What Is Conversion Rate?

Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on

Learn about conversion rate, why it’s an important digital marketing metric, and how to use it effectively in your digital marketing strategies.

[Featured image] A mobile customer lying on a sofa converts after seeing a call to action on her cellphone.

In digital marketing, the conversion rate is a key metric that calculates the percentage of users who complete a specific desired action out of the total number of visitors to your website or marketing platform. The particular action is defined by your business objectives and might involve clicking on an ad, filling out a web form, purchasing a product, or opening an email. A higher conversion rate indicates that the marketing prompt is more effective, representing more customers who completed the intended action upon engaging with it.

Conversion rates are key performance indicators (KPIs) that offer a clear, precise, and accurate assessment of a marketing campaign's success. To calculate a campaign's conversion rate, divide the total conversions by the overall number of visitors and multiply the result by 100. Finally, evaluate the conversion rate to your business objectives to determine if the campaign meets the predetermined metrics.

Conversion rate = number of conversions / total visitors x 100

Maximising your conversion rate is one of the most efficient ways to use your advertising budget. A high conversion rate means you are advertising to the right audience, increasing the likelihood that they will spend money on your products and services. This, in turn, means you end up with a higher return on investment (ROI) on marketing campaigns while boosting profits and growing your customer base. 

To maximise your conversion rate, consider the following strategies:

  • Add text-based calls to action (CTAs) to each blog on your website.

  • Run A/B tests on landing pages to discover the most effective messaging.

  • Optimise conversion paths on your website.

  • Add a lead flow to your website, such as a pop-up or slide-in box.

Another important thing to remember is your website’s user experience (UX) and user interface (UI). User experience (UX) encompasses users' overall perception and satisfaction when interacting with your website, including its value, credibility, and ease of use. User interface (UI), on the other hand, specifically deals with the visual and interactive elements of the website, focusing on the design and layout that enables users to navigate and interact with the site. 

Both UX and UI play a crucial role in influencing conversion rates. The way customers interact with a business directly affects their opinion of it. Companies that have well-designed websites that are user-friendly and informative tend to experience higher conversion rates. Customers are satisfied with their ability to navigate the website and find value in the information provided.

Related terms

  • Bounce rate

  • Target market

  • Click-through rate

  • Content strategy

  • Jobs to be done

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Conversion rate in digital marketing is the percentage of visitors who take a desired action, like buying a product or signing up for a service. It's a key metric to measure campaign success and can be improved through website optimisation and clear calls to action.

Develop your digital marketing skills on Coursera with the Google Digital Marketing and E-Commerce Professional Certificate. You can learn the marketing fundamentals needed to begin a digital marketing career in about six months.

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