Podcast Summary: Episode 7 – "7 Deadly Sins of Websites with Sam Dunning"

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Marketing Millennials
• Host: Daniel Murray
• Guest: Sam Dunning
• Episode Title: 7 Deadly Sins of Websites with Sam Dunning
• Release Date: April 18, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 7 of The Marketing Millennials, host Daniel Murray dives deep into the critical mistakes businesses make with their websites, often hindering conversions and overall marketing effectiveness. Inviting Sam Dunning—a seasoned expert in website design, SEO, and digital marketing—the episode dissects the "7 Deadly Sins of Websites" and offers actionable solutions to transform a website into a powerful sales tool.

1. Designing for Ego and Lack of Research

Timestamp: [02:35]

Key Points: Sam identifies the primary sin as companies designing their websites based on what they think looks good rather than what their target audience needs. This ego-driven approach often leads to messaging that is cluttered with jargon and fails to clearly convey the value proposition.

Notable Quote:

Sam Dunning: "When companies craft their messaging and design, they're building it out for what they think looks good... instead of what their focus client actually cares about." ([02:35])

Solutions:

• Conduct Targeted Research: Engage with existing clients through interviews to understand their pain points and needs.
• Implement the Grunt Test: Ensure that within a few seconds, any visitor can grasp what the company does, how it helps, and the next steps to take. ([05:12])

2. Slow Page Speed

Timestamp: [10:16]

Key Points: A sluggish website frustrates visitors, leading to higher bounce rates and lost opportunities. Common culprits include excessive videos, unoptimized images, and numerous plugins.

Notable Quote:

Sam Dunning: "If your website's super slow, it's just going to frustrate prospects... they're probably just going to bounce off to a competitor." ([10:16])

Solutions:

• Optimize Media: Compress images and limit the use of heavy videos.
• Minimize Plugins: Especially on platforms like WordPress, reduce the number of plugins to only essential ones.
• Use Diagnostic Tools: Employ tools like Page Speed Insights to identify and implement actionable improvements.

3. Hiding Pricing

Timestamp: [12:57]

Key Points: Many B2B companies fear that displaying pricing will deter potential clients, leading them to obscure this information behind lengthy forms or sales calls. This approach often results in unqualified leads and wasted resources.

Notable Quote:

Sam Dunning: "It's almost a crime to hide your price in B2B... your website should fully communicate what you do, how you help, and importantly, your pricing." ([12:57])

Solutions:

• Transparency: Offer clear pricing tiers or brackets even for custom solutions.
• Enhance the Pricing Page: Incorporate social proof, FAQs, and detailed explanations to justify the costs and address common objections directly.
• Qualify Leads Effectively: By presenting pricing upfront, businesses can attract more qualified leads and save their sales teams time.

4. Hiding the Goods

Timestamp: [18:32]

Key Points: Instead of providing immediate access to product demonstrations or previews, many companies funnel prospects through multiple sales interactions, which can dampen interest and slow down the buying process.

Notable Quote:

Sam Dunning: "Prospects want to see if it's for them, if it can do what they want before they speak to a salesperson." ([18:53])

Solutions:

• Interactive Demos: Utilize tools like Navitech to offer live tours or interactive previews of the product.
• Detailed Case Studies and Reviews: Provide in-depth examples and testimonials that showcase the product’s effectiveness and real-world applications.
• Reduce Sales Friction: Allow prospects to experience the product firsthand, increasing their likelihood of converting.

5. Being Light on Content

Timestamp: [22:16]

Key Points: Websites with sparse content struggle to rank well on search engines and fail to capture inbound traffic effectively. Comprehensive, relevant content is crucial for SEO and engaging potential customers.

Notable Quote:

Sam Dunning: "Your website should be like your best salesperson—24/7 representing your company well and converting visitors into leads." ([22:16])

Solutions:

• Expand Content Pages: Develop dedicated pages for each service, use case, and competitor alternative to target specific search queries.
• Optimize for SEO: Conduct keyword research to understand what prospects are searching for and create content that addresses those needs.
• Focus on Bottom-of-Funnel Content: Prioritize offer pages, integration pages, and service-specific content over generic blog posts to attract high-quality leads.

6. Zero Social Proof

Timestamp: [27:15]

Key Points: Lack of social proof—such as testimonials, case studies, and video reviews—can make a website seem untrustworthy or unproven. Effective use of social proof enhances credibility and reassures potential customers.

Notable Quote:

Sam Dunning: "Social proof needs to be believable, relatable, and tailored to the specific use case to truly convince visitors." ([28:07])

Solutions:

• Integrate Testimonials: Place relevant and specific testimonials throughout the website, especially on pages discussing particular features or solutions.
• Use Diverse Formats: Incorporate written reviews, video testimonials, and case studies to cater to different visitor preferences.
• Ensure Authenticity: Feature real customer stories with identifiable information to increase trustworthiness.

7. Poor Call to Actions (CTAs) and Booking Processes

Timestamp: [30:14]

Key Points: Weak or unclear CTAs can hinder the conversion process. Additionally, complicated booking systems for demos or sales calls can deter potential customers from taking the final step.

Notable Quote:

Sam Dunning: "Make it super easy for prospects to book a call... use scheduling tools to streamline the process and route them to knowledgeable representatives." ([30:14])

Solutions:

• Clear and Prominent CTAs: Ensure that CTAs like "Book a Demo" or "Request a Call" are easily accessible and visible on all relevant pages.
• Simplify Scheduling: Implement tools like Calendly or Chili Piper to allow prospects to book meetings without back-and-forth emails.
• Direct to the Right Team Member: Route bookings to sales engineers or knowledgeable staff who can effectively address prospects’ questions.

Conclusion: Emphasizing Experimentation

Timestamp: [33:01]

Key Points: In discussing his "marking hill," Sam underscores the importance of continuous experimentation in marketing. By trying new strategies and learning from the outcomes, marketers can drive innovation and uncover effective tactics.

Notable Quote:

Sam Dunning: "Experimentation is key. It's about doing things off your own back, like starting a podcast or building your own email list, to demonstrate initiative and effectiveness." ([33:01])

Final Thoughts: Daniel and Sam agree that a successful website is one that prioritizes the buyer’s experience, minimizes friction, and continuously evolves through experimentation. By avoiding these seven deadly sins, businesses can significantly enhance their online presence and conversion rates.

Where to Find Sam Dunning

For more insights on SEO and website optimization, follow Sam Dunning on LinkedIn, and check out his podcast, Breaking B2B, at breakingb2b.com for actionable, no-BS marketing strategies.

Tune In Next Week

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