continue reading.
Some squeeze pages will also have graphics, including a header and footer, and perhaps other graphics such as an eCover for a free report that’s being given away as a reward for opting in.
First, you need to create a basic HTML page.
You can do this using a WYSIWYG editor, which should make it easier for beginners. WYSIWYG stands for “what you see is what you get.” A WYSIWIG HTML editor lets you design visually, and you generally need to know little, if any, HTML to use one.
Many people use a darker red or a medium blue as the background color for their squeeze page, but you can use any color you like, as long as it isn’t incredibly bright and distracting and it looks good with any other graphics you might use on the page.
You don’t want to put your text directly on this colored background, because it will probably be difficult to read. What you want to do is create a table with a white background, and put all of your text and graphics inside the table.
In your program, create a table with a single cell (1×1) and set the background color to white. This table should probably be between 700 and 800 pixels in width. Most people use between 750 and 770 pixels, because it’s large enough to look good on monitors with very high resolutions, yet it still shows up well even at 800 x 600.
Inside this table, you’ll want to put the rest of your squeeze page information. This should include a headline, a little copy, bullet point or a video, and your opt-in box (you’ll get the code for this from your autoresponder).
You can also put the eCover of the product you’ll be giving away to subscribers, if you have one. Your headline should be something that will tease visitors and make them really want to sign up to get the information you have.
If you’re giving away a 10-page report on the hidden dangers in pet food, your headline might read, “Did you know the food you give your beloved pet could kill him? Read this shocking FREE report about dangerous additives in pet food that could cause your four-legged friend to suffer a slow, agonizing death!”
Next, you need to include some very short teaser copy. Just put in a paragraph or two of text or bullet points that describe the product you’re giving away for free. If you’re using Aweber, you’ll create a list, and then get the code from your admin area.
You’ll need to paste the form into the HTML area. Then you’re finished with your squeeze page! Just save the file, upload it and test it, then start sending traffic to it! You can use this landing page for an AdWords campaign, too – which is beneficial if your business involves a lot of affiliate marketing.
The Importance of Including a Squeeze Page on Your Website
A squeeze page sounds so hostile, doesn’t it? Your visitor lands on your domain and suddenly you’re squeezing information out of them. But in the online business world, it’s the best way to ensure you have the opportunity to interact with that prospect again. After all, it’s not like they’re driving by your establishment every day on their way to work.
A squeeze page is essential for people who have an online web presence – even if your business is a brick and mortar offline entity. With a page like this, you have the ability to capture the name and email address (and sometimes more information such as phone number and address) of your customer for follow up communications.
In order to get the information you want, you’ll need to give something of value. It can even just be the promise to share valuable information with them in the future, such as coupons or sales notifications.
Other things you can use to initiate the exchange of information are a free eBook or report about a topic in your niche. So even if you have an offline car repair business, you could set up a squeeze page on your website to capture the names and email addresses of your potential customers and share a free report on maintaining the health of your car!
It doesn’t have to be anything long or incredible, either. You can have a ghostwriter create the report for you, or look for content known as private label rights that is sold to multiple buyers at a cut rate price.
For a squeeze page, you’re going to need to have an autoresponder system in place. An email autoresponder is the system that takes the information and stores it for you so that you can blast out an email to those individuals at a later date.
There are free email autoresponders, but as with most free things, those have drawbacks. You may be limited to how many sign ups you’re allowed to have, for example. One example of a free option would be Mail Chimp.
It’s best to go ahead and invest in an affordable paid email autoresponder option, like Aweber or GetResponse. With a paid system, your list of subscribers can grow over time without you having to worry about moving it completely.
When you go through the setup of your email autoresponder, it will have you set up a name for your list and walk you through the initial messages that go out. In the end, it will allow you to copy some HTML code for the specific design of opt in box you’ve chosen to go on your site.
You’ll open a tool like FrontPage and paste that code into the website file you’re using to build your site. When you upload it to your hosting server, make sure you test the sign up box to make sure it’s in working order.
Sales Page Layouts That Scream High Conversions
Whenever you have a site online and are selling something, you’ll have your squeeze page in place, a blog reaching out to your prospects, and a sales page that promotes whatever it is that you’re offering.
This can be created a bit differently, depending on whether you’re creating a home page to discuss an offline business, or a sales letter to promote a digital download the customer could access immediately.
If it’s a home page for an offline business, then you’ll want to create pages such as an About Us, FAQ, Services/Products Catalog, Contact, Support, Gallery (if pictures are applicable), and PR (if there’s any press about your company).
A sales letter is crafted a bit differently. You’ll have one long scrolling web page to convince your readers to buy. Usually, they have the same basic outline for what to include.
You’ll start with one or more headlines. Many marketers have a large headline, followed by one or two sub-headlines before the greeting begins. Headlines are dispersed throughout the sales copy, and each section is broken up to make the writing easier to digest.
The introduction and subsequent content is basically a storyline. It can be your true story or empathy for what your reader is going through trying to find a solution. But you can’t just use text and story.
You want to break up this text with bullet lists. Bullets are generally the benefits your customers will derive once they convert into a buyer and download your product, putting it to good use.
If you have images – pictures or videos – that you can use to add a special multi media effect to your sales copy, then scatter those throughout. Don’t overdo it to the point that your page loads too slowly, though.
Customer testimonials are a nice touch – if they’re real. Include a picture of the customer and a non active link to their own website if they’ll allow it. Don’t make up testimonials. Not only is it unethical, but it could get you in trouble with the FTC on down the road.
Near the end of your sales letter, make sure you include information about any money-back guarantees you may offer. After the order button, provide the powerful Post Scripts that sum up the offer for those who like to skim to the end.
Once your sales letter is created, upload it to your hosting server and then before you announce that it’s live, check to make sure there are no broken links or images not appearing. Go through the order process to ensure everything works from checkout to download before you let your customers be the guinea pigs.