Are website optimization and conversion rate optimization roughly the same thing?
-
This is mostly a semantics question, but I also want to check that I have a basic understanding of the two concepts. Are the two terms more or less interchangeable or are there any crucial differences?
I always thought of website optimization as the complementary partner to SEO. While the ultimate goal of SEO is getting people TO your website, website optimization is focused on refining your website so that those people STAY on your website.
When I think of conversion rate optimization, I'd imagine that's pretty much the same goal. Refining a website so that more people stay and ultimately convert (buy something, subscribe to a newsletter, etc).
Is my understanding of one (or both) of them flawed, or is it six of one, half a dozen of the other? Thanks!
-
Well, I would add the conversion rate optimization does not necessarily have to mean "get the user to buy something." It could be to make a phone call, signup for a newsletter, etc. So, it really is about choosing something you want a user to do, implementing a strategy to get the user to do that...then seeing what percentage of users actually do...then improving it as best you can (most likely through A/B testing).
Website optimization...I don't think it has a standard definition. Monica said "umbrella term for SEO and CRO" and I guess that works, but I've heard it relate to a number of other aspects like site speed and social media plugins. I view it more as a buzzword for marketing companies to sell their "all-in-one" campaign packages than something with a specific definition.
Best,
Ruben
-
I think that website optimization is kind of the umbrella term for SEO and CRO. Optimizing you website for search engines and for searchers really.
The goal of CRO is to get people buying on your site. You change layouts, move phone numbers, increase call to actions in order to drive your traffic to make purchases. I believe CRO is almost equally, if not more, important than SEO. Driving traffic is an art, and converting them is the gallery where you sell those paintings.
I could be wrong, but, this is how I see it
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Channel grouping path / assisted conversion benchmarks by industry
Hi Mozzers, I'm trying to find benchmark channel grouping paths to conversion, or assisted conversion trends, by industry... is anybody aware of any benchmark data out there? Thanks!
Conversion Rate Optimization | | Zoope0 -
Tracking Facebook Mobile Visits to Desktop Conversions?
Hi. If I set an ad in Facebook, I can obviously track visits, conversions and so on from that ad and see if they where mobile or desktop. However, how do I, if possible track a mobile visitor who the converts on a desktop? Eg. I go on XXX Facebook Ad on my mobile whilst in work, look around. Like what I see. Then I go home from work, open my laptopn and go on XXX website and send an email enquiry form in. Is this possible to track? Thanks
Conversion Rate Optimization | | YNWA0 -
How to track conversions?
Hi Mozers, Anyone know how I can go about finding what my conversion is on my site? Or how to go about setting up tracking?
Conversion Rate Optimization | | edward-may0 -
Use "Brand Name" or things like "Free Shipping" in Ecommerce Product Title Tags?
Given the current industry best practices and changes to Google algorithms, should I be using "Product name...Brand Name" or something like "Product Name...Free Shipping (or similar)" in my ecommerce title tags? Thanks!
Conversion Rate Optimization | | jeffbstratton0 -
Conversion Report in Adwords
I would like to create a report that shows Campaign-Ad Group-Ad-Keyword but only for items that have conversions. Anyone know a way to do this? Thanks
Conversion Rate Optimization | | EcommerceSite0 -
Adwords and Seller Ratings
We are in the process of having an agency take over an adwords account. Will we lose our seller ratings? The website we are advertising will not change, just the adwords account. Based on what I've read google pulls data from display URL. We were concerned with losing them as we've had a CTR% since they started showing up in our search ads. They will NOT be using our account, but they will be adding us to their MCC & granting us access. Thank You!!
Conversion Rate Optimization | | TP_Marketing0
