Many millions of dollars are being wasted on promoting and sending traffic to ineffective lead generation websites. Here are my top 10 tips to make your site generate more leads for you and your company.

1. Keep it clean.

A busy, cluttered website will drive visitors directly to your competitor. Make sure your site is easy to navigate and clutter free. We've all beento websites that are awash with information. While you need to get your messageacross you don't want to scare your potential customers away. Make sure yoursite looks tidy, with as few colors as possible. Too many flashing banners andads will undoubtedly detract your visitors from the actual content on your site.Don't include too much highlighting. If you highlight every word in your text,it isn't highlighted it's simply bold.

2. Make it quick.

Studies have shown that the average surfer will give any site only 3 to 4seconds before they formulate that all important first decision. Don't forgetthat first impressions last so you need to dispense with graphics that take toolong to load, ensure that any necessary pictures are of a minimal file size(picture size is irrelevant here) and definitely do not have an all graphicssite; they take an age to load, not to mention the search engines can not do anything with them.

3. It's all about conversion.

Paying for a PPC campaign is a very popular way to get visitors to your site,but you have to be careful that you manage your account for conversion notclicks. Spend money only on those keywords that convert to leads. Use theconversion tracking offered by Google and Yahoo! Search Marketing (formallyOverture). Or use some other ad tracking software. The main point here is yourad campaign should be an investment, not an expense and if you are not trackingyour conversion rate how will you know which it really is?

4. Create trust.

You will not generate leads from a website that does not radiatetrustworthiness. Use third party trust indicators liberally on your site, forexample testimonials, membership organization logos, and endorsements. Also if you statesomething that may be hard for your visitor to believe, explain to them thedetails so you build credibility.

5. Copy is the key.

Your website copy needs to be compelling, informative and lead the reader totake your desired action. Do not list facts and features, state benefits. Youreader doesn't care if your widget does the quarter mile in 2.5 seconds. Theywant a widget that "Does the job so fast they can get done and take off early togo fishing"... See the difference?

6. Pre-qualify leads with content not questions.

If you need a certain demographic lead, make sure your copy spells it outclearly. Clearly explaining the details about who is qualified for youproduct or service will keep you from having to screen out unqualified leadswith too many questions on your form. Which brings me to my next point...

7. Shorter forms actually make for better leads

Highly qualified and highly educated prospects guard their personal informationclosely;keep forms short and only ask the minimum number of questions. Long forms with too many personal questions tend to reduce the quality andquantity of your leads. When someone is willing to share all their personalinformation there is a good chance that person has nothing to lose. You have to consider what information you really need from your leads. If youdon't need to know then don't ask. You can always send a follow up email. Thiswill act not only as a good fact finder but also as your next step increating rapport.

8. Make it easy.

Have a form on every page, or at least on every page that it makes sense to haveit on. Visitors to your site won't take thetime to trawl through 12 pages of website content to find your form and fill itout. I have seen a tremendous increase in leads when I added the form to everypage of a site. I would caution you about having a form too prominent on youhome page though, it tends to scare some visitors off.

9. Sweeten the deal.

Give away free information to entice visitors to fill out your form. Throughout time people have always loved a bargain. The feeling of gettingsomething for nothing is usually enough to help persuade the unsure, and willoften lead to extra leads and extra sales. Make sue that you give away somethingwith a high perceived value, no one is enticed with junk.

10. Communicate in the right language and add personality.

Using plain language that communicates the personality of you and your companywill build trust and rapport. Don't use technical jargon if you are trying to reach the masses. Very fewpeople are likely to know industry buzz words . Keep it simple and informativeand add personalityat the same time. Try and answer questions before they are asked.

Use these 10 tips and generating sales leads from your website will become mucheasier and a lot more profitable.

Bryant Jones is a lead generation consultant, S.E.O. expert and the managing partner of LeadsSolution.com (http://www.leadssolution.com). LeadsSolution.com provides lead generation services including lead generation websites and sales leads to businesses both small and large.